A helpful primer on the care and preservation of your spa.

Standard Equipment

Pump and Motor
The pump circulates the spa water through the filter and heater and then returns it to the spa.

Filter or Sanitizer
The filter's primary purpose is to clean the spa of particles. There are three basic types of filters available on the market and a few alternatives.

Diatomaceous Earth Filters (DE)
DE filters are fine mesh that has been coated with diatomaceous earth. Although these filters are organic, some areas restrict disposal of DE, which is done each time the filter is cleaned or backwashed, which occurs frequently.

Sand filters
These filters force the spa water to pass through a fine sand which filters particles from the water. The sand needs to be replaced every few years.

Cartridge filters
These pass the spa water through a series of grid-like devices made of a pleated mesh material.

Ultraviolet Water Sterilizers
Sanitize spa water with ultraviolet rays.

Ionizer
This type of spa sanitizer kills bacteria by introducing an electric current between two metal electrodes located in the water pipe system.

Ozone Generator
Sanitize by introducing ozone into the spa water.

Water Analysis and Chemicals

Spa water must be sanitized and balanced at all times to provide a safe water environment. The heated water provides perfect growing conditions for unwanted bacteria.

Sanitizers
Chlorine and bromine are the most common chemicals used to sanitize, or keep your spa free from microscopic particles. Other sanitizers such as chlorine generators and oxidizers are also available. Oxidizers are sometimes teamed with bromine to sanitize a spa.

Balance
Imbalanced water causes eye irritation, cloudy water, and can spell trouble for your pool's operation equipment. Maintaining specific levels of pH, alkalinity, water hardness, and total dissolved solids will keep spa water balanced. Sodium bicarbonate (soda ash) and muratic acid are the two most common products used to balance spa water.

Testing
Spa water needs to be tested regularly. The frequency depends on your region, weather conditions, and how much the spa gets used. Three to four times a week is a good rule of thumb when it is used regularly.