Swim spas offer a fun and convenient way to enjoy the water without the hassle of maintaining a traditional pool. You can go for a swim after the sun has set, relax on a float on a hot summer afternoon, or turn up the heat and take advantage of the hydrotherapy jets.
But with all that fun does come maintenance. As a swim spa owner, you want to make sure that the water is clean, clear, and inviting. And, you also want to take care to protect the investment you made in your health, family life, and backyard.
So how do you focus on the fun that a swim spa offers and not the maintenance tasks?
These top hacks and tips for swim spas not only simplify maintenance but also help you make the most of your investment.
An easier-to-maintain pool alternative
When it comes to choosing between a swim spa and a traditional in-ground pool, many people consider factors such as cost, space, and usability.
However, one essential aspect that often goes unnoticed is maintenance.
With the fast-paced nature of modern life, most homeowners prefer to spend their free time relaxing and enjoying their pool rather than maintaining it. But the to-do list for pool owners often includes backwashing filters, scrubbing steps, skimming the water surface, and chemical care.
By comparison, the to-do list for Master Spas swim spa owners is often shorter. Rinse and clean filters and check on the chemicals, balancing as necessary, a couple times a week.
The EcoPur mineral filtration system helps keep the water clean and clear with fewer chemicals compared to other systems. Natural elements such as copper and zinc help to kill bacteria and other contaminants. The special design of the filter helps trap debris and natural elements, removing it from your water.
An energy-efficient cover, built with high-density foam and weather-resistant material, helps keep out debris, leaves, pollen, and other elements that affect your water quality. Plus, with less exposure to external elements and reduced evaporation, the swim spa cover helps “save” your chemicals such as chlorine and sanitizers. This not only saves money but makes your swim spa easier to maintain.
Hacks for every swim spa owner
Swim spas are the epitome of backyard leisure – they offer relaxation, fitness, and hydrotherapy all rolled into one.
And with a few clever hacks up your sleeve, you can unlock even more enjoyment from your H2X Fitness Swim Spa by Master Spas.
Hack: Regularly test swim spa water
There are myriad factors that can affect the quality of your swim spa water. The number of people using your swim spa, the environment, and temperature can affect the water balance and how much sanitizer you need.
The best way to keep an eye on that water balance is regularly testing your swim spa water. Master Spas recommends testing your water several times a week, as well as each time you use your swim spa. Using test strips or a liquid test kit, you want to keep an eye on the total alkalinity, pH, and chlorine.
You might be wondering why you need to check the chemicals in your swim spa so often. But when you are on top of balancing the chemicals and maintaining the water quality, you will need fewer chemicals keep the water clean and clear.
So, yes, testing the water more often is a total swim spa hack.
Hack: Choose the right cleaning products
Balancing chemicals and keeping the water clean are often the primary focus for swim spa owners.
However, you want to periodically clean the surface of your swim spa and the components.
You might be surprised to discover that a vinegar-based glass cleaner is one of the best products that you can use on your swim spa. Paired with a microfiber cloth, you can clean easily remove any scum lines or calcium build-up — without draining the water.
Swim spa hack? We think so.
The vinegar-based glass cleaner will not adversely affect the quality of your water while still being an effective product.
Hack: How to drain your swim spa
Over time, organic matter, bacteria, and other impurities can build up in your swim spa water. Chemicals can become less effective, and you might find it harder to maintain clean, clear water.
Draining and refilling your swim spa can give you a fresh start. Master Spas suggests draining your swim spa every six months.
While a sump pump is the fastest way to drain your swim spa, it also requires you to monitor the process. Did you know that you can use a garden hose as a siphon to drain your swim spa?
Siphoning the water with a garden hose doesn’t require you to monitor the process. You can get the siphon started and head off to work, the grocery, or complete other tasks on your to-do list.
But you can speed up the process with this swim spa hack — you can use more than one garden hose. When you use multiple garden hoses, you can direct the water to different areas of your yard.
