🌊 Hot Tub Maintenance Tracker

📅 Weekly Maintenance (5 minutes)

• Test 4 things: Chlorine (1-5 ppm, target 4), pH (7.2-7.8, target 7.5), Alkalinity (40-120 ppm, target 80), Calcium (spot check: 25-150 ppm, target 50)
• Adjust salt cell: If chlorine is low, turn UP. If high, turn DOWN. Emergency: add 1 oz chlorine granules if way too low.
• Adjust pH/Alkalinity: Start with 1/2 oz pH increaser/decreaser, or 1 oz alkalinity increaser. Wait 20 min, retest.
• Quick filter rinse: Remove filters, spray clean with hose (high pressure), rinse thoroughly, reinstall wet (no need to dry)

📅 Monthly Maintenance (30 minutes)

• Test phosphates: Should be 0-200 ppb. If 200-300: monitor. If above 300: do phosphate treatment (see below). Seeing foam? Skip to phosphate test now!
• Deep clean filters: Spray clean with hose (high pressure), rinse thoroughly. If stains visible: soak in water with small amount of detergent (30+ min), then rinse thoroughly. Can reinstall wet (no need to dry).
• Wipe waterline: Scrub scum ring with Magic Eraser, clean cover (top & bottom)
• Inspect salt cell: Check for white calcium buildup
• Check salt (if having chlorine issues): Should be 1500-2000 ppm (target 1900). Add 1-2 lbs at a time if low.

⚠️ Phosphate Treatment (24-Hour Process)

1. Turn salt cell OFF (set to 0) - keep it off for entire process
2. Add ~4 oz PhosFree (phosphate remover) to filter area. Shake bottle well first.
3. Run jets on high for 1 hour (Note: Jets will auto-shutoff after 1 hour - this is normal)
4. Leave for 24 hours (don't use the tub)
5. Remove filters and clean THE FUCK out of them: Spray with high-pressure hose, rinse thoroughly. Soak in water with detergent 1+ hour (don't be shy with the detergent for this). Rinse thoroughly - very important to get all detergent out! If still gross after all that, replace them.
6. Add 1 oz chlorine granules to filter area
7. Wait 1 hour, test chlorine: If below 1 ppm, add 1-2 oz more
8. Wait another hour, turn salt cell back ON
9. Test phosphates again after 48 hours: Still high? Repeat treatment

Note: Water will get cloudy during treatment - this is normal!

🔧 Every ~4 Months: Salt Cell Maintenance

When the system indicates it's time, follow the instructions in your hot tub manual for your specific system type (Freshwater vs ACE).

🔧 Every 4-6 Months: Drain & Refill

1. Turn salt cell OFF (set to 0)
2. Power off tub at breaker
3. Find drain on front of tub (might be behind access panel)
4. Remove cap, attach garden hose, let it drain
5. Wipe down walls with soft cloth
6. Replace drain cap (make sure black gasket is inside)
7. Refill using hose in filter area standpipe
8. Power on, set temp
9. Once warm, follow "Initial Fill & Setup" steps (including adding salt!)

🚨 Common Issues

• Chlorine too low, salt cell at max: Add 1-2 oz chlorine granules. Check salt level (might be low). Clean salt cell if buildup.
• Strong chlorine smell: Turn salt cell DOWN. If reading > 5 ppm, add hydrogen peroxide.
• Cloudy water: Clean filter, check chlorine (adjust salt cell), check phosphates
• Green water: Salt cell to MAX, add 2-3 oz chlorine granules, clean filters
• A lot of foam: Test phosphates immediately. Foam = likely high phosphates. If above 300 ppb, do phosphate treatment (24-hour process - see above)
• Scum ring: Scrub with Magic Eraser, check phosphates/calcium/chlorine
• Scaling (white crusty stuff): Lower calcium to 50 ppm, scrub with Magic Eraser. Check salt cell for buildup.
• Salt cell error: Check salt level (1500-2000 ppm). Clean cell if calcium buildup. Replace if 4+ months old.

💊 Chemical Dosing Quick Reference

• Chlorine Granules: 1 oz for startup or emergency boost. 1-2 oz for quick party prep (1 hour before).
• Salt: 10-20 lbs for initial fill (varies by tub size), add 1-2 lbs at a time if low
• PhosFree (if phosphates > 300 ppb): ~4 oz for treatment, follow 24-hour process
• pH Increaser/Decreaser: Start with 1/2 oz, wait 20 min, retest
• Alkalinity Increaser: Start with 1 oz, wait 20 min, retest

🎉 Party Prep