Official Piscine Hippocampe Guide
Hot Spring saltwater spa with FreshWater salt: complete maintenance and start-up guide
Congratulations on your new Hot Spring spa. This guide supports owners from the first fill through their regular maintenance routine.
You will find the filling steps, initial purging, water analysis, addition of FreshWater salt, cell installation, FreshWater IQ activation, initial adjustments, and the routine to follow to keep the water clear and stable.
initial start-up,
cleaning a new spa,
balancing and adding FreshWater salt,
installation of the cell and IQ probe,
weekly and monthly maintenance routine,
expert advice from Piscine Hippocampe.
Keep handy
Essential FreshWater benchmarks
Always fill through the filter compartment to reduce the risk of air pockets.
FreshWater target: approximately 1,750 ppm, depending on the spa's actual volume and the system's instructions.
Test more frequently and gradually adjust production until the spa's actual demand is known.
Rinse regularly and clean more thoroughly when the flow rate or water quality requires it.
Monitor its service life and replace it according to the FreshWater system's instructions.
If in doubt, bring a sample to the Piscine Hippocampe laboratory before making multiple corrections.
Table of Contents
First fill: how to properly fill a Hot Spring spa
The quality of your maintenance starts with the very first drop of water. Here are the essential steps.
Filling through the filter lines
Always fill your spa through the filter compartment.
This sends water directly into the mechanics and prevents:
air pockets
pump noises
heating problems
Check the drain valve
During transport, it may open accidentally.
Before you begin:
Make sure it is closed and capped; otherwise, the spa will drain… faster than expected.
Start the spa without the filters
When the water level reaches the recommended line:
start the spa
leave the filters aside for now
This prevents the new filters from absorbing industrial residue.
Essential mechanical checks
Before going any further, make sure everything is working.
Activate all pumps and valves
Take a few minutes to test:
jets
motors (speeds 1 and 2)
diverter valves
air valves
Cleaning a new spa: an essential step (Cleanse & Drain)
A new spa is clean… but only on the surface!
Inside are:
factory dust
glue
plastic residue
lubricants
Heat the water to 80 °F
This allows Cleanse & Drain to work fully.
Tip: Turn the jets on at high speed to create friction and speed up heating.
Add Minéraluxe Cleanse & Drain
Add the product
close the air intakes
do not install the filters
let it work for 1 to 2 hours
Drain the spa completely
This step is crucial.
An incomplete drain will return all the residue to the clean water and make maintenance difficult for weeks.
Fill water analysis
Before refilling for the final time, bring a sample to Piscine Hippocampe.
Hotspring saltwater spas require precise parameters. Depending on your local water quality, you may need:
a prefilter
a Vanishing Act to reduce calcium
Final refill + heating + FreshWater salt
Refill your spa (always through the filters) and heat the water to:
100 °F or higher.
Add FreshWater salt – 1750 ppm required
For your salt system to work properly, you must reach:
1750 ppm of salt (FreshWater only)
This concentration ensures:
proper chlorine production
an extended cell lifespan
soft, pleasant water
a more accurate reading by the IQ sensor
Use only Hotspring's FreshWater salt™
This is essential.
Other salts (water softener, pool, economy) contain:
❌ metals
❌ impurities
❌ binding agents
❌ contaminants
These substances would damage your cell and cloud the water.
Initial maintenance routine (1 to 2 weeks)
Before installing the salt cell or IQ probe, let the spa stabilize.
✔ 1 Mineraluxe cube per week
Improves filtration, hydrates the skin, and reduces chlorine needs.
✔ Granular chlorine: every day or every 2 days
10 to 20 g in the filter compartment
Target: 3 to 5 ppm of chlorine.
✔ 1 capful of Amaze Plus per week
Removes organic matter (bather residue).
✔ Rinse the filters every week
Proper filtration = much simpler maintenance.
Salt cell installation
When the chlorine stabilizes:
Turn off the breaker
Install the cell
Restart the spa
Set the production to 10
Continue testing the chlorine and adjust
Continue with the Mineraluxe cube + AmazePlus every week
Cell lifespan:
3 to 4 months
IQ probe activation
After a few additional days (or a week):
Adjust the parameters:
pH: 7.5
Alkalinity: 50–90 ppm
Calcium: < 75 ppm
Then:
Turn off the breaker
Install the IQ probe
Restart
Allow 24 hours for calibration
The probe reads your parameters every 12 hours.
