The Spa Breeze line which has recently been replaced with the Spa Choice line of hot tub chemicals is used in QCA Spas for all their new and existing hot tub customers as well as by other hot tub brands. Owners of other spa brands and models are also getting on board with the easy to follow M-W-F or Monday, Wednesday, Friday spa care program.
Spa Chemical Use Tips
When filling your spa for the first time or on a new refill, use one complete bottle of First Step to prevent staining and scaling on the spas surface.
In general, allow all chemicals that you add to a spa to circulate for 15 minutes before adding additional products.
Phase 1: Filling the Spa
1. Fill Spa with water.
The spa should be allowed to fill until the water level is at the center of the skimmer. If using a garden hose, allow it to run for several minutes to avoid introducing bacteria that may be living in the hose.
2. Add First Step to eliminate staining.
As the spa fills, add First Step to prevent build up of minerals on the spas surface. Add one bottle per 500 gallons of water. This should be allowed to circulate in a filled spa for 60 minutes before proceeding to Phase 2. A bottle of First Step is included in the complete Spa Breeze Starter Kit available at Hot Tub Outpost.
Phase 2: Balancing the Water – Spa Water Chemistry 101
The phrase “Water Balance” refers to four interrelated factors:
pH – The measurement of relative acidity and basicity. The recommended range is 7.4 – 7.8. In this range both spa user and equipment are protected. If the pH levels are not in the acceptable range use pH Up to make the water more basic or pH Down to make the water more acidic.
Alkalinity – Refers to the concentration of alkaline materials in the water. These materials have the ability to buffer or control the pH level. A range of 100-150 ppm should be kept at all times. Alkalinity is raised with Alkalinity Plus and reduced with pH Down.
Calcium Hardness – The measure of calcium salts contained in the water. The standard range of 175-225 ppm is recommended. Above this range the water can be cloudy and/or cause scaling on the tub surface, equipment and piping. To increase hardness, add Hardness Plus. To reduce hardness, partially drain and refill spa.
Water pH and total alkalinity can be tested at home hot tub test strips. They usually come 50 to a bottle and the better ones test for either bromine or chlorine as well as pH and alkalinity (4-way test strip). You will end up not needing one of the 4 readouts depending on if you use bromine or chlorine as your sanitizer.
Phase 3: Sanitizing the Spa
The main two options for a chemical sanitizer for hot tubs are bromine or chlorine.
Spa Choice is the new chemical line that replaces Spa Breeze.
Both bromine and chlorine offer prevention and control of bacteria that grows in the warm environment created by your spa.
Natural mineral purification can also be used to enhance the effects of bromine or chlorine such as a Spa Mineral Cartridge. A professionally installed
ozone system or ozonator is also helpful in reducing the amount of chemicals needed to fight bacteria. While mineral cartridges like FROG and ozonators help with sanitation duties, they are not a complete replacement for bromine or chlorine as your base sanitizer. You will always need to maintain a minimal amount even when using alternative sanitizing methods.
Brom 61
Place Brom 61 tabs or the new Spa Choice bromine tablets in the chemical feeder.
Then add 2 ounces of Brom Start or the new Bromine Booster directly to the water. Allow the spa to circulate until a bromine reading of 3 – 5 ppm is attained. Do not use your spa until you
have obtained a 3 – 5 ppm reading. You may have to adjust the feeder
to maintain a 3 – 5 ppm level. Check the bromine levels before each use
to insure a proper reading. Check the feeder regularly to make sure
there are enough tablets in the feeder. Refer to your feeder’s directions
for proper feeder adjustment.
Chlor 62
After your spa has been filled add 1 level tablespoon of granular chlorine to
supershock the water and to establish a chlorine residual. Allow the spa
to circulate until a chlorine reading of 1 – 3 ppm is attained. Do not use
your spa until you have obtained a 1 – 3 ppm reading. At this time test
the water again to ensure that the pH is between 7.4 – 7.8.If pH is below
7.4 add pH Up and if it is above 7.8 add pH Down.
NOTE: Frequent use, high temperature, and turbulent aerated water will require more frequent additions of the sanitizer system to maintain.
Refresh Shock Treatment (non-chlorine type) or the new ReEnergize
Oxidation is the process of removing organic materials such as body oils, cosmetics and lotions from the water.
When these organics increase in the water, the water becomes cloudy or hazy. Shocking with Refresh will oxidize the materials that may cause foul odors, eye or skin irritation or dull, cloudy water. Shocking weekly will also increase the sanitizers’ effectiveness rather than just adding more sanitizer to the spa water.
These spa chemicals available for any spa brand and model.
Get all of your hot tub chemicals online at www.HotTubOutpost.com.