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Hot Tub Maintenance Tips

4 Quick Tips for Easy Hot Tub Maintenance

  |   Maintenance & Water Care   |   24 Comments

Don’t worry, it’s not that hard to care for your hot tub

Owning your own personal hot tub is a luxury that provides better health, less stress, and a lot of fun. It is something you can enjoy every evening as part of your unwinding routine or just whenever you feel a little stressed.

 

Some people worry that hot tubs are difficult to maintain – this is not the case at all. In order to keep your hot tub in perfect condition, you simply need to perform a few easy maintenance tasks on a regular basis. Spending a few quick minutes on hot tub maintenance will increase your enjoyment and add years to the life of your spa.

 

Learn how to maintain your hot tub by downloading our free hot tub maintenance guide.

Cleaning behind JetPaks

Sanitize Regularly

Keeping your hot tub properly sanitized will prevent any sort of unwanted contaminents. Granular chlorine or bromine are generally the best sanitizers. Which one you decide on depends largely on how you use your spa and the water chemistry in your area. Your Authorized Bullfrog Spa Dealer can help you decide. Maintaining the sanitizer levels in your spa is easy. Simply check periodically to make sure levels are within acceptable limits with a test strip. Then add sanitizer when needed. It is also recommended to oxidize your hot tub roughly weekly to help remove oils, hair sprays, and other substances. Including an ozone generator on your spa can greatly increase the length of time needed between sanitation treatments

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Clean Filters

To keep your hot tub in great condition, filters should be cleaned about once a month, depending on usage. Remove the filters and clean by spraying them off with a hose and nozzle or other high pressure water stream. Work each pleat from top to bottom. If filters start to accumulate oils from suntan lotions or normal body oils you may want to soak filter in warm water and an approved spa filter cleaning agent prior to spraying.

 

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how to clean hot tub filters

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Drain, Clean and Refill

Hot tub water will not stay clean forever, even with proper chemical use. It is best to drain your hot tub approximately every 3 months or so. You may drain a little less or more often based on how often you use your hot tub. Over time it is normal for some chemicals, oils, and residues to build up. You likely won’t notice this; however, it’s a good practice to replace the water from time to time to be sure it stays fresh.

attach a hose to drain hot tub

Maintain Your Hot Tub Cover

Hot tub covers are essential. They keep heat in and debris out, and provide greater safety. Over the life of your spa you will need one or two replacement hot tub covers. However, you can greatly improve the life and performance of your spa cover by cleaning it periodically. Using an approved spa cover protectant will help it withstand the elements. It’s easy, much like applying Armorall to the dash of your car.

 

Hot Tub Maintenance Guide

Jake Ricks

AUTHOR - Jake Ricks

Jake Ricks is the Marketing Director for Bullfrog Spas. In addition to his efforts in marketing leadership roles, Jake has been published in a variety of publications with topics that include the pool and spa industry, outdoors, digital marketing, and content marketing. Jake's passion is fly fishing, bird dogs, and living life outside. When possible he guides on local waters, competes in fly fishing events, designs new fly patterns and is a regular contributor to outdoor blogs and periodicals.

24 Comments
  • Ken Commers | Jun 10, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Hello, we have your Bullfrog Series I model 562. It is 2 years old so we think it may be time for new filters. Do you carry those in stock and how much are they? (ours takes 2)
    Thanks,
    Ken Commers kcommers@hotmail.com 509-209-3522

  • Jack ackerson | Dec 14, 2016 at 5:10 am

    We are keeping our Bullfrog in operation all year now. Today’s low temperature is indicated to be 7 degrees and at the level for the next several days here in Ohio. I placed an outdoor wireless thermometer in the area where the pumps and heater are. The outside air temp this morning is 17 degrees and the temp in the area where I have the hot tube temp is 25 degrees. Since the spas are built in Utah do you recommend additional insulation be used to prevent the circulation area from becoming so cold the water in the lines freezes?

    • Bullfrog Spas | Dec 14, 2016 at 9:54 am

      From our service team: It actually gets much colder than this in Utah and many areas where we have operating spas. There should be no need to put extra insulation in the equipment area. The spa should be running twice a day during the filtration cycles so it is moving water and heating the water at that time. You may consider using Ready Mode to ensure regular heating during extreme cold. We have our spas all over the US and Canada and have not had one freeze due to cold temps unless the spa is completely shut down for days.

  • RonJohnson | Sep 15, 2017 at 10:34 am

    How to change a heater union gasket

  • Kelly sparks | Nov 18, 2017 at 7:28 pm

    The water pump on my bullfrog spa went out and its two weeks before I can get a service appointment. It’s November and freezing tempatures at nigh. what do I need to do to make sure I don’t get freezing damage before I can get the pump fixed?