Important information
✔ Water change
Once a year thanks to the FreshWater salt system.
✔ IQ probe tip lifespan
approximately 1 year.
✔ Complete water analysis
Once a month at Piscine Hippocampe.
✔ Deep filter cleaning
Once a month with Mineraluxe Filter Revive.
| Frequency | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| Every day / every 2 days | Add 10 to 20 g of granular chlorine depending on usage |
| Once a week | 1 Mineraluxe cube, 1 capful of Amaze Plus, and rinse the filters |
| Once a month | Complete water analysis and deep filter cleaning with Mineraluxe Filter Revive |
| Every 3 to 4 months | Replacement of the FreshWater salt cell |
| Once a year | Complete spa water change and replacement of the IQ probe tip |
| As needed (annually) | Adjusting the FreshWater salt level (1750 ppm) |
welcome to your Hotspring oasis
Once again, congratulations on your new Hotspring spa!
You are now part of the great Hotspring Spa and Piscine Hippocampe family, where your well-being is our priority.
With this Hotspring spa maintenance guide, you have everything you need to keep your water clear, soft, safe, and enjoyable all year round. And remember: you are never alone. Our team is here to:
answer your questions,
analyze your water,
guide you in choosing your products,
ensure the quality of your experience.
Enjoy every moment in your spa. Your relaxation oasis awaits you.
“Thank you for your trust. At Piscine Hippocampe, every spa we deliver marks the beginning of a lasting relationship. We are proud to support you so that your Hotspring spa provides relaxation, comfort, and peace of mind for many years to come.”
How often should the water be changed in a Hotspring saltwater spa?
Thanks to the FreshWater salt system, a Hotspring spa generally requires only one water change per year, provided you follow the recommended maintenance routine, rinse the filters regularly, and have the water tested monthly.
How do you maintain a Hotspring saltwater spa daily?
Daily maintenance of a Hotspring saltwater spa is simple:
you should test the water regularly, maintain a stable chlorine level between 3 and 5 ppm, add the recommended products, and make sure the filters are clean. Well-filtered water always requires fewer chemicals.
What type of salt should be used in a Hotspring spa?
It is essential to use only Hotspring's FreshWater salt™.
This salt is extremely pure and contains no impurities, metals, or anti-caking agents, which protects the salt cell and ensures stable, effective chlorine production.
What is the recommended salt level for a Hotspring spa?
The ideal level is 1750 ppm of salt.
This setting is crucial for the proper functioning of the FreshWater salt system, for the longevity of the cell, and for achieving soft, comfortable water.
Why should the spa be filled through the filter lines?
Filling the spa through the filter compartment allows water to flow directly into the mechanical components.
This prevents air pockets in the pumps, makes startup easier, and prevents several mechanical problems from the outset.
When should the salt cell be installed in a new spa?
The salt cell should be installed only once the chlorine level is stable, generally after 1 to 2 weeks of initial treatment.
Installing the cell too early can shorten its lifespan and make water stabilization more difficult.
How long does a Hotspring salt cell last?
On average, a FreshWater salt cell lasts 3 to 4 months, depending on spa usage, water quality, and adherence to the recommended parameters.
What is the IQ probe used for on a Hotspring spa?
The IQ probe automatically measures chlorine, pH, salt, and the condition of the salt cell.
It greatly simplifies maintenance, but it requires well-balanced water and does not make real-time adjustments, since readings are taken every 12 hours.
How often should Hotspring spa filters be cleaned?
Filters should be rinsed at least once a week and deep-cleaned once a month with a product such as Mineraluxe Filter Revive.
Clean filters improve water quality and reduce chemical consumption.
Should I have my water tested even if my spa is working well?
Yes. A complete water analysis once a month helps prevent problems before they arise, optimize spa performance, and extend the lifespan of components such as the salt cell and IQ probe.
FreshWater - quick purchase
Products to keep in stock at home
These links correspond to the FreshWater products most often needed for startup, testing, and routine maintenance.
To achieve and maintain the required salt concentration. Salt test strips
Quick concentration check. FreshWater 5-in-1
Regular monitoring of water parameters. FreshWater cartridges x3
Original replacement cartridges. FreshWater IQ
For spas compatible with IQ monitoring. Next-generation Tri-X 79436
Hot Spring filter currently in stock for compatible models.