Relaxing spa setting for the AquaSpa Maintenance and Troubleshooting Guide

AquaSpa Maintenance & Troubleshooting Guide

Keep your chlorine-free and bromine-free spa water balanced, clear, fresh, and enjoyable week after week.

This guide explains how to continue maintaining your spa or hot tub with AquaSpa after set-up or conversion. It covers the weekly dosing routine, water balance targets, filter cleaning, drain and refill timing, helpful care notes, and common troubleshooting steps for cloudy water, foaming, odour, and brown scum.

Weekly AquaSpa Maintenance Routine

Maintaining your AquaSpa spa is a simple weekly process. The core routine uses AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser, AquaSpa Spa Shock, and AquaSpa Spa Kleer together, with accurate dosing and clean filtration.

Step 1: Sanitise

Add AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser once per week at 60ml per 1000 litres. The ideal sanitiser level is 15–20ppm.

Step 2: Oxidise

Add AquaSpa Spa Shock once per week at 20g per 1000 litres. An extra dose may be used after heavier than normal spa use.

Step 3: Clarify

Add AquaSpa Spa Kleer once per week at 60ml per 1000 litres to help maintain a clearer, cleaner-looking spa finish.

When adding AquaSpa products: run the filtration pump only, leave the cover off for at least 30 minutes, and add products at 30 minute intervals. Always add chemicals to water, never water to chemicals. Do not overdose.

Optional weekly comfort step: AquaSpa Invigorate can be added at 50ml per 1000 litres to enhance the spa experience with sea minerals including magnesium, potassium, and ocean trace elements.

Simple care for clear, comfortable spa water with your AquaSpa routine for clarity, balance, and comfort

Water Balance Targets

Test your spa water weekly with Insta-TEST Spa Test Strips. Balanced water helps AquaSpa perform correctly, keeps the water more comfortable, and helps protect spa equipment.

Sanitiser

15–20ppm
Use AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser.

pH

7.4–7.6
Use AquaSpa pH Reducer if pH is high.

Total Alkalinity

125–150ppm
Use AquaSpa Alkalinity Enhancer if low.

Calcium Hardness

200–275ppm for concrete and tiled spas
175–225ppm for other surfaces.

Important: Always adjust Total Alkalinity before adjusting pH. When adjusting pH or alkalinity, smaller corrections are easier to control. Use part doses where needed, circulate, then retest.

AquaSpa Dosage Chart

Use this chart as a quick reference for common spa volumes. Dosages are a guide only. Always follow the directions on the product label and calculate your spa volume accurately before dosing.

Quick measure guide: 10g = one rounded teaspoon. 30g = one tablespoon. Add products at 30 minute intervals and keep the cover off for 30 minutes after adding chemicals.
AquaSpa Product 100L 500L 1000L 1200L 1400L 1600L
On Start Up
AquaSpa Chlorine Remover 1.25ml 6.25ml 12.5ml 15ml 17.5ml 20ml
AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser 6ml 30ml 60ml 72ml 84ml 96ml
AquaSpa Spa Kleer 6ml 30ml 60ml 72ml 84ml 96ml
AquaSpa Spa Shock 2g 10g 20g 24g 28g 32g
AquaSpa Invigorate 5ml 25ml 50ml 60ml 70ml 80ml
Add When Needed - Water Balance
AquaSpa Alkalinity Enhancer As required As required As required As required As required As required
AquaSpa pH Reducer As required As required As required As required As required As required
AquaSpa Calcium Enhancer As required As required As required As required As required As required
Add Weekly
AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser 6ml 30ml 60ml 72ml 84ml 96ml
AquaSpa Spa Kleer 6ml 30ml 60ml 72ml 84ml 96ml
AquaSpa Spa Shock 2g 10g 20g 24g 28g 32g
AquaSpa Invigorate 5ml 25ml 50ml 60ml 70ml 80ml
Use Weekly or After Heavy Use
AquaSpa Instant Filter Klenz Spray on / hose off Spray on / hose off Spray on / hose off Spray on / hose off Spray on / hose off Spray on / hose off
Add Every 3 Months
AquaSpa Pipe Klenz 25ml 125ml 250ml 300ml 350ml 400ml
Add When Required
AquaSpa Anti-Foam As required As required As required As required As required As required
AquaSpa Chlorine Remover 1.25ml 6.25ml 12.5ml 15ml 17.5ml 20ml

We recommend using AquaSpa Pipe Klenz on start-up when draining a spa before converting to AquaSpa. AquaSpa Spa Shock may also be used after each spa use when extra clarity and freshness support is required.

Filter Cleaning & Pipe Care

Clear AquaSpa water depends heavily on clean filtration. Filters collect body fats, oils, lotions, cosmetics, fine debris, and oxidised waste. If the cartridge becomes blocked, the water can become cloudy and harder to manage.

Clean Filter Cartridges Regularly

Use AquaSpa Instant Filter Klenz weekly, or more often after high usage. Spray on, then hose off according to label directions. Replace filter cartridges annually, or as recommended by your spa or cartridge manufacturer.

Clean Pipework Before Draining

Use AquaSpa Pipe Klenz every 3 months and before draining. This helps remove body fats, grime, organic build-up, and biofilm from internal pipework.

Drain and refill timing: spas should generally be drained every 3 to 6 months, and more often with high usage. Use AquaSpa Pipe Klenz before draining so the internal pipework is cleaned before fresh water is added.

After Heavy Spa Use

Extra bather load can add more body oils, lotions, cosmetics, sweat, and organic waste to the water. Alcohol consumption can also increase the amount of bodily fluids and fats released into the spa.

