FAQs
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Installation Questions
Positioning
Can I have it on my lawn/grass?
No. The hot tub needs to be on a solid and secure base. Solid and secure enough to hold up to a ton of water in the case of a hot tub installation and up to 10 ton in the case of a swim spa installation. If you are in doubt, ask for your supplier to visit and advise. This will move the responsibility and any risk over to the supplier.
Can they be installed in a conservatory, log cabin or a garage?
Yes! We recommend that the hot tub area to be treated as though it were a bathroom. Consider condensation, slippery floors, waterproof electrical equipment/connections and steamy windows. Also chose a hot tub which will use less chemicals.
Can I sink the hot tub?
Yes. Please consider: Drainage, Access around all sides for maintenance, sealed to restrict access to rodents and insects, Electrical supply.
Where should I put my hot tub?
Make sure that you choose to put the hot tub in the best position to suit the location. For instance, you may want to face your favourite seats towards the best views that are in your home or garden. With this in mind the hot tub hatch location will be dictated by your chosen orientation, as will be your electrical inlet.
Does the hot tub have to be perfectly level?
No! As long as the surface is solid and secure.
Flattish yes! - you could have a tolerance of up to 5cm.
Flattish yes! - you could have a tolerance of up to 5cm.
What base should be used?
The base must be suitable to take the weight filled with water and bathers. – Please ask for advice from the supplier.
What access is needed around the hot tub for access?
At least 500mm on all 4 sides
At least 50cm at the area for the equipment
At least 50cm at the area for the equipment
How much access is needed to get the hot tub in?
This depends on the size of the specific hot tub. Check on hot tub specifications and measurements and always seek advice from our sales or service team. Always allow an additional 5cm for the hot tub packaging.
Electrical
What electrical supply is needed?
This depends on the model - Between 13 amp and 2 x 32amp supply. Please seek advice from your supplier.
What type/thickness cable should I use?
This depends on the amperage rating of the hot tub and the length of cable required
As a guideline; 13amp = 2.5mm // 32amp = 6mm
But always seek advice from a qualified electrician.
How far away does my socket need to be away from the hot tub?
Regulations recommend 2 meters.
As a guideline; 13amp = 2.5mm // 32amp = 6mm
But always seek advice from a qualified electrician.
How far away does my socket need to be away from the hot tub?
Regulations recommend 2 meters.
Does the hot tub come with cable or a plug?
Since the hot tub manufacturer does not know how far the hot tub is going to located away from the customer’s power supply, so a cable or plug is not supplied. Once the location has been decided, only a qualified electrician should advise on the length and size of the cable and this cable is then hard wired into the hot tub circuit board.
Where is the electric cable connection point please and how is it accessed?
The access point can be created on any corner of the hot tub base. We advise that the any excess space, after the cable is fitted, should be filled with silicone to avoid rodents getting inside the cabinet.
Water Supply
Do I need an outside tap/water supply?
Your hot tub can be filled more quickly with the use of a hose pipe. So as long as you have a hose pipe that reaches from the nearest tap, you should be ok. Having an outside tap makes filling the hot tub simpler.
Do you need a direct water feed?
No! You simply fill the hot tub, connect it to your power supply, switch it on and the hot tub does the rest.
Installation
Is a crane included in the installation price?
No. Crane costs can vary between £150 and £1500 and will require a third party that specialises in this field. You will need a survey and quotation from a crane speciality company. They will complete a risk assessment and have comprehensive insurance.
Can you manoeuvre a hot tub dolly over grass/gravel?
Yes. If you can foresee a difficulty or have any concerns, you should request a site survey.
How many fitters will install my tub?
Between 2 and 3 fitters. This will depend on access and the ease of install and difficulty of installation.
How long does an installation or service take?
Times can vary, depending on ease of access. An installation/service can take between 3 and 5 hours.
Is the crane company and myself fully insured?
British Hot Tubs are insured for up to £5 million
Cover Lifter
Do you fit a cover lifter on delivery?
If you have chosen to include delivery and installation within your hot tub purchase, the cover lifter will be assembled, attached and made fully operational. You will also receive comprehensive water care training and the locking catches for the cover lifter will be attached to the cabinet.
How much space do I need to leave for the cover lifter?
A manual cover lifter attached to the hot tub cabinet will require 46cm clearance and a gas cover lifter attached to the hot tub cabinet will require 28cm. This will allow the cover lifter to operate effectively and for the cover to be removed and stored behind the hot tub without the cover getting damaged or scratched when removed and replaced. Always be mindful of the clearance that the cover will need at its highest point, especially if the hot tub is going into a cabin, garden room or gazebo. The formula to allow for clearance at eave level is the height of the hot tub added to the thickness of the cover added to the measurement from the cover’s front edge to the fold of the cover.
Using Your Hot Tub
How long does It take to heat?
If the water temperature coming through the tap is averaging 6 °C, the hot tub will take between 12 and 16 hours to heat to 38 °C.
