August 2, 2019

How do you sanitize it? Do you use pool chemicals on a smaller scale, or spa chemicals on a larger scale? That depends on who you talk to; there are two completely different schools of thought. According to Jennifer Gannon, proprietor of BonaVista Pools, Spas and Outdoor Living’s retail store in Toronto, the swim spa is a small pool. “The products we supply are from our pool collection and typically treat a volume of 2,500 gallons (10,000 litres). I remind our clients to keep sanitation high and clean the cartridge filter often, with a shock treatment to recover after heavy use or weekly as a preventative measure.” As is true of both pools and spas, dealers report that clients are often 
interested in reducing sanitizer levels instead of keeping them high. Gannon explains, “We are now introducing an ozone and UV system called HydroClear Pure Water, which should reduce the amount of sanitizer required.” Black Pine Hot Tubs in Edmond, Wash., offering TidalFit Exercise Pools, is another dealership that views a swim spa as a small pool. “We follow a traditional chlorine-based approach and offer the Leisure Time product line,” says general manager Sarah Agen. “We recommend granular chlorine, sodium dichlor, with the amount you use based on the volume of water, which is larger than a traditional spa. It’s half an ounce for 500-gallon spa, so you increase the amount for the larger body of water.”
LIKE A HOT TUB Conversely, swim spas can also be considered a giant species of hot 
tub for an equally compelling set of reasons: the temperature is elevated compared to swimming pools, they are a fraction the size of an average pool (meaning bather load calculations are more hot-tub like than a pool), they’re covered and have therapy jets along with swim jets.  “It’s more hot tub,” says Dan Boelhauf, sales manager for Aspen Spas, both a spa manufacturer and retailer. “A swim spa has a baseline temperature that runs on the warmer side and it’s covered, so I think you approach it like a really big hot tub.” Aspen Spas recommends the Pristine Blue product line to most of its customers, which is based on copper compounds and sodium dichlor. Boelhauf says it works for a large number of the company’s customers, largely because it’s gentle on bathers and spa surfaces. However, he’s quick to point out that when it comes to water treatment 
SWIM SPA PURIFIER PUZZLE We know how to sanitize swimming pools. We know how to sanitize spas. But what about swim spas?
30  JUNE 2019 AQUAMAGAZINE.COM
for swim spas, as well as hot tubs and pools, the treatment needs to fit the client and the way the vessel is used. “We’re all chefs here and we all know the basic recipe,” he says. “It’s a matter of adjusting it to best fit the situation. We know that every customer is different, every swim spa is going to be used somewhat differently, so we need to be able to respond to the customer needs, which goes beyond whether or not it’s quote-unquote ‘a swim spa.’” Boelhauf reports that “probably more than half” of the company’s clients are not particularly interested in using their swim spas for exercise. “They might live in an urban area with a small property, or they don’t want to spend 50 grand on a pool,” he says. “Those customers are more interested in luxury and relaxation and are very likely to have more people using the spa than someone using it for exercise. Obviously a high-use spa is going to need to be treated differently than one where there’s just one or two people using it for whatever reason. We tailor the treatment to the customer’s needs. So on the one hand, we do have a recipe, on the other we need to be flexible in the recommendations we make.” He also adds that while customers are concerned with water quality, many are not always prone to following directions to a T. “We know that many people will not pay as much attention as we’d like to see,” he says. “So we 
do try to set up most people with a product base that is forgiving. It comes in all shapes and sizes, so it’s tough to prescribe specifically how swim spas as a category should be treated.”
DEVICES ARE NICE As Gannon mentioned above, in-line sanitizing systems like ozone and UV are options preferred by many clients looking to reduce chemical residuals, especially chlorine or bromine. According to Jarrett Dahlberg, general manager for Phoenix Hot Tubs & Swim Spas in Tempe, Ariz., a Master Spas dealer, different treatment options help meet client expectations for superior water quality. “Master Spas has a product called EcoPur Charge, which is a mineral treatment product that snaps into the filter,” he says. “We use that in conjunction with ozone and if a customer is really concerned with purity, we’ll add UV light treatment.” Still, he points out, on-board treatment systems do require sanitizer residuals and shock treatments. “Our modas operandi is definitely dichlor with non-chlorine shock,” he says. “I wouldn’t say that you treat it just like a hot tub, because you’re adding more chemical due to the greater water volume. Dichlor works well because it mixes in easily and it has a more neutral pH. With the ozone, UV and EcoPur Charge, we’re keeping the chlorine residual down to 0.5 ppm, so it’s very low.
“The ozone and UV systems are fantastic,” he adds. “We use them on our display spas, where we always want the absolute best water quality. There really is something about the water quality those systems produce. Our customers love it and I wouldn’t run a display spa without that technology.”

SWIM SPAS: THE MIDDLE CHILD By John “The Legend” Bokor, Haviland USA When maintaining a swim spa, always remember this: It’s like the middle child in your family. Not the little cute one, or the strapping star athlete. It’s the awkward one that always needs just a little more attention. The first thing you need to remember is that you’re gonna have to dust off your arithmetic skills when you purchase one. Most chemical manufacturers provide dosage recommendations for water under 1,000 gallons, or 10K plus. These things are typically 1,000 to 5,000 thousand gallons. Adding too little or too much can and will cause more problems, or not do anything to fix your issue. Unlike traditional hot tubs/ spas, swim spas usually operate at cooler temperatures. Great! Easier to maintain water balance and proper chemistry right? Not so fast. Some of these bad boys have a small “hot tub” section incorporated in their design. Now you’ve got the little kid picking on the bigger one who was just minding his own business. Don’t worry, remember those math skills you brought back out? Just remember, Langelier is your friend! The saturation index will always get those fighting kids back in line. Here’s a little secret: The addition of borate to the water can help those two from arguing before the fight even starts!

WATER CARE AWARENESS FOR SWIM SPA OWNERS By Terry Arko, Natural Chemistry It’s not a big swimming pool or small hot tub. A swim spa is a combination of both. Getting owners to understand water care for these products can prove frustrating, but sharing a simple water awareness philosophy can help. There are four observations to prevent small problems from becoming big ones in the future, all based on four of our five senses: Sight: Encourage customers to pay attention to the appearance of the water. Is it clear and transparent, or is it beginning to look hazy and dull? Is there a greenish or brown tint? Is there debris like white flakes or other suspended materials? This indicates improper sanitizer levels or an imbalance of pH and total alkalinity. Also, observe the movement of the water. Slow water indicates a flow and filter problem. Smell: Strong chemical or musty odors indicate sanitizer and balance issues as well. These should be dealt with quickly and proactively. It could also mean a need for a shock oxidizer treatment. (Or it may just be time to drain the water.) Touch: How does the water feel? High-quality water should feel silky and smooth. It should not cause the skin to itch, burn or dry out. The eyes should not sting or feel irritated. This indicates by-products of improper sanitizer levels and water balance. Sound: This has more to do with equipment. Are you hearing anything out of the ordinary such as whining or grinding or excessive air release sounds? These can indicate a pump motor or filter problem. Also listen for the sound of dripping water, which could indicate a leak. Encouraging customer awareness and the use of their senses can help address swim spa maintenance issues before they become serious problems.