Determining Weekly & Monthly Maintenance

[rmcmullan]

Hello. New hot tub owner and I'm compiling my weekly and monthly maintenance list. I started with the manufacturer's recommendations, but wanted to check with the collective wisdom here to see 1) if there's anything additional I should be doing, 2) if there's anything needless or too frequent. I know the manufacturer has an interest in me using All The Chemicals, so a gut check is helpful. This is in addition to daily pH and FC testing/treating. Here's what I have so far:

• Weekly
  • 2oz scale defense
  • 2oz oxidizer
  • 2oz spa bright (clarifier/flocculator)
  • 3oz enzyme treatment (Spa Perfect)
  • Scrub away the scum line on the edge of the waterline with cloth and white vinegar
• Monthly
  • Cover treat for spa cover and headrests
  • Wash filters with garden hose

Any advice?

 

[Kenai]

Hello! Welcome to the group!!
I don’t use any of the items in your “weekly” list. I daily check the FC, weekly check the pH as it rises often due to the aeration of the jets. Monthly, I run all the TFP recommended tests. (Recommended test kit: TF-100) Generally my spa requires chlorine addition daily. Every spa is a bit different. About every three months I drain the spa and use Ahhsome treatment. I take that time to put the filters in the spa with the ahhsome and let it clean the filters...then I hose them off.
There are a lot of wonderful articles here in the pool school section as well as volunteers who have many hours of experience who can help out. I am no expert ...have been using TFP since purchase of home in 2019. Anything you need to know is right here on this sight. “Pool math” app allows you to put in your tested levels and will tell you exactly what to add...and how much!! There is only a hand full of items recommended to keep your spa in good condition. Most can be purchased at big box stores like Walmart and Home Depot, Lowe’s ,etc. Once again...welcome!!

 

[RDspaguy]

Less is more. I am a chemical minimalist, and don't add anything I don't need. Which eliminates your entire weekly maintenance list.
That is not to say that you don't need those products, most of that list is dependent on individual circumstances. But following any generic one-size-fits-all plan will have you using many things you may or may not need depending on your fill water and use.

 

[Mdragger88]

I also don’t use any of those items on your weekly list - i just check ph & fc & adjust as necessary. I run the other tests monthly.
i also don’t use “cover treat” (I don’t have headrests) but i use 303 aerospace protectant on my cover occasionally.
Generally maintaining the tfp way should help you avoid scale & the need for floc/clarifiers. I have never used mps(oxidizer) as chlorine (bleach or dichlor) has always done a great job & I don’t like that mps skews the cc results (also there’s no way to calculate it in PoolMath) since its not listed I steer clear.
I also do an Ahhsome purge @ every drain/refill (about every 4months)
the only time my tub has ever had a “scum line” was during a purge.

 

[rmcmullan]

Thank you for the feedback. I just did the listed weekly and had a scum line the next morning. Probably the clarifier doing its flocculating and the globs sticking to the side. My intuition was that this was too much, but it's nice to get a gut check from the community. Thanks again.

 

[RDspaguy]

I have used floc only a handful of times in 25 years in this business. Only on pools, never spas, and only after every other effort has failed. If you reach the point that you need floc or claifier in your spa you should drain and refill.
Clarifiers were designed to increase the efficiency of sand filters. Sand filters allow small particles to pass through, and clarifier causes those small particles to clump together and so get trapped by the filter. Cartridge filters (like those in your spa) and DE both filter these small particles without the need for clarifier.
Enzymes are used to break down oily contaminants to prevent scumline and decrease filter load. I have never been a fan myself, preferring to avoid the lotions, fabric softeners, and hair conditioners that contribute to the oily buildup. If I get a scumline, it's past time to drain and refill, which I do every 3-4 months.
Scale defense is a crutch for those who have trouble keeping ph/alk in balance. At normal ph/alk you should not form scale.
Mps is a non-chlorine oxidizer (shock) used to eliminate chloramines (cc) without increasing fc. It is guesswork how much to use and, as @Mdragger88 said, it throws of the accuracy of your chemical tests when present as a residual in solution. I have used it in the past, but not for many years as I don't need to shock with 24/7 ozone injection.