How Do I Maintain The ACE Salt Water System In My Hot Tub?

The ACE Salt Water System utilizes a salt cell to generate natural chlorine in the water. Please follow the steps below to make sure you are maintaining it the correct way.

ACE® Salt Water System with Continuous Ion Sanitizer Cartridge

Start up:

1. Balance: Once your water is up to at least 95ºF test your water with a Freshwater 5-Way Test Strip. Adjust the pH/alkalinity, and calcium hardness as needed to be in the "OK" range on the test strip for the ACE Salt Water System.  See Chart Parameters below.  If needed use the Vanishing Act or Vanishing Act XL to reduce hardness. If your water hardness is more than 75 ppm, you may need to use a second one (follow directions on the box)
2. Add Salt: See back cover of owner’s manual for spa water capacity.  See Spa Capacity chart for recommended salt amounts below.  With the jets running, add ½ of the recommended Freshwater Salt to the filter compartment of the hot tub
3. Wait 30 minutes
4. After waiting 30 minutes, add another cup every 15 minutes until the panel reads in the middle of the green range for salt and you get a result on the salt test strip of 1,750 ppm
5. Turn on the ACE System and set the appropriate output level on your control panel. See chart below
6. Wait 24 hours
7. Test your chlorine levels with the Freshwater 5-Way test strip. If needed add Freshwater Chlorinating Granules to achieve 1-3 ppm. It may be necessary to check the chlorine level for up to a week after initial set up depending on the water quality and usage

After each use: Run the Clean Cycle for your tub found in the menu on your main control panel

Once a Week:

1. Rotate the filters
2. Test your chlorine level and adjust the output needed to maintain an FCl (Free Chlorine) reading of 1-3 ppm
3. Test your pH/Alkalinity levels, adjust as needed
4. Confirm the output level you have it set at is appropriate for your use level
5. Wipe down the waterline with a non-abrasive scrub pad

Once a Month:

1. Add enough Freshwater Chlorinating Granules to achieve 1-3 ppm on a test strip
2. Run the Clean Cycle
3. Clean your filters with Freshwater Instant Filter Clean. Thoroughly rinse before putting them back in your spa. Do this a minimum of once per month
4. Clean your cover with Freshwater Cover Shield

Every 3 Months:

1. Clean the cell for the Ace System: Make sure to power down the tub during the cleaning process. The cell is located inside the filter marked with a gray cap
2. Using the empty bottle provided with the system, fill it with water and 3 Tbs of Freshwater pH/Alkalinity Down
3. Thoroughly mix the solution
4. Place the cell in the bottle. Allow it to soak a minimum of 10 minutes. If there is bubbling, continue to soak until it has stopped
5. Rinse well and return to the filter standpipe

Every 4 Months:

You must replace you Continuous Ion Sanitizer Cartridge

Every 6 months - Drain and refill your spa. Follow the same steps upon refill as the initial start-up procedure discussed earlier in the article

Every 18-24 months- Replace the ACE Cell System with a new one, or when needed