Arctic Spa Spa Boy Salt Dosage Chart by Model

If you are filling a Spa Boy-equipped Arctic Spa, do not grab a bag of salt and pour in the whole amount. The right starting dose depends on the model generation, the manual that applies to it, and how much salt is already in the water. This guide puts the Arctic Spas charts in one place and shows the safer way to reach the target.

Quick answer for Spa Boy Version 1 R1

2,200 ppmArctic’s chart target

2,000–2,500Spa Boy R1 operating range

Add ⅓Dissolve each portion first

225 g / ½ lbFinal adjustment increment

Use this guide for Spa Boy Version 1 Revision 1. Spa Boy and Onzen are both saltwater systems, but they are not interchangeable. If your spa has Onzen, an unknown retrofit, or a controller that does not match the Spa Boy R1 manual, stop and identify the installed system before using a number from this page.

Which Spa Boy salt chart should you use?

The model name by itself is not always enough. Arctic Spas reused names such as Kodiak, Cub, Summit, and Tundra, and its published metered fill volumes changed between manual editions. Use the chart that matches the spa’s generation and installed Spa Boy system.

Current Custom SeriesUse the 2026 chart when the model and metered fill volume match. The May 2026 brochure shows Spa Boy as an available upgrade on all eight current Custom models.

Older or discontinued spaUse the manual tied to its production era. The older 2019 chart includes Fox, Glacier, Norwegian, and older generations of several reused model names.

Still not sure?Check the serial/model year, controller, and Spa Boy version. If the applicable chart or fill volume is unclear, confirm it with an Arctic Spas dealer before adding a full dose.

Why the water-volume line matters: Arctic’s salt table uses a metered fill point approximately at the bottom of the headrests. That number can differ from the round capacity shown in a sales brochure.

2026 