FreshWater IQ System
FreshWater Salt + Smart Monitoring: The Most Intelligent Water Care On The Planet
Smarter Spa Water, Effortlessly Clean
Enjoy Fresher, More Natural Hot Tub Water
FreshWater® IQ is an integrated water testing system that combines the FreshWater® Salt System with the FreshWater® Smart Monitoring System. The Salt System automatically generates chlorine from salt for fresher, cleaner, more natural feeling spa water with fewer chemicals required, while the Smart Monitoring System tests water hourly and displays clear instructions when adjustments are needed.
FreshWater IQ comes standard on all 2024 and newer Utopia™ Series spas and is an available upgrade on 2024 and newer Paradise™ Series spas. The system is not compatible with spas launched before January 2024.
Important Facts about FreshWater IQ
To work properly, it’s critical that the two systems are installed in the correct order: First, the FreshWater Salt System must be fully operational and maintaining a 3 parts per million (ppm) chlorine residual. At that point, setup of the Smart Monitoring System can begin. If the Smart Monitoring System is installed before the Salt System is fully operational, it will provide premature chemical readings and inaccurate recommendations. Until the Smart Monitoring System is operational, FreshWater 5-Way Test Strips and Salt Test Strips should be used to balance spa water.
Operating the spa outside of the recommended parameters or exposing it to various products can interfere with the proper operation of the Smart Monitoring System. If this happens, the sensor will need to be replaced after the spa water has been changed and the lines flushed.
The following products should NEVER be used with the Smart Monitoring System:
- FreshWater Mineral Spa Sanitizer (or other silver nitrate products) can permanently offset readings. Installation of such products will necessitate removing the silver device, draining and refilling the spa, and replacing the sensor.
- Ozone: The system is not calibrated for ozone use and the ozone unit must be removed.
- pH Locking Products: These chemicals contain borate or other materials that build up in the water and interfere with the sensor.
- MPS | Oxidizer | Shock | Enhanced Shock: The system is not calibrated to this type of chemistry. Stop use and allow one week for the chemicals to dissipate.
- Bromine
- O-Care | Aqua Finesse | Silk Balance | Soft Skin: Use of these products require draining and refilling the spa. If the sensor does not recover within a few days of refilling, it will need to be replaced.
- Oil | Salt-Based Aromatherapy Products
Limit use of the following products with the Smart Monitoring System:
- Dichlor | Chlorinating Concentrate: Excessive use of Dichlor, commonly known as Chlorinating Concentrate, will result in Cyanuric Acid (CYA) build-up – this is referred to as Chlorine Lock, and will cause the spa water to be resistant to chlorine, interfering with the sensor.
- Clarifiers | Phosphate Remover | Metal Treatment Products: These contain clumping agents that collect material which can stick to the Salt System cartridge and Smart Monitoring sensor. Use in moderation, ideally with the cartridge and sensor turned off and removed from the water during the treatment.
Start-Up Guide
1
FILL YOUR NEW SPA
Power must always be OFF while the spa is empty.
Remove plug and insert your salt system cartridge. The dummy plug in the IQ bar top housing should not be removed until the Salt System is fully functional.
Fill the hot tub with fresh water by placing your hose in the gray filter standpipe (in order to force air out of the lines) to approximately 1″ above the jets.
If you have well water: after 10 minutes of running water through the gray standpipe, install the EcoOne Hose Filter on the end of the hose. Flush filter outside of the spa in the grass or mulch area for 3-5 seconds to remove carbon, and complete the filling process by placing the hose with filter attached back in the filter compartment and proceeding as outlined above.
If your source water is high in calcium, iron, or other metals, please contact us for further instructions. Stain and Scale Defense can be used to treat the water for metals, but you MUST wait 24 hours and clean your filters after treatment before proceeding to the next step or adding chlorine.
2
TEST FOR PHOSPHATES
For optimal performance of your FreshWater Salt System, regular testing and removal of phosphates from spa water is required.
What are phosphates?
