Congratulations on your new hot tub from Mister Spas! Most of the care required focuses on maintaining water quality both to prevent microbial growth and to keep equipment healthy and functioning properly. This is an easy guide that you can keep near your spa or chemicals in order to know exactly what to do to ensure your spa stays running at full capacity for years to come. Here is a breakdown on Spa Maintenance:

• Test the water with Test Strips once per week to check water quality.
• Add PH Up as needed according to the Test Strips.
• Add Alkalinity Increaser as needed according to test strips.
• Add 1 Tbs. Chlorine per person per use OR 2 Tbs. per week.
• Add 1-2 cap fulls of Renew per week (+/- depending on spa size).
• Clean the Filter with a garden hose & degreaser every 2 weeks (bi-monthly). The Filter should be replaced after 1.5-2 years.
• Drain & Clean the spa and replace with clean water every 3-4 months
• Change your SunPurity Mineral Cartridge every 4 months.
• Replace the ClearRay UV Bulb annually (a notification light should appear when the bulb goes out).
• Wipe down your spa's Cover & Cabinet with 303 Protectant to ensure they stay looking great!

*All chemicals, parts, & accessories are available at the Mister Spas store, located at 618 N. Polk St. in Pineville.
Call Mister Spas at: (704)-889-7727            E-Mail Mister Spas at: [email protected]

​Visit the Mister Spas Website at: MisterSpas.com

We receive many questions about PH and Alkalinity. It is important to know about both in order to maintain your spa effectively. If the PH and/or Alkalinity get out of whack then the water can become too basic or, even worse, too acidic. It is rare for water to become too basic (usually it involves some kind of cleaning agent that hasn't been washed away thoroughly) but we encounter acidic water much too often.
To understand these concepts, we must first understand PH. 
PH, in its simplest form, is the measure of H+ ions in an aqueous solution. Acids, which lower the PH of a solution, donate an H+ ion (known as a proton). The lower the PH of a solution, the higher the number of these H+ ions are in a given amount of water. Common acids include Citric Acid (in lemons), Hydrochloric Acid (in our stomach and in pool cleaner), and Acetic Acid (in vinegar). These H+ ions can cause problems in a spa because they easily react with, dissolve, or degrade the materials used in spa equipment.
Bases, on the other hand, produce HO- (Hydroxide) ions. While high concentrations of these can also damage spa parts, it requires a strongly caustic chemical to produce these concentrations. These HO- ions react with the H+ ions, neutralizing them and producing pure water. Since HO- ions neutralize H+ ions, there will be much less H+ in a basic solution. Since pure water is perfectly neutral, any solution with a concentration of H+ less than that in pure water is considered basic.
​The ideal PH of a spa is between 7.2 and 7.8. This prevents bacteria growth, is the best for your skin, and preserves spa equipment.

Alkalinity is very similar to PH, but differs in some important ways. Alkalinity can be described as the ability of a solution to neutralize H+ ions (acidity) and resist changes to PH. Specifically, Alkalinity usually refers to the amount of dissolved carbonate (a weak base) in water. While this dissolved carbonate doesn't make the water very basic, it does stop the water from becoming acidic when an acid is introduced. The higher the Alkalinity in your spa, the more acids (such as the ones on your skin) can be added to the water without lowering the PH. So Alkalinity is basically (get it, BASICally?) the ability of the water to resist PH changes.
Now remember, too much Alkalinity means some of the dissolved carbonates can build up in the pumps/motors. The ideal range is about 80-120 parts per million in spa water. This is high enough to prevent drastic PH changes, while low enough to prevent carbonate buildup.

I found a great video on Youtube from Sundance describing the basics of spa care. Take a look and let me know what you think!

     In the last installment of our Benefits of Hydrotherapy Series, I covered some of the many benefits of owning a spa. Part 1 focused on mainly the physical benefits on the body that hydrotherapy can provide. In this installment, you will be learning about the mental health benefits of owning a spa.
     Hot tubs can be extremely beneficial to one's mental health. Studies have shown that hydrotherapy greatly reduces the levels of Cortisol in the body. Cortisol is a powerful stress hormone that when released in high amounts, can cause lack of energy, decreased thinking abilities, and muscle breakdown. One way to maximize this Cortisol-blocking effect is to use your hot tub as a place of meditation. Studies show that meditation shares many of the same benefits as hydrotherapy. Combining the two could be a very powerful weapon against stress.
     Studies show that hot tubs and spas can actually prevent mental burnout. Researchers think this may be related to Cortisol, but whatever the reason, it has been shown that using a spa can keep you going strong at work or during any times of stress. I personally use my hot tub every day after work. It works very well to melt away the stresses of the day and helps me to focus more on the bigger picture.
      Did you know that owning a spa can actually increase productivity? Much like meditation, hydrotherapy has been shown to enhance mindfulness and increase productivity (and self-reported levels of happiness).  This enhanced mindfulness has been discussed in many productivity books, notably, The Productivity Project, because an increase in mindfulness is associated with less burnout, less mistakes, and less distractions. Who knew owning a hot tub could do so much for your career!
     Mindfulness is also associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety, and higher reates of self-reported quality of life. Anybody who regularly uses their spa can attest to this. When you get into a spa and experience its hydrotherapy benefits, the stress seems to melt away and the minor things no longer seem to cloud the bigger picture. Decision-making becomes easier. I personally have found that a combination of  meditation and hydrotherapy has done more towards my mental well-being than any medication has even come close to.
     Many people are experiencing first hand the mental benefits of owning a hot tub. For more information on hydrotherapy and mental health, or any questions, please leave a comment or email and I will be happy to send a reply!