There are several ways to create a siphon with a garden hose. One of the easiest ways is to turn on the hydrotherapy jets and place one end of the garden hose up against the jet. Once water begins to flow from the garden hose, you can put the hose at the bottom of the spa and turn off your swim spa at the breaker.
Hack: Energy-efficient heating
Many people are curious how much it costs to run a swim spa each month. They might be curious about the costs of chemicals. However, the most asked about cost is electrical usage.
H2X swim spas are designed to be energy efficient. The pool alternatives feature full foam insulation, which helps retain heat and reduce the amount of energy needed to keep the swim spa at your desired temperature. The high-density foam covers also help keep in heat and prevent evaporation, resulting in a more energy-efficient heating process.
However, many swim spa owners like to use an additional thermal blanket in the winter. The swim spa cover will keep out the cold air while the added layer from the thermal blanket keeps the heat in the water. These thermal blankets, which you can find for hot tubs and pools, can help you manage energy costs, especially in the winter.
Hack: Invest in a second set of filters
You might be surprised to discover just how important swim spa filters are to overall water quality. The fabric of the filters will trap things you don’t want in your swim spa water — leaves, debris, dirt, and body oils.
But the filters can’t do the best job if they are dirty. Master Spas recommends rinsing filters once a week and cleaning them once a month.
Many filter cleaners, though, suggest soaking the filters overnight. What are you supposed to do during that time frame?
You can keep the swim spa covered and powered off without much of an issue. However, a second set of filters can make it easier to maintain your swim spa. Just swap out the filters and take your time cleaning the first set.
Hack: Get smart about pump settings
Your swim spa will have two filter cycles, which you can adjust on the touchscreen panel. During the filter cycle, the pump pulls water in from your spa and then pushes it out through the filter. Then, the filter catches all the bacteria and debris — everything you don’t want in your swim spa — to keep the water clean and clear.
Depending upon your electric company, you may be able to save money by using electricity during non-peak hours or throughout the night. So by running your pump at night, you reap all the benefits of healthy water circulation while cutting down on the cost to run your swim spa.
Hack: Make the most of the hydrotherapy options
The hydrotherapy jets in your Master Spas swim spa are adjustable. You can move the nozzles, positioning them so that they hit the post where you need the most relief. You can adjust the water pressure of the jets by choosing different settings, whether it’s high or low on H2X Trainer and Therapool models. The pump settings on H2X Challenger models are from zero to 25.
But you can customize the hydrotherapy experience further by interchanging the jets. Like Twilight Series hot tubs from Master Spas, the jets on swim spas are interchangeable. If you like a particular jet but wish it hit your low back instead of your shoulders, just move it around.
Hack: Enjoy the outdoors
Whether you want to go for regular swims without booking a lane at the local pool or you want to exercise in warm water, owning a swim spa is pretty much the best.
But you want to get the most out of that investment.
Taking time to enhance your swim spa installation will encourage you to use your swim spa even more. Add some mood lighting, comfortable seating, and plants to create a tranquil environment where you can unwind and rejuvenate. Privacy features, whether it’s a fence or trellis, planting tall shrubs or trees, can make it easier to fully relax and enjoy your swim spa without worrying about prying eyes.
Want to up the fun factor? Consider incorporating entertainment options such as a sound system or outdoor television. Listen to your favorite music or watch a movie while you swim or relax in your spa, turning your outdoor space into a backyard paradise.
These small touches to your patio will make your outdoor space more inviting and encourage you to use your swim spa on a regular basis.
Whether you are new to owning a swim spa or a seasoned pro, these tips will help you maximize your enjoyment and keep your swim spa running smoothly.
Invest in a backyard pool alternative
Do you want to be able to swim, exercise, and relax at home? Having an H2X Fitness Swim Spa by Master Spas allows you to swim on your schedule while adding a fun factor to your backyard. You can click here to find out more about the benefits of hydrotherapy and relaxing in a swim spa. Or, contact your local Master Spas retailer to learn more about swim spa ownership. Wondering how much a swim spa costs? You can request a quote here.