Aquarius Workshop Hot Tub Services
150-10451 Shellbridge Way V6X 2W8 Richmond, BC, Canada

Happy Easter Everyone! Thanks to our feature model Dora! Dora Kola

Spring is finally here! As you excitedly pull of your tub covers, have you found that your tub's water appears murky green? This is a sign that your water was not treated with enough sanitizer and/or your tub filter was not sufficiently cleaned before you put your hot tub away for the winter, as one of our clients recently experienced. Green, unsanitized water can cause dry and/or itchy skin after use, so we recommend an inspection of the tub's filter, and a flush, re-fill, and treatment of the tub's water. Here's to another relaxing season of hot-tubbing :)

Aquarius Top Tip: Watch Your Tub's Calcium Levels There is never an off-season for hot-tubbing, but for those of you who tuck your tubs away for the winter, here's a tip to make sure you don't come back to a nasty surprise in the spring. Always ensure that your hot tub's water, after treatment and use, contains the recommended level of calcium (100 - 200 PPM). A sufficient calcium level keeps your hot tub free of corrosion, pictured as the ugly brown stain in the picture belo...w. Corrosion, if not severe, can be cleaned off. This, however, means the additional hassle of cleaning the tub's jets/filter, draining and re-filliing the tub, treating the water, and waiting hours before you can use it. Don't let this happen to you!

Aquarius Top Tip: Foamy Water After Cleaning and Re-Filling? DON'T PANIC! A recent service call led us to a client who recently purchased a new home with a tub that had not been used in over a year. After replacing the tub's filter, adding pipe cleaner, draining the old water, and applying water treatment, we were greeted with foamy spots in the water, as seen below. While this result is not common, it is NOT unusual. If you experience similar results, DON'T PANIC The foam ...is likely residue from the pipes. All that's required is running the tub's jet's to flush out the foam, along with further rinsing of the tub's filer to clear up the water! Alternatively, you may also follow this up by draining the water and re-fill the tub. Stay tuned for more maintenance top tips!

AQUARIUS TOP TIP: Common Remedy for Error Code Has your hot tub ever thrown you into a frenzy with an error code indicating flow issues? Don't panic; it may not be an issue that requires a technician visit. Rather, it could be the easiest DIY fix you've ever performed. A common cause for flow error codes is that the water level in the tub is not high enough. This can be caused by spillage and evaporation over time, causing low water levels and ultimately a weakened flow of wa...ter through the tub's heater. The fix for this is...are you ready for this...fill the tub up with water to the recommended level. Yup, that's it. Save yourself the visitation fee from the technician! Alternatively, a dirty filter could be the culprit of flow issues. Another simple money saving DIY fix would be to clean the filter, then see if the error code still appears. Save your money for more important things...like a hot tub party!

Upon arriving at our most recent service visit, we were greeted by the incredibly foamy water you see below, which was accompanied by an unpleasant odor. Sensing that this was more than just an issue of imbalanced water, we asked the owner when was the last time he had cleaned his hot tub's pipes, and were shocked when he told us that it had been almost two years! Not only was our client a frequent hot-tub user, but he had told us that he was just recovering from a week-long ...cold/fever. We immediately used a mild pipe cleaner, which flowed through the tub's jets to reveal dark colored algae, which did not surprise us was living in the pipes. We cannot stress enough the importance of cleaning your tub's pipes at least once a year. Excessive algae growth can contribute to unpleasant odors, itchiness, rashes, and other illnesses if you use your tub. We cannot stress enough the importance of cleaning your tub's pipes at least once a year. Excessive algae growth can contribute to unpleasant odors, itchiness, rashes, and other illnesses if you use your tub Reach out to us for more information on pipe cleaning and other important tub care tips!

Not sure when your hot tub's water needs to be drained and replaced? The picture below speaks a thousand works. Cloudy water, such as that in the picture below, indicates just such a need. The cloudiness indicates an overly high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level in the water. Where a TDS level of 0 - 1500 is acceptable for hot tub use, the TDS level of the water below indicates excessive buildups of hair, body oils, calcium, skin cells, and other chemicals. An odd smell may even emanate from the water. Remember to keep an eye out for cloudy water, and to drain and replace your hot tub's water every three months, depending on the frequency of its usage. The last thing you want is itchy skin and rashes from relaxing in high TDS levels!

AQUARIUS TOP TIP: If you're going on vacation for an extended period and would rather not leave your tub running, be sure to give it the care it deserves! 1. Turn off the motor and drain your tub 2. Ensure it is dry 3. Place a tarp over the tub... 4. Place weighted objects (ie bricks) on the tarp's corners to keep out rain, snow, and other weatherly unfriendlies that can cause stains 5. Enjoy your vacation! Aquarius will be happy to help you with making your tub vacation-ready!

Have you been neglecting maintaining your hot tub's water? During a recent part replacement for a water pump motor for our client, the culprit was quickly spotted. The orangey-brown stuff (you know; the corrosion) was caused by insufficient levels of calcium in the tub's water. Over only five years, the built-up corrosion threatened the replacement of the tub's motor - a cost of a few hundred dollars that would not have to be made until after at least 10 years had water level...s been properly maintained. Our client was lucky; we were able to sand off the corrosion to replace the part and the motor was still in good working condition. We're sure she'll take note to maintain her tub's water levels moving forward!

AQUARIUS SAFETY REMINDER: Refrain from alcohol consumption while hot-tubbing! You've no doubt pictured a relaxing evening soaking in your hot tub with a wine or champagne glass in your hand, sipping away the day's stresses. We at Aquarius hear you on this one, but seriously advise against the consumption of any alcohol while using your hot tub. Alcohol, like hot-tubbing, increases your body temperature and expands your blood vessels. Combining these two activities can cause d...ehydration and/or heat exhaustion, resulting in dizziness, nausea, heart palpitations, fainting, and even death. Let's keep it to virgin cocktails and sparkling wine everyone!

If you're anything like us, you probably prefer to not relax in your hot tub with algae floating by. Prevent rashes, infections, and other party-pooping conditions by making sure to have the piping in your hot tub cleaned out at least once every three months! Our client in the west side of Vancouver told us that the included hot tub was a major factor when they chose their new home, and they set about doing the right thing by having clean, sanitize, and treat the tub, its pip...ing, and the water, as they had been told by the previous owners that the hot tub had not been used in about a year. A micro-cleanser worked with the hot tub's jets to wash out our unwanted little friends in the first flush (we left out close up shots of the algae is case you get queasy). As flushes work best with warm water and a tub's water requires about eight hours to re-heat, we returned the next day for the second flush (with bromine for further disinfecting). After a final refill, the water was tested and balanced, and the hot tub was ready for its new owners!