What if you could have a little piece of paradise right in your backyard? Picture yourself unwinding after a long day, connecting with family, and enjoying the refreshing outdoors.
When you own a hot tub or swim spa, all of that becomes a reality. But what’s the secret to a perfect hydrotherapy experience? It’s all about the water. Clean, crystal-clear water is non-negotiable. And that’s where the filtration system comes in.
When you look at all the water filtration systems, it’s easy to go like “What on Earth do all these technical terms mean?” or “How do you know which one is best for your family’s needs?” It’s easy to get lost in the details.
That’s why SML Entertainment is here to break down everything you need to know, from the basics of how filtration works to the specific, innovative systems used by the top brands we carry. We want to help you make a confident choice, whether you’re looking for a hot tub in Calgary, a hot tub in Edmonton, or anywhere else in Alberta.
Ready to soak up some water-care wisdom?
Table of Contents | Water Filtration Systems for Hot Tubs & Swim Spas: What to Know Before You Buy
A hot tub filtration system works by constantly circulating water through a physical filter to remove debris, while a sanitizer neutralizes bacteria. Think of it as the liver of your spa, tirelessly cleaning to keep everything healthy. The entire process is a well-thought-out cycle designed to deliver pristine water with minimal effort from you.
The magic happens through a few core components working in harmony:
The process is straightforward. Water is pulled from the main area through a skimmer, which catches larger debris like leaves. From there, it passes through the filter cartridge for fine-particle removal. The clean water is then treated by the sanitizer, warmed by the heater, and pushed back into the tub through the jets, ready for you to enjoy.
While the basic principles of filtration are universal, leading brands have invested heavily in developing proprietary systems that make water care easier and more effective. It’s spa innovation at its finest Let’s look at the exceptional systems in the brands you can find right here at SML Entertainment.
A Beachcomber hot tub is designed for peace, quiet, and simplicity, and its filtration system is no exception.
Microfilter System: Beachcomber uses a Microfilter system housed in a dedicated reservoir that efficiently removes impurities from the water. The design makes it simple to access and maintain without complicated plumbing.
Easy Access: The Microfilter can be easily removed and cleaned without draining water from the tub, keeping maintenance quick and hassle-free.
Hush Pump System: Their dedicated Hush Pump™ circulates water quietly and efficiently, ensuring your water is constantly being filtered without any disruptive noise. It’s specifically engineered for near-silent operation while maintaining ideal flow
Optional ClearTech UVC Sterilization System: For those who want an even higher level of purity, Beachcomber offers the ClearTech UVC Sterilization System™ as an optional upgrade. This advanced system uses ultraviolet-C light (the same technology trusted in hospitals and municipal water treatment) to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and organic contaminants as water circulates through the spa. The result is sparkling, crystal-clear water that feels cleaner and fresher while reducing the amount of chlorine or bromine needed by up to 50–70%. Because it’s a chemical-free process, ClearTech UVC helps eliminate harsh chemical smells, protects your spa’s components from corrosion, and ensures your water stays naturally balanced with less effort.
Caldera Spas offers a revolutionary approach to water care that feels as good as it sounds.
Automatic Chlorine Generation: The core benefit of the FreshWater® Salt System is its ability to use a small amount of salt to automatically generate chlorine. This results in soft, natural-feeling water without the irritation or odour often associated with traditional chlorine.
Simple Cartridge Swaps: The system uses a disposable titanium cartridge that typically lasts up to four months, depending on usage and water conditions. You simply replace it when needed, making it one of the easiest systems to manage.
Longer Lasting Water: With proper maintenance and cartridge replacement, the system can keep water clean and fresh for up to a full year before draining and refilling, significantly reducing the effort required for water care.
Fantasy Spas are all about making the hot tub experience accessible and effortless, and their filtration reflects this.
Reliable Cartridge Filters: These spas use standard cartridge filters that are effective and easy to access and replace. The simplicity aligns perfectly with the brand’s straightforward image.
Mineral System Compatibility: They are designed to work seamlessly with mineral systems like the FROG®, which helps reduce the amount of chlorine needed to keep the water sanitized.
Plug and Play Simplicity: As a leader in plug and play hot tubs, Fantasy Spas ensures that every component, including the filtration, is designed for user-friendly operation right from the start.
Bullfrog Spas reimagined hot tub design, and their filtration is just as innovative.
Integrated JetPak® Design: Bullfrog’s patented JetPak Therapy System™ minimizes plumbing (up to 90% less than conventional designs) improving efficiency and directing more power to jet performance and water circulation.
Simplicity Filtration System: This system features a space-saving, flat filter design that’s easy to access and maintain. The efficient layout helps optimize water flow and skimming, keeping your water fresh and clear.
Advanced Water Care Options: Bullfrog offers the EOS O3™ enhanced ozone system, which is up to twice as effective as standard ozone systems and can kill 99.9% of microorganisms, ensuring your water is exceptionally pure.
Swim spas are a unique blend of a hot tub and a swimming pool, and their filtration systems are built to match. Because they hold significantly more water and are used for active swimming, their systems need to be more robust.
The main difference is scale. Swim spas require higher flow rates and larger, often dual-cartridge, filters to handle the increased water volume and bather load. The system has to be powerful enough to clarify thousands of litres of water while keeping up with the turbulence created by the swim current.
These swim spas use a high-efficiency circulation pump and easy-to-access cartridge filters designed to handle the power of the hydraulic current. Many models employ dual filters to ensure every part of the swim spa remains pristine.
Bullfrog uses a scaled-up version of its Simplicity Filtration System in its swim spas, ensuring powerful skimming and deep cleaning, even in a much larger body of water.
Your filtration system does the heavy lifting, but a little regular maintenance will keep it working perfectly for years to come. It’s simple, quick, and makes all the difference.
The right filtration system transforms hot tub ownership from a dreaded chore into pure joy. It’s the invisible hero working behind the scenes so you can focus on what matters: relaxing, recovering, and connecting with loved ones.
From the automated saltwater system of a Caldera Spa to the brilliant simplicity of a Beachcomber, there’s a perfect fit for every owner at SML Entertainment.
Visit any of our showrooms to see and test top-tier spa models in person:
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