HOT TUB OWNERSHIP & TIPS
RICHARD’S TOTAL BACKYARD SOLUTIONS
713-777-7665
CONTENTS
Hot Tub Maintenance Tips ........................................................................................................................ 2
Clean Your Spa Filter Cartridges ................................................................................................................ 3
Replacing Your Spa Water ......................................................................................................................... 3
Stay maintained During vacation .............................................................................................................. 4
Hot Spring Recommends Only the Following Sanitizers: .......................................................................... 4
Spa Water Products................................................................................................................................... 5
Water Care With ACE ................................................................................................................................ 6
Cleaning the ACE Cell ................................................................................................................................ 6
Replacing Your ACE Spa Water .................................................................................................................. 7
Important Contact Information................................................................................................................. 8
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HOT TUB MAINTENANCE TIPS
Cleaning Your Spa
Soak in your spa’s sparkling clean water by following these simple cleaning tips:
 For the whole spa: Use a mild non-abrasive, non-sudsing cleaner and a
soft rag or nylon scrubber to remove dirt build-up.
 For minor surface cleaning: Use common baking soda to clean small
surface areas.
 For a shiny look: Apply FreshWater Spa Shine to your clean and dry spa
shell.
 For spa pillows: Follow the instructions in your Owner’s Manual to remove
and clean your spa pillows.
 For vinyl cover: First spray the cover lightly with a garden hose to loosen
any dirt or debris that might have built up. Then, using a mild soap
solution (1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid with 2 gallons water) or baking
soda, scrub the vinyl in a circular motion with a large sponge and rinse
with a garden hose. Rinse the bottom of the cover without using soap, and
wipe it clean with a dry rag. To condition the cover after cleaning, apply a
thin film of Hot Spring Cover Shield™ product.
 Helpful Hint: To keep detergent and soap residue out of your spa water,
shower without soap before soaking in your spa, and instead of washing
your bathing suit use the rinse cycle.
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CLEAN YOUR SPA FILTER CARTRIDGES
Because mineral particles or calcification from hard water can clog any water
filtration system, we recommend following these light cleaning tips each month
to keep your spa’s water flowing properly:
 Spray cartridges: Spray each cartridge with a garden hose, rotating while
spraying to thoroughly remove any debris between filter pleats.
 Use filter cleaner: Use either FreshWater® Instant Filter Cleaner or
FreshWater® Filter Cleaner to keep your filters clean and in good operating
condition.
 Replace filters: While cleaning your filters will help keep water running
smoothly, you should replace your filters every three years with genuine
Watkins replacement filters.
REPLACING YOUR SPA WATER
While following those spa water cleaning tips your water will keep fresh longer,
but soaps and detergents can build over time in your spa to cause residue. Know
how to replace your water with these steps:
 Drain/Clean and refill tub: Following the instructions in your Owner’s
Manual, drain and clean your tub. Refill the water in your spa to clear
detergent and soap residue that may have accumulated over time.
 Get pre-filter: For sparkling clean water right from the start, use the
CleanScreenTM; Pre-Filter when filling your spa.
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 Attach pre-filter: When using the CleanScreenTM: Pre-Filter, attach it to an
ordinary garden hose to remove organic contaminants, metals like copper
and iron, and tannins from your new water.
STAY MAINTAINED DURING VACATION
IF YOU PLAN TO LEAVE FOR A FEW DAYS, KEEP YOUR SPA MAINTAINED
WITH THESE TIPS:
 Adjust pH: Before you go, adjust the pH according to the Owner's Manual.
 Sanitize: Sanitize the water with super chlorination or the new Hot Spring
MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer according to instructions.
 Lock light and jets: Lock the light and jet features on the control panel.
 Lock cover: Lock down the cover to prevent access.
 When you return: Upon your return, balance the pH and sanitize the water
prior to using.
Keep your spa water clean from algae, bacteria and other unwanted impurities by
maintaining a safe amount of sanitizer. With too much sanitizer in your spa
water, your lungs, skin and eyes may become irritated.
