We offer a variety of spas from a range of manufacturers. Each type comes in multiple sizes and features to suit your preferences and space requirements. Visit our Spas & Pools page to find out more or visit our showrooms to see a selection of what we can offer.

Yes, we offer professional installation services. Our experienced technicians will ensure your spa is set up correctly and safely. We can discuss delivery logistics and can usually place a spa pool in even the most challenging locations.

If you have recently purchased a new spa, or just need a refresher on how to properly maintain it? The following will help you understand the key steps and products you’ll need to perform basic spa care. If you’d prefer to watch and listen, you can find our Guide to Spa Care video here.

The first element of spa care is circulation and filtration.

Circulation is the movement of water through your spa – through the main body of water and through the pipes. The pump is what causes this flow (or circulation) of water.

During the circulation process, the filter captures any unwanted containments like body oils and small leaves. You will need to regularly remove and clean your filter of these containments so it continues filtering effectively.

The key elements of water balance are pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness. You can take the hard work out of water balance and use BioGuard Spa Perfect Balance. Perfect Balance locks in the water’s pH and minimises your need for manual adjustments with other products.

Alternatively, you can manage pH, Total Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness manually with BioGuard Spa Comfort Up, BioGuard Spa Aquality, BioGuard Spa Performance Up, BioGuard Spa Shield or BioGuard Spa Defence.

Sanitiser keeps the water healthy by eliminating bacteria in the water.

Oxidiser keeps the water clean and clear, by destroying contaminants in the water that can’t be removed by the filter.

And that’s all there is to it! When looking after your spa, keep an eye on your circulation and filtration, water balance and water maintenance, and your spa will be healthy and safe to swim in all year round! 

How much of each chemical do I need to dose?

Knowing how much to dose starts with knowing the level of pH, Alkalinity, Calcium and sanitiser is currently in the water.  Use a test strip to get a current reading and use this in conjunction with the info on the pack to know how much to dose.  Always under dose to start with and re-test, you can always add more if needed.

First let’s look at what could be causing cloudy water.

The following advice is from our friends at Bioguard. The first step is to know what is going on so you need to test the water. Adding chemicals to the spa without knowing the current levels is like driving with your eyes closed - not a good idea.

1. High pH – your spa’s pH level should not be higher than 7.6. If it is, you’ll get scale formation and your sanitising becomes ineffective.  Both these problems cause cloudiness.

2. High alkalinity – When your spa water has alkalinity higher than 150ppm, it begins to form scale and destabilises the pH, again causing cloudy water.

3. High calcium hardness – ideally your spa’s calcium hardness will be between 175 to 250 ppm.  If the levels are too high, you’ll see scale build up and cloudiness.

Don’t forget, you can always bring a water sample into our showroom and we can test it and recommend the ideal water treatment.

The answer is Crystal Clear!

BioGuard’s SPA Crystal Clear is specifically designed for clarifying cloudy water in spas ensuring your water is always clear and sparkling.  It’s an easy-to-use,  concentrated formula meaning you save on time as well as money.  Other great reasons for using Crystal Clear are:

• It does not contain any aluminum
• It improves filter efficiency
• It does not affect pH and water balance

And once you have achieved crystal clear results, it’s a simple weekly maintenance schedule using Crystal Clear.

There are also some simple steps for helping keep cloudy water at bay.

• Fill your clean spa with clean water
• Keep your filter clean
• Regularly sanitise and keep the water balance at the correct levels
• Regular testing is the most effective way to ensure your spa water stays crystal clear!
• Change the spa water every 3-4 months.

What about foamy water?

Sometimes accompanying cloudy spa water, is foam in your spa. Excess foam in your spa is usually a build-up of oils from the body, hairsprays, gels, deodorant, makeup – and if you’ve washed your swimwear in laundry detergent, the residue can cause a foaming spa too. To help prevent this, it’s good practice to shower before using the spa to wash away any oils, cosmetics, deodorant or detergent.

So, the solution is Crystal Clear.  And that’s exactly what your spa water will be if you follow those simple steps.

Keep in mind that spas are all different, so make sure you consult your manual for correct equipment operation and maintenance procedures,
and visit us for expert advice.

There is no such thing as a standard pool, there are many different options out there. The most common types of pool sold in New Zealand include concrete, fibreglass and vinyl-liner. Understandably, all pools are not equal and therefore have different price points in the market. Southern Spas & Pools is an authorised Compass Pool dealer installing premium fibreglass pools throughout Otago.

What does a fibreglass pool cost?

The cost of a pool is difficult to pin down as each project is different and the pool is only one component of many projects.  Typically, we can install an 8m pool for just under $100,000 for the most basic system. There are a number of other items such as heating and covers to consider.

So what influences the price of your pool?

It all really comes down to your site conditions and personal choices, but here are a few factors:

•           Ease of access to supply and install the pool

•           Ground and soil conditions as well as slope of yard

•           The size and shape of the pool you have chosen

•           The way you set up your pool to suit your lifestyle (will you choose an in-floor circulation and cleaning system for example)

•           Any additional water features or lighting features you choose to enhance the look of your new in-ground pool

•           The quality of the product you choose, including the pool shell manufacturing technology 

There are some fibreglass pool manufacturers who offer DIY kits for what appears to be a very low price, however, it is important before embarking on DIY that you also understand all the installation costs, including the hidden costs and associated risks of installing your own pool. Generally speaking, having your pool supplied and installed by a experienced pool builder is a much easier, safer and ultimately more cost-effective option.