​[email protected] -Mister Spas of Charlotte, NC 

   Hydrotherapy is extremely beneficial to both the mind and body. Anybody who is dedicated about their physical and mental wel being should be well versed in the documented effects of various forms of Hydrotherapy. Studies and anecdotal reports have shown again and again that using a hot tub can be a tremendous tool for the use of improving your quality of life. I personally am very dedicated to self improvement and reaching my full potential, and it really surprised me to see all of the benefits I could get out of high quality Hot Tub Hydrotherapy. As soon as I tried one out I was hooked. This post is written to explain some of the proven benefits of using a hot tub, as well as to share my personal experience with Hydrotherapy.

     First we will go over the physical benefits of Hydrotherapy. Athletes and bodybuilders have been using hydrotherapy now for decades. For those with active lifestyles (athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and even those with physically demanding jobs) all receive important health benefits from using spas. Working out causes anaerobic energy production which in turn produce Lactic acid as a waste product, leading to sore muscles. Fitness enthusiasts need this Lactic Acid cleared from the muscles as fast as possible in order to work out these muscle groups again. Using a hot tub greatly increases the circulation of blood throughout the body, clearing toxins out of the muscles, internal organs, and other tissues. This massively enhances recovery time and gives you the ability to work out harder, longer, and more frequently. An added advantage of hot tubs over other forms of Hydrotherapy methods is the combination of thermal and mechanical (jets set to target specific areas) that produces far more accurate and pronounced results. 
    Another huge advantage of hot tubs is that they make you sweat. Since water transfers heat to your body much more efficiently than air, you will get more benefit from a spa than most saunas. This combination of increased blood flow to remove toxins and increased sweating to get rid of them is extremely beneficial physically as well as mentally; these toxins also affect your mood. It is important to be adequately hydrated during this process for the best efficiency. This not only makes you healthier, but also leads to clearer skin(waste products won't be stuck in the pores), better brain function and improved mood (toxins are flushed from the brain, more energy and enhanced lifespan/quality of life. The combination of  mechanical and thermal energy does wonders for your health. *On a side note, this release of toxins is also why it's so important to keep good water testing and maintenance habits. I recommend using a spa equipped with a UV-B bulb and mineral cartridge. 
    Other benefits of hydrotherapy include enhanced immune system function, enhanced digestion, and reduced pain sensitivity. Hydrotherapy also helps alleviate some of the symptoms of poor circulation, arthritis, rheumatism, bad joints and chronic pain. The flotation of the body relieves stress caused by gravity on the back and improves posture.

The cornerstone of spa maintanence is the proper use of chemicals. Proper chemical use is essential to ensuring a healthy, long living spa. Chemicals are used to enhance your spa experience and to create an environment that is impossible to live in for microbes. Chemicals also preserve the spa's inner workings, as well keep foam levels low, break down any oils released by your skin, and adjust the waters mineral content. Keeping up with chemicals is extremely simple
    The easiest way to check your levels is with a test strip. The frequency of testing varies by the amount of use your spa gets as well as the amount of people using it. To use a test strip, simply dip it in the water then compare the results with the illustration on the container. If anything is off, all you have to do is add a small quantity of chemicals, wait a few minutes with the spa on, then test again until levels are optimal. For specialty chemicals (such as clarifyer) just add on an as-needed basis.
    When purchasing your spa, I highly recommend a Sundance or other brand with built-in sanitation features. This will dramatically reduce the quantity and frequency of chemical additions. Each Sundance spa comes with a built in ClearRay bulb and SunPurity Mineral Sanitizer. The ClearRay blub uses patented UV-B technology to oxidize and kill any bacteria in the water. The SunPurity Sanitizer uses silver ions to furtherdestroy any microbes. These drastically reduce the need for Chlorine and Oxidizer.
   Another important chemical is PH Up. This is very important to the inner workings of the spa. If the PH is too low in your hot tub, then any exposed metal parts will be slowly eaten away by the water.
    overall, chemical maintanence is incredibly simple but incredibly important. Remember this, and follow these simple directions to get the most out of your spa! Good luck!

For any questions, feel free to email me at [email protected] :)

   Mister Spas is a small, family owned company in a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. We pride ourselves in honesty, hard work, and the absolute best quality products. In business since 1988, there are very few other spa companies (or blogs, for that matter) with the superior expertise we posses. Mister Spas is a proud dealer of new & used hot tubs, swim spas, chemicals, parts, filters, and accessories. We also install, service, maintain, and clean spas; this gives us intimate knowledge of our products as well as the hot tub business.
   This blog was created to give customers information on how spas work, how to maintain your spa, and what to look for when purchasing a new spa. With the information provided, you can pick the right spa for you and make sure it lasts for years to come!

                                                  Visit our website at MisterSpas.com or contact Lee at (704)578-6825