Water Preparation for a Salt Water Spa

Water Change Time

Each time the water in a salt water based Spa Pool is changed the following guidelines should be followed.

• A Quality clean water source should be used.

• In areas where untreated water is being used (such as Tank water or Bore water) use an inline carbon water filter.

• Use suitable salt with no additives such as iodine, anti-caking agents, or impurities such as those found in agricultural salt. Bulk salt supplied by pool shops for swimming pools is suitable and fairly low cost.

• To increase water Calcium Hardness to the recommended level, use a calcium hardness increase product which is usually in the form of granules.  These are to be mixed with spa water and fully dissolved in a bucket before adding to the spa. Again obtain these from a pool shop. While the Scepter salt water cell operates best in the recommended industry standard range 200 - 300 ppm range, some Spa Pools and their associated salt water systems and cells, operate in the very low range of 25 - 75ppm range.

• Use suitable test strips that cover the basics of pH, Alkalinity, Chlorine, Bromine, Total Hardness and salt, etc.

• Use a Liquid product to lower pH. Use cheap bulk white vinegar.

• A product to raise pH. Baking soda powder mixed with water works well, or obtain the same thing in bulk from a pool shop marketed as “pH up”.

• Chlorine. Try to avoid powdered products which can increase the waters Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). You can try un-scented house hold bleach, or use liquid chlorine supplied for swimming pool use. (this is usually very concentrated)

• Phosphate remover in the form of a liquid from a pool shop.

Preparing Spa water for use with a new Scepter cell

Water

With the installation of a new SCEPTER salt water cell, we recommend where possible to start with a refill of fresh clean water (preferably filtered using a carbon filter).

 Once the spa has been filled to the recommended level, turn on the power to bring the water up to the desired operating temperature. If the SCEPTER cell has already been physical installed, continue with the instructions below.

Salt

Add the correct quantity of salt as recommended for your spa model. Do this with the jests running at high speed, by gradually adding the salt into the filter compartment until all salt has fully dissolved. Check using indicator strips that the salt is in the range of 1500 – 2000 ppm.

Hardness

 Check water hardness. With some salt water systems, water hardness is recommended to be in the range of 25 – 75 ppm so that the small salt cell holes do not get blocked. However low water hardness is generally not recommended in order to prevent damage to spa components and for best water balance. 

With the SCEPTER it is recommended to be in the range of 200 – 300 ppm. Low water hardness may damage the cells titanium plates in a short period of time and is not covered under warranty. As required add dissolved hardness increase granules to the filter compartment with the jests running to achieve the correct hardness level of around 250 ppm.

Shock

“Shock” the spa water with liquid chlorine (bleach is one option) while the jets are running and the cover off the spa for around 10 minutes. For small 2-3 person spas 1 cup, for 4 – 6 person spas 2 – 3 cups.

Adjust pH / Alkalinity

Again with jets running, add white vinegar to lower the water pH. For small 2-3 person spas 1 cup, for 4 – 6 person spas 2 – 3 cups.

Deal with Phosphates

Add a small amount of Phosphate remover as per the instructions on the bottle. Usually this is around 20 ml, again with the jets running.

Re-check Water Balance

After 24 hours of operation check water balance and use either white vinegar to lower pH, or baking soda to raise pH.