Of course, while most manufacturers make a pretty good product these days, it goes without saying that not all fibreglass pools are made to be the same. It pays to be fully aware of what you are offered when comparing quotes (for example, there are important differences between traditional fibreglass pools and fibreglass ceramic composite pools manufactured by Compass Pools). What are the key benefits of the product you are looking at? Does it have features that you cannot get elsewhere? What operating system are they offering (operating systems can range from traditional filtration, to enhanced circulation systems)? What ongoing protection comes with the product (what written guarantees are provided in the manufacturer's defect warranty document)?

It also pays to consider how long it will take to build your new pool. One of the great benefits of choosing a fibreglass pool option is that it can reduce install time dramatically. A fibreglass pool can generally be installed in a matter of days whereas concrete pools can take weeks or even months.

Finally, another thing to consider when weighing up the cost of a pool is how much of your initial investment you are likely to get back (or even build on) when the time comes to sell your home.

Generally speaking, there are two types of buyers in the realty market. People either like the idea of having a pool or they are apprehensive of it. The main reason the latter group have concerns is that they don't want to be caught in he trap of constantly working on their pool, or paying someone else to do it.

A fibreglass pool minimises the effort and cost required to own an in-ground pool. A Compass fibreglass ceramic pool with the optional and exclusive Vantage in-floor system, takes that concept to the next level with almost hands-free pool care.

It makes sense that you think about the future and consider which pool option is going to be the best for you. When the time comes to sell your home, you'll want your pool to add to the appeal, not take away from it.

The bottom line is that there is more than the initial price tag to consider before you make a decision on which pool to go with. Sometimes the options which appear cheaper upfront can end up costing more than expected (DIY kit pools for example, with hidden install costs and associated risks). On the flipside, options which have the potential to be more expensive (concrete pools) sometime don't offer the assumed value that goes with the extra price tag.

We are very happy to discuss your plan, help out with selecting the right options for you and pricing your individual project, just give us a call or send us an email.

The following advice is from Bioguard, our 'go to' for great advice on pool water quality.

The number one reported pool complaint is a green pool! This is caused by an algae infestation. Algae can grow very rapidly. To treat your pool, you will need to use an algaecide; a product especially designed to treat the algae present in your pool, and also prevent future growth.

Algae will continue to grow as long as it has a food source. It is therefore imperative that you also remove the contaminants that algae feed on (you do this by adding a shock dose of chlorine).

Follow these steps for crystal clear water

Firstly, skim and vacuum your pool to remove any debris. Leaves and other debris break down into organic waste, which the algae then feeds on. The more organic waste you can remove now, the less ‘work’ your chlorine has to do, and the less chlorine you will have to add later.

Once you’ve done that, you can test and then treat your pool water. We recommend bringing a water sample to our showroom before adding any chemicals. Adding chemicals before getting your test results will give you inaccurate readings and make it harder for you to get the right advice.

The next step is to treat your pool. The most effective way to rid your pool of algae is to do a shock treatment and add algaecide. We recommend using BioGuard Burn Out Extreme as your shock treatment, in conjunction with BioGuard MSA Extreme as your algaecide.

Assess your pool

1) Assess the amount of shock treatment required based on your pool’s colour. (Note: all of the following steps require the use of an appropriate algaecide.

Light green:

This indicates the beginning stages of an algae outbreak and will require a shock treatment. You will need to add one bag of BioGuard Burn Out Extreme to every 50,000L of pool water.

Green or dark green:

This typically indicates a heavy level of algae in the water and will require double the shock treatment. To do this, you will need two treatments of BioGuard Burn Out Extreme to every 50,000L of pool water.

Black-green water:

This signifies an extreme level of algae in the water, and at this stage, you will need professional help from our showroom team.

Run your pool filter and pump continually during the treatment. The longer you are able to run your pump and filter the sooner your pool will return to its sparkling best.

Water turning cloudy?

Don’t be alarmed! The goal of the shock treatment is to kill algae (which turns them grey) which then turns your water cloudy and blue.

Add a BioGuard Super Clear Clarifying Tab™ to clear away cloudiness and get your pool sparkling again!

Brushing

Regular brushing during treatment is critical for every algae problem, as it greatly improves chemical efficiency in killing algae spores.

Follow these steps, and you’ll have the algae under control in no time!

We believe that prevention is better than cure. To prevent algae growth in the first place, we recommend adding a BioGuard Algaecide to your pool water once a week.

We have a standard shipping rate of $10 for orders up to 25kg. Orders over $100 receive free shipping.

Delivery times vary depending on your location and the specific product. Generally, most deliveries within New Zealand take between 5-10 business days. We will provide you with a more accurate estimate when you place your order.

We offer a return policy for most products. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 30 days of delivery to arrange a return. The product must be in its original condition and packaging. Some conditions and restocking fees may apply.