After high use: test the water, check sanitiser level, clean the filter cartridge if clarity drops, and add an extra dose of AquaSpa Spa Shock if the water needs freshness and clarity support.

Troubleshooting Common AquaSpa Issues

Most spa water issues are linked to one of four areas: water balance, sanitiser level, filtration, or build-up in the pipework. Work through the relevant checks below before assuming a larger problem.

Important: Do not use chlorine-containing products to correct AquaSpa water issues. AquaSpa is a chlorine-free and bromine-free PHMB-based system, and chlorine products are not suitable for normal AquaSpa maintenance.
Cloudy Water

Cloudy water can be caused by incorrect water balance, incorrect dosing, blocked filter cartridges, or body fats in the pipework.

1. Check water balance

2. Check sanitiser and Spa Kleer dosing

  • Test the sanitiser level. It should be 15–20ppm.
  • Too much or too little AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser can cause cloudy water.
  • Incorrect dosing of AquaSpa Spa Kleer can also affect clarity.
  • If overdosed, remove one third of the water, dilute with fresh water, then retest.

3. Clean blocked filter cartridges

4. Treat body fats in pipework

Foaming

Foaming is usually caused by high sanitiser levels, incorrect water balance, or a build-up of body fats in the filter or pipework.

Quick correction

  • Add AquaSpa Anti-Foam according to label directions.
  • Anti-Foam reduces visible foam, but it does not remove the cause of the problem.

Correct the cause

  • Test the sanitiser level and correct the dose if required.
  • Test pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.
  • Clean the filter cartridge with AquaSpa Instant Filter Klenz.
  • If foaming returns quickly, use AquaSpa Pipe Klenz, then drain and refill.
Strong or Offensive Odour

A strong chemical or unpleasant odour is often caused by low pH, overdosing AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser, or the presence of body fats.

What to do

  • Test and adjust pH.
  • Check the AquaSpa sanitiser level.
  • Dilute the spa with fresh water if the sanitiser level is too high.
  • Use AquaSpa Spa Shock to help oxidise body fats and organic waste.
  • Clean the filter cartridge if odour appears after heavy spa use.
Brown Scum Around the Waterline

A light brown scum around the waterline can occur due to source water impurities or when jets and bubbles are running while AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser is being added.

What to do

  • Apply a small amount of AquaSpa pH Reducer to a soft cloth or AquaSpa Spa Pad, then gently wipe the affected waterline area.
  • When adding Spa Sanitiser, run the filtration pump only and avoid jets or bubbles.
AquaSpa Spa Care Made Easy

Helpful AquaSpa Products for Ongoing Care

These products support weekly care, water balance, filter cleaning, pipework maintenance, and common troubleshooting steps.

AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser

Spa Sanitiser

Core weekly sanitising step.

AquaSpa Spa Shock

Spa Shock

Freshness and oxidation support.

AquaSpa Spa Kleer

Spa Kleer

Water clarity and finish.

AquaSpa Invigorate

Invigorate

Sea mineral comfort support.

AquaSpa Instant Filter Klenz

Instant Filter Klenz

Fast cartridge cleaning.

AquaSpa Pipe Klenz

Pipe Klenz

Internal pipework cleaning.

AquaSpa Anti-Foam

Anti-Foam

Quick visible foam control.

AquaSpa Spa Pad

Spa Pad

Waterline and spa surface cleaning support.

Insta-TEST Spa Test Strips

Insta-TEST Strips

Test PHMB, pH, alkalinity, and hardness.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I dose AquaSpa products?
Under normal conditions, dose AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser, Spa Shock, Spa Kleer, and Invigorate once per week according to your spa volume and product label directions.
Do I need to test the water every week?
Yes. Weekly testing helps you check the AquaSpa sanitiser level, pH, alkalinity, and hardness so the water stays easier to manage.
What is the ideal AquaSpa sanitiser level?
The ideal AquaSpa Spa Sanitiser level is 15–20ppm. Use suitable biguanide test strips, such as Insta-TEST Spa Test Strips, to check the level.
Can I add all AquaSpa products at the same time?
No. Add products separately at 30 minute intervals, with the filtration pump running and the spa cover off.
Why should I leave the spa cover off after dosing?
Leaving the cover off for at least 30 minutes after dosing allows the spa to breathe and helps freshly added products circulate correctly.
How often should I clean the filter cartridge?
Clean the cartridge weekly, or more often after heavy use. If water clarity drops, clean the cartridge immediately.
When should I use AquaSpa Pipe Klenz?
Use AquaSpa Pipe Klenz at least every 3 months and before draining the spa. It is also useful when water issues are linked to body fats, odour, cloudy water, or pipework build-up.
Is AquaSpa Anti-Foam a permanent fix?
No. AquaSpa Anti-Foam helps reduce visible foam quickly, but foaming may return if the cause is high sanitiser, poor water balance, a dirty filter, or body fats in the pipework.
Can I use chlorine products with AquaSpa?
AquaSpa is a chlorine-free and bromine-free system. Do not use chlorine-containing products in the spa while maintaining it with AquaSpa unless you are intentionally changing systems and following the correct changeover process.
Why is my spa not perfect straight after converting to AquaSpa?
When first changing to AquaSpa, or after the spa has been shock cleaned, allow a week or two for the water to settle before optimum results are seen. Keep testing, dosing accurately, and cleaning the filter cartridge during this period.

Starting Fresh or Converting to AquaSpa?

If you are setting up a new spa, converting from chlorine or bromine, or restarting after a drain and refill, the AquaSpa Start-Up Kit brings the key products together in one box.

For the full start-up and conversion process, visit the AquaSpa System Guide.