Guide To Commissioning Your Hot Tub

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The importance of following this commissioning guide

Prior to dispatch, our hot tubs are factory-tested to ensure all the components work. This may leave behind residual water which can harbour bacteria and encourage microbiological contamination, such as Legionella

The commissioning process in this guide involves adding a high dose of chlorine to the hot tub, to remove any potentially harmful bacteria from the pipes and jets.

What you will need for commissioning:

• ACTI or ACTI Rapid Shock Chlorine Granules

• ACTI Chlorine / Bromine Reducer

Commissioning a hot tub

Commissioning the hot tub has removed any potential bacteria. Now the hot tub water needs to be balanced. Having balanced water protects the hot tub from scale and corrosion, enables other chemicals, such as bromine and chlorine, to work more effectively, and provides safe and luxurious water for bathing.

Step 1 : Fill the hot tub

• Fill the hot tub with fresh mains water.

• Run the hose for several minutes before filing the spa to flush out any dirt/bacteria that may have built up when out of use.

• Place the hose in either the filter housing or the skimmer basket to fill the tub.

Note: do not let the hose fall under the waterline (this can cause back siphoning)

Step 2 : Add the chlorine

Add ACTI Rapid Shock to a container of warm water (30-40 degrees) to pre-dissolve the product.

You are aiming to get 50mg/l of free chlorine in your water, to remove any bacteria or potential legionella.

Rapid shock is advised when commissioning a spa, if you do not have access to this product, you can use stabilised chlorine granules to achieve the commissioning dose. Check the dosing table later in this guide, or the label if unsure of quantities.

Step 3: Let the chlorine work

• Switch on the hot tub and allow the chlorine to circulate for 15 minutes before you run all the pumps and open the air control valves.

• If the hot tub is fitted with them, operate all the diverter valves to ensure the water flows through all the hot tub jets and pipework.

• For best results, circulate for a minimum of one hour.

 Step 4: Reduce the chlorine levels

For quick spa entry, after the hour, it is recommended to lower the chlorine level by adding ACTI Chlorine / Bromine Reducer to the hot tub water, whilst the pumps are running.

• See table 4 for dosing instructions.

• Using this product is a cost effective way of using the hot tub quickly and safely.

• Alternatively, you can partially drain the tub and dilute the water, or you can wait until the chlorine levels have reduced naturally.

• Ideal chlorine levels for bathing are between 3-5mg/l

Important: When using chlorine reducer, do NOT add more than advised, as this will neutralise any sanitiser. A lack of sanitiser in the water allows bacteria to grow.

Balancing the chemicals in the hot tub

Commissioning the hot tub has removed any potential bacteria. Now the hot tub water needs to be balanced.

Having balanced water protects the hot tub from scale and corrosion, enables other chemicals, such as bromine and chlorine, to work more effectively, and provides safe and luxurious water for bathing.

Step 1: Test the water

• Dip a test strip into the hot tub water whilst the jets are off.

• Check the test strip bottle for instructions.

• Note: test strips can produce a zero reading when chlorine is above 15mg/l as the chlorine bleaches the test strip.

Check the test strip in this order :

Step 2: Add the required chemicals for alkalinity

Introduce chemicals if the alkalinity is not within the recommended range (80-150mg/l)

• If T.A is below 80, add T.A Plus (see table 1)

• If TA is above 150mg/l add pH Minus (see table 2)

Step 3: Add the required chemicals for pH

Introduce chemicals if the pH is not within the recommended range (7.2-7.6)

• If pH is below 7.2, add pH Plus (see table 3)

• If pH is above 7.6 add pH Minus (see table 2)

Step 4: Add descaler • If the hot tub is being installed in a hard water area, then it may be prone to scale build-up.

• This can cause cloudy water and scale build-up in the pipes and can render the heater inefficient.

• To minimise the risk of this, 50ml ScaleAway should be added to the hot tub now and then 25ml weekly

Dosing tables

Table 1: Increasing total alkalinity (T.A Plus)

Table 2: Decreasing total alkalinity (pH Minus)

Table 3 : Altering pH (pH Plus & pH Minus)

Table 4 : Reducing chlorine levels (Chlorine Reducer) (Do NOT overdose this product)

Table 5 : Commissioning dose (Rapid Shock)

Table 6 : Commissioning dose (chlorine granules)

Table 7 : Regular sanitiser dosing (chlorine granules )

New hot tub tips

• Drain your hot tub every 2-3 months to freshen up your water.

• Showering before getting into your spa will remove any cosmetics and body oils that can cause water to go cloudy and foamy.

• Remember to always add chemicals to water when pre-dissolving granules and not the other way round.

• Get an annual service to give your spa a deep clean. The pipework can build up grime if not properly flushed out.

• Always contact the showroom you bought your spa from to seek advice on hot tub water care.

• Test your water daily so you know your spa is in the ideal ranges for safe and comfortable bathing.

• Balancing and sanitising your water effectively will prevent a need for costly remedy treatment in the future.

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