How to care for your Valaris contrast therapy tub

Simple steps for keeping both sides clean, safe, and ready to use

Contrast therapy is all about recovery, but keeping your Valaris clean and clear shouldn't become another thing you have to “recover from.”

Part hot tub, part cold tub, the Chilly GOAT Valaris offers the benefits of contrast therapy in one unit. While water care for each side is a little different, it all comes down to understanding how temperature, usage, and water chemistry work together.

Once you know what to look for, it's easy to build a routine that keeps your tub clean, clear, and ready for recovery.

Cold tub water care: Easy, low-maintenance, chill

The cold water side of your Valaris is straightforward. Like in the Chilly GOAT Alpine cold tub, the low water temperature naturally slows the growth of bacteria and algae. That means you'll spend less time on chemicals and maintenance.

Here’s what you need to do:

At start-up: Use a pre-filter on your garden hose when filling. Add a sequestering agent to help with minerals and metals, then let the water circulate before adding sanitizer.

Weekly: Add chlorine as needed to maintain a free chlorine level of 1-3 ppm.

Regular checks: Test the water at least once a week and after heavy use.

Clean the filter monthly (or more often, depending on use).

Hot tub side: A smarter approach

A hot tub is a great addition to any recovery routine. The warm water improves blood flow, relaxes muscles, and eases inflammation. However, when you hop into the Valaris after a tough WOD or long run, you aren’t the only addition to the water. You are also bringing in sweat, oils, and other organics with you. These build up in the water, bind with the sanitizer, and create chloramines (a byproduct that causes cloudy water and that “chlorine” smell).

This is totally normal. But you want to make sure that your water stays clean, clear, and safe. 

Your weekly Valaris hot tub care checklist

Every use:

• Rinse off before getting in. It helps more than you’d think. If you can’t hop in the shower, even toweling can help avoid water care woes.

• Test the water and adjust as needed.

• Add a small amount of Refresh, also known as oxidizer or shock. When chloramines build up, your sanitizer becomes less effective, and the water can start to look cloudy or smell “off.” Using oxidizer helps break up those chloramines, allowing the sanitizer to do its job.

Two to three times a week:

• Use test strips to check total alkalinity, pH, and chlorine levels.

• Balance chemicals as necessary.

Once a week:

• Add chlorine to maintain sanitizer level (1-3 ppm).

• Clean your filters weekly. A rinse helps, but it’s not a substitute for using a cleaning solution designed to remove oils and buildup from the pleats. Having a second filter makes this easier. Just swap one in while the other soaks.

Every two to three months:

If the water is cloudy, hard to balance, or just looks “off,” consider a drain and refill. Fresh water is the cheapest chemical.

Start-up steps for the hot tub side

1. Use a pre-filter when filling from the garden hose. It helps reduce metals and minerals.

2. Add a sequestering agent to bind up any leftover metals in the water.

3. Let water circulate for at least 30 minutes.

4. Test and balance pH and alkalinity. Get these right first.

5. Add chlorine (dichlor granules) to sanitize. Bring chlorine up to 5-10 ppm, then allow levels to drop before using.

A few final tips

The hot side of the Valaris holds just 150 gallons, so what you bring into the water matters. One person soaking after a workout can have a noticeable impact on water quality, especially if they’re getting in right after a sweaty session. It’s not about keeping things perfect. Instead, you want to stay ahead of what your water needs.

If things start to look cloudy or you’re having trouble balancing the chemicals, don’t stress. The simplest solution is often the best: drain and refill. With such a small volume of water, starting fresh is quick, easy, and often more effective than trying to chase perfect levels.

Your filter plays a big role in keeping the water clean. Make it a habit to clean it regularly using a filter cleaner — not just a quick rinse with a hose. Having a second filter on hand can make this part easier to manage.

And, finally, keep your routine straightforward. You don’t need to add a bunch of products to get clear water. Just test regularly, make small adjustments as needed, and stay consistent. A few simple habits are all it takes to keep your Valaris clean, balanced, and ready when you are.

Need help?

If you ever have questions about water care or want help fine-tuning your routine, reach out to the GOAT Tech or check out our YouTube channel, where you will find helpful videos about water care and more.