THE BEST Salt Water Hot Tub Startup Video [Step-by-Step Instructions] | Backyard Leisure

[@jackdawson3276]

Great video! I use both the pre-filter and the phosphate remover when refilling my 2019 Envoy. I live in NYC which has very high phosphate levels. I also add water clarifier and after 3 days, I thoroughly clean the filters. I also shock the new water with dichlor to neutralize any residual biolfilm from when I purged with Ahhsome Spa cleaner. Those steps are essential when you have a salt system. I use the silver ion stick and sometimes add enzymes like Spa Perfect. I keep the salt system set to the lowest level needed to maintain 1-3ppm of chlorine. The cartidges subsequently last 4 months and the water lasts 11-12 months. I always add just under the recommended amount of salt. I am careful not to add more than the recommended amount of salt regardless of what the salt system dial says.

[@DanBreit-g1t]

Josh did a very nice job on this video. My thanks to him.

[@backyardleisure]

Thanks so much! Happy hot tubbing.

[@craigwisniewski8649]

This is ny first hot tub and it will be installed next week. With your knowledge, I feel more confident. Thank you!

[@backyardleisure]

Glad I could help. Happy hot tubbing!

[@kenstys3420]

Great video and very detailed , way better than the written instruction that came with the Hot Tub .

[@backyardleisure]

So glad it was helpful. Happy hot tubbing!

[@nancycyman]

Hi Josh! What a great video! It's time for us to change the water since you were here last year and set up our new Seychelles. I've been a bit nervouse about this process but after watching your video, I feel confident we can do it! Thanks, Nancy and Dan C.

[@backyardleisure]

So glad to hear it Nancy!

[@mommydiy2024]

So far the best explanation! Thank you sooo much!

[@backyardleisure]

So glad it was helpful!

[@shameless520911]

Thank you so much for this video it was a huge help setting up our new spa!!

[@backyardleisure]

I'm so glad it was helpful! Happy hot tubbing.

[@Corrective-Chiropractic-919]

Great video! I've watched it numerous times & learn more each time. One question that I haven't heard addressed in this or your other Drain & Refill video >> do you recommend using Jet Cleaner before draining, how often, and which one if you do recommend? Thank you!!

[@backyardleisure]

I'm so glad that it's been helpful! Regarding jet cleaner, I haven't found that it's usually necessary in a well-maintained tub, but I'm sure that it has some benefits and could reduce sanitizer demand. We offer ProLine Jet Line Cleaner. I've also heard good things about the Ahhsome products.

[@Corrective-Chiropractic-919]

@@backyardleisure thank you again!!

[@kunjangsherpa5812]

Hi again, how do we use the phosphate remover ? Do I need to follow steps for it or do I just pour it directly into the tub and wait. Thank you

[@backyardleisure]

@kunjangsherpa5812 Hi there, you'll find dosing instructions on the bottle, but basically you'll just add the correct amount to directly into the water and then turn your jets on high for 10 minutes or so to mix it in. You may see foaming or cloudiness, which will typically clear up within a day.

[@kunjangsherpa5812]

@@backyardleisure thank you so much !!

[@latcheswing9299]

Easy install, great to use

[@kunjangsherpa5812]

Do I need the mineral sanitizer while refilling/changing water ? Thank you

[@backyardleisure]

You won't need it while you do the refill, but you will want a new one when you start back up with the fresh water.

[@kunjangsherpa5812]

@@backyardleisure so when the water has been changed and refilled and ready to use is when I need it ? Thank you

[@backyardleisure]

@@kunjangsherpa5812 Yep!

[@transammatt]

Great video I’m doing everything like you say. Been over 3 months and system is still not producing chlorine to keep it stable. I have to add chlorine every day.

[@backyardleisure]

Hey Matt, thanks for the compliment. I'd like to help if I can. What model do you have and what is your Level currently set at?

[@transammatt]

@@backyardleisure I have the system set at an eight went on vacation for six days came home and the water was green just now got the water back to normal. I add chlorine and eight hours later nothing on the test stripe,it is set at a six right now. Calera Geneva

[@backyardleisure]

@@transammatt Thanks for that info. A couple things just to help you understand what could be happening. 1) If the system says "OK" then it is producing sanitizer. The engineers have told me that it is impossible for the system to be online, but not produce chlorine. 2) Given that fact, if we're not able to maintain a chlorine level, something in the tub is using the chlorine faster than we are producing it. That could be something like phosphates, foamy water or a dirty filter. You've probably already addressed those things, correct?

