How can I improve my spa maintenance?

[Kathi]

I believe I have bed. Under monitoring my spa chemicals. I only check once or twice a week as spa is only used once a week normally and has not been used since May. These are the four items I use and usually test with a strip.
I have a test kit but never used it on the spa.
I want to change and would appreciate a outline of steps to take.
I have a 400 gallon hot springs 1994 High Life.
I used the test kit today and here are the numbers
PH 7.2
CYA 100
TA 60
CH 275
Chlorine was 0. I added 2.2 tablespoons of the blue lid sanitizer (is that dichlor ? Tri?)
When I change my water I use ahhsome

I look forward to your experience
Thanks
Kathi

 

[Mdragger88]

Kathi,
U have to follow the FC/CYA Levels at all times for a spa just like with a pool or really nasty stuff will grow in the heated water.
Things much worse than algae.
With a cya of 100 that is impractical.
It’s time to purge, drain & begin again.
This time follow this guide

How do I use Chlorine in my Spa or Hot Tub?

If you have a question about any information within this Sticky, please start a new thread for yourself where you will receive very quick responses to your specific questions. Thank you! Introduction There are two main things to consider when maintaining your hot tub water, Water Balance and...

www.troublefreepool.com

It is also pinned to the top of this sub forum.
The chlorbrite w/ the blue lid is dichlor.
It is what u will use to chlorinate until your cya reaches 30ppm at which point u will switch to liquid chlorine for daily & after soak chlorination.
The rest of those products aren’t necessary except possibly the sequesterant if u know u have a metals issue.
Are u on a well?

 

[Kathi]

Kathi,
U have to follow the FC/CYA Levels at all times for a spa just like with a pool or really nasty stuff will grow in the heated water.
Things much worse than algae.
With a cya of 100 that is impractical.
It’s time to purge, drain & begin again.
This time follow this guide

How do I use Chlorine in my Spa or Hot Tub?

If you have a question about any information within this Sticky, please start a new thread for yourself where you will receive very quick responses to your specific questions. Thank you! Introduction There are two main things to consider when maintaining your hot tub water, Water Balance and...

www.troublefreepool.com

It is also pinned to the top of this sub forum.
The chlorbrite w/ the blue lid is dichlor.
It is what u will use to chlorinate until your cya reaches 30ppm at which point u will switch to liquid chlorine for daily & after soak chlorination.
The rest of those products aren’t necessary except possibly the sequesterant if u know u have a metals issue.
Are u on a well?

Thank you.
I am on city water.
I will drain an refill tonight.
Better to get things correct and then maintain.

 

[Kathi]

I am toying with adding a swg to the spa. Is there any reason it won’t work with a 1994 hot springs highlife?
Thanks

 

[Mdragger88]

Nope, no reason at all - I have a saltron mini & I wouldn’t be without it.
It does the heavy lifting of daily/standby chlorination & I just dose with bleach after soaks unless it was real quick then sometimes i just press the button on the saltron mini so it comes on again.
I have mine plugged into a timer so it comes on multiple times per day for an hour. This ensures my fc stays steady & doesn’t start out high but dip too low before the unit comes back on.
The cells last me about 18 months. My “brain” is about 3 1/2 years old.
Some people are able to hide the cell in their filter compartment but I don’t have that ability.

 

[duganderson]

I love my SmarterSpa. Once I got it dialed in, I don't really need to test for Chlorine anymore because it adds chlorine at a level of Chlorine that I set.

My SmarterSpa Salt Water Generator (SWG) experience

I had asked the TFP forum some questions about SWGs and the SmarterSpa. A few folks said to post about my experience with the SmarterSpa so here it is..... I'm very happy with the SmarterSpa. It keeps my free chlorine in the range I want from 1.5 FC to 3.2 with basically no effort. Also, if...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mdragger88]

I love my SmarterSpa. Once I got it dialed in, I don't really need to test for Chlorine anymore because it adds chlorine at a level of Chlorine that I set.

My SmarterSpa Salt Water Generator (SWG) experience

I had asked the TFP forum some questions about SWGs and the SmarterSpa. A few folks said to post about my experience with the SmarterSpa so here it is..... I'm very happy with the SmarterSpa. It keeps my free chlorine in the range I want from 1.5 FC to 3.2 with basically no effort. Also, if...

www.troublefreepool.com

How long have your cells lasted on average?

 

[duganderson]

I've had it for about 1 1/2 years so far and the cell is doing fine. My memory is they last for 7000 hours of run time. Based on my usage, I'm guessing mine will last about 4 years. I've heard that some of the products like Aqua Clarity may extend the life of the cell too.

Aqua Clarity weekly maintenance & flush....my experiences so far......

I have been demoing the Aqua Clarity purge and weekly maintenance product for a few months and wanted to share my experience and hear about the experiences of others with this product. It is made by the same company as the Aww-Some purge which IS AWESOME. I know many folks on this site...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Mdragger88]

I've had it for about 1 1/2 years so far and the cell is doing fine. My memory is they last for 7000 hours of run time. Based on my usage, I'm guessing mine will last about 4 years. I've heard that some of the products like Aqua Clarity may extend the life of the cell too.

Aqua Clarity weekly maintenance & flush....my experiences so far......

I have been demoing the Aqua Clarity purge and weekly maintenance product for a few months and wanted to share my experience and hear about the experiences of others with this product. It is made by the same company as the Aww-Some purge which IS AWESOME. I know many folks on this site...

www.troublefreepool.com

That’s great to know - especially since they cost more than the saltron mini. My cells have all lasted about 18 months.
Good to have options.