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 is why we have created this complete 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, so you can enjoy water that is always clean, clear, and perfectly balanced.
initial start-up,
cleaning a new spa,
balancing and adding FreshWater salt,
installation of the IQ cell and probe,
weekly and monthly maintenance routine,
expert advice from Piscine Hippocampe.
Table of Contents
First fill: 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 lines
Always fill your spa through the filter compartment.
This sends water directly into the mechanical components and prevents:
air pockets
pump noises
heating problems
Check the drain valve
It may have opened accidentally during transport.
Before you begin:
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 the new filters from absorbing industrial residues.
Essential mechanical checks
Before going any further, make sure everything is working properly.
Activate all pumps and valves
Take a few minutes to test:
jets
motors (speeds 1 and 2)
diverter valves
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 heating process.
Add Minéraluxe Cleanse & Drain
Add the product
close the air intakes
do not install the filters
let it work for 1 to 2 hours
Drain the spa completely
This step is crucial.
An incomplete drain will bring all the residue back into the clean water and make maintenance difficult for weeks.
Fill water analysis
Before doing the final refill, bring a sample to Piscine Hippocampe.
Hotspring salt spas require precise parameters. Depending on the quality of your local water, you may need:
a prefilter
a Vanishing Act to reduce calcium
Final refill + 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 of salt (FreshWater only)
This concentration guarantees:
good chlorine production
extended cell lifespan
soft, pleasant water
better readings from the IQ probe
Use only Hotspring FreshWater™ salt
This is essential.
Other salts (water softener, pool, economy) contain:
❌ metals
❌ impurities
❌ clumping agents
❌ contaminants
These elements would damage your cell and make the water cloudy.
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 the skin, and reduces chlorine requirements.
✔ Granular chlorine: every day or every other day
10 to 20 g in the filter compartment
Objective: 3 to 5 ppm of chlorine.
✔ 1 capful of Amaze Plus per week
Removes organic matter (bather residue).
✔ Rinse the filters every week
Good filtration = much simpler maintenance.
Salt cell installation
When the chlorine stabilizes:
Turn off the breaker
Install the cell
Restart the spa
Set the production to 10
Continue testing the chlorine and adjust it
Continue using one Mineraluxe cube + AmazePlus every week
Cell lifespan:
3 to 4 months
IQ probe activation
After a few more days (or an additional 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
approximately 1 year.
✔ Complete water analysis
Once a month at Piscine Hippocampe.
✔ Deep filter cleaning
Once a month with Mineraluxe Filter Revive.
| Frequency | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Every day / every other day | Add 10 to 20 g of granular chlorine depending on usage |
| Once a week | 1 Mineraluxe cube, 1 capful of Amaze Plus, and filter rinsing |
| Once a month | Complete water analysis and deep filter cleaning with Mineraluxe Filter Revive |
| Every 3 to 4 months | Replacement of the FreshWater salt cell |
| Once a year | Complete spa water change and replacement of the IQ probe tip |
| As needed (annually) | Adjust FreshWater salt level (1750 ppm) |
welcome to your Hotspring oasis
Once again, congratulations on your new Hotspring spa!
You are now part of the great Hotspring Spa and Piscine Hippocampe family, where your well-being is our priority.
With this Hotspring spa maintenance guide, you have everything you need to keep your water clear, soft, safe, and enjoyable all year round. And remember: you are never alone. Our team is here to:
answer your questions,
test your water,
guide you in choosing 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 we deliver marks the beginning of a lasting relationship. We are proud to support you so that your Hotspring spa provides relaxation, comfort, and peace of mind for many years to come.”
How often should the water in a Hotspring saltwater spa be changed?
Thanks to the FreshWater salt system, a Hotspring spa generally requires only one water change per year, provided that the recommended maintenance routine is followed, the filters are rinsed regularly, and the water is tested monthly.
How do you maintain a Hotspring saltwater spa on a daily basis?
Daily maintenance of a Hotspring saltwater spa is simple:
The water must be tested regularly, a stable chlorine level between 3 and 5 ppm must be maintained, the recommended products must be added, and the filters must be kept 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 FreshWater™ salt.
This salt is extremely pure and contains no impurities, metals, or anti-caking agents, protecting the salt cell and ensuring stable, effective 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, the longevity of the cell, and soft, comfortable water.
Why should the spa be filled through the filter lines?
Filling the spa through the filter compartment sends water directly into the mechanical components.
This prevents air pockets in the pumps, facilitates startup, and helps prevent several mechanical problems from the outset.
When should the salt cell be installed in a new spa?
The salt cell should be installed only once the chlorine level is stable, generally after 1 to 2 weeks of initial treatment.
Installing the cell too early can shorten its lifespan and make water stabilization more difficult.
How long does a Hotspring salt cell last?
On average, a FreshWater salt cell lasts 3 to 4 months, depending on spa use, water quality, and adherence to the recommended parameters.
What is the IQ probe used for on a Hotspring spa?
The IQ probe automatically measures chlorine, pH, salt, and the condition of the salt cell.
It greatly simplifies maintenance, but it requires properly balanced water and does not make real-time adjustments, since readings are taken every 12 hours.
How often should the filters in a Hotspring spa be cleaned?
Filters should be rinsed at least once a week and thoroughly cleaned once a month with a product such as Mineraluxe Filter Revive.
Clean filters improve water quality and reduce chemical consumption.
Do I need to have my water tested even if my spa is working well?
Yes. A complete water analysis once a month helps prevent problems before they arise, optimizes spa performance, and extends the lifespan of components such as the salt cell and IQ probe.
