How to Set Up Your New Vortex™ or Fisher™ Spa – A Step-by-Step Guide

Congratulations on your new Vortex™ Spa! We are just as thrilled as you are in your journey to next-level luxury and wellness. As a new owner, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—but that’s normal. The great news is that operating a Vortex™ spa is not rocket science, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way!

On this page, we will provide you with all the information you would need to help you have confidence in using and maintaining your spa so that you can enjoy it for many years to come.

In the guides you will find on this page, we will walk you through the things you need to know for the following:

1. Safety and warning information
2. How to look after your spa shell
3. How to attach spa cover locks
4. Water care maintenance and chemical guide
5. How to fill your spa with water
6. Turning your spa on
7. How to use the SpaNet™ keypad
8. How to connect SmartLink to your smart device
9. Troubleshooting - error codes and messages
10. How to use the controls and features
11. Health badge and UV light
12. Lighting features - what you need to know
13. Cleaning the laminar jets
14. How to drain and refill your spa
15. Smart spa upgrades

Watch: How to setup your new Vortex Spa & Swim Spa

1. Important safety and warning information

As a spa owner, it is important to ensure the safety of yourself, your family, and other spa users. To avoid damage to your spa or worse – injury or death, it is crucial that you review and follow all safety and warning information contained in your spa owner’s manual.

We have also outlined the key warnings and safety information you need to be aware of when you own or use a spa pool or swim spa, which covers the following:

• Safety advice and warnings for parents or guardians of young children
• Fencing guidelines and regulations
• Safety signage recommendations
• Water temperature guidelines and safety
• Reducing risks including drowning or injury
• Electrical safety and warnings
• General spa safety
• Chemical use and water care

2. How to look after your spa’s shell

The material that forms up the inside of your spa, aka the shell, is arguably the most important component of your spa. So it needs to be handled properly from the moment your spa is delivered. As a new spa owner, it’s important to learn how to properly clean and look after your spa shell to ensure your spa lasts as long as it’s intended.

Click the button below to know what steps you must take to care for your spa shell once it lands on its foundation.

3. How to attach the cover locks to your spa

Most quality spa covers come with locks that attach to your spa and keep it secure. These locks are an essential safety element. One of the first steps you need to take as a new spa owner is to install a spa cover to ensure the safety of children and pets around water.

Here is a step-by-step guide that will teach you how to attach spa cover locks to protect your family and spa, the tools you’ll need, and more.

4. Water care and maintenance guide

When you buy a new spa or swim spa, one of the first things you’ll need to learn is how to keep the water clean and safe. Caring for your spa water is essential for your health, prolonging the life of the spa, and your enjoyment of the spa itself. This step-by-step Water Care Guide will help.

This guide explains the key things you need to know to keep your spa clean, safe, and crystal clear. After reading, you will know about:

• Chemical safety and what not to do
• Which spa chemicals to use
• How to get the spa water ready after filling it
• How to maintain your spa water

5. How to fill your spa with water

Filling your Vortex™ spa with water is one of the most exciting parts of spa installation! Before you can try out your new spa though, there are important steps you need to take. We will guide you through the process of filling your spa with water, as well as what to do before filling your spa pool.

This article will help you learn the step-by-step through the best and safest process for filling your Vortex™ spa with water and help you answer the following questions:

• Do I need a CPR sign installed near my Vortex Spa?
• How do you fill Vortex Spas™ with water?
• What filters are used in Vortex Spas™?
• How to fill a Vortex Gemini™ with water?
• What is the difference between a pleated filter and Purezone™ filter?

6. How to turn on a Vortex™ or Fisher™ Spa or Swim Spa

You're ready to enjoy your new Vortex™ spa or swim spa and wondering what steps you need to take to get the thing working. This article will guide you through the process of turning your Vortex™ spa or swim spa on.

7. How to use the SpaNet™ keypad

To get the most out of your Vortex™ spa, you must know how to control it. You need to understand what those buttons on the keypad are all about. That’s the only way you can get your spa's full benefit.

Click the button in this section to learn about the following:

• What spa controllers are used on Vortex™ spas
• How to use the SpaNet™ SV2 keypad on Vortex™ spas
• What features can you control on your Vortex™ spa using the SpaNet™ SV2 keypad

8. How to connect Smartlink™ to your smart device

Most appliances now can be connected to the internet. Don’t be surprised if you can do the same thing with your spa. This level of connectivity allows you to control your spa wherever you are using your smart device. This article will guide you on how to connect the SmartLink™ WIFI module to your smart phone or tablet.

9. How to fix error messages on your SpaNet™ keypad

Your spa’s controller or keypad can alert you to different error messages or alerts that may require you to take action to resolve. It is important that you pay attention to the alerts the spa controller displays. These alerts offer crucial information that can help to prolong the life of your spa and ensure the safety of the people using it.

Read this article to learn how to troubleshoot Errors 2, 5, 6, 8, 10 including "Heat Pump Flow” alert messages.

Read this article to learn how to fix Error 3 and Error 4 messages on Vortex™ spa controllers including tips to prevent these errors.

10. How to use the controls and features on a Vortex™ spa

Features on the top of Vortex™ spas add a touch of quality, relaxation, and luxury to your spa experience. We have created an article to help you learn more about your spa’s top side controls such as the aromatherapy feature, water cascade, and backlit drink holders.

The article will help you answer the following questions:

• How does the aromatherapy canister work in Vortex Spas?
• Can you put essential oils in Vortex Spas™ or hot tubs?
• How does the water diverter work in Vortex Spas™?
• How do laminar jets work in Vortex Spas™?
• Do Vortex Spas™ come with a bottle cooler and drink holders?
• Are jets on Vortex Spas™ backlit?
• Can you change light colours on Vortex Spas™?

11. Understanding the health badge and UV light

You might have noticed that there is a health indicator light on the outside of the spa cabinet and you might be wondering what that’s for. Check out this article to learn what each light and light color means on the health badge and the UV system indicator.

12. What to know about the lights in your spa

Vortex Spas™ come with numerous dynamic lighting features that make your spa experience even more enjoyable and convenient, particularly at night. Find out what each light feature does and how you can make the most of your spa’s bright lights.

13. How to clean the laminar jets

Laminar jets are a key water feature of Vortex™ Spas. They are designed to create ambience and enhance relaxation. Keeping the Vortex™ spa laminar jets well-maintained allows this feature to perform at its best.

Check out this article if you want guidance on how to maintain Vortex™ spa laminar jets.

14. How to I drain and refill your spa

Emptying and refilling your spa with clean water gives you the best of both worlds, a fresh tub of water to soak in and it keeps your spa and components in great working order.

In this article, we explain the steps required to empty, refill and sanitise your spa water.

This article explains:

• Why you need to drain your spa
• How often to drain or empty your spa
• How to empty your spa
• How to refill your spa
• How to restart and treat your spa after refilling

15. Guide to smart spa upgrades for your Vortex™ Spa

Spa systems can be upgraded with a smart option to enable you to control and monitor your spa from anywhere that has a connection for your device, as well as to have entertainment to add to your spa experience.

Did you get a smart upgrade for your Vortex™ spa, such as SmartLINK™ or SmartSTREAM™? Looking for information on how to use them? Read this article to learn more.

Need more help?

We hope this information has been helpful. If you have any questions or concerns about using and maintaining your new spa or swim spa, please contact your Spa World concierge.