• Ricks Spa Care Guide
    Spa maintenance schedules for three sanitization systems are listed below. Chlorine is included but is not recommended as Chlorine offgasses at 97 degrees fahrenheit, and dissipates very quickly in warm spa water. Bromine offgasses at 140 degrees fahrenheit, and therefore is a much more efficient sanitization system for spas. Chlorine works great for pools, but is not the best choice for spas. The mineral cartridge system is the most highly recommended as it is the easiest to control, resulting in the safest system for you and your spa components. The mineral cartridge system does use chlorine, but is a “low chlorine” system. The low chlorine level works with the mineral cartridge to keep it activated. Your water quality will directly affect the lifespan of your spa.

    Spa Maintenance Schedule - Bromine Sanitization System
    Startup: Fill spa with fresh water – use caution not to overfill spa
    Perform water balance procedure
    Add 2 ounces of scale defense
    Add 16 ounces of metal protect
    Add 1 pound of sodium bromide per 500 gallons of water
    Add bromine tablets to feeder, test and adjust to maintain bromine level of 3 to 6 PPM
    After each use: Add 1 tablespoon non-chlorine shock per person
    (Non-chlorine shock can lower total alkalinity and PH levels, so monitor closely)
    At least once per week: Perform water balance procedure
    Test and adjust to maintain bromine level of 3 to 6 PPM
    Weekly: Clean filter cartrigde(s) with hose
    Add 2 ounces of scale defense
    Monthly: Spray filter cleaning solution on filter cartridge(s), then clean with hose
    Clean spa cover & pillows
    Every 3 months: Drain and refill spa with fresh water – use caution not to overfill spa
    Perform water balance procedure
    Soak filters in filter cleaning solution
    Yearly: Replace filter cartridge(s)

    Spa Maintenance Schedule - Chlorine Sanitization System
    Startup: Fill spa with fresh water – use caution not to overfill spa
    Perform water balance procedure
    Add 2 ounces of scale defense
    Add 16 ounces of metal protect
    Add 2 tablespoons of chlorine granules per 500 gallons of water – test and maintain Chlorine level of 1 to 3 PPM
    After each use: Add 1 tablespoon non-chlorine shock per person
    (Non-chlorine shock can lower total alkalinity and PH levels, so monitor closely)
    At least once per week: Perform water balance procedure
    Test and maintain chlorine level of 1 to 3 PPM
    Weekly: Clean filter cartrigde(s) with hose
    Add 2 ounces of scale defense
    Monthly: Spray filter cleaning solution on filter cartridge(s), then clean with hose
    Clean spa cover & pillows
    Every 3 months: Drain and refill spa with fresh water – use caution not to overfill spa
    Perform water balance procedure
    Soak filters in filter cleaning solution
    Yearly: Replace filter cartridge(s)

    Spa Maintenance Schedule - Mineral Cartridge Sanitization System
    Startup: Fill spa with fresh water – use caution not to overfill spa
    Perform water balance procedure
    Add 2 ounces of scale defense
    Add 16 ounces of metal protect
    Install new mineral cartridge
    * Note: mineral cartridge will sanitize up to 500 gallons of water – once installed, do not remove mineral cartridge from water or it will deactivate and need to be replaced – do not use mineral cartridge system with biguanides.
    Before and after each use: Add 1 tablespoon non-chlorine shock per 250 gallons of water
    (Non-chlorine shock can lower total alkalinity and PH levels, so monitor closely)
    As needed for high bathing loads: Add 1.5 tablespoons Chlorine granules per 250 gallons of water
    At least once per week: Perform water balance procedure
    Weekly: Add 1.5 tablespoons Chlorine granules per 250 gallons of water
    Clean filter cartrigde(s) with hose
    Add 2 ounces of scale defense
    Monthly: Spray filter cleaning solution on filter cartridge(s), then clean with hose
    Clean spa cover & pillows
    Every 3 months: Drain and refill spa with fresh water – use caution not to overfill spa
    Perform water balance procedure
    Discard old mineral cartridge and install new mineral cartridge
    Soak filters in filter cleaning solution
    Yearly: Replace filter cartridge(s)

    Water Balance Procedure
    * Use test strips to read current levels then adjust accordingly
    Important! Always adjust total alkalinity first before adjusting PH
    * Always turn on pumps before adding chemicals, and circulate spa for at least 30 minutes before retesting
    Adjust total alkalinity to range within: 80 – 120
    Adjust PH to range within: 7.2 – 7.6

