Running the pumps to power the jets helps heat the water. Â If your spa lost that much heat without the pumps running, then your spa water was loosing heat faster than the heater could replace it. Â
If it was windy out, that would further accellerate heat loss. Â There is a lot of temperature difference between 104 and 30, and the greater the difference the faster the heat loss. Â Be glad it wasn't below zero! Â