How to maintain a FreshWater saltwater spa
The official Piscine Hippocampe guide
Congratulations on your new HotSpring spa. You are entering a unique world of comfort, relaxation, and advanced technology designed to simplify your daily life.
At Piscine Hippocampe, our goal is simple: to offer you a stress-free, enjoyable, and lasting experience. That’s why we designed this comprehensive maintenance guide for FreshWater saltwater spas, both for new owners and for training our team.
In this article, you will discover how to effectively maintain your saltwater spa, step by step, to enjoy water that is always clean, clear, and perfectly balanced.
initial startup,
cleaning a new spa,
balancing and adding FreshWater salt,
installation of the IQ cell and probe,
weekly and monthly maintenance routine,
Piscine Hippocampe expert tips.
Table of Contents
First filling: how to properly fill a Hotspring spa
The quality of your maintenance starts with the very first drop of water. Here are the essential steps.
Fill through the filter ducts
Always fill your spa through the filter compartment.
This sends water directly into the mechanics and prevents:
air pockets
pump noises
heating issues
Check the drain valve
During transport, it may be accidentally opened.
Before starting:
Make sure it is closed and capped, otherwise the spa will drain… faster than expected.
Start the spa without the filters
When the water level reaches the recommended line:
start the spa
set the filters aside for now
This prevents new filters from absorbing industrial residues.
Essential mechanical checks
Before going further, make sure everything is working.
Activate all pumps and valves
Take a few minutes to test:
the jets
the motors (speed 1 and 2)
the diverter valves
the air valves
Cleaning a new spa: an essential step (Cleanse & Drain)
A new spa is clean… but only on the surface!
Inside you will find:
factory dust
glue
plastic residues
lubricants
Heat the water to 80 °F
This allows Cleanse & Drain to work fully.
Tip: activate the high-speed jets to create friction and speed up the temperature rise.
Add Minéraluxe Cleanse & Drain
Add the product
close the air intakes
do not install the filters
let sit for 1 to 2 hours
Completely drain the spa
This step is crucial.
Incomplete draining will bring all residues back into the clean water and make maintenance difficult for weeks.
Filling water analysis
Before the final refill, bring a sample to Piscine Hippocampe.
Hotspring salt spas require precise parameters. Depending on your local water quality, you may need:
a prefilter
a Vanishing Act to reduce calcium
Final filling + heating + FreshWater salt
Refill your spa (always through the filters) and heat the water to:
100 °F or higher.
Adding FreshWater salt – 1750 ppm required
For your salt system to work properly, you must reach:
1750 ppm salt (FreshWater only)
This concentration guarantees:
good chlorine production
extended cell lifespan
soft and pleasant water
better reading by the IQ probe
Use only Hotspring FreshWater™ salt
This is essential.
Other salts (softener, pool, economical) contain:
❌ metals
❌ impurities
❌ clumping agents
❌ contaminants
These elements would damage your cell and cloud the water.
Initial maintenance routine (1 to 2 weeks)
Before installing the salt cell or IQ probe, let the spa stabilize.
✔ 1 Mineraluxe cube per week
Improves filtration, hydrates skin, reduces chlorine needs.
✔ Granular chlorine: daily or every 2 days
10 to 20 g in the filter compartment
Goal: 3 to 5 ppm chlorine.
✔ 1 cap of Amaze Plus per week
Removes organic matter (bather residues).
✔ Rinse filters weekly
Good filtration = much easier maintenance.
Salt cell installation
When chlorine stabilizes:
Turn off the breaker
Install the cell
Restart the spa
Set production to 10
Keep testing chlorine and adjust
Continue the Mineraluxe + AmazePlus cube weekly
Cell lifespan:
3 to 4 months
Activating the IQ probe
After a few more days (or a week):
Adjust the parameters:
pH: 7.5
Alkalinity: 50–90 ppm
Calcium: < 75 ppm
Then:
Turn off the breaker
Install the IQ probe
Restart
Allow 24 hours for calibration
The probe reads your parameters every 12 hours.
