Regular water changes are one of the most important things you can do to extend the life of your spa and keep your water safe and clear. To keep your spa running smoothly and your water clean, we recommend draining, cleaning, and refilling your Bullfrog Spa once every four months.
What You'll Need
- Line flush
- Clean rags
- White vinegar
- New spa filter
- Frog JumpStart water treatment packet
- SmartChlor cartridge
- Mineral cartridge
- Magic Eraser (optional)
How to Drain, Clean, and Refill Your Bullfrog Spa
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Remove your spa filters and set them aside.
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Run a hot tub line flush. Turn your jets on high speed. Add line flush product directly into your spa water. It will start to foam — that means it's working! Let the jets circulate for 30 minutes to clear out biofilm and buildup from your plumbing lines.
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Turn off your breaker and drain your spa. Never drain your hot tub with the breaker on.
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Wipe down the interior. Use a clean rag to wipe down the inside of your spa, including your JetPaks and headrests. For stubborn marks on the spa surface, a Magic Eraser works great.
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Clean your skimmers. Open your skimmers and remove any debris that has collected.
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Disinfect your spa cover. Mix a 1:1 solution of water and white vinegar. Use a clean rag to wipe down the underside of your spa cover and any other surfaces that need disinfecting.
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Replace your drain cover and refill your spa. Once your hot tub is completely empty and clean, replace the drain cover and begin refilling. Install a fresh Bullfrog Spa filter at this time.
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Restart your spa and replace your Frog cartridges. Turn your breaker back on and power up your spa. Wait until your water temperature reaches at least 80 degrees before replacing your Frog cartridges. Replace your SILVER SmartChlor cartridge every month and your BLUE mineral cartridge every four months to keep your spa water clean and clear.
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Add a Frog JumpStart packet. Add a Frog JumpStart water treatment packet to your freshly filled spa water. That's it — your spa is as good as new!
Want to see the full process in action? Follow along with the video below.
Shop Everything You Need at Cleartub
Stock up on everything you need before your next drain day, or join the Cleartub Club to receive a perfectly curated supply of spa chemicals and filters to your door every four months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I drain my Bullfrog Spa? Every four months, or roughly three times per year. This schedule prevents chemical buildup, keeps your water fresh, and protects your equipment long-term.
How do I know when it's time to drain my spa? A few telltale signs: your water looks cloudy or has a strong odor even after adding chemicals, the water feels foamy or slippery, or your chemicals stop working as effectively as they used to. These are all signs of total dissolved solids (TDS) buildup, and a fresh drain and refill is the fix.
What do I need to drain and clean my Bullfrog Spa? You'll need a hot tub line flush product, white vinegar, clean rags, a new Bullfrog Spa filter, a Frog JumpStart water treatment packet, a SmartChlor cartridge, and a mineral cartridge. You can find everything you need at Cleartub.
How long does it take to drain and refill a Bullfrog Spa? Most cleanings take 2-3 hours start to finish, depending on your water fill time. The active work — wiping down the interior, cleaning the cover, and replacing the filter — takes about 30-45 minutes. The rest is wait time while your spa drains and refills.
What's the best cleaner to use inside a hot tub? For the interior shell, JetPaks, and headrests, a clean rag with warm water does the job for most surfaces. For stubborn marks, a Magic Eraser is your best friend. For the underside of your spa cover and other surfaces, a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water disinfects without damaging the material or affecting your water chemistry. Avoid household cleaners like bleach or all-purpose sprays, as they can degrade your spa surfaces and cause foaming issues when you refill.
Can I drain my hot tub on my lawn? It depends on your water chemistry. Before draining onto your lawn, make sure your chlorine levels have dropped below 1 ppm. If your spa uses the Frog SmartChlor system, check your test strip — if the SmartChlor section is still purple, your chlorine is too high to drain safely. Wait until that section is no longer purple before draining onto landscaping. If you need to drain sooner, direct the water to a driveway, storm drain, or utility drain instead.
How do I balance my water after refilling my spa? Read our step-by-step guide here.
Do I need to shock my hot tub after refilling? Yes, and the Frog JumpStart packet is designed exactly for this. Adding a JumpStart after a refill jumpstarts your sanitizer system, eliminates any bacteria introduced during the fill process, and gets your water crystal clear faster.
Why do I need to run a line flush before draining? Biofilm — a thin layer of bacteria and organic buildup — forms inside your spa's plumbing lines over time. A line flush product breaks up that biofilm before you drain, flushing it out of your pipes so it doesn't linger in your plumbing between refills.
When should I replace my Bullfrog Spa filters? It depends on the type of filter your spa uses. For flat filters, replace every 1-4 months depending on use. For round filters, rinse weekly, deep clean monthly, and replace yearly.
