Newby here reporting on first attempt and cleaning out and refill of a very old spa that "came with the house." The previous owners had a service company maintain but they supposedly never used it. The water was clear but the jet motor was dead. I figured I'd replace the jet motor (another story) then would need to clean out the festering lines to the jet with Ahh Some and refill. This is more for my own records, but if you read and have comments on methods they are appreciated. I haven't added borates - still weighing the pros and cons.... bottom line - I am so super happy with everything I've learned scouring this forum and and am super happy with the results. My spa is fully functioning, crystal clear and inviting and better yet, I feel like I sort of know what I'm doing!!!
Day One
Notes for next time
Day One
- Clear skimmer, jet and filter baskets of leaves
- Drop water table ~2 inches to give Ahh Some scum room to accumulate without getting under ledge of spa (this wasn't intentionally done, but realized later I want to do it next time)
- Remove filter
- Place filter and filter holder in tub (actually, I bought a new filter and didn't add it to the tub until the second purge)
- Heat tub to >80degF (Talked to Ahh Some rep, they recommended at least 80 degF)
- While heating, shock with 1/3 C. SeaKlear Spa Balanced Shock Oxidizer (because I have otherwise, ~1 cup Chrorine)
- Once heated add 3.5 Tbs. Ahh Some broken up in a bit of hot water first (be sure filter is below water surface or scum will get into filter pleats if it floats on the top)
- Run all motors and air without filters
- Stop jets occasionally and wipe down scum as it accumulates on edges with paper towels.
- As bubbles diminished in a major way, added 1 TBS more Ahh Some and repeated wiping scum.
- Added 2 more tablespoons of Ahh Some over the course of 5 hours until accumulation of scum slowed way down (all I can say is that it was really disgusting)
- Drain spa (pump water down sewage clean out port) & wipe off scum (especially skimmer basket area!)
- Refill spa – heat - add ~1 cup chlorine and 3 Tbs. Ahh Some with jets.
- Run jets for ~20 mins. Wipe down sides and let sit overnight
- Run jets ~ 20 mins. Still very bubbly, little scum.
- Drain and wipe off all scum
- Run jets & air briefly to clear lines
- Spray off filter and replace
- Refill spa and add chemicals (partial amounts spaced every 15 mins or so with jets on)
- ~1 cup 8.25% Chlorine (Safeway Select Regular Scent)
- 1 cup Clorox Pool&Spa Calcium Hardness Increaser
- 1/2 c. Hasa Dry Acid
- 6 oz Leisure Time Sodium Bromide (3, 2oz packs used all as didn't feel like keeping 1/2 pack around)
- Add 2 pucks to bromine floater
| Taylor Kit | Starting Tap Water | Target | Final Levels |
| Bromine | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| pH | 8+ | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| TA | 90 | 60 | 80 |
| CH | 90 | 200 | 300 |
- Don't expect as much Ahh Some scum next time. Don't plan on second flush before final refill.
- Add 1/2 cup Clorox Pool&Spa Calcium Hardness Increaser and test before adding more
