How to Maintain your Hot Tub with Spa Frog

The Spa Frog System comprises pre-filled mineral and bromine cartridges.  Use of the mineral cartridge enables spas sanitized 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 placed into a specially constructed chamber built into the side of many spas.

At Each 3 Monthly Water Change

Clean the Plumbing:

Add half a bottle of Spa Flush or an alternative plumbing cleaner 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 Water Wand on your garden hose. Place the filter(s) upright on the bottom shelf of your (clean) dishwasher and use a powdered filter cleaner in the powder dispenser and 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 water using bromine test strips and adjust the Total Alkalinity and pH , 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 – 7.8
• the Total Hardness should be in the range: 250 - 500 ppm

You should first adjust the Total Alkalinity, then when that is in the correct range adjust the pH and finally the Total Hardness. You must persevere until you get the correct balance because the bromine won't work effectively if the balance is outside the required range.

Add some Bromine:

Although not absolutely essential, it's a good idea to use some bromine granules to give an initial shock does of bromine to a freshly filled spa and establish an initial bromine concentration of around 5 - 10ppm. This will kick-start the disinfection process and reduce any chemical odour. Pre-dissolve the weight of granules recommended on the product container in water in a clean plastic container, stirring well to make sure that the granules are completely dissolved. Apply the solution to the spa whilst the pumps are turned on to aid distribution. After this initial shock, allow the bromine level to reduce to 3-5ppm. Test the water after 30 minutes and at intervals, if necessary, and do not get into the water until the level has reduced to less than 5ppm.

Add the Spa Frog

Open the Spa Frog Mineral cannister fully (setting #6). Finding the right setting for the bromine cartridge in you spa will require monitoring for a few weeks. Begin with the initial setting shown in the table. If you have a Spa Frog In-Line System built into your spa you simply open the cap on the side of your tub, pull up the holder and snap in one Spa Frog mineral cartridge at the top and one bromine cartridge below. (NB: do not open the cap while the jets are turned on or you will get wet!). If you are using the floating system snap the cannisters into the holder, place in the water and hold under the surface for 30 seconds or so before letting it float.

Adjust the Bromine Cartridge

Begin with the initial setting shown in the table and test the bromine level daily or before each using test strips. Adjust the setting on the cartrige by one setting per day until a constant bromine level of 1-2ppm has been achieved. Never let the bromine level fall below 1ppm.

Regular Maintenance

Weekly:

Check the water balance using bromine test strips and adjust as necessary to maintain the range specified above.

Check the bromine level and adjust the bromine cannister as necessary to maintain 1 - 2ppm.

Check the Spa Frog cannisters and replace when empty. One bromine cannister will last approximately 1 month. The mineral cannister should be replaced regularly after 4 months.

Use a shock treatment to remove non-filterable organic contaminates. You should shock your tub weekly 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 level for at least 12 hours after you have applied the shock because you will get an incorrect reading.

Clean your filters weekly as described above.

3-Monthly:

Clean the plumbing and change the water as described above.

What is Spa Frog?

The Spa Frog System comprises pre-filled mineral and bromine cartridges.  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 placed into a specially constructed chamber built into the side of many spas.

How long do the cartridges last?

The mineral cartridge lasts for 4 months and should be replaced after that time, even if you can still hear spent material inside when youy shake it. The material will no longer be effective.

The bromine cartridges last approximately 4 weeks, but their life depends on the size of your hot tub and the bacterial load (how dirty the water is).

How do I know when the bromine cartridge has run out?

Test the water with bromine test strips at least weekly and more frequently when you are expecting the cartridge to run out. When the bromine level drops you will know that it is time to replace the cartridge. The bromine level in your spa should never drop below 1ppm.

Is Spa Frog compatible with other products?

Spa Frog is compatible with most other hot tub water care products on the market, including water balance chemicals, anti-foam and shocks.

What TA and pH levels should I maintain

When using Bromine as a sanitizer you should maintain the following water balance:

• TA 80 - 120 ppm
• pH 7.2 - 7.8
• Total Hardness 250 - 500 ppm

Do I still need to use a shock treatment?

Yes. A shock is necessary with any hot tub water treatment system because there is no other way of removing dissolved organic contaminants, such as perspiration, body oil or make-up, from the water. You should shock weekly or fortnightly, depending on your hot tub use.

How important are the filters?

Filtration is a vital part of keeping your spa water crystal clear. In common with any sanitising system, you should make certain that your filtering cycle is adequate for your spa volume and usage. Clean your filters regularly using a proprietary filter cleaner and replace them every 6 - 12 months.

Filters last longer if they are allowed to dry out properly between uses so it's a good idea to keep a spare set and rotate them.