Salt is made up of phosphorus and oxygen that can be combined with a variety of minerals, molecules, or compounds. These compounds can build up over time in spa water from soaps, shampoos, lotions, detergents, stain and scale products, filter cleaner detergents, and minerals in ground-water sources.
The acceptable range for phosphates is under 50 ppb.
Phosphates will decrease the life of your salt cartridge by increasing chlorine demand and coating the electrodes with calcium phosphate scale, so it is vital to test for phosphate level using the provided FreshWater Phosphate Test Strips.
If you need to treat your spa water for phosphates, follow the instructions on the Phosphate Remover bottle. Should your water become cloudy, you may also need to use a very small amount of Water Clarifier (it is important to limit use of clarifiers with the FreshWater IQ System). Wait 24 hours and clean your filters before proceeding. Lightly spray the filter surface with SpaGuard Filter Cleaner, allow the filters to sit for 15-20 minutes, then thoroughly hose off with a high pressure hose or Water Wand. Ensure ALL soap is removed before placing the filters back to avoid foaming.
3
POWER ON
Turn the power on and set the temperature to your desired level (a minimum of 95 degrees is recommended for the salt system to function optimally). Turn off the salt system by setting the output level to zero. Check your jet systems by pushing the jets icon on the control panel home screen. When you’ve confirmed that the jets are fully operational, adjust your diverter valves to middle position and leave the jets on while adding salt.
*It’s normal for the water care icon on the control panel and diagnostic logo light to flash during this step if you choose not to turn your salt system off.
4
ADD SALT
Make sure the jets are on before adding salt. DO NOT add all the salt at once – add slowly over a 10 minute period. If you over salt the water, it will not dissipate and you cannot remove it; you will need to drain part or all of the water and start over.
Pour the salt into your filter compartment, one cup at a time, with the jets running, according to the prescribed amounts listed in the chart below. It is imperative that you add the precise amount of salt listed for your specific spa in the chart below – if you do not see your spa listed, contact our service department before proceeding.
Salt & Output Chart
Utopia Series:
- Cantabria (615 gal): Add 15.5 cups | Output Level 7
- Geneva (410 gal): Add 10.5 cups | Output Level 6
- Niagara (400 gal): Add 10.5 cups | Output Level 6
- Tahitian (375 gal): Add 9.5 cups | Output Level 6
- Florence (360 gal): Add 9.25 cups | Output Level 6
- Ravello (230 gal): Add 6 cups | Output Level 5
Paradise Series:
- Salina (420 gal): Add 10.5 cups | Output Level 6
- Makena (395 gal): Add 10.25 cups | Output Level 6
- Reunion (350 gal): Add 9 cups | Output Level 6
- Seychelles (330 gal): Add 8.75 cups | Output Level 6
- Martinique (285 gal): Add 7.75 cups | Output Level 5
- Kauai (230 gal): Add 6 cups | Output Level 5
Do not add any more salt to the spa water until you drain and refill the spa. Within 24 hours, the salt indicator on the Salt System screen should be in the target green range and a Salt Test Strip should read in the 2000-2250 ppm range.
*If you need to add a significant amount of water to the spa at any point prior to draining and refilling, please contact our service department for instructions on proceeding before adding more salt.
5
BALANCE SPA WATER
IMPORTANT: Always follow printed instructions on the balancing chemical packages. Add balancing chemicals in small increments one at a time with the jets on and wait 6 hours before testing again and adding any additional balancing chemicals.
Test the water with a FreshWater 5-Way Test Strip and balance according to the Water Balance Guidelines. Make sure to balance Total Alkalinity FIRST, then pH, and finally Calcium Hardness.
Water Balance Guidelines
- Total Alkalinity: 80-120 ppm
- pH: 7.2 – 7.8
- Calcium Hardness: 25 – 75 ppm
*Hard water can damage your hot tub equipment and may hinder the effectiveness of the salt system, so it’s important to make sure your water is soft. If your calcium hardness is over 75 ppm, use the Vanishing Act pillow provided in your start up kit.
