A Guide to Water Sanitisation

Water Sanitisation

Sanitisers kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water clean. A low sanitiser level will allow bacteria and viruses to grow quickly in the spa water. To raise the sanitiser level, simply add an approved sanitiser. A high sanitiser level can cause discomfort to eyes, lungs and skin. To lower the sanitiser level, simply wait – the sanitiser level will naturally drop over time. Effective and safe sanitisers include Granular Chlorine (Dichlor-type only), HydrogenPeroxide and Granular Bromine.

Super Sanitisation (Spa Shock)

Normal sanitation does not eliminate Chloramines (trapped Chlorine), Bromamines (trapped Bromine), along withother non-filterable wastes, such as perspiration, oils, hair sprays, etc. that can build up in the water. Thesesubstances make the water unattractive in appearance and odour, and can interfere with sanitiser effectiveness.

Normal sanitation does not eliminate Chloramines (trapped Chlorine), Bromamines (trapped Bromine), along withother non-filterable wastes, such as perspiration, oils, hair sprays, etc. that can build up in the water. Thesesubstances make the water unattractive in appearance and odour, and can interfere with sanitiser effectiveness.

PH Control (PH)

Proper pH balance is extremely important in providing water that is comfortable to the user, and preventing damage to the spa and equipment. The measure of acidity and basicity in the water is called pH. The pH scale ranges from 0-14. Levels of pH less than 7.0 are acidic while pH levels greater than 7.0 are basic. The proper pH range for a spa is7.4-7.6. High pH levels (greater than 7.6) can cause scale build-up on the spa and its equipment, cloudy water, a prematurely dirty filter, and less effective sanitation. To correct high pH levels, add a pH decreaser. Low pH levels(less than 7.4): can cause discomfort to the spa users, rapid dissipation of sanitiser, and corrosion to the spa equipment. To increase pH levels, add a pH increaser.

Total Alkalinity (TA)

TA is the quantitative measurement of alkaline components (carbonates and bicarbonates) present in water, which ifproperly adjusted, act as a buffer against rapid pH changes. Proper total alkalinity levels are important to ensureoptimal chemical balance in spas. Low TA can cause the pH to be unstable causing the water to be corrosive or scaleforming to the spa and its equipment. To correct low TA, add a Total Alkalinity Increaser. High TA can cause scalebuild-up, cloudy water, as well as other pH problems. If the spa water has high TA, contact your authorised Spadealer for assistance.

Calcium Hardness (CH)

CH is the measure of dissolved calcium in the water. Low CH (soft water) can stain the spa surface as well as cause corrosion to the spa and its equipment. To correct low CH, add a CH Increaser. High CH (hard water) can cause cloudy water as well as rough scale build-up on the spa surface and equipment. If the spa water has high CH, it is preferable to either dilute the water’s hardness by blending the water with water from a water softener, or by the addition of a special water softening chemical (contact your authorised Spa dealer).

Stain And Scale Control

Stain and scale problems are common in hot water environments. To help prevent and control staining and scaling, add a Stain and Scale Inhibitor.

Foam Control

Spa water that is polluted with body oils and lotions, combined with high water temperatures, can cause excessive surface foaming. For a temporary fix, add a Foam Remover. The best way to control foam is to Super Sanitise the water; this will destroy the soap agents that normal levels of sanitiser will not.

Cloudy Water Prevention And Control

There are two basic reasons that spa water becomes cloudy. Non-filterable liquid waste (e.g. perspiration) has contaminated the water. To remove these substances, Super Sanitise the water. Or, non-filterable micro-particulate waste (e.g. dust) has contaminated the water. To remove these substances use a Water Clarifier.

Why Is My Water Cloudy?

Cloudy spa water can result from a heavy bather load. It can also be a result of dirty filter cartridges, clean with Spa Fresh Filter Scrub as per instructions. Other causes can be insufficient filtering time, pH and alkalinity out of balance or incorrect dose rate and low levels of calcium hardness (particularly with tank water). Sometimes it is simply time to dump the spa water.​

Why Does My Water Have A Bad Odour?

