As you use your spa, soap and detergent residues from your skin and bathing suits, along with other substances from maintaining the spa’s water chemistry will accumulate in the spa water and make maintaining the water more difficult. Rinsing your bathing suits and showering without soap prior to entering your spa will increase the life of your spa water. Depending upon usage, the spa water will need to be changed every 1-6 months or when the water chemistry levels become difficult to manage.
If you’re looking to clean the plumbing system of your spa, remove your filters and then add Clean Start to your water before draining. After running the jets for 30 minutes your pipes will be flushed and the spa will be ready to drain. While the spa is draining, remove all JetPaks for cleaning. Wipe down the shell, jet pod areas, and JetPaks with a spa surface cleaner, as necessary. Clean the filters with SpaGuard Filter Cleaner.
WARNING: An empty spa (spa without water in it) must not be left exposed to sunlight as shell damage may occur. While the spa is draining, shade the spa with cover or wrapping to prevent direct exposure to sunlight.
Draining Your Spa:
Step 1: Power Off: Turn off the main electrical breaker supplying power to the spa.
Step 2: Locate the Drain: Find the drain located beneath the equipment compartment door.
Step 3: Extend the Drain: Pull the drain outward with a slight clockwise turn. Use pliers if necessary. Extend it to about 2 inches (5 centimeters).
Step 4: Remove the Cap: Take off the drain cap. Note that the spout won’t drain when fully extended.
Step 5: Attach a Hose: Connect a standard garden hose to the drain spout. Push the spout halfway in to activate the drain. The spa will drain at a rate of approximately 5-10 gallons (20-40 liters) per minute. Always ensure the drainage area is safe and away from windows and basement entrances. Tip: Use a sump pump to speed up the draining process.
Step 6: Finalize: Once the spa is completely drained, fully extend the drain spout, remove the hose, replace the cap, and push the spout back in.
IMPORTANT: Choose a Safe Drainage Area: Ensure the drainage area can handle a large volume of water. Avoid areas like basement window wells to prevent water damage. If draining onto vegetation, verify the sanitizer level (chlorine or bromine) is below 0.5 PPM.
Refilling Your Spa:
Before You Start
- Power Off: Ensure the power supply to your spa is turned off before proceeding. Failure to do so could result in serious injury.
- No Power, No Water: Do not turn on the power until the spa is filled with water. Running the pumps and heater without water can cause severe damage.
Prepare for Filling:
- Open All Valves: To prevent airlocks, fully open all valves on the JetPaks and other jets in the spa. This will allow air to escape during the filling process.
Filling Your Bullfrog Spa
Spa Filling Steps for A Series (2023 and Later), M Series, and Swim Series
Step 1: Remove a JetPak: Choose any seat with a JetPak and take it out.
Step 2: Insert Hose: Place a garden hose into the JetPak bulkhead.
Step 3: Fill the Spa: Fill the spa until the water level reaches the indicator or slightly above the midpoint of the filter intake grate.
Step 4: Turn Power Back On: Flip breaker back on. If pumps are not working, there is most likely an airlock, see this article about how to resolve an airlock.
Step 5: Add Sanitizer: Once the spa is full, add sanitizer. NOTE: Wait 6-8 hours before use.
Step 6: Check PH and Alk levels: NOTE: Use PH Decreaser as needed to lower both the PH and Alk levels – retest after 4-5 hours. Add Calcium Hardness if the water is soft. Add Stain And Scale to swim spa.
Step 7: Silk Balance: When PH and Alk levels are good, add one Silk Balance Gem to the water.
Spa Filling Steps for A/R Series (2022 & Prior), X Series, and STIL
Step 1: Remove the Filter Cover: Lift the filter cover until the snaps release.
Step 2: Open the Filter Cage: Remove the cap from one of the filter cages.
Step 3: Insert the Hose: Place a garden hose inside the inner chamber of the filter cage.
Step 4: Fill to the Water Level: Fill the spa until the water reaches the level indicator line on the filter plate assembly.
Step 5: Reassemble: Replace the filter cap and snap the filter cover back into place.
Step 6: Turn Power Back On: Flip breaker back on. If pumps are not working, there is most likely an airlock, see this article about how to resolve an airlock.
Step 7: Add Sanitizer: Once the spa is full, add sanitizer. NOTE: Wait 6-8 hours before use.
Step 8: Check PH and Alk levels: NOTE: Use PH Decreaser as needed to lower both the PH and Alk levels – retest after 4-5 hours. Add Calcium Hardness if the water is soft. Add Stain And Scale to swim spa.
Step 9: Silk Balance: When PH and Alk levels are good, add one Silk Balance Gem to the water.