6
SANITIZE SPA WATER
With the jets on and the diverter valves turned to the middle position, add Chlorinating Concentrate to the filter compartment according to the instructions on the bottle. Run the jets for 5-10 minutes and measure the chlorine level again.
Your initial target chlorine level is 5 ppm during the start-up process. Keep in mind that there are trace amounts of remaining water left in the plumbing from factory testing. Your hot tub will probably also receive higher than normal usage during the first month of ownership. For those reasons, your FreshWater Salt System will be working overtime to sanitize the water and maintain a chlorine residual during the first week or so.
It is recommended that you test your water every day or so over the first week to ensure the spa water remains balanced and sanitized while the system acclimates to your usage. It’s common to need to add Chlorinating Concentrate during this period.
7
SET SALT SYSTEM OUTPUT LEVEL
Once your spa temperature is over 95 degrees and you have added salt and balanced and sanitized the water, you can turn on the salt system.
Access the water care menu on your control panel. Set the salt system output to the recommended level indicated below.
Output Level Chart
- Level 0: System Off
- Level 1-4: Vacation / Low Output
- Level 5-7: Normal Use (Recommended)
- Level 8-9: High Use
- Level 10: Maximum Output
- Boost: Level 10 for 24 Hours
Using a FreshWater 5-Way Test Strip, check the water to ensure a residual chlorine level of at least 3 ppm has been maintained over the past 24 hours. Check the chlorine level once a day over the first week and repeat the chlorinating process until the salt system can independently maintain the target 3 ppm residual.
The salt system cleans the water before it produces a chlorine residual that is visible on a test strip. If there is not a measurable amount of chlorine in the spa water after 24 hours, this is an indication that the salt system is still cleaning the water. If there are contaminants in the water, or you use the spa often initially, it may take the salt system a few days to clean the spa water and keep up with your chlorine demand. Use the chlorination process and Boost function to generate additional chlorine during the first week or so.
Once you find that your spa is consistently maintaining a chlorine residual, you can move to testing the water once a week and may need to adjust the output level slightly. Because the salt system cleans the water before producing a chlorine residual, you may find that your test strip rarely shows a visible free chlorine level. This is totally normal, as long as your water is clean and clear and balanced.
8
INSTALL SMART MONITORING SYSTEM
9
SMART MONITORING SYSTEM START UP
- Salinity, pH, and Chlorine readings are automatically taken by the Smart Monitoring System each hour.
- When measurements are outside the recommended ranges, the system will display clear instructions on the control panel.
- Navigate to the Water Care Dashboard by pressing the water care icon on the spa’s control panel – the icons will illuminate yellow or red if action is needed.
- The notifications are cleared when the specific parameter screen is viewed and will remain suppressed for 24 hours.
- Water maintenance advice is provided by the system based on the water conditions measured – only one change per 24 hours is recommended to allow the water to equilibrate. If the issue is still detected after 24 hours, the notification will be displayed again and additional adjustments will be needed.
10
Routine Maintenance
Balance Water Weekly
Sanitize Water Regularly
10-Day Checkup
Clean Filters Monthly
Replace Salt Cartridge
Replace IQ Sensor
Drain & Refill Water as Needed
Learn More
FreshWater IQ is a smart, in-line water care system that regularly tests your spa water and displays clear on-screen instructions to help you maintain clean, natural-feeling water. Now, with a glance at your spa’s control panel, you can see what’s needed to keep your spa water fresh, balanced, and ready to enjoy!
The FreshWater Salt System uses fewer chemicals than traditional water care, reducing harsh odors for softer-feeling water that is gentler on eyes and skin.
With fewer additives needed, the water can stay clean and fresh for up to a full year* before needing to be drained and refilled. This conserves water, saves money, and reduces time previously spent on complicated water care.
The FreshWater Salt System uses a disposable cartridge to leave water clean and ready to use, so you can spend more time enjoying your spa and less time maintaining it.
The Smart Monitoring System regularly tests your water every hour and indicates when adjustments are needed for pH, chlorine and salt levels, helping you maintain clean, balanced spa water.
