FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Measuring your existing hot tub cover for a replacement is not difficult but it is very important. We can rarely make hot tub covers based on the make and model of your tub because the manufacturers change their designs so often that it's very likely that the cover you receive won't fit properly and, therefore, it won't insulate properly. But don't worry, we have the simple tips to ensure that your cover fits perfectly....

Your hot tub cover can look way past its best very quickly if it is not maintained and cleaned regularly! Don't let this happen to your investment! Read about why this happens and what you can do to protect your cover.

If you have just broken one of the foam insert in your cover you don't need to replace the complete cover, you can simply remove the broken insert and replace it. Follow these guidelines to ensure that you order the correct size.

Ever thought of making your life a lot easier when it comes to removing and storing your hot tub's expensive, fitted cover? Well, it can be a lot easier with a hot tub cover lifter that is designed to take the strain out of lifting and moving your cover! Find out about the different types of cover lifter and how to choose one here....

Chlorine is the traditional pool and spa sanitiser, but unfortunately it is also the nastiest and one of the the hardest sanitisers to use correctly. Chlorine is very sensitive to pH fluctuations and doesn't work effectively if the pH is outside of the optimum range. In addition, chlorine is toxic, it is smelly and it can cause skin and eye irritation.

At Each 3 Monthly Water Change Clean the Plumbing: Add a plumbing cleaner (spa flush) to your existing tub water and turn on all jets and pumps for at least 30 minutes. Remove the filter(s) during this process if you are able to run your pumps without the filters in place. It’s preferable to leave the plumbing cleaner to work overnight if possible. Drain the Tub: Use a non-scouring pad to wipe away any deposits left on the shell as the water drains. For significantly dirty spas use a specialist spa surface cleaner. DO NOT use any household cleaners. Clean the Filter(s): Rinse any debris from between the pleats under a running tap, or use a specialist hot tub cleaning too on your garden hose. Sprinkle powdered fileter cleaner all over the surface of the filters and place them on the bottom shelf of your (clean) dishwasher.  Run the dishwasher on a normal 50ºC wash cycle. If your filter(s) won’t fit in the dishwasher then soak them overnight in a suitable container using a powdered filter cleaner, then rinse thoroughly. Allow your filter(s) to dry naturally before replacing them in the tub. This is important because the filter material will last much longer if it is allowed to thoroughly dry between uses. Filters can take a very long time to dry so it’s a good idea to keep a spare set and to rotate them each time you clean them. Refill the tub with clean water. Balance the Water: Test the Total Alkalinity and pH of the water using appropriate test strips and adjust the Total Alkalinity and pH if necessary, using the directions on the water balance product containers: the Total Alkalinity should be within the range: 80 - 120 ppm the pH should be within the range: 7.2 – 8.2 You should first adjust the Total Alkalinity and, when that is in the correct range, adjust the pH. If you do not have the balancers you needn’t worry, you can still carry on and use your tub. Just get the products you need and balance the water as soon as you can. Once it is done, and as long as you maintain ecoONE in your water, it is very unlikely that you will need to do it again until the next water change. (Don’t neglect the balancing because incorrectly balanced water can damage your equipment, cause cloudiness and skin irritation and stop your sanitiser working effectively.) Add ecoONE Spa Monthly: Add the entire contents of a bottle of ecoONE Spa Monthly, with all pumps running and all jets open. Add the Bromine or, optionally, Chlorine: Fill a floating dispenser with Bromine (or Chlorine) tablets and adjust the flow rate to a medium-low setting. Put the dispenser into the tub and invert it to make sure that it is full of water and not air – Bromine (or Chlorine) tablets don’t dissolve in air! Alternatively if your tub has an automatic chemical dispenser fitted then use that instead making sure it is set to a low flow rate. Shock to Remove any Dissolved Contaminants: Sprinkle a sachet of AquaSPArkle Spa Fusion, some surespa Spa Shock Express, or a similar shock product over the surface of the water. Turn on all pumps and leave the cover off for 1 hour. Get in and RELAX! You can get in the tub 20 minutes after you have applied the Spa Shock Regular Maintenance Weekly: Check the level of Bromine (or Chlorine) tablets in your dispenser and refill if necessary. Test the Bromine (or Chlorine) level in the water and adjust the flow rate on your dispenser if necessary to maintain 1 – 2 ppm. You might have to fiddle with your dispenser for a while until you find the setting that maintains the correct level, but once you know the correct setting for your dispenser and your tub you won’t need to change it again. Fortnightly: Use a shock product as described above to remove non-filterable organic contaminates. You should shock your tub fortnightly as a matter of course. It is also a good idea to shock after any period of very heavy use or if children have been in the tub (let’s be honest, it’s not a very attractive proposition to get out of that lovely hot water to find the loo!). NB. Don’t check the Bromine (or Chlorine) level for at least 12 hours after you have applied the shock because you will get an incorrect reading.  Monthly: Add another bottle of ecoONE Spa Monthly. Clean your filters as described above. 3-Monthly: Clean the plumbing and change the water as described above. Download these Instructions

