A wood fired hot tub offers a peaceful, natural soaking experience—one that allows you to fully immerse yourself in the moment, free from the scent and feel of harsh chemicals. If you prioritize sustainability and mindful living, maintaining clear water in your tub for longer periods is possible with a few simple habits.
1. Rinse Before You Soak
Every time we step into the hot tub, we bring along traces of lotions, natural body oils, and everyday dirt. But a quick rinse or scrub in the shower before getting in can significantly reduce this, helping to keep the water fresher for longer. If possible, use a natural, biodegradable soap to minimize any residual impact on the water.
Tip: Install an outdoor shower as part of a Nordic Circuit, or use our Bathing Hand Shower and a bucket of fresh water to rinse off beside the tub.
2. Keep Debris Out with a Tub Cover
Nature has a way of finding its way into open water, whether that’s fallen leaves, twigs, pollen, or bugs. To minimize debris, always keep your wood fired hot tub covered when not in use. Using both the Rigid End Cover and the Hot Tub Cover ensures your water stays protected, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and refilling.
3. Skim Floating Debris Regularly
Even with a cover, small particles and organic matter may find their way into the hot tub. A simple skimmer net is an effective, low-tech way to remove floating debris before it sinks and breaks down in the water. Regular skimming keeps your tub looking inviting while helping maintain water quality.
4. Circulate and Filter the Water
While wood fired hot tubs don’t require traditional chemical treatments, adding an external pool filter system can help keep your water clear for longer. A filter continuously circulates and cleans the water, capturing impurities and slowing down the natural buildup of organic matter. This small addition can significantly extend the time between water changes, making your soaking ritual more sustainable.
Deeper Thoughts on Filters
Do you have to add a filter? It really depends on your hot tub usage, bathing habits, and personal preferences. The advantages of filters—improved water clarity for an extended period and reducing water cleaning tasks—may strongly appeal to some hot tub owners, while having unwanted drawbacks to others. These drawbacks could include:
- Electrical requirement and energy consumption
- Additional maintenance tasks for filter cleaning and replacement
- Increased complexity in the hot tub setup, e.g. type of filter, where the filter sits, how it connects to the tub, etc.
- A less streamlined look—having a filter can add to visual clutter
- Noise when the filter is running
Filter Options for Wood Fired Hot Tubs
There are generally two main types of pool filters, cartridge and sand, that are available in various sizes depending on water capacity.
Sand filters are possibly the most economical and easy solution, trapping around 20 microns in size of debris using silica sand. They’re straightforward to install, use, and maintain. ‘Backwashing’ is the technique used to clean the filter, requiring water consumption, and the sand will need to be replaced every 5-6 years. GOODLAND has successfully used the Krystal Clear Sand Filter Pump - 925 GPH by Intex with our Hot Tub, with the help of our Filter Adapter Kit.
Cartridge filters are also easy to use, and are considered more efficient at removing small debris. The water passes through a non-woven polyester fabric filter, capturing debris 10-15 microns in size. The cartridge filter can be cleaned and reused multiple times, lasting about two years with proper maintenance.
How to Use the GOODLAND Filter Adapter Kit
If you do decide to add a pool filter system to your wood fired hot tub, we’ve designed an adapter to allow the filter to work perfectly with the GOODLAND Hot Tub. Once you’ve purchased your pool filter and our Filter Adapter Kit, be sure to watch the video tutorial and set it up as recommended.
How Long Should the Filter Run?
For the GOODLAND Hot Tub for two people, the filter only needs to run 1-3 hours per day to do its job. Feel free to run it longer as needed.
When Should I Run the Filter?
Consider using the automated switch or timer feature for consistent filtration. Since it does make noise, it’s a good idea to plan to run the filter at night or when you’re away from the tub.
Soak More, Waste Less Water
By adopting the simple habits above, you can extend the life of your wood fired hot tub water, reduce waste, reduce the time required for water changes, and ensure every soak remains pure.
For more ways to enhance your wood fired soaking experience, explore our thoughtfully designed tools and accessories at GOODLAND.
