Marcel's bubble guide 🧖♀️🧖♂️
Would you like to experience ultimate relaxation at home, but you don't know where to start? Marcel will help you choose from the range of inflatable hottubs and give you his best tips and advice for maintaining them. Ready to bubble?
Table of contents
- Our favourite brands Intex and Bestway
- Which inflatable spa suits me best?
- How to install my inflatable spa in 3 steps
- How should I maintain my spa and what should I pay attention to?
- Extras to pimp my spa
- Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
1. Our favourite brands Intex and Bestway
We have two brands for you in our (bath) house: Intex and Bestway. We have carefully chosen these two brands for you in order to offer you a wide range of products with the best price-quality ratio.
Intex
Intex is the A-brand that delivers affordable products of top quality and years of fun. Choose between PureSpa's round or octagonal models for 4 or 6 people. Would you like to have massage jets as well as bubbles? Then choose the PureSpa Jet & Bubble Deluxe model. Hermie is one of the few officially recognised Intex dealers. This means you can contact us for advice from our experts and the full range of Intex products at competitive prices!
Bestway
Bestway has a very wide range of round or square inflatable hottubs in all colours and with various accessories included, from LED lights to head cushions and repair kits. In the Lay-Z-Spa range, you can choose from sizes ranging from 2 to 8 people. What makes Lay-Z-Spas unique is that they are all equipped with Freeze Shield™ technology, which protects your spa from freezing during the winter months.
2. Which inflatable spa suits me best?
With how many people do I want to bubble?
With the PureSpas you have the choice between inflatable spas for 4 or 6 persons. The Lay-Z-Spas give you the choice between models for 2-4, 4-6, 5-7 or 6-8 persons. Depending on your preference, you can choose a spacious model for bubbling together with friends or family or a smaller spa for romantic enjoyment with your partner.
What shape and what colour do I choose?
Do you prefer a round or an octagonal model? Then take a look at the PureSpas where you have a choice between a beige ('Sahara'), a grey ('Greywood') or a black octagonal model. Would you like to have a wide choice between different colours? Then choose a round or square Lay-Z-Spa model and let yourself be tempted by all kinds of colours. Something for everyone!
Do I just want bubbles or do I also want massage jets?
Depending on your preference, you can choose only bubbles or go for an extensive spa experience with massage jets. Are you going for optimal relaxation and pampering with massage jets? Then take a look at the Lay-Z-Spa HydroJet Pro models or the PureSpa Jet & Bubble Deluxe models.
Do I want my water to be cleaned with a saltwater or hard water system?
The most common form of water cleaning is a hard-water system. But what is the difference between a salt or hard water system and what are the advantages and disadvantages? We list them here for you:
A built-in hard water system ensures that the water becomes less hard because lime, which contains minerals that cause hardness, is removed from the water. Consequently, a hard-water system also reduces limescale deposits. Please note, however, that this is a water purification system and that you will need to use chlorine tablets on top of it. The advantages of such a system are
✅ less limescale deposits in the filter pipes and pump, making them more durable
✅ better for your skin and hair, less drying effect
✅ the water effectively feels softer
✅ less lime deposits in the pipes and filter pump, making them last longer
❌ chemical chlorine tablets required
A saltwater system converts salt into natural chlorine, which is much healthier, safer and cleaner than chlorine tablets. You do not need to add extra chlorine tablets to the water yourself, but you do need to check the water values and the output of the water system regularly.
✅ the water feels softer and more natural and makes chlorine unnecessary
✅ suitable for people who don't want chemical chlorine. Please note: a saltwater system is not completely chlorine-free, you still need to monitor the chlorine levels!
✅ requires less product so you need to buy fewer water treatment products
✅ requires less maintenance
✅ less slippery walls and floors
✅ less red eye problems
❌ the water evaporates more quickly so that water and salt have to be replenished
❌ usually a little more expensive
Only the PureSpa Jet & Bubble Deluxe model works with a salt water system (in combination with a hard water system).
Tip from Marcel
Did you know that PoolSan by BSI is the ideal product for people who are allergic to chlorine? With PoolSan, you can enjoy your bubble moment 100% chlorine-free, without suffering from red eyes. In addition, it is completely odourless and has a long-lasting effect
3. How to install my inflatable spa in 3 steps💪
Step 1: To protect your hottub, first place the supplied groundsheet on the area where your spa will be installed. The location of your spa is important, so keep the following in mind:
- Make sure your spa is close to an electrical outlet or provide a waterproof extension cable if you want to bubble in the garden.
- Want to extend the life of your hot tub or keep the water as clear as possible? Then we recommend placing the spa under a roof.
- For optimal safety and ultimate relaxation, we recommend placing the spa on a flat surface.
4. How should I maintain my spa and what should I pay attention to?💧5 easy steps!
Maintaining your inflatable spa is done in 5 easy steps.
Step 1: Your spa does not break down oils or fats. That is why it is important to thoroughly rinse out your bathing or swimming clothes before you start bubbling. Fabric softener, washing products, body lotion, hairspray and shampoo affect the water quality or water balance.
Tip from Marcel
Reuse your filter up to 3 times with the following tips: After use, clean thoroughly with water and leave to dry for one week. If possible, blow loose dust and lime with a compressor. Then place the filter in the freezer for one week. This kills any bacteria or residual algae.
