Feels like a dumb spa question (noob)

[PrairieGirl]

The heater for the pool/spa is broken. It appears to have been broken for some time. The spa is in the corner, and overflows into the pool, which I'm sure looks very nice when it's all up and going.

Questions are - is it pointless to even run water to the spa, if the heater doesn't work? If there was water in it, it would just be the same temp as the rest of the pool water, right? Would BadThings™ happen if we didn't put any water in the spa, and left it empty?

 

[cowboycasey]

the spa is also plaster so yes, you really need to have water going to it. just because it is the same temp will not matter

 

[PrairieGirl]

So if we have the spa going, even though it's not heated, do we need to test and manage that water separately?

 

[billyz]

Since the spa overflows into the pool, I assume the water in the spa comes from the pool so it's all the same water. no need to test separately, so long as it runs occasionally to refresh the water.