I just bought a new spa (it isn't even hooked up yet!) and I am doing additional research about various water treatment procedures. The spa is at our second home so will only be used on the weekends by my husband and I. There will occasionally be weekends when we do not head up north so will not be able to apply chemicals. I was told when we purchased it (Master Spa) that this would not be a problem but we would have to shock it and just check the water quality. Is a natural, non-chlorine method even an option if we are part-time users? We will be adding water from our well (very hard water) so I know we need to use a pre-filter. Are there different kinds? Ideally, I would like to ‘go natural’ but don’t want continuous water issues!

Thanks for your advice in advance!

I have an Emerald spa for 2 years now and have the same arrangement as you. I put the spa in the economy mode and only use it on weekend visits and such at my shore home. I have found that even with utmost care after each use I still have problems with keeping the water chemistry where it should be. I have replaced '3' jet barrels already, and the heater element. The dealer insists that these problems are associated with the water chemistry. I use a bromine as my chemical disinfectant.