Water Maintenance: Fresh Fill & Weekly Care

The Sundance Spa Store team have used their years of experience in the hot tub industry to carefully select a range of products that make Sundance Spa maintenance nice and easy.

In this blog, we will give you our guidelines for sanitizing and balancing your Sundance hot tub’s water, so it is always safe, clean and ready to use.

Before filling your spa, ensure that the drain valve is closed and the drain cap is secure. When adding new water to your spa, put your hose into the filter area so that it runs through the pipes as it fills up, this will help prevent air locks upon start-up.

Once the water level is above the top of the highest jet, switch the power on to the hot tub (switch the GFCI breaker on to power up your hot tub).

Use the temperature up or down buttons to select your desired temperature (the factory default setting is 100 degrees). Now that the spa is powered up and the temperature is set, close the cover to allow the spa to heat faster and keep any debris from entering the hot tub.

Let your spa heat up to the set temperature before adding any chemicals.

Once the hot tub water is at your set temperature, add a full bottle (473ml) of Spa Marvel Water Treatment & Conditioner. Circulate the spa water for one hour with your pumps on.

The next step is to add approx. 60 grams (2 capfuls) of Sun-Boom directly to the water to sanitize your spa. Circulate the water for 20 minutes with your pumps on and your cover open.

You should now use a test strip to check the alkalinity and pH levels and balance the water as needed (see Water Balance section for more information).

The “Total Hardness” level (the bottom square on your test strip) is generally in the okay range if you are using city water. If you use a water softener system you will need to use some “Cal-Rise” to increase hardness levels (soft water is not recommended for hot tubs). If you are not sure about the hardness level in your hot tub water, please bring in a sample for testing before trying to adjust the level.

Please note that it can be beneficial to change the water on a brand new spa after 4 weeks of use.

Weekly Care

• Sanitation
  Add approx. 60 grams (2 capfuls) of Sun-Boom two to three times a a week. Check with test strip to maintain adequate level. Maintain a 1-2 ppm sanitizer level with ClearRay or 3-4 ppm without ClearRay.

• Water Balance
  Check alkalinity and pH once a week with test strips and adjust accordingly (always adjust alkalinity first).
  
  Add approx. 50 grams (2 capfuls) of pH Booster to increase only the pH or Alka Rise to increase both pH and alkalinity. Add approx. 50 grams (2 capfuls) of pH Reducer the pH or alkalinity.

• Shocking
  Add approx. 100 grams (4 capfuls) of Spa Shock once or twice a week to remove the build-up of lotions, oils & organic matter. If your water gets foamy you must increase the amount of shock being applied.

• For Cloudy or Foamy Water
  Shock water with 100 grams of Spa Shock and also be sure that the sanitizer level (Sun-Boom) is correct (add 30 grams if needed the following day).
  
  Add 15 ml (1 oz) of Defoamer for immediate but temporary reduction of foam.

• For Stain & Scale Control
  If you have hard water it may be beneficial to add 30 ml (2 oz) of Prevent II once a week to prevent Stain, Scale and Calcium build-up.

Helpful Hints

Splash Series Filters
Rinse with a hose once per month; soak in Cartridge Cleaner or spray with Aqua Magic every 3-4 months; replace filter once a year.

680 Series (2023+)

This is a two piece filter system. Remove the large pleated filter approx. once per month and rinse with a hose; replace every 18 months.

The MicroClean Mini Inner filter should be replaced every 3-5 months; please note that this filter is not cleanable.

For older 680 models with a 50 Sq Ft. filter, rinse with a hose once per month; soak in Cartridge Cleaner or spray with Aqua Magic every 3-4 months; replace filter once a year.

780 Series MicroClean 1 Filter System
This is a two piece filter system. Remove the large pleated filter approx. once per month and rinse with a hose.

Soak the large pleated filter with Cartridge Cleaner or spray with Aqua Magic every 3 to 4 months; replace every 18 months.

Replace the MicroClean 1 filter (the small one) approx. every 3-5 months; please note that this filter is not cleanable.

Tip: If the MicroClean 1 filter is not replaced as scheduled it can become clogged and will turn the heater off and cause an “Open Flow Switch” error.

880 & 980 Series MicroClean Ultra Filter System
Soak the large pleated “Outer” filter with Cartridge Cleaner or spray with Aqua Magic every 1 to 2 months; replace every 18 months.

Replace the disposable MicroClean “Inner” filter approx. every 6 to 8 months; please note that this filter is not cleanable.

Tip: If the MicroClean “Inner” filter is not replaced as scheduled it can become clogged and will turn the heater off and cause an “Open Flow Switch” error.

Drain & Refill
You should drain & re-fill your hot tub approximately every 3-4 months or if the water ever becomes too dificult to control.

Whirlpool Rinse
Once per year, we recommend you flush out your hot tub’s interior plumbing with Whirlpool Rinse or Spa Marvel Cleanser before draining your water. This will help clean and de-grease the plumbing lines and remove possible bio-film and calcium/scale build-up.

When Adding Chemicals
Whenever you add chemicals to your hot tub water, do them separately for better results. The chemicals you are adding are much more effective when they are added one at a time.

After you have added chemicals to your water, leave the cover open and run the jets for a twenty minute cycle. This will allow the chemicals to mix properly with the water and will allow any unpleasant smell to dissipate and not get trapped under the hot tub cover.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions about your Sundance hot tub water or how to operate the spa, we are always available to help you out. Come in and see us at any of our six locations (Burlington, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oakville, St. Catharines & Vaughan) and we will gladly answer any questions you might have!

The Sundance Spa Store is a provider of high quality Sundance hot tubs and Finnleo Saunas who service the GTHA and Niagara Region.

We deliver and service our products in cities such as Burlington, Hamilton, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown, Carlisle, Puslinch, Cambridge, Mississauga, St. Catharines, Grimsby, Stoney Creek, Brantford, Binbrook, Caledonia, Smithville, Vineland, Pelham, Crystal Beach, Wainflleet, Port Colborne, Beamsville, Thorold, Vaughan, Brampton, North York, York, East York, Woodbridge, Etobicoke, Nobleton, Caledon, Georgetown, Toronto, Milton, Orangeville, Halton Hills, Welland, Markham, Richmond Hill, Niagara On The Lake, Fort Erie, Thornhill, Niagara Falls and more!