    • Bullfrog Spas | Nov 20, 2017 at 10:23 am

      Kelly, so sorry to hear this. First, explain the freezing risk to your Authorized Bullfrog Spas dealership and they should expedite their service. Second, if they can’t expedite your service you can add additional temporary insulation to the equipment compartment by placing moving blankets inside. If you have any trouble whatsoever getting service in a timely manner contact our service team at warrantyteam@bullfrogspas.com or call us at 801-565-8111.

  • Cary Heninger | Dec 10, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    I have a major complaint! I just bought a new A8l Bullfrog hot tub in Wisconsin 3 months ago. Now that the tempurate is in the 30’s my hot tub won’t hold temperature. It is set at 103 and when I open the cover it is at temp but with in 20 minutes of use the temp is down to 100! It won’t hold temp. Called dealer and they said the standard 4KW heater is known not to hold temp in the cold and that I should spend the $400 bucks for a 5.5 KW rated heater. So after spending $14,000, I have a hot tub that can’t perform in a typical Wisconsin winter day. That is just not right! Is this known by Bullfrog? I’ve owned several hot tub brands in the past and have never had this problem. I’m extremely disappointed and should not have to spend more money to get the tub to perform to specification in Wisconsin.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Dec 12, 2017 at 4:52 pm

      We are sorry you are having an issue with the spa cooling down, we rarely see this and there are several factors that can cause heat loss. We want you to be happy with your purchase which is why we will be sending the 5.5kw heater to the local dealer and have them install it at no charge. The local dealer has been made aware he will reach to you when the heater arrives.

      Todd Cossey
      Technical Service Manager

  • Ken millard | Mar 15, 2018 at 3:49 pm

    We bought a bullfrog A7L October 2016. Well after about a year and a half it’s officially our worst purchase. Do not get the audio. We’ve had 4 speakers replaced. The side panel is starting to warp. (Just noticed this today and is the tipping point) The the water feature has broken twice. Jet pack seals have all been replaced. It’s been repaired a lot. Like stated in another comment it does not hold heat well at all. Now for a price of 14k plus you would think your not going to have more headaches than enjoyment. Every time we call in an issue the dealer does take care of it. However I’m sure it’s going to always have issues and warranties only last so long.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Apr 4, 2018 at 10:45 am

      We’re very sorry for your experience. While we’re glad to hear your dealer has been very responsive in helping you resolve any product issues that have arisen we’re disappointed that the quality of certain parts of your spa seems to not have lived up to your expectations. We’re passing this information along to our product team. We’ve actually recently updated both the JetPak seals and the speakers to improve their performance and we hope to continue to improve all aspects of our product quality.

  • Marcel Ulliac | Mar 20, 2018 at 8:12 am

    I am considering purchasing and installing a Bull Frog Spa Hot Tub Model A8L. However, I want to ensure that the deck that i will constructing is strong enough to support the weight of a full tub of water and seven (7) adults. Therefore, can you please advise me what is the estimated weight that will need to be supported. Further, does Bull Frog Spas have any “construction specifications” that should be used in building the supporting deck, if so, please provide them to me. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Thanks

    Marcel

    • Ben Soutas | Mar 20, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      Hi Marcel,

      You can find this answer by going to the A8L product page at our site located at this URL: https://www.bullfrogspas.com/spas/a-series-hot-tubs/a8l/.
      Scroll down and click on the “Specifications” tab. There you will find the maximum filled weight of the spa, the spa dimensions, how much water it holds, and other specifications that you might find helpful.

  • Marvin Mooney | Apr 3, 2018 at 1:13 am

    Hello –

    In March we purchased a R6L spa, which was installed 2 weeks ago. Having been a spa owner for 27 years, I’m familiar with there function. I went with Bullfrog primarily because of the energy efficiency. Spent 3 hours discussing the spa functions primarily concerning the motor operation and how often it would run. I was adamant about making sure that I should go with a circulating pump – but was talked out of it being told it was an unnecessary expense. The spa being replaced was a 20amp 115volt with cirulation pump. I did not want to upgrade the electrical – so I went with the R6L with a 115v configuration. I was told that I would be happy with this configuration.

    After the spa was installed, I was astonished that it continually ran for 72 hours (3 days) before the temp was brought up to 103. Once up to speed, the pump was running 8 hours during waking hours + time during sleeping hours – in the ready mode. Also, the pump motor was also very noisey – with 2 neighbors commenting on what I was doing (because the pump was running on low speed all the time). I called back to dealer indicating that I need to do whatever it takes to upgrade to 230v – which would heat quicker – thus having less run time. I only used the spa for only 2 days, called an electrician to re-wire and upgrade the electrical panel to add a 50 amp circute. I then swapped the 115v motor for a 230v motor. The salesman said this was a much better setup – although I was originnally told I would be very happy with the 115v setup.

