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Saw this thread and remembered to change out my (very old!) filter. Swapped the filter and reset the power, HL code is now gone. I knew I was being optimistic as I posted that. The code is back.... Darn.

Hi guys, hoping that I can piggyback on this post. I live in the Pacific Northwest, and got a second hand hot tub a little over a year ago. The umbrella that came with it was not in good shape, and is no longer usable. I know that the "you get what you pay for" rule applies here, and for a hot tub used in a part of the country that rains 9 months a year, spending more on a good umbrella makes good sense. But I just don't have it at the moment. My question is, will one of the cheapo offset umbrellas (under $100) from ebay or Amazon do the trick? Or will they just fall apart in 6 months? As I saw someone else here write, if I could get 2 years out of an $80 umbrella, that would be great. I hope to be able to buy a better umbrella in the future. But for now, i just need an umbrella to get me through the rainy winter! Thanks in advance,

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I work long days during the week, so my response times are slow, and troubleshooting (or even getting in the tub!) is hard to do. These responses have me thinking though. I think I have a good idea what I need to check. Thanks guys, I'll report what I find.

Thanks guys. I am not sure how the tub was drained. The tech who worked on it used a pump to speed things up, so I guess he bypassed the drain spigot? That's a good suggestion though. I'll look into picking up a sump pump. OK, it does sound like I am losing a little too much water... It's really hard to tell where. I saw nothing inside the panel area, and it rains nonstop this time of year here in Seattle, so if the drain is leaking, it would be hard to tell...

Thanks Dave. So losing 2 inches a month is average, 3-4 inches a month is excessive? I have just noticed it in the last few months. Since the last time I drained and filled it. It got serviced at that time as well. Too many variables here. I think I need to start keeping a log for the tub...

Hi PCF5, I have not noticed the leak if there is one. But no, I am not certain that there is no leak. I'll look closer if having to top off the water every 3 weeks is unusual.

Thanks gman. It does appear that I left out some vital details. Moderate use imo is 30 mintues twice a week for two people. The amount I need to fill it, I can't tell you in gallons, the water level falls to a point maybe 2-4 inches below the headrest (the recommended level) where the pumps are surging and can't run consistently. It's a 340 gallon tub.

Hey all, thanks for the help and advice in other threads. I am curious how frequently I should add water to a spa that gets low to moderate use. Currently, I am adding water about every 3 weeks or so to keep it at it's nominal level. Is that about right? I don't see any water underneath the tub, so I don't think it's leaking. I keep it at around 75-80 degrees and turn it up about an hour or so before getting in, and back down when I get out. It's an Arctic Fox Onzen system, with the heavy insulated Arctic cover, FYI. I am in the Seattle area, temperature has been in the 40s-high 30s for the most part lately. Thanks in advance for replies.

Thanks for the reply Pete. I did add the Onzen salt to the tub when I filled it. The electrode was recently replaced (it was not producing sanitizer at all). So I am guessing I have the latest and greatest upgraded electrode. Maybe I'll try turning the tub off for a few days if that worked for you when trying to get the chlorine levels under control...

My previous post should be an indicator of just how confused I am about this whole water balancing thing. I THOUGHT the Onzen system was bromine, I was confused. The Onzen system is chlorine.

Thanks for the helpful reply and links quantumchromodynamics. I do own the Taylor K-1003 test kit and use it to check PH and chlorine levels. I use test strips for checking alkalinity. You've given me some good reading to go through..

Hey guys, I did a few searches in the forum, but the results were a little overwhelming. Feel free to direct me to a sticky post if I missed it.... I have a 2nd hand Arctic Fox that I got a few months back. I am still getting the hang of maintaining it. I have been working with the dealer that it was originally purchased from, but would appreciate some advice from the experienced users here. What brand chemicals should I be purchasing for this system (Arctic Fox/Onzen)? The local dealer has their own branded chemicals, and, well, you know what that means. I picked up some "Spa-Kem PH Minus" from Lowe's in a pinch the other day. Are there brands that are recommended for my system, are there brands to avoid? I am finding that I am going through quite a bit of PH Down chemicals, as well as Alkalinity increaser. The chlorine also seems unusually high, CP is set to "1" and use is infrequent as of late. I was considering purchasing something to lower the chlorine. I may have left some important details out, please let me know if I have. Thanks in advance,

I may have my terminology wrong... I am using the Onzen system, I thought Salt/Bromine were one in the same. This hot tub was literally dropped in my lap, so I am learning about this whole thing rapidly. Following the instructions of the dealer and the Arctic literature. Sounds like I have some more reading to do.... 99/100 does seem just about perfect for this time of year.

Thanks for the helpful replies. I was concerned that the salt might not be great for me.. But I honestly can't see myself spending more than an 30-60 min a day in the tub. It sounds like I should lower the temp a few degrees, I started at 104 (too high!) and 98 seemed a little too low. I am guessing 100 or so will be perfect for summer in the Pacific Northwest. Thanks again.

Hi there, new to the forum, I just got my secondhand Arctic Fox installed, and the levels well balanced thanks to the advice of my local dealer and some extensive reading. I've gone the bromine route using the Onzen system. I am obviously excited to have the hot tub, and am currently doing a 10-20 minute soak in the morning and another at night. I am curious if I am overdoing it? I have a pretty stiff back for a man of 40, and am hoping this will help keep things loose and possibly cut back on chiropractor bills a bit. I am trying to use it largely for therapeutic reasons. It's nice that it feels good, but that is really secondary to managing pain/stiffness. I've looked around here and elsewhere and have turned up nothing regarding overdoing it. Obviously, I don't want to soak much longer than 20 minutes at a time. But is there any health drawback to doing 2 soaks a day like this. I also understand that this will mean more chemical maintenance on the tub, and I am Ok with that. OK, thanks in advance for any suggestions,