HOT SPRING RECOMMENDS ONLY THE FOLLOWING SANITIZERS:
 EverFresh Water Care System with Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free
Oxidizer
 Sodium Dichlor (chlorine)
 Granular bromine
 FreshWater® Biguanide Water Care or Baqua Spa™
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Note: DO NOT use tri-chlor chlorine, any type of compressed
bromine or chlorine, acid or any type of sanitizer which is not
recommended above. If in doubt, please contact our Customer
Service Department.
For any special questions, or any technical or customer service questions,
please contact our Customer Service Department at 713-777-7665 or call
the Direct Service line: (800) 999-4688.
SPA WATER PRODUCTS
Accessories to Help Maintain Clean, Sparkling Water:
Water is the essence of your spa, so it should be fresh, clean and ready to
enjoy. Hot Spring offers two accessories to keep your water clean and
your care routine easy.
 Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer
To eliminate unwanted impurities accumulated in you spa water,
this chlorine-free oxidizer increases sanitizer efficiency and
enhances water clarity. The Hot Spring MPS Chlorine-Free Oxidizer
is compatible with bromine, chlorine and most alternative sanitizers.
It is also recommended for use with the EverFresh® water care
system for the best quality water possible...fresh, safe, and free of
odors and irritation.
 Hot Spring Spa Vac
The Hot Spring Spa Vac cleans dirt, gravel, leaves and other debris
without draining your spa. This self-contained, simple-to-use water
vacuum requires no pumping, batteries or water hook-ups, while
the telescopic aluminum pole makes it easy to remove debris from
hard-to-reach areas. You can also it on your swimming pool steps
and in fountains.
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WATER CARE WITH ACE
Maintaining spa water with the ACE system is very similar to traditional water
care programs. Aside from a few additional steps at start up, the owner’s
responsibilities are the same.
•Balance the water at start-up
•Test the water with a test strip regularly to keep water balanced (pH, alkalinity,
and hardness should be within the OK range)
•Ensure there is chlorine present. With the ACE system 1-3 ppm is enough. If the
level reads lower, the customer should take steps to increase it (adjust the Output
Level, add granular dichlor, or Boost)
CLEANING THE ACE CELL
ACE SYSTEM CELL CLEANING PROCESS
1. Turn off the power to the spa and remove cell.
2. Create cleaning solution; options are:
 Routine cleaning: Use pH down (3 tablespoons) per cleaning bottle
instructions or use FreshWater® ACE Cell Cleaner (2% acid concentration;
available mid-November); soak for a 10 minutes, repeat as necessary
 Deep cleaning (for excessive scale): Use ACE Cell Cleaner or 2%
concentration acid using muriatic/pool acid; dilute commercial acid with
water to achieve 2% concentration; soak for 2 hours, repeat as necessary
3. Soak cell in solution for time specified
4. If cell continues to bubble, repeat until you do not see any bubbles. Do not
pour used solution back into spa.
Note: Clean the ACE cell every 3 months to maximize cell life
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REPLACING YOUR ACE SPA WATER
Replacing your ACE Spa water follows similar steps to replacing spa water in a
non-ACE spa water system.
 Drain/Clean and refill tub: Following the instructions in your Owner’s
Manual, drain and clean your tub. Refill the water in your spa to clear
detergent and soap residue that may have accumulated over time.
 Get pre-filter: For sparkling clean water right from the start, use the
CleanScreenTM; Pre-Filter when filling your spa.
 Attach pre-filter: When using the CleanScreenTM: Pre-Filter, attach it to an
ordinary garden hose to remove organic contaminants, metals like copper
and iron, and tannins from your new water.
 Add Salt: Follow the directions noted on the label on the back of the ACE
Salt container. There you will find a spa model chart that specifies how
many cups or grams of salt you need to add to your spa water. See Image
A for Spa Model Table.
Image A
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IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
Houston Showroom
1701 Highway 6 South
Houston, Texas 77077
(713) 777-7665 (POOL)
North Showroom
18623 Kuykendahl Rd.
Spring, Texas 77379
(281) 205-1100
Showroom Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sundays: By appointment
SALES: sales@richardstbs.com
SERVICES: service@richardstbs.com
Service Department Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
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