We stock genuine MSpa spa filter cartridges and ship NZ-wide from our Auckland warehouse. The 120-pleat filter cartridge twin pack ($65) fits all current MSpa models and is the most popular spa filter we sell — two cartridges cover roughly 8–12 weeks of use. If you have an older spa model that uses 90-pleat cartridges, the Filter Cartridge Adapter ($41) lets you fit the current 120-pleat filters. Sticking with the genuine MSpa spa pool filter is worth it — generic cartridges that are even slightly off-spec restrict water flow and trigger F1/E1 heating errors.

We stock spa bromine tablets in 1kg containers ($37) — that's a lot of tablets, and most owners get several months of regular use out of one container. Drop one 20g tablet per 400L of water into a floating dispenser, aiming for 3–5 ppm in the water. If you'd prefer to start with everything bundled, the Bromine Spa Starter Kit ($120) includes the bromine tablets, dispenser, pH balancers, and test strips — a chemical-free hassle if you're new to spa water care.

For portable spas we generally recommend bromine. It's more stable at the higher temperatures spas operate at, gentler on skin and eyes, less likely to cause limescale issues, and produces less of the strong "pool" smell. Bromine tablets dissolve slowly in a floating dispenser — use one tablet per 400L of water, aiming for 3–5 ppm. Chlorine still works fine if you prefer it — it's faster-acting and lower cost up-front, but harsher on skin and less stable at hot-water temperatures. Both are available as starter kits.

A simple rhythm: daily — test sanitiser (chlorine or bromine) levels if the spa's in regular use; weekly — test pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness; fortnightly — shock-dose the water with O2 Shock or a chlorine shock to oxidise contaminants; after heavy use — test and rebalance immediately. Use a 3-in-1 or 6-in-1 test strip, or our water testing app for tailored dosing recommendations.

Essential: a sanitiser (bromine or chlorine), pH Increase and pH Decrease, and a test kit. Strongly recommended: pH Buffer (stabilises total alkalinity, which stops your pH bouncing around), and a shock treatment like O2 Shock or Spa Shoc Shot to oxidise contaminants weekly or fortnightly. Situational: Calcium Hardener (only needed in soft-water areas), No Foam (if oils or detergents have caused foaming), and Crystal Clear (clarifier — useful if water turns slightly cloudy). The Bromine Spa Starter Kit bundles the essentials in one box.

Rinse your filter under a garden hose at least once a week, and replace the cartridge every 4–6 weeks — even if it still looks clean. The paper pleats break down over time, restricting water flow and often triggering F1 or E1 heating errors. Our 120-pleat filter twin pack ($65) covers two full cycles. If you have an older spa that takes 90-pleat cartridges, the Filter Cartridge Adapter lets you fit the current 120-pleat filters.

They do different jobs. pH Increase and pH Decrease directly raise or lower your pH reading. pH Buffer raises and stabilises Total Alkalinity (TA) — the water's ability to resist changes in pH. If your TA is too low, your pH will bounce all over the place no matter how much pH Increase or Decrease you add. Always set TA first (target 80–120 ppm), then fine-tune pH (target 7.2–7.8). Doing it in that order saves a lot of chasing your tail.

3-in-1 strips measure pH, Total Alkalinity, and either chlorine or bromine — three readings, ideal for routine weekly testing. 6-in-1 strips add Total Hardness, Total Chlorine, Total Bromine, and Free Chlorine on top — better when you want a complete picture, or when you're troubleshooting a water issue and need to know why something's off rather than just that it's off. Most owners get by fine with 3-in-1; serious soakers prefer 6-in-1.

As a general rule, every 3–4 months. Even with perfect chemistry, dissolved solids, body oils, and contaminants build up over time and eventually you reach a point where chasing the readings stops working. Drain earlier if pH or TA become unmanageable, water turns persistently cloudy or smelly, or after heavy contamination (e.g. lots of bathers, an outdoor incident). On rain or tank water you may stretch it longer with good upkeep — but when balance becomes a daily fight, it's time for a refill.

Yes — we deliver chemicals and filters NZ-wide, with most orders dispatched within 1–2 business days from our Auckland warehouse. Spa filter cartridges ship free anywhere in NZ. For chemicals and other water-care items, shipping costs vary by item and destination and will show in your cart before you pay. Afterpay is available at checkout — handy for the larger starter kits.