Smelly spa water can be the result of insufficient dose rate of Sanitiser, pH and alkalinity being out of balance, heavy bathing load or dirty filter cartridges. If all have been checked and are fine, it can be that the spa has been covered for a period of time and a condensation smell can appear. Remove cover and wipe down with damp cloth and Spa Fresh Pipe Degreaser (using rubber gloves) rinse off and leave in the sun to dry. The Spa Fresh range has no smell, where others contain a chemical odour which masks the cause of the smell.

Why Do I Have To Use A Pipe Degreaser When I Dump My Spa Water?

An accumulation of 'body fats' builds up on the internal wall cavities of the pipework of your spa. These body fats will absorb sanitizers causing excessive usage of product. This can lead to a breeding ground for bacteria. You need to eliminate this from your system to prevent any build up. Use Spa Fresh Pipe Degreaser as per instructions prior to every water dump.

How Often Do I Need To Clean My Filter Cartridge?

Spa filters should be cleaned every 3-6 weeks, or as required. This depends on bather usage and surrounding elements. Regular cleaning of filters will ensure maximum filtration of spa water and will prolong the life of your filter. Just hosing down the filter will not clean it. The filter traps body fats which are an oily build up that water will not disperse. Use Spa Fresh Filter Scrub to dissolve these body fats, then hose down with a garden hose.

Do I Need To Balance My Spa Water?

This depends on water quality, water will differ from area to area around the country. It is recommended that regular testing using Spa Fresh 4 Way Test Strips, will enable you to test and adjust if required. See 'Balancing the Water'.

What Should I Do With My Spa When I Am Away?

Portable spas may be emptied and left covered. An in-ground spa should be degreased, dumped and then upon return, follow start up directions. This is to be done if away for a lengthy period of time. If you are only going away for a few days or up to a week, test water to ensure balance is fine and add 500mls/1000litre of Spa Fresh Spa Sanitiser, and retest upon return. If going away for a long time, add a Start-up Dose of Spa Fresh on return (see Start-up instruction).

I Have Algae In My Spa - How Do I Get Rid Of It?

On occasions a spa will become infected with algae. This is more common with tank water, Should this occur we would recommend the following:Visit your local Spa retailer and purchase a packet of Spa Fresh Algicide.

​Make a premix with one half of the contents of each colour sachet in some water and when dissolved pour the blend into the spa. Try to have the pH at 6.8 -7 as this will assist the algicide to be more effective.​

Circulate and filter for 8-12 hours. (The spa will initially go cloudy however do not let that worry you), turn air jets on and off several times during this time. At the same time, using a damp cloth with Spa Fresh pipe degreaser on it, wipe inside of spa and around jets, under head rests and the underside of the spa cover. Rinse off the spa cover and leave exposed to the sun.

(If the infestation is severe and when the water is ready to be dumped, remove the filter cartridges, add Spa Fresh pipe degreaser and circulate for 30 minutes and then dump at this point)​Burn off dead algae with Spa Fresh Spa Shock at 60grams/1000 litres and filter for 4 hours, then clean filter cartridges, thoroughly rinse and flush the filter cartridges until water runs clear through the filter cartridges. If required, balance water with Spa Fresh Balance (alkalinity 120ppm, pH 7.6.)Finally, dose the spa with Spa Fresh Spa Sanitiser at the rate of 1 litre/1000 litres of water.

What Is The Purpose Of A Circulation Pump?

A circulation pump maximises water filtration in your spa, with the greatest energy efficiency. The high movement and low wattage circulation pumps used in our range of spas has the highest 10 Star Energy efficiency rating and has been rated as the best performing filtration system in the industry.

How Long Does It Take To Heat The Spa?

With the Hybrid Spa System option, you can have your spa heated and ready to use in under 30 minutes. With a spa’s standard heating system, the spa will heat 1,000 litres by 3 degrees per hour.