Hot tubs 12 to 16 hours - 1½°C to 2°C per hour
Swim spas up to 32 hours – ½°C to 1°C per hour
Hot tubs 12 to 16 hours - 1½°C to 2°C per hour
Swim spas up to 32 hours – ½°C to 1°C per hour
Why is my water murky/cloudy?
Check that all levels are correct
Clean the filter
Remove body products via spa sparkle and filter
Drain and refill if water is tired and has been in the hot tub for over 3 months
Clean the filter
Remove body products via spa sparkle and filter
Drain and refill if water is tired and has been in the hot tub for over 3 months
Can I put bath salts in it?
No, if it’s not recommended for hot tub use, do not risk contamination of your hot tub water.
How often should Bio-Film be used?
Bio -film eliminator should be used at least once every year and during a diarised drain and refill. If this use of bio-film is used in conjunction with an annual service, electronic and electronic checks can also be carried out alongside the deep clean of your hot tub.
What are the white flakes in the hot tub water?
These are greasy are body flakes, known as bio-film. They usually can be removed by adding spa sparkle and cleaning the filter.
Do Scum balls actually work?
This product is effective at removing grease and foam that floats on the surface of the hot tub water. They can be washed and rinsed in clean water and reused up to 3 times - depending on the amount of grease and slime that has been removed.
Why is there a scum line?
A oil based contaminant has been introduced to the hot tub water - very likely to be hair gel, sun tan lotion, fake tan or body creams.
How much aromatherapy am I supposed to put in?
If you have the Zen Zone aromatherapy dispenser, up to 4 squirts will create a beautiful aroma and will mot effect the clarity of your hot tub water.
Will the aromatherapy make my water cloudy?
If your water is balanced correctly and you are using an aromatherapy product specifically designed for hot tubs, you will not experience cloudy water as a result of using said aromatherapy.
I’ve put Shock in but my water, but it isn’t any better, why?
Shock only breaks down existing residual chemical compound that is in the hot tub water. It makes the water more receptive for the next dose of chemicals. Please note that any shock is not a ‘magic’ formula that resolves any other chemical imbalance.
Why is my water foamy? Why does my hot tub look like a bubble bath?
Foam is caused by soaps and body products. An anti-foam is the solution in small doses of a tablespoon at a time. The foam can only be completely removed when the filter has been cleaned of the plus and grease.
Can I use chlorine in the dosing system?
No! This is because chlorine isn’t available a solid tablet form.
Can I fill it with hot water?
This is unadvisable. The hot tub components are designed to run to 46 °C
and higher temperatures may cause the hot tub to malfunction. Water from through a combo boiler may strip unwanted metals from within the home heating system which are undesirable to have in hot tubs and may the effect the balance of the hot tub water.
and higher temperatures may cause the hot tub to malfunction. Water from through a combo boiler may strip unwanted metals from within the home heating system which are undesirable to have in hot tubs and may the effect the balance of the hot tub water.
What do I do if the chlorine/Bromine level is too high?
Chlorine will naturally drop over time.
Apply a chlorine reduction product.
Depending on the level of chlorine, you can remove some of the hot tub water and replace with fresh tap water to dilute the chlorine.
Apply a chlorine reduction product.
Depending on the level of chlorine, you can remove some of the hot tub water and replace with fresh tap water to dilute the chlorine.
How long do I need to leave the hot tub before I can get in after putting chemicals in?
Always leave at least 30 minutes after chemicals have been added and ensure that the levels are correct before entering into the hot tub.
Do I have to sanitise or check on my hot tub water every day?
Yes! If you are using the hot tub at least twice a week and have no automatic sanitising system.
No! If you have an in-built purification system. Although after each use, you should add the required amount of sanitiser in order to maintain the required sanitising levels.
No! If you have an in-built purification system. Although after each use, you should add the required amount of sanitiser in order to maintain the required sanitising levels.
Why does my chlorine still read low after I have already put some in?
If you have waited 20 minutes and the level is still low, you haven’t added enough. Keep adding up 6 tablespoons, waiting 30 minutes between dosing until the required level is achieved after successful testing over 24 hours.
Why is my test strip white every time I test it when i put chlorine/bromine in every day?
Either you do not have enough chlorine or bromine in the water – therefore you are not putting in enough chlorine/bromine to kill all of the local bacteria (because you’re not putting enough chlorine or bromine in in the first instance and the bacteria is eating all of the chlorine or bromine and so the bacteria is being allowed to reproduce), there is too much chlorine in the water and the test strips are being beached or your test strips are out of date.
How do I read the test strips?
Submerge the strip 6" under water for 2 seconds and remove with the pads facing up.
Shake ONCE to remove excess water.
Place test strip up to the colour legend and read immediately.
Before adding any chemicals to adjust your pH levels, the total alkalinity must be balanced first.
Ph is considered the most important component of water balance. It measures how acidic or basic your water is. If it is not kept in check you run the risk of damaging your equipment, i.e. heating elements, gaskets, pumps and seals. The ideal pH range for hot tubs is 7.2 to 7.8. Any reading below 7.2 means your water is acidic. To correct this, you would increase the ph. If the pH reading is above 7.8, it means the water is basic or alkaline. To bring the pH level down you would lower the ph. It is best to get your sanitiser level at a reasonable measure before testing the ph.
