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I have a hot springs Vanguard purchased new in April with the freshwater system.We used once a week (Sundays) for about 2-3 hours with my wife & 2 kids. I shock after every use (and sometimes on the Wednesday if its not perfectly clear). Rotate and clean the filters.... Balance PHWe haven't ever seen chlorine show up on the strips more that for a week. Our AD has drained the tub; done some sort of special flush; and apparently changed all of the guts of the freshwater system electronics.... Still no Residual chlorine. They've tested the water multiple times.. Hardness hangs right at 25PPM. Salt is right in the middle of the range on the controller. They replaced one of the cartridges and told us it had some kind of scale on it (but not why).6 months in, I'm pretty disappointed with the salt system... Don't want to have to run silver ion or some other mineral AND salt unless I have to (why did I buy salt; could have done this without it).....My AD says they're waiting for HS to provide direction...