Hot Springs Freshwater Salt System

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This easy-to-use salt water system eliminates the worry of keeping spa water clean, clear and sanitized. With just a little salt in your spa water, the system generates chlorine automatically so you’ll spend less time measuring and adding chemicals. This unique system makes spa ownership easier than ever by removing the guesswork and hassle of water care maintenance.

More natural-feeling water with no itchy, dry skin or eyes
Fewer chemicals added and no harsh odors
Simple water care means more time enjoying your spa
Conserve water by reducing spa drain and refills

You need to first treat the water in the spa before you turn on the salt system.

See Video Instructional Video Below.

Getting Started

If you are filling with well water or have metal issues, it is recommended to fill your spa using the Clean Screen® pre-filter. Follow instructions in step 2 - Treat for Metals. If you have high calcium hardness above 300 ppm, fill the spa using the On The Go® portable water softener or other soft water source to the specified hardness.

Fill Your Spa

Important: Power must always be OFF when spa is empty. Fill your spa through the filter compartment until the water level reaches 1” (2.5 cm) above the highest jet in the spa. Once spa is filled with water, turn the power on and check the operation of the jet systems. Set the temperature to your desired level (see spa Owner’s Manual). Note: The water care icon and logo light (if equipped) may flash until water temperature is above 95°F (35°C).

Treat For Metals

Important: If there are metals present in the water, they must be removed before starting up the FreshWater® Salt System. Treat for metals with Clean Screen pre-filter and Stain and Scale Control. Wait 24 hours before turning the Salt System on or adding any chlorine (shock). 1 Fill Your Spa 2 T

Balance the Water

Test your water using a FreshWater 5-Way Test Strip. Review pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels to determine if your water is in the OK range for the Salt System and adjust as needed.

Add Salt

To find the correct water capacity of your spa model, see the back cover of your spa Owner’s Manual. With jets running add 21/3 cups salt per 100 gallons (380 liters) of water to the filter compartment, one cup at a time, and allow five minutes for the salt to dissolve. Use FreshWater Salt Test Strips to verify the salt level is around 1,750 ppm.

Add Chlorine

Add concentrated chlorinating granules or liquid chlorine as directed on the bottle to create an instant chlorine residual of 5 ppm. Allow jets to run for 5 minutes per jet system, rotating diverter and water feature valves.

Reduce Hardness

If needed, use Vanishing Act® or Vanishing Act XL to reduce calcium hardness to 50 ppm. Follow instructions on the box. More than one Vanishing Act and/or a Vanishing Act XL may be needed.

Set Output Level

Access the water care menu on your control panel. Scroll through Levels 0 - 10 by pressing the + or - button. Level 0 System off Level 1 Vacation/Low output mode Level 2-7 Normal use (recommended) Level 8-9 High use settings Level 10 Maximum output The recommended initial output level setting is between 5-7 depending on your spa water capacity.

It is important to not turn salt system on until you have balanced the water, added salt, built up a chlorine level and reduced hardness. This will normally take 24 hours.

Important: The Salt System cleans the water before it produces a chlorine residual. If there is not a measurable amount of chlorine in the spa water after 24 hours, this is an indication that the Salt System is still cleaning the water. If there are contaminants in the water, or you use the spa often initially, it may take the Salt System a few days to clean the spa water and keep up with your chlorine demand.

Tips to get the best performance from your FreshWater Salt System

It is important to note that maintaining balanced and sanitized spa water is ultimately the responsibility of the spa owner.
10-day check-up: Every 10 days the water care icon on the control panel and the spa logo light (if equipped) will flash as a reminder to check your spa by testing and balancing your spa water and confirming your Output Level. The 10-day timer will reset any time you adjust your output level. If you do not perform the 10-day maintenance routine, the system will default to Low Output Mode.
Keep calcium hardness level at or below 50 ppm to maximize cartridge life.
Test and balance spa water to keep pH and alkalinity levels within the OK range.
Test for chlorine regularly and adjust the Output Level up or down to maintain 1 to 5 ppm chlorine. Concentrated chlorinating granules or liquid chlorine can be added to supplement the system.
Set the output level as low as possible to meet your normal, everyday chlorine needs.Use the 24-Hour Boost cycle for heavier than normal use. Use low output level settings when appropriate.
Set the output to Level 1 if you are not going to use the spa for an extended amount of time.