Smart System Initializing Doesn’t Go Away After 5-10 Minutes / 24-Hour Initialization Does Not Go Away After 24 Hours
The spa started with the FreshWater Salt System in an “off” or error state which is not allowing the sensor to make its first reading.
- Correct the FreshWater Salt System issue and restart the spa.
- Verify that the Smart Monitoring System is turned on.
No Chlorine, pH, Salt, or Sensor Indicators (Detail Screens Unaccessible)
- Check to see if the Smart Monitoring System is turned off.
- If yes, turn on the Smart Monitoring System in the Sensor menu.
- The Smart Monitoring System will turn on in post start-up Initialization mode.
- Message present until first values are visible.
- Check to see if the “24-Hour Initialization” status is displayed on the control panel.
- No valid readings will be displayed until initialization is complete.
- FreshWater Salt System is off, in error state, or no cartridge is installed.
- Check to see if the salt level is low red.
- Chlorine and pH will not be visible if salt is low.
- Contact our service department for instructions on correcting low salt – once salt levels are within the acceptable range, wait 1 hour for the Smart Monitoring system to update.
Sensor Reporting Error on Control Panel
- Verify the sensor is fully connected to the controller. If not, remove and reconnect.
- Remove the sensor from the controller and inspect for damage and water.
- Replace the sensor or controller based on the on-screen error recommendation.
Test Strip Readings Do Not Match Smart Monitoring System Readings
- Ensure the Salt System has been installed and is functioning properly.
- Check the spa water temperature and ensure it is 95F+.
- Check the test strip expiration date on the bottle. Make sure to follow the instructions precisely – the test strip must be read after waiting the exact amount of time as directed on the bottle and discarded afterwards.
- Verify the water is balanced within the target ranges, specifically pH and Alkalinity levels.
- Monitor and allow pH to stabilize for 24 hours – pH is a slow-moving system.
- If AG+ / Silver (Mineral Spa Sanitizer), Ozone, MPS / Shock / Enhanced Shock, or other prohibited chemicals have been introduced to the spa water, drain and refill using the start-up procedure outlined above.
- The sensor may need to be replaced if it still does not read correctly after draining and refilling.
- Remove the sensor from the controller and inspect for damage and water inside the components and replace both if water is present.
Salt System Status OK (Yellow)
The system continues to generate chlorine and operate normally when status reading is yellow.
- High salt (yellow right) or low salt (yellow left) will shift the status reading.
- Low water temperature will lower the status reading (yellow left).
- Dirty filters will lower the status reading (yellow left).
- Cartridge wear will lower the status reading (yellow left).
Salt System Status Low (Red Left)
This status reading can be caused by cartridge age, scale buildup, cold water, high chlorine, dirty filters, or dirty water.
- Ensure water is above 95 degrees (status will read lower in cooler water).
- Use a FreshWater Salt Test Strip to measure the salt level and add salt if needed.
- Use a 5-Way Test Strip to measure the chlorine level – if too high, add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with the jets running.
- Dirty filters will lower the status reading (red left).
- Cartridge wear will lower the status reading (red left).
Cloudy Water
Cloudy water can be caused by high pH, low chlorine levels, or a dirty filter.
Low or No Chlorine
The system cleans spa water differently than manually added chlorine. Since the water is cleaned before the chlorine residual is established, only a small residual is needed.
- If there appears to be no chlorine reading and the water seems cloudy:
- Check the output level – frequent usage may require a higher output setting.
- High phosphate levels can result in high chlorine demand and difficulty maintaining a residual.
- Boost the system or manually add chlorine to clean the water and develop a chlorine residual.
- If the output level has been maximized and Dichlor has been added regularly to supplement the water, yet the chlorine reading is back to 0 ppm the next day, it is possible that Cyanuric Acid Lock is inhibiting the system and preventing the chlorine from sanitizing the water.
- CYA requires a drain, clean, and refill, following the start-up procedure outlined on this page.
High Chlorine
The system will continue to produce chlorine according to the selected output level, regardless of your spa usage. If you begin to use the hot tub less frequently, it’s important to lower the output level.
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