Long vacation spa treatment
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Long vacation spa treatment
Is it best to drain all the water in the hot tub out if we're going on a three weeks of vacation?
#2
In the summer you could heavily douse with chlorine/bromine, close it up and shut off power to save a few $.
Would just leave running if winter!
Would just leave running if winter!
#3
Group Moderator
What water treatment/filtration system does your spa have?
If you have ozone, UV, salt, silver ion... you could squeak by with a heavy shocking before you leave then shock when you get home and see how it goes. You can also use a floating chemical dispenser.
Many are good for two weeks or more. If you don't have any of the "maintenance reducing" systems then I'd definetely drain it.
I have ozone and silver ion and drain mine when I'm going to be gone for three weeks. One week is a no brainer to keep it filled. Two weeks works well with shocking before and after. I've never tried going three weeks or more without draining.
If you do decide to keep it filled I would not turn off the power. You want to leave the filtration system running. Turning the heater off/down would be a big help as heat as cooler water will help it last longer.
If you have ozone, UV, salt, silver ion... you could squeak by with a heavy shocking before you leave then shock when you get home and see how it goes. You can also use a floating chemical dispenser.
Many are good for two weeks or more. If you don't have any of the "maintenance reducing" systems then I'd definetely drain it.
I have ozone and silver ion and drain mine when I'm going to be gone for three weeks. One week is a no brainer to keep it filled. Two weeks works well with shocking before and after. I've never tried going three weeks or more without draining.
If you do decide to keep it filled I would not turn off the power. You want to leave the filtration system running. Turning the heater off/down would be a big help as heat as cooler water will help it last longer.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks, guys! I only have those chlorine/bromine tablets in the filter. I'm leaning towards draining the hot tub. However, by draining, I should wipe everything dry right or else it'll mold?
#5
Group Moderator
Drain the spa and sponge or towel out any remaining water. Don't forget to get the water out of the filter chamber and if you have a moving back massager that usually has a big reservoir as well. Remove and clean the filters. Leave the cover off so everything can dry well.
Does your spa turn on the main jet pump for filtration or do you have a smaller filtration pump that runs continuously? If you have a small filtration pump and it's got a bit of age they can stick if they sit for a while with the spa drained. Just pay attention for it when you re-start the spa so you don't burn out the heater.
Does your spa turn on the main jet pump for filtration or do you have a smaller filtration pump that runs continuously? If you have a small filtration pump and it's got a bit of age they can stick if they sit for a while with the spa drained. Just pay attention for it when you re-start the spa so you don't burn out the heater.
#6
Three months I could see draining, 3 weeks you are simply wasting time and water, just power it down and have a nice trip. It will be there waiting when you get back.
#7
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A shock and leave it be will be fine for three weeks, probably much longer as long as the unit is covered to prevent algal growth, and the chlorine itself will not degrade very quickly if not exposed to the sun (and if there is not much organic material in the water to begin with, the organic material chews up the chlorine). Turn the heat off, I would probably turn off the filter too, after letting the shocked water circulate for a while to ensure the standing water in the whole system is sufficiently chlorinated.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
A shock and leave it be will be fine for three weeks, probably much longer as long as the unit is covered to prevent algal growth, and the chlorine itself will not degrade very quickly if not exposed to the sun (and if there is not much organic material in the water to begin with, the organic material chews up the chlorine). Turn the heat off, I would probably turn off the filter too, after letting the shocked water circulate for a while to ensure the standing water in the whole system is sufficiently chlorinated.
#9
Group Moderator
You have a spa and don't know how to shock the water? Isn't that part of your weekly maintenance? Just follow your manufacturers shock recommendation. It usually involves a larger dose of chlorine. The amount depends on the size/gallons of your spa.
#10
Seriously, this is really a no brainer, I sometimes go several weeks between uses of my spa with no ill effect.
Shocking the spa is nothing more than throwing in a larger than normal dose of chlorine, double it up latch down the cover, turn it off or leave it on.
Shocking the spa is nothing more than throwing in a larger than normal dose of chlorine, double it up latch down the cover, turn it off or leave it on.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks! I just bought the house last November and didn't really use it. I just purchased a bunch of bromine tablets, put in the tubes that goes inside filter, turn on the amount that I need and that's it. I have those little test strips to test if the water is good to into the hot tub or not. That's all I know. By the way, the hot tub has a cover and is inside the house. That is another concern. What if during that time something leaks? But we haven't had any leaking issue since last November...just one thing to be concerned about.
#12
Inside the house is even better as far as stability.
Pretty hard for us to address the "what if it leaks" scenario.
If that is a valid concern then your only choice is to empty it.
Pretty hard for us to address the "what if it leaks" scenario.
If that is a valid concern then your only choice is to empty it.