Bromine is slightly easier to use and less irritant than chlorine. It is also more tolerant of high pH and more stable at high spa water temperatures. A significant benefit of bromine over chlorine is that you have to use less chemical to achieve the same sanitising effect.

The eco3spa system is a complete, non chlorine water treatment solution developed specifically for hot tubs and spas, rather than swimming pools. eco3spa comprises blends of non-toxic surfactants and several types of natural enzymes that rapidly start a natural oxidation process and the purification of your hot tub’s plumbing and water. This purification process is further enhanced by the addition of specially formulated, Multi-Function Active Oxygen tablets to kill any harmful bacteria remaining in the water. eco3spa also contains coconut extracts to soften the water and hydrate you skin. It is non-toxic and will not irritate your skin or eyes.

Aquablanc a non- halogen (ie no chlorine or bromine) hot tub water treatment that is easy to use and particularly suitable for use in inflatable spas. The active sanitising component of Aquablanc is potassium monopersulphate tablets that disolve to produce Active Oxygen.

The Spa Frog System comprises pre-filled mineral and bromine cartridges. It is claimed that use of the mineral cartridge enables spas sanitised with Spa Frog to use 50% - 80% less bromine than standard bromine treated spas. The cartridges can either be placed in a re-usable floating holder or into a specially constructed chamber built into the side of some hot tubs.

Chlorine is the cheapest form of sanitiser for your hot tub water but did you know that it is probably the worst choice you can make? Chlorine is the most difficult and time-consuming sanitiser to use and it is not well suited to the hot water in hot tubs. Just take a look at some of the reasons why you might want to look for an alternative to Chlorine...

Water balancing is the process of maintaining the correct total alkalinity and pH of your hot tub water to ensure that your chosen sanitiser works to maximum effect. Correctly balanced water feels and looks good and protects your spa shell and equipment. Find out what the symptoms are if you don't get it quite right.....

Water balancing is the process of maintaining the correct chemical composition of your spa water. Maintaining correct water balance ensures that your chosen sanitiser works to maximum effect. Find out how to do it here....

Find out how to identify and correct most common hot tub water problems....

Measuring your filter cartridge may not be as straight forward as it at first seems. Please follow the steps below to be sure that you get the correct measurements. Remember that all measurements may vary up to 1/4" (60mm) due to expansion/shrinkage of the cartridge over time. Also, the most important consideration is to ensure that the thread is correct. If the other dimensions of the cartridge are slightly different to the ones that you have then, as long as they will actually fit in the filter compartment, that isn't a problem.

Cleaning your hot tub filters properly improves their efficiency, helps maintain sparkling water and makes them last longer - so costs you less money in the long term. You need to remove biofilm, grease and scale and just rinsing it with a hose or even jet washing it isn't going to do the jib. Find out how to do it properly here....

Microban protection makes filters easier to clean and keeps them cleaner and fresher between cleanings The high temperatures and a wet environment of a hot tub makes unprotected filter surfaces a target for the growth of bacteria. Our microban filter cartridges are manufactured from Reemay Advantage™ filter media with built-in Microban® antimicrobial product protection. This material combines 100% polyester synthetic fibres with Microban antimicrobial technology to filter out contaminants and inhibit the growth of bacteria - making sure your water is always perfectly clear, clean, and pure.