Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2019 3:40pm
I've no experience of spas, and my pool guide would I'm sure just confuse you. However, the main things you need to keep in balance are the chlorine level and pH, so you need a test kit for those at least.
Shocking simple means over-dosing the water with quick acting chlorine to kill off any organic materials in the water; making sure you don't use the spa until the chlorine level has dropped to an acceptable level.
If cloudiness is just due to fine dust etc in the water, then you want some flocculante. That acts like wine finings and causes the dust to settle on the bottom. For a spa, liquid flocc is easier to use than tablets.
You can use a floater with a 3-in1 or 4-in-1 tablet, and that will contain stabiliser to help the chlorine to last longer. However, the water could soon become too saturated with the stabiliser and would need some of the water replacing.
Just like any pool, you'll put less load on the chemical balance if you shower before using it. Go in slathered in sun cream or body lotion and you'll soon have problems with the water.
The other thing you need is a flat surface beside the spa to support your glasses of G & T.