IMPORTANT
• Always read & refer to the owner’s manual for complete information.
• Test your water with a test strip once a week, or each time the spa is used.This step takes less than 1 minute!
• The ACE system requires feedback/input; it is not a“set it & forget it”system.
• Use the hot tub only when the chlorine level is between 1- 5 ppm. Boost or manually add bottled granular chlorine as needed.
• Low/No Use: For vacations, or if the spa is used once a week or less, decrease the Use Level to 1.
• For extended vacations or periods of non-use, shock the spa water and set the Spa Size to 2 and the Use Level to 1.
If you are unsure about your settings, contact your Hot Spring® dealer for direction.
• It is the spa owner’s responsibility to adjust the Use Level to prevent over or under chlorination.
SYSTEM START-UP
Approximately 2 times per year
1. Fill your spa using the CleanScreen™pre-filter. Begin heating the water to
at least 100 °F.
2. Test your water with a FreshWater® 5-way test strip and balance according
to the spa water guidelines.Water outside the guidelines may cause
improper ACE system function and/or damage to spa components.
• Adjust pH/Alkalinity levels as needed.
• Use Vanishing Act™calcium remover to decrease hardness as needed.
3. Add 100% of the recommended salt, per the ACE owner’s manual.
4. Shock the water with bottled granulated chlorine to 5 ppm.
5. Set Spa Size and Use Level, per the ACE owner’s manual.
THE ACE CELL TAKES ABOUT 24 HOURS TO STABILIZE
WHEN STARTING UP FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
After 24 hours have passed:
6. Conrm the water is at least 100 °F (37.5 °C), then verify the ACE system
status message.
• “Water Care System Functioning” - go to step 7.
• “Inspect Cell/Check Salt” - Verify salt level using salt test strip.
If salt level is low, add 1/2 cup of salt and run the jets for 5
minutes then retest. Repeat until salt level is in the OK range.
7. Test the water with a FreshWater 5-way test strip.
• Add pH down and/or bottled chlorine as needed.
• Use additional Vanishing Act calcium removers as needed.
• Adjust Use Level up if chlorine level is below 1 ppm, or down if
chlorine level is above 5 ppm.
ONGOING REQUIREMENTS
Weekly
Test the water with a FreshWater 5-way
test strip. This step takes less than 1
minute!
• The pH level may increase during the
first few weeks after start-up. Add
pH down if needed.
• Adjust the Use Level, if needed, to
maintain 1-3 ppm chlorine.
Monthly
Test the water with a FreshWater 5-way
test strip. This step takes less than 1
minute!
• Ensure water is balanced and
re-confirm Use Level via the control
panel. Make adjustments if needed.
• Shock the water with bottled chlorine
to 5 ppm.
Quarterly
Inspect the ACE cell for calcium and clean
as needed. This step takes less than 15
minutes!
• Lower hardness of water with the
Vanishing Act calcium remover, if
needed.
Operation
Quick Reference Guide
Check with your Hot Spring dealer to
determine if water in your region has
unique qualities – such as high metal
or mineral content – that should be
addressed.
SPA WATER GUIDELINES
Parameter Target Min -“OK Range”- Max
pH 7.4 7.2 7.6
Alkalinity 80ppm 40ppm 120ppm
Hardness 50ppm 25ppm 75ppm
Chlorine 3ppm 1ppm 5ppm
Salt 1500ppm 1000ppm 1750ppm
