Hot Tub Mineral Systems

Hot Tub Mineral Systems

Mineral care is not a replacement for bromine or chlorine, but works together with it and allows you to keep bromine or chlorine levels much lower than would normally be needed. With a mineral system you can keep bromine or chlorine levels as low as 1.0 part per million (ppm), this allows you to have clean sparkling water without the negative affects of chlorine or bromine like stinky chemical odors and fading swimming suits.

How Does It Work?

Mineral Systems come in a few different brands and forms. At Hot Tub Warehouse, we carry Spa Frog Minerals. These systems uses and active ingredient of Silver Chloride that destroys bacteria while neutralizing acid, this helps to keep pH in the proper range with little maintenance.

The Filter Frog system is used with a design that allows the unit to fit right inside most spa filters, and it lasts for 4 months at a time. Releasing minerals into the water as it flows over it.
The other option is the Spa Frog Mineral Cartridges which are used together with Spa Frog Bromine Cartridges in either a floating or inline system. These cartridges release minerals into the spa and also need to be replaced every 4 months.

What levels should be maintained?

When using a mineral system keep in mind that it cannot be used alone, but together with either bromine or chlorine! Whenever you start with fresh water, which should be at least every 4 months, you need to be sure and give the water an initial shock treatment to establish a residual level of chlorine or bromine at 1.0-2.0 ppm. After initial water balancing levels should be maintained as follows:

pH: 7.2-7.8
Total Alkalinity: 80-180 ppm
Calcium Hardness: 150-400
Chlorine or Bromine- 1.0-2.0 ppm

It is a good practice to continue to shock treat your water once per week or more depending on use.

Using a mineral system can be a great option to kill bacteria in your spa water while maintaining water clarity, keeping pH in neutral territory, and reducing bromine or chlorine usage for softer and more comfortable water.

Pristine Blue, A Non-Chlorine Option

One of the few things that people dislike about swimming or hot tubing is the chemical odor that can come from the water—not to mention the burning eyes, itchy skin, and chlorine taste when you accidentally get a little drink of the water. Chlorine can also bleach swimming suits and the vinyl liners in pools. Chlorine can be hazardous to store and corrode equipment. Because chlorine has been the dominate product on the market for so long many people don’t realize that there are other choices out there.

If you are interested in going with a Non-Chlorine System, we recommend Pristine Blue. Pristine Blue can provide some advantages over chlorine if you are looking to get rid of the “chemical” odor and side effects that come with chlorine. Pristine Blue is gentle on the skin and eyes and allows for you to swim right after application, unlike chlorine with which there is a need to wait awhile before using the water. Being EPA registered in every state and NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certified shows that Pristine Blue is safe.

There are six different products that make up the Pristine Blue Non-Chlorine water system.

The first, Pristine Blue, is the cornerstone of the system, it works as an algaecide and bactericide while being environmentally friendly also. The active ingredient of Copper Ions, that is bonded with a unique carrier allows Pristine Blue to put enough copper into the water to control both bacteria and algae. The active ingredient is long lasting and stays suspended in the water making it so that after the initial dose you only need to test your level of Pristine Blue every two weeks and top it off as needed with more Pristine Blue, this makes water maintenance very quick and easy!

Pristine Clean, will work against scale and metal build up. Metal and mineral particles can come into your water from things like jewelry, hoses, and metal equipment, Pristine Clean prevents these particles from bonding to your pool or spa walls, keeping your surfaces sparkling clean. Pristine Clean can be added every two weeks when you check your Pristine Blue.

Pristine Power is a non-chlorine shock that dissolves quickly and removes odors, organisms, contaminants and body oils that can cause cloudy water. For swimming pools it is recommended to add Pristine Power weekly or biweekly depending on use, for spas adding the recommended dose of Pristine Power should be done after each use, but not exceeding once per day.

Pristine Extra is a di-chlor based shock that is used for initial startup. This product is 99% sodium di-chlor which dissipates very quickly and lets the water rapidly return to its non-chlorine status.

For clearing cloudy water, Pristine Clear will do the job. It brings suspended particles together which allows the filtration system to get them out of the water. Use Pristine Clear as needed with the recommended dosage to keep your water looking crystal clear.

Pristine Check is used to prepare the water before startup with Pristine Blue and also controls calcium in the water. Because Pristine Check collects all the excess calcium in the water before introducing Pristine Blue into the water, you need to make sure to give your filter a good clean after each use of Pristine Check. Pristine Check should be used in spas anytime the water is drained and refilled and in pools it is recommended to add the recommended dose of Pristine Check anytime you are adding make up water.

The Pristine Blue Mini Test Kit is the best way to test the Pristine Blue levels in your pool and spa water. You will also want to use test strips to test the total alkalinity and pH in your water. It is okay to use other pH adjusters with the Pristine Blue system, but you do not want to use any other metal out products, stain and scale products, algaecides, flocculants and cal-hypo shocks. Use of these products is not needed and may cause Pristine Blue to be ineffective in controlling algae and bacteria.

No matter what sanitation system you choose to use it is always very important to follow the dosing instructions of the product you are using and be sure to test and maintain your water as recommended.

Basic Tips for Spa Maintenance

Chances are you have received a wealth of conflicting information on how to take care of your hot tub. Friends and family offer helpful tips, your owner’s manual comes with a long list of prescriptions and your chemical testing kit probably has its own suggestions. With all of this information available, how do you know what is useful?

There are a few basic rules that all hot tub owners ought to follow in order to ensure a safe and pleasant spa experience for everyone, including maintaining your water and chemicals, and ensuring that all parts are operating correctly. Taking time to maintain your hot tub can save you time and money down the road as you will not need to replace parts or drain the water as often!

1. Change Your Water Every 3, 4, or 6 months

This depends on frequency of usage and whether your hot tub is well maintained. Hot tubs that have efficiently working spa parts and whose water is treated may last longer, but remember, no amount of chemical additives can protect you completely in water that is old and dirty. To be on the safe side, change the water quarterly.

2. Daily Duties

Some hot tub maintenance tasks need to be completed daily to make sure you hot tub runs smoothly and to avoid larger, more serious problems down the road. These tasks take a few minutes a day:
Check your pH levels: should be between 7.2 and 7.6.
Check chlorine levels: should be between 1-3 mg/l (ppm). Use Hot Tub pH Plus or Minus according to instructions to recalibrate.
Bromine is more common in hot tubs and bromine should be between 2-4 ppm.
Check for foam

3. Weekly Duties

It is important to do the following on a weekly basis so as to not let dirt or grime pile up as this will results in more work in the future, as well as potentially damaging your equipment:
Shock hot tub
Clean your spa filter: make sure the filter is placed correctly in the canister to ensure that the water is filtered and to maximize jet pressure. Replace filters every twelve months as degraded filters will cause cloudy water. If your filter is under a year old, make sure to clean it on a monthly basis and soak it in degreaser. Always have a spare 2nd filter as filters have to be allowed to dry first so that the fibers can bind together after cleaning.
Check your water: how often you need to check your water depends on a variety of factors – your frequency of usage, whether you use a hot tub cover, whether the spa part are functioning correctly, etc. In general, it is a good idea to check your water twice a week, just to be on the safe side.

4. Clean Your Hot Tub Cover

Every 6 months, clean your hot tub cover with a diluted chlorine solution that includes UV protection

Ashley Olson, Hot Tub Warehouse. Hot Tub Warehouse is a supplier of quality hot tub parts and accessories, including fitted spa covers and hot tub covers. For a wide selection of hot tub chemicals, testing supplies, filters and more, please visit Hot Tub Warehouse.