Step 3: It is important to check the water balance weekly and make timely adjustments. To achieve the right water balance, you need to add the right chemicals. This depends on whether you have a salt water system or a hard water system. Most inflatable spas have a hard water system based on chlorine. The ideal values for pure water are:
- Alkalinity: between 60 and 120 ppm*
- pH value: between 6.8 and 7.6
- Chlorine value: between 2 and 4 ppm
*ppm stands for 'parts per million', a measure of concentration. A concentration of 1ppm means that there is one part of a product out of a total of one million parts, usually expressed in mass.
Hardwater system:
1) First measure the alkalinity with a test strip. The ideal value lies between 60 and 120 ppm. You can check the water values with test strips or chlorine strips that you hold in the water for 1 second. Then hold the strip horizontally for 15 seconds (without shaking off any excess water) and read the results. Do not keep the strip in the water for too long!
2) Then also measure the pH value with a test strip. The value should be between 6.8 - 7.6, the ideal pH value is 7.2. Adjust if necessary with pH+ or pH-.
3) If the pH value is correct, you can also measure the chlorine value with a test strip. This should be between 1 - 2.5 ppm. You can then adjust the chlorine values with chlorine tablets and the chlorine float supplied.
Depending on the measurement results, you should first adjust the alkalinity and then the pH. Raise or lower the values with the appropriate chemicals and only then bring the chlorine up to the correct level.
4) It is best to monitor these values regularly. It is recommended to measure the pH-value and chlorine values at least once or twice a week.
Saltwater system:
1) First measure the pH value with a test strip. The value should be between 6.8 and 7.6, the ideal pH value is 7.2. Adjust if necessary with pH+ or pH-.
Tip from Marcel
Avoid overdosing on chlorine as this can damage your hot tub. Rather, change some of your water to reduce the chlorine level.
Step 5: Do you wish to store your inflatable spa during the winter? Proceed as follows: Drain your inflatable spa, dry it with a towel and then rub it with talcum powder. Talcum powder prevents the PVC material from sticking. To avoid limescale, make sure the motor unit is dry before storing it. Please note: the Intex PureSpa is not suitable for outdoor use in winter. Therefore, we recommend storing your spa in the winter or placing it indoors where the ambient temperature is above 4°C and the daytime temperature is above 12°C. This will benefit both the life of your unit and the use of electricity.
Do you prefer to leave your spa to warm up on a cold winter evening?❄️
It is recommended not to place your hot tub outside during the winter months. Freezing temperatures can damage your spa. Always drain the water in your spa when you move your spa! Moreover, all Lay-Z-Spa models are equipped with Freeze Shield™ technology, an innovative heating system that prevents freezing and damage to internal components by automatically turning on when the outside temperature reaches 6° C and off when the temperature reaches 10° C.
5. Extras to pimp my spa✨
Take a look at our range of spa and hottub accessories to create a real spa experience in your home. Choose from additional LED lighting, a lovely fragrance for the water, an extra headrest, cup holder or tray.
6. Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQ)🤔
There are white fold lines in my Intex spa, why and what can I do about it?
The spa is made of soft PVC material. The white fold lines are not damage, but are caused by the spa being cold folded at the factory. When PVC material is cold, the material turns from black/brown to white. These fold lines can be easily removed by running a jet of warm water (80°C) over the fold lines of the inflated spa. Note: this will not work if you pour the hot water over a large area in one go, because there will be too much heat loss. Over time, the fold lines will go away on their own as the ambient temperature rises near the inflated spa.The water in my spa is green / cloudy / milky / foamy, what can I do about this?
In most cases this is because the chlorine content of the water is too low. The best thing to do is to change the water in your spa and clean the walls with a brush. Replace the filter and hose down all the pipes. Refill your spa with fresh water and add the proper chemicals for optimal water values.Why is there foam on my water?
This usually indicates that the water is too hard and can be treated with a foam remover.What is the consumption cost and the cost of electricity for an inflatable spa?
These depend on a variety of factors. The cost of consumption depends on the cost of water, electricity, test kits, chlorine tablets, etc..... For example, a low ambient temperature logically leads to a higher consumption cost. The cost of electricity consumption depends not only on the cost of your energy supplier but also on your model. Each model has its own tub volume and other features from massage jets to bubble jets. The main power consumer is the heating element. Most hottubs operate on 220-240V and consume an average of between 2050 and 2200 watts. We always give you the average power consumption of the hottubs heating element.Here are a few tips on how to save money:
- Place your hot tub inside, this way the heating element uses less energy to keep the water at the right temperature.
- It is more economical to keep the heater permanently on 30° C if you use your spa several times a week.
- Use a ground sheet as an insulating layer under your spa.
- Use an energy-saving cover even when heating up.
Still have a question you can't answer? Do not hesitate to contact our spa experts at 📧 info@hermie.com of 📞 +32 (0)9 396 59 00 .
Tip from Marcel
Nowadays there are no germination inhibitors on the market. So it becomes even more important to choose seed potatoes with a good shelf life. We have already selected some toppers for you 👇
View recommended products 👇
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