Sanitisers are used to effectively disinfect and keep your water safe and smelling fresh. The two most popular ones are chlorine and bromine. Proper reading for chlorine is 1.5 - 3.0 PPM and 3.0 - 5.0 PPM for bromine.
Total Alkalinity
The total alkalinity is the buffer of pH, if it is not balanced correctly, the pH will not give you a correct reading.
Total alkalinity is the ability to control ph.
Low pH // Normal TA - Add pH increaser
Low pH // High TA - Add pH decreaser to lower the TA levels. Then add pH increaser.
Low pH // Low TA - Add pH increaser to raise the level of both.
High pH // High TA - Add pH decreaser to bring the levels of both the pH and TA down.
High pH // Normal TA - Add pH decreaser to lower the pH level to normal.
High pH // Low TA - Add a pH decreaser to lower the pH level. Then add an alkaline increaser to raise the TA level.
Normal pH // High TA - Add a pH decreaser to lower the TA level.
Normal pH // Low TA - Add an alkaline increaser to raise the TA level
Calcium Hardness Sometimes referred to as "total hardness", calcium hardness is a measurement of minerals in your water including calcium and magnesium. If the water does not have enough calcium, the water will draw from other minerals, including copper, aluminium and iron, (e.g., heating elements, pump, seals and gaskets. This will result in equipment corrosion. If there is too much hardness, you will see scale formation on the hot tub’s interior and the water will take on a cloudy appearance. The calcium reading should be between 100- 250 PPM.
Add the appropriate chemicals indicated.
Shake ONCE to remove excess water.
Place test strip up to the colour legend and read immediately.
Before adding any chemicals to adjust your pH levels, the total alkalinity must be balanced first.
Ph is considered the most important component of water balance. It measures how acidic or basic your water is. If it is not kept in check you run the risk of damaging your equipment, i.e. heating elements, gaskets, pumps and seals. The ideal pH range for hot tubs is 7.2 to 7.8. Any reading below 7.2 means your water is acidic. To correct this, you would increase the ph. If the pH reading is above 7.8, it means the water is basic or alkaline. To bring the pH level down you would lower the ph. It is best to get your sanitiser level at a reasonable measure before testing the ph.
Sanitisers are used to effectively disinfect and keep your water safe and smelling fresh. The two most popular ones are chlorine and bromine. Proper reading for chlorine is 1.5 - 3.0 PPM and 3.0 - 5.0 PPM for bromine.
Total Alkalinity
The total alkalinity is the buffer of pH, if it is not balanced correctly, the pH will not give you a correct reading.
Total alkalinity is the ability to control ph.
Low pH // Normal TA - Add pH increaser
Low pH // High TA - Add pH decreaser to lower the TA levels. Then add pH increaser.
Low pH // Low TA - Add pH increaser to raise the level of both.
High pH // High TA - Add pH decreaser to bring the levels of both the pH and TA down.
High pH // Normal TA - Add pH decreaser to lower the pH level to normal.
High pH // Low TA - Add a pH decreaser to lower the pH level. Then add an alkaline increaser to raise the TA level.
Normal pH // High TA - Add a pH decreaser to lower the TA level.
Normal pH // Low TA - Add an alkaline increaser to raise the TA level
Calcium Hardness Sometimes referred to as "total hardness", calcium hardness is a measurement of minerals in your water including calcium and magnesium. If the water does not have enough calcium, the water will draw from other minerals, including copper, aluminium and iron, (e.g., heating elements, pump, seals and gaskets. This will result in equipment corrosion. If there is too much hardness, you will see scale formation on the hot tub’s interior and the water will take on a cloudy appearance. The calcium reading should be between 100- 250 PPM.
Add the appropriate chemicals indicated.
How long will it take to heat a swim spa up to 38 degrees from 28 degrees if I wanted to use it as a hot tub?
The usual time is ½ to 1 °C per hour.
What’s the noise level of the hot tub?
All hot tubs will have an automatic circulation and filtration mode, so pumps cannot be switched off to suit the time of day. Pump noise levels will always vary from hot tub manufacturer. If you do not want to be woken up when your hot tub kicks in, you will need to consider how noisy the hot tub will become. Give this consideration and make sure that the hot tub is efficiently insulated and has branded, CE approved pumps. An insulated hot tub with 2 pumps on at the same time will deliver a sound level of 25dB through an insulated cabinet. Hot tubs with very little insulation and noisy pumps have been tested, delivering sound levels of 79dB.
My toddler has had an accident in the hot tub, what should I do?
Remove any lumps, make sure that you super chlorinate (add between ½ and 1kg of sanitiser and keep washing the filter. When you think the filter is clean and the hot tub water is from the hot tub – soak your filter overnight in a bucket of water diluted with ½ kg of sanitiser. Alternatively, drain and refill your hot tub.