Keep It Crystal Clear

Water Care Guide

Hot tub maintenance is simpler than you think. With the right system and a few minutes per week, your water stays crystal clear and ready to enjoy. Here's everything you need to know.

The Three Pillars of Water Care

Every water care routine comes down to three fundamentals. Get these right, and everything else falls into place.

Sanitization

Keeping bacteria at bay. Your hot tub needs a residual sanitizer — chlorine, bromine, or an automated salt system — to keep the water safe and clean between uses.

Balance

pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness in the right range. Balanced water protects your equipment, feels better on your skin, and allows sanitizers to work effectively.

Filtration

Clean filters equal clean water. Your filter captures particles, oils, and debris. A clogged filter means poor circulation and cloudy water. Rinse monthly, replace every 6 to 12 months.

Your Weekly Routine

5 Minutes a Week. That's It.

We are not going to sugarcoat it — your hot tub does need some attention. But we are talking about five to ten minutes per week, not an afternoon project. Here is the routine.

Test Your Water

2 minutes

Dip a test strip into the water and compare the colors. Check pH, alkalinity, and sanitizer level. Test strips are inexpensive and available at our showrooms.

Add Sanitizer If Needed

1 minute

If chlorine or bromine is low, add a small amount according to the test strip results. With a salt system, this step is usually automatic — just check the indicator light.

Check the Filter

1 minute

Give the filter a quick visual inspection. Rinse it monthly with a garden hose. Deep clean with filter cleaner every 3 to 4 months. Replace every 6 to 12 months.

Wipe the Waterline

1 minute

Use a soft cloth to wipe any buildup along the waterline. Body oils, lotions, and minerals can accumulate here. A quick wipe keeps things fresh.

Total weekly time: 5 to 10 minutes. That is less time than making a pot of coffee. And with the FreshWater Salt System, even this routine gets simpler.

Featured Technology

FreshWater Salt System

Clean water for up to a full year with almost no effort.

How It Works

A replaceable titanium cartridge sits inside the spa and generates chlorine automatically from a small amount of dissolved salt. The system monitors and adjusts sanitizer output on its own. You just replace the cartridge every 4 months. No measuring, no guessing, no daily chemical additions.

Why It Matters

50% fewer chemicals — less to buy, less to store, less to handle

Softer, better-feeling water — no harsh chemical smell or taste

Less skin and eye irritation — recommended by dermatologists

Drain every 12 months instead of every 3-4 months

Available on: All Highlife models (included standard), Limelight and Hot Spot models (optional upgrade)

Explore Highlife Collection

The Numbers

Water Chemistry Basics

You do not need a chemistry degree. Here are the key ranges to keep in mind. And if the numbers ever stress you out, just bring a water sample to either showroom — we will test it for free and tell you exactly what to add.

Parameter	Acceptable Range	Ideal	Why It Matters
pH	7.2 - 7.8	7.4 - 7.6	Low pH causes corrosion and skin irritation. High pH causes cloudy water and scale.
Total Alkalinity	80 - 120 ppm	100 ppm	Acts as a pH buffer. Adjust alkalinity first, then fine-tune pH.
Calcium Hardness	150 - 250 ppm	175 - 225 ppm	Too low damages equipment. Too high causes scale deposits.
Free Chlorine	1 - 3 ppm	2 ppm	The active sanitizer that kills bacteria. Test before each soak.
Bromine (if used)	2 - 4 ppm	3 ppm	Alternative to chlorine. More stable in hot water but slightly more expensive.

Free water testing — always

Don't stress about the numbers. Bring a water sample to either showroom and we will test it for free, tell you exactly what to add, and hand you the products you need. This is a service we offer every customer, as often as you need it.

Drain & Refill

When and How to Drain Your Spa

Over time, dissolved solids build up in your water to the point where chemicals can no longer keep things balanced. A fresh fill resets everything. How often depends on your system.

3-4

months

Standard chlorine or bromine systems. About 3 to 4 drain and refills per year.

months

With the FreshWater Salt System. One drain per year — the water stays fresh far longer.

Step-by-Step Drain Process

Turn off the hot tub at the breaker.

Attach a garden hose to the drain valve (located on the bottom of the cabinet) and route it to a suitable drainage area.

Open the drain valve and let gravity do the work. Full drain takes 1 to 2 hours.

Once empty, wipe down the shell with a non-abrasive spa surface cleaner. Pay attention to the waterline and jet faces.

Clean the filter thoroughly (or replace if due). Inspect the cover for water absorption or damage.

Close the drain valve, remove the hose, and refill through the filter compartment using a pre-filter if possible.

Turn power back on. Once the water is warm, test and balance chemistry before soaking.

Troubleshooting

Common Water Issues & Quick Fixes

Do not panic if your water looks or smells off. Most issues have a simple explanation and a straightforward fix.

Cloudy Water

Common cause: Low sanitizer level, dirty filter, or high pH

Fix: Test and adjust sanitizer. Clean or replace filter. Shock-treat the water if levels were very low. If persistent, bring a water sample to our showroom.

Foamy Water

Common cause: Body oils, lotions, detergent residue from swimwear, or cosmetics

Fix: Shower before soaking (the single best thing you can do). Use a spa shock treatment. If foam persists, it may be time to drain and refill. Use a foam-down product for a quick temporary fix.

Green Tint

Common cause: Dissolved metals (copper or iron) in your fill water

Fix: Use a pre-filter hose attachment when filling your spa. This is common with well water in East Texas. Add a metal sequestrant after filling to bind dissolved metals and prevent staining.

Strong Chemical Smell

Common cause: Paradoxically, a strong chlorine smell means you need MORE sanitizer, not less. It indicates chloramines (used-up chlorine) have built up.

Fix: Shock-treat the water with a non-chlorine oxidizer or a higher dose of chlorine. This breaks apart chloramines and restores effective sanitization. The smell will disappear once the water is properly treated.

Need Help With Your Water?

Bring a water sample to either showroom — testing is always free. We will tell you exactly what to add and how much. No guesswork, no charge.

Visit a Showroom Service Department

Tyler: (903) 561-7565 Longview: (903) 238-8021