[@transammatt]

@@backyardleisureyes all those things are good. I clean the filter every two weeks and it’s never real dirty. I’m having a technician check it out for the second time tomorrow going to run a test to make sure that it is chlorine. Thanks for your help I thought biofilm? My guys said it’s to clean and only 3 months old.

[@backyardleisure]

@@transammatt Biofilm crossed my mind too, but I also decided that it was unlikely since the tub is only 3 months old. Hopefully your local tech can see something. Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can be of any more assistance. My direct email is [e-mail]

[@rhondasneed3867]

This was a great video!

[@backyardleisure]

Thanks so much Rhonda. Happy hot tubbing!

[@celinem9072]

Excellent !! Thank You!!!!

[@backyardleisure]

So glad it was helpful! Happy hot tubbing!

[@AchillesWrath1]

What's the advantage of a salt system vs others? Is there an equal amount of chemicals to add during the initial set up but a salt system has less routine maintenance and you can keep the water longer without emptying and starting over?

[@backyardleisure]

That's a pretty good synopsis. The only things I might add are that customers report that their water feels better and has less "chemical" odor.

[@Aviation_Professional]

Josh can you do a short video on the Nature 2 mineral cartridge installation on your spa?

[@backyardleisure]

Check out 7:34 in this video. The Freshwater Mineral Sanitizer cartridge is the same as a Nature 2. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[@Aviation_Professional]

@@backyardleisure Thanks for that but that exact stick doesn't fit snug in that openning for my seychelles for some reason. Go figure.! Thanks for that though

[@TruthMatters9795]

We appreciate you!

[@backyardleisure]

So glad we can be helpful!

[@po416]

How often do we REALLY need to replace the salt system cartridge? I know it says 4 months, but those things are $400+, I use my tub sparingly, and shut down for 5 months of the year in warm season. What's a basic replacement life if we take it to the maximum. 1 year, 1.5 years? What should we not go over?

[@backyardleisure]

I apologize that I've somehow missed this comment until now. I'm sure that you've found out already that the replacement cartridges are not $400. A single cartridge normally sells for ~$120 and 3-pack is normally about $299. That being said, I can still understand wanting to get the most life out of it as possible. Replacing the cartridge at the 4 month reminder on your hot tub is a safe way of ensuring that you always get peak performance and that the cartridge doesn't eventually fail at a random time. That being said, if you are willing to monitor the condition of the cartridge, the sanitizer production and adjust the output level accordingly, you could technically use the cartridge until it completely fails. Failure will typically manifest itself as a "Low Status" on the salt system menu. The system will essentially be telling you that the salt level in the water is low, when in fact it is not. You could confirm your salt level with a Salt Test Strip and if it is still in the OK range, a new cartridge would then make the menu show properly and restore full functionality.

[@donnaenglish3213]

I just bought an inflatable saltwater hot tub, it's an Intex. I'm having an issue with a low chlorine and high ph, alkaline, and calcium. I don't know how to adjust for that. Can you help?

[@backyardleisure]

Hi Donna, I'm not familiar with the Intex system, but some of the basics would be universal. The high ph and alkalinity should be addressed with some kind of pH decreaser. This is especially important with a salt system, because a combination of high calcium and high pH will cause scaling and premature failure of the salt cell. Ideally, the high calcium should be addressed also. There is no chemical to remove calcium. You will either need to fill the tub through some sort of water softener, or you may be able to use a Vanishing Act if you can find somewhere on your tub where water would be consistently pushed or pulled through it. The low chlorine would be a result of the contaminant load overcoming the chlorine production. It's hard for me to know if that is a result of high contaminants or low production, but I would start by adding either granular or liquid chlorine to make sure that we overcome whatever is currently in the water.

[@donnaenglish3213]

@@backyardleisure thank you

[@donnaenglish3213]

@@backyardleisure thank you

[@Aviation_Professional]

which PRE-Filter do you folks use?

[@backyardleisure]

We like the Clean Screen from Freshwater. In addition to removing metals like most other pre-filters it also removes organic contaminants. It is available in our online store here: shopbackyardleisure.com/products/Clean-Screen-Pre-Filter-p507755202

[@Aviation_Professional]

@@backyardleisure Thanks much!

[@crvdudecrossoverr6367]

should really hold the items you are takin gout of the box so we can actually see them before installing. im like wth is this cartridge and how are you inserting it?

[@backyardleisure]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm sorry the camera missed the cartridge. Do you have the OEM salt water system on a Caldera or Hot Spring Spa?