You have been waiting for this. The spa is installed, and you are almost ready. There is a short list of things to pick up and do before that first soak. None of it is complicated. Here is exactly where to start.
Before the Water Goes In: What to Buy
Your spa retailer will have everything you need. Pick these up before your first fill so you are not scrambling after.
A sanitizer. This is what keeps the water safe. Chlorine and bromine are the two main options. Your retailer will help you choose.
A pH balancer. Two products: one to raise pH, one to lower it. You will use both over time.
An alkalinity increaser. This stabilizes your pH and is the first thing you adjust on a fresh fill. Get this in range before touching anything else.
A calcium hardness increaser. Protects your spa shell and equipment from corrosion. Essential for a first fill, especially if your tap water is soft.
A shock treatment. Used on your first fill and once a week after that.
Test strips. You will use these to confirm chemistry is in range before your first soak. The Gecko App Strip Scanner reads everything from a photo in 30 seconds.
Ask your retailer if they carry a new owner starter kit. Many do, and it takes the guesswork out of quantities.
Your First 24 Hours
Balance the water before anything else.
Adjust alkalinity first (target: 80 to 120 ppm), wait an hour, then test and adjust pH (target: 7.2 to 7.8). Once both are in range, add your initial sanitizer dose. Let the spa run for at least two hours, then test again.
KEY DATA: New fill water is rarely balanced out of the tap. Municipal water can arrive with pH above 8.0 and alkalinity well outside the ideal range. Always test before your first soak, even if the water looks perfectly clear.
Download the Gecko App and connect your spa.
The setup takes about five minutes. Once connected, you can monitor your spa’s status and control temperature, jets, and lighting directly from your phone.
Set your target temperature.
Most people find 100 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit comfortable for regular use. Your spa heats at roughly 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit per hour, so a cold first fill typically takes 8 to 12 hours to reach temperature. The Gecko App shows you the current temperature in real time so you do not have to go outside to check.
When are you ready for your first soak?
Two conditions need to be met. The water is at your target temperature, and a final test confirms pH between 7.2 and 7.8 and free chlorine or bromine between 1 and 3 ppm. When both check out at the same time, get in.
Your First 30 Days: The Habits to Build
Week 1: Do your first water test with the Test Strip Scanner. Get comfortable with the Gecko App controls.
Week 2: Establish your twice-weekly test routine. Do your first weekly shock treatment after an evening session.
Week 3: Check the Energy IQ Score in the app. It now has enough usage data to give you concrete recommendations.
Week 4: Review your water history chart. You will start to see patterns in how your water behaves.
Three Things New Owners Almost Always Wish They Had Known Sooner
Balance alkalinity before pH. Most people try to correct pH first and end up chasing it in circles for days. Alkalinity is the anchor. Set it first, and pH falls into place much more easily.
The spa should always be running. It is not an appliance you turn on and off. Keep it running, covered, and in eco-mode between sessions. The Smart Spa Routine handles this automatically.
Set up the Smart Spa Routine on day one. Not week three. Day one. It takes five minutes and changes how you use the spa immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to buy before using my new hot tub?
A: Six product categories: a sanitizer, a pH balancer, an alkalinity increaser, a calcium hardness increaser, a shock treatment, and test strips. Your spa retailer will have starter kits designed for first fills.
Q: How long before I can use my new hot tub?
A: Plan for 12 to 24 hours from first fill to first soak. The water needs 8 to 12 hours to heat and at least 2 hours for the chemistry to stabilize.
Q: How do I balance hot tub water for the first time?
A: Adjust alkalinity first (80 to 120 ppm), wait an hour, then adjust pH (7.2 to 7.8), then bring calcium hardness to 150 to 300 ppm. Once all three are in range, add your sanitizer dose and let the spa run for two hours before testing again.
Q: How do I know when the water is ready for my first soak?
A: The water is at your target temperature and a test confirms pH between 7.2 and 7.8 and free chlorine or bromine between 1 and 3 ppm. Both conditions need to be true at the same time.