    After installing the new 230v pump – I will say it brings up the heat very quickly (10 hours vs. 72 hours for spa re-fill). The jets have substantially more pressure as well – so I’m very glad I made the swap. But the noice during the filtering cycle (currently in Rest mode) is still very loud. Much too loud for my neighbors.

    I’ve jumped through hoops trying to make this set-up work- but I’m very much regretting the decision to purchase this spa. I was talked out of the circulation pump – and now I’m trying to find answers if I can add a circulation pump and will it be quiet. I’ve scoured the web – and cannot locate factual information. Can you please help me with the following questions:

    1) Can we add a circulation pump – after the spa has been delivered.
    2) Does the cirulation pump run on 115v or 230v (for energy computations)
    3) Does the circulation pump run quietly – thus allowing me to make peace with my neighbors (this is most important)
    4) Can I program the circulation pump to run on certain hours – or does it have to be 24 hours continuous operation

    Thank you

    • Bullfrog Spas | Apr 4, 2018 at 10:32 am

      Thanks for the feedback and sorry for the experience you’ve had in zeroing in on the right configuration for your needs.

      We’ve passed your comment on to our service experts. You should receive a message from our warranty team who can answer your questions. I can tell you that the primary benefits of a circulation pump are that you get very quiet filtration. If you look at the California Energy Commission data on energy consumption you can also see that filtration pumps provide a bit better energy efficiency vs. the same spa without a circ pump.

  • Michael Haywood | Apr 17, 2018 at 12:06 am

    Greetings,

    We live in SF Bay Area recently purchased the A8 which was installed late Jan 2018. Love the tub, but ad a few questions… we keep the tub in ready mode temp set at 103 & scheduled filter times are set for 1 hour in the morning and in the evening so 2 hours a day. I have noticed my Electric bill has skyrocketed since it’s installation, is this normal? Is there something we should be doing differently. We use the tub in the evening between aprx 4-5 days a week 20-30 soak, using the jets maybe 5-7min during the soak. Thanks for any advise you have.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Apr 17, 2018 at 11:54 am

      Thanks for the feedback and your questions. Your settings and general usage seem to be reasonable. You could consider using rest mode, which heats only during filtration cycles, but that may not be ideal for your regular use pattern. Let us explain a little more about what may help with efficiency. According to data compiled by the CEC, Bullfrog Spas continues to lead our class in energy efficiency for nearly all A Series, STIL, and R Series models. However, this data is of course compiled under test conditions that are not exactly like those in the real world. This excellent video shows what other factors may impact your energy efficiency: https://www.bullfrogspas.com/blog/energy-efficient-hot-tubs-vs-less-efficient-models/. Making sure your cover fits tightly and is latched, placing your spa in a location not exposed to wind, utilizing an inexpensive secondary floating cover, and many other practical things can help you save energy even with an already energy-efficient spa.

  • Debbie Guertin | May 28, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Hello
    We just purchased an R7L hot tub from our local dealer. Although we ordered the optional circulation pump, it was not installed. Is it possible to have one installed after the tub is delivered? We noticed it after installation and have not been able to talk to the dealer yet. Installed on Saturday and they are closed until Tuesday. Thanks for your help.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Jun 7, 2018 at 9:53 am

      Please get in touch with your dealer if you haven’t. They should be able to help you correct the situation.

  • Tom Fitch | Oct 14, 2018 at 9:38 am

    I Recently purchased a Bullfrog A6L spa. The dealer provided me w a Hot Spring Continous Silver Ion Sanitizer. I’ve reviewed the manual and it doesn’t provide specific directions on how to install the thing. I’ve seen videos online showing the cartridge to be installed in the center of a filter. I’m tried that but the cartridge is too tall and doesn’t allow the filter cap to be tightened. Confused.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Oct 23, 2018 at 8:38 am

      There is a Bullfrog Spas brand specific mineral cartridge that does fit inside the filter cage with the cap on. Sounds like you may have received the wrong one. Even so, you should still be able to make use of it by placing it loosely in the filter area.

  • Roger Stolte | Jan 21, 2020 at 3:02 pm

    I bought my bullfrog model 526 Caribbean in 2007. (Serial # 125913) I could not be more happy with it. I use it every morning to warm up my 70 year old bones.

    Now after 13 years of service the oscillating seat no loner spins as it should. I went to the local Bullfrog store and they called service. Im assuming the same service department I am now communicating to. The local store can’t seem to get a response on what can or should be done. So Im going directly to bullfrog service. Can I send this chair to you and have it retooled to operate like new? OR Are there replacement seats still available as it was when we first bought it? What would be the least expensive?

    Roger

    • Jake Ricks | Jan 21, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      Thanks for reaching out. We’ll pass your comment along to our Technical Services team. We also recommend contacting them directly at our toll-free number so they can get your information: 1.877.565.8112

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