    Important Tips
    Set filtration cycles to run at night if possible.
    Filtration cycles running during the day in summer months causes “thermal creep”. This is a condition where your spas actual temperature is hotter than the spas temperature set point. The heat generated from the filtration pump can heat the air and plumbing inside the cabinet and actually heat the spa without the heater ever coming on. Other ways to avoid thermal creep:
    * Open all air controls
    * Vent cover by placing a folded cloth under one side of the cover to create a gap for heat to escape
    * Reduce filtration cycle times
    If for some reason your spa loses power, or becomes inoperable during freezing weather, Keep the cover closed, and do not drain the spa unless you perform the winterization procedure described below. Even cold water contains heat and will protect your plumbing from freezing for a while. If your spa requires service, call right away. A small light bulb illuminated and placed inside your spa cabinet will protect it from freezing. Be sure the light bulb is not touching anything to avoid risk of fire or damage
    Never mix sanitization systems - If you change sanitization systems, drain spa and start new system with fresh water
    Never run the spa with filters removed
    Items such as mineral cartridge, toys, clothing, etc. can be sucked down filter line and clog pump impeller
    Always leave cover on spa when not in use
    Hot sunlight can damage the spas acrylic surface resulting in surface cracks
    Never substitute bleach for Chlorine Granules
    Be careful not to overfill spa
    Overfilling a spa with an air blower system will cause water damage to blower motor
    The mineral cartridge system is a low chlorine system – follow the spa maintenance schedule instructions above and disregard chlorine level on test strips.
    Never use bromine with mineral cartridge system
    Mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits etc. can quickly destroy your spa. In cold weather, your spa is a warm inviting hangout for pests. Once inside they will chew and destroy the wires and plumbing. Placing poison inside the spa cabinet is one way to avoid this
    Do not use drugs, take medications, or drink alcohol while using your spa
    Keep all electrical appliances far away from spa to avoid electrocution
    Do not use an extension cord to power your spa
    Do not let children use the spa unsupervised
    Do not operate spa without a working Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) – Test Your GFCI on a regular basis
    Set your spa to filter at least 4 hours per day
    For large spas, spas with an Ozone Generator, or spas using the mineral cartridge system, 8 hours of filtration per day is recommended

    Winterization (or Summerization) Procedure
    * Water left in lines during the winter can freeze and break plumbing lines
    * Water left in lines during the summer will cause algae to grow in plumbing lines
    Remove filter cartridge(s)
    Remove drain plugs from pump wet ends
    Disconnect unions from pumps and heater
    Shop-vac all lines to remove all water
    Make sure cover is closed and secure so debris does not get into spa, covering the spa with a tarp is a good idea

    Water Imbalance Properties
    Condition Result Solution
    Low PH Water is acidic Add PH increaser
    Damage to spa components
    Reduces sanitizer efficiency
    Skin and eye irritation
    Destroys total alkalinitys ability to buffer PH
    High PH Damage to spa components Add PH decreaser
    Scale forms on spa surface
    Water can become cloudy
    Skin and eye irritation
    Low Total Alkalinity PH will fluctuate Add alkalinity increaser
    Increases chance of damage to spa components
    Skin and eye irritation
    High Total Alkalinity Difficulty adjusting PH Add dry acid (PH decreaser will lower total alkalinity)
    Damage to spa components
    Scale forms on spa surface
    Water can become cloudy
    Skin and eye irritation

    Troubleshooting
    Condition Possible Causes Solutions
    Cloudy water Inadequate water circulation Increase filtration time – minimum 4 hours per day
    High total alkalinity level Add dry acid (PH decreaser will lower total alkalinity)
    High PH level Add PH decreaser
    High TDS Drain & refill spa with fresh water
    Inadequate oxidizer (Sanitizer) Add 1.5 tablespoons Chlorine granules per 250 gallons of water
    Algae Inadequate water circulation Increase filtration time – minimum 4 hours per day
    Inadequate oxidizer (Sanitizer) Add 1.5 tablespoons Chlorine granules per 250 gallons of water
    * Note: Do not use algae treatments containing copper with Mineral Cartridge sanitization system
    Scale High total alkalinity level Add dry acid (PH decreaser will lower total alkalinity)
    High PH level Add PH decreaser
    High TDS Drain & refill spa with fresh water
    Unpleasant odor Inadequate oxidizer (Sanitizer) Add 1.5 tablespoons Chlorine granules per 250 gallons of water
    Water imbalance Test and adjust water balance
    High TDS Drain & refill spa with fresh water
    Foaming Residual detergent in swimwear Additional rinsing of swimwear in clean water after laundering
    High total alkalinity & PH levels Test and adjust water balance
    Cosmetics, lotions, oils, soaps, hair products, deodorants, perfumes Shower before using spa - Avoid submerging hair
    Spilling drinks in spa Use spill proof drink ware – Important: Using drugs, taking medications, or drinking alcohol while using the spa can result in hyperthermia, drowning, or death. Never use glass containers in your spa

    Acrylic Surface Staining
    Color Possible Causes
    Blue/Green Copper or Iron in water supply
    Copper or Iron caused by spa equipment corrosion
    Red/Brown Iron or Manganese from water supply
    Iron or Manganese caused by spa equipment corrosion
    Black Manganese in water supply

    Glossary Of Terms
    PH: Potential of hydrogen – the value expressing the relative acidity or basicity (degree of alkalinity) of water
    TDS: Total dissolved solids
    Total Alkalinity: The ability of water to resist changes in PH, the measure of the dissolved bicarbonates
    PPM: Parts per million