Aquafinesse Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Aquafinesse acts in a completely different way to chlorine or bromine disinfection.  You are bound to have lots of questions about using it both before you start and during your first few months of use.  The most common questions are answered here, but if you would like to know more then please contact us to discuss use of the product in detail.

If you are really interested in the detail you could have a look at the KEMA test report on Aquafinesse which was generated by KEMA, the most thorough and rigorous International Testing and Certification Institute based in Holland. [Please note that the product name in the report is stated as Hottub Briljant which is a pseudonym for Aquafinesse].

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What is Aquafinesse?

Is Aquafinesse the same as Aquagarde?

Do I need to use the chlorine tablet supplied with Aquafinesse?

What do the chlorine tablets do?

How is Aquafinesse supplied?

Can I use Aquafinesse in any spa - old or new?

How do I use Aquafinesse?

Do I need to balance the water when using Aquafinesse?

How long will a pack of Aquafinesse last in my tub?

Do I need to shock the spa water before using Aquafinesse?

Im using Aquafinesse and the spa water is dirty and cloudy what am I doing wrong?

How often should I clean/change the filters when using Aquafinesse?

Whats the best way to clean the filters?

How often should I change the spa water?

Is it safe to drain Aquafinesse water onto the garden?

What happens if I overdose the spa with Aquafinesse?

Can I use aromatherapy products with Aquafinesse?

What is Aquafinesse?

Aquafinesse is a completely different form of spa disinfectant (or sanitizer) to chlorine or bromine.  It sanitizes the spa water by removing the food source of bacteria so that they cannot grow and multiply.  This food source is called biofilm and is present on all the spa surfaces, jets and pipework.  Aquafinesse also softens the water by breaking down and dissolving limescale build-up.

Aquafinesse is a 2-stage process that comprises a liquid to destroy the biofilm, coagulate the bacteria and soften the water, combined with a low concentrate chlorine tablet to destroy the bacteria that has been transferred to the tubs filter(s).

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Is Aquafinesse the same as Aquagarde?

Aquafinesse is very similar to the original Aquagarde product sold in the UK until Autumn 2006.  Aquafinesse does contain a lavender scent that the Aquagarde product did not have. However, there is now a new product called aquagarde available which is a completely different formulation.

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Do I need to use the chlorine tablet supplied with Aquafinesse?

When used in combination with a good working ozone or silver ion system, no additional sanitizers are needed. However, it is very difficult to tell is your ozone system is working correctly and the US National Spa and Pool Institute (NSPI) recommends that hot tub owners maintain a minimum level of 1.5-ppm chlorine in the spa water. To meet these standards, we strongly suggest using the provided sanitizing tablets as directed in the slow-release dispenser.

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What do the chlorine tablets do?

Achlorine tablet is used, in conjunction with the slow release dispenser to provide sufficient chlorine to kill the coagulated bacteria that has been transferred to the filter by the tubs pumps.  The amount of residual chlorine remaining in the spa when using this tablet is very low compared to traditional chlorine disinfection so it should not cause any unpleasant smells, dryness or bleaching effects.

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Can I use Aquafinesse in any spa - old or new?

Aquafinesse can be used in any spa, old or new, so long as it has an effective filtration system (removable/cleanable filters) and a means of providing water circulation through the filters for at least 4 hours a day.  We recommend the use of a product such as Spa Flush to clean biofilm from the pipe work before Aquafinesse is used for the first time and at every water change.

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Can I use Aquafinesse in a spa with water thats already got chlorine or bromine in it?

If the spa has just been filled with water and shocked then you can switch to Aquafinesse.  For a spa that has had Chlorine or Bromine in it for a week or more then you must drain the spa first, refill it with fresh water before using Aquafinesse.

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How is Aquafinesse supplied?

Aquafinesse comes in a box that contains everything you need for up to 6 months of effective spa water treatment.  The box contains 2 x 2 litre bottles of Aquafinesse solution, a graduated measuring cup, low concentrate chlorine tablets, slow release tablet dispenser and a set of instructions.

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How do I use Aquafinesse?

After your hot tub has been filled with fresh water, shake the bottle and, using the measuring cup, pour the appropriate amount of Aquafinesse into the spa water leaving the jets on for at least 2 minutes to mix it in.  You can use the spa right away since no shocking of the water is needed.  A chlorine tablet is placed in the tablet dispenser and located in the vicinity of the filter basket.

Apply one measure of Aquafinesse to your spa water per week.  The chlorine tablet should be replaced in its dispenser as soon as it has dissolved (approximately every 5 - 10 days).

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Do I need to balance the water when using Aquafinesse?

Aquafinesse performs a certain amount of water balancing 'automatically'.  However, you should always be aware of your water balance and maintain maintain you pH within the range:  7.0 - 8.0.  Very importantly, if your pH drops below 7.0, as it can easily do in software areas, it is likely that your equipment will start to corrode so you must increase it. Read more about pH.

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How long will a pack of Aquafinesse last in my tub?

Each pack of Aquafinesse lasts 3-6 months, depending on the size of your spa.  The table below shows how long one pack of Aquafinesse will last in your hot tub.

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Do I need to shock the spa water first?

No you dont have to shock the water after youve filled the spa and before using Aquafinesse. If you have concerns about the quality of your mains water (i.e. it is from a spring or well) then you can shock it and then wait 12-24 hours for the Free Chlorine level to drop before using Aquafinesse.

When using Aquafinesse, we do recommend weekly or fortnightly shocking/oxidizing of the water with a product such as Spa Lite to destroy organic wastes, body fats and oils that the filter is unable to remove. It also helps keep the water crystal clear.

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Im using Aquafinesse and the spa water is dirty and cloudy what am I doing wrong?

Nothing! In fact its a good sign because it means that Aquafinesse is getting to work and doing what we say it does by conditioning the spa and its water.  If your spa is older than 6 months then there will be a significant build up of biofilm that will be removed by Aquafinesse and will be dissolved in the spa water.  Combine this with the limescale that is being removed by Aquafinesse as well and it is easy to see why, in the first week to 10 days of its use, the spa water will be very cloudy and discoloured which will need to be removed by the filters.  We call this process conditioning of the spa and its water by Aquafinesse.   After this period the spa water should be crystal clear.

For newer spas with no significant biofilm build-up, then the conditioning process may just be a few days.

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How often should I clean/change the filters in the spa?

Aquafinesse places a lot of emphasis on the filters doing their job properly during the first week to 10 days of its introduction into your spa.   You can help this process by cleaning the filters daily and drying them before re-introducing them into the spa.   After the initial conditioning period you should clean the filters either weekly or once a fortnight, depending on how often you use your tub..

Some spa owners purchase a second set of filters to rotate with the set that are being cleaned so that they dont miss out on their tub sessions!

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Whats the best way to clean the filters?

In your dishwasher with a proprietary filter cleaner poured into the powder dispenser.  If you dont have a dishwasher then soak the filter(s) in a large bucket with the filter cleaner and rinse off.  Always dry the filters first before reinserting them in the tub. 

Have a look at How to Clean your Hot Tub Filter Cartridge for more information.

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How often should I change the spa water?

Every 3 to 4 months.

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Is it safe to drain the water onto the garden?

Yes, Aquafinesse will not damage your garden plants etc.

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What happens if I overdose the spa with Aquafinesse?

This can have a detrimental effect on the filters, which means a complete drain and refill of the spa and cleaning of the filters.

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Can I use aromatherapy products with Aquafinesse?

Yes, so long as they are crystal based and not oil/liquid based.

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