Important information
✔ Water change
Once a year thanks to the FreshWater salt system.
✔ IQ probe tip lifespan
about 1 year.
✔ Complete water analysis
Once a month at Piscine Hippocampe.
✔ Deep cleaning of filters
Once a month with Mineraluxe Filter Revive.
| Frequency | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Every day / every 2 days | Add 10 to 20 g of granular chlorine depending on usage |
| Once a week | 1 cube of Mineraluxe, 1 cap of Amaze Plus, and filter rinsing |
| Once a month | Complete water analysis and deep cleaning of filters with Mineraluxe Filter Revive |
| Every 3 to 4 months | Replacement of the FreshWater salt cell |
| Once a year | Complete water change of the spa and replacement of the IQ probe tip |
| As needed (annual) | Adjustment of the FreshWater salt level (1750 ppm) |
welcome to your Hotspring oasis
Once again, congratulations on your new Hotspring spa!
You are now part of the large Hotspring Spa and Piscine Hippocampe family, where your well-being is our priority.
With this Hotspring spa maintenance guide, you have all the keys to keep your water clear, soft, safe, and pleasant all year round. And remember: you are never alone. Our team is here to:
answer your questions,
analyze your water,
guide you with your products,
ensure the quality of your experience.
Enjoy every moment in your spa. Your relaxation oasis awaits.
“Thank you for your trust. At Piscine Hippocampe, every spa delivered is the start of a lasting relationship. We are proud to support you so your Hotspring spa offers relaxation, comfort, and peace of mind for many years.”
How often should the water in a Hotspring salt spa be changed?
Thanks to the FreshWater salt system, a Hotspring spa generally requires only one water change per year, provided you follow the recommended maintenance routine, rinse the filters regularly, and perform a monthly water analysis.
How to maintain a Hotspring salt spa daily?
Daily maintenance of a Hotspring salt spa is simple:
You need to test the water regularly, maintain a stable chlorine level between 3 and 5 ppm, add the recommended products, and ensure the filters are clean. Well-filtered water always requires fewer chemicals.
What type of salt should be used in a Hotspring spa?
It is essential to use only Hotspring's FreshWater™ salt.
This salt is extremely pure and contains no impurities, metals, or anti-caking agents, which protects the salt cell and ensures stable and efficient chlorine production.
What is the recommended salt level for a Hotspring spa?
The ideal level is 1750 ppm of salt.
This parameter is crucial for the proper functioning of the FreshWater salt system, for the longevity of the cell, and to achieve soft and comfortable water.
Why should the spa be filled through the filter lines?
Filling the spa through the filter compartment sends water directly into the mechanics.
This prevents air pockets in the pumps, facilitates startup, and prevents several mechanical problems from the start.
When should the salt cell be installed in a new spa?
The salt cell should be installed only when the chlorine level is stable, usually after 1 to 2 weeks of initial treatment.
Installing the cell too early can reduce its lifespan and complicate water stabilization.
What is the lifespan of a Hotspring salt cell?
On average, a FreshWater salt cell has a lifespan of 3 to 4 months, depending on spa usage, water quality, and adherence to recommended parameters.
What is the purpose of the IQ probe on a Hotspring spa?
The IQ probe automatically measures chlorine, pH, salt, and the condition of the salt cell.
It greatly facilitates maintenance, but it requires well-balanced water and does not make real-time adjustments, as readings are taken every 12 hours.
How often should Hotspring spa filters be cleaned?
Filters should be rinsed at least once a week, and deeply cleaned once a month with a product like Mineraluxe Filter Revive.
Clean filters improve water quality and reduce chemical consumption.
Should I have my water tested even if my spa is working well?
Yes. A complete water analysis once a month helps prevent problems before they appear, optimizes spa performance, and extends the lifespan of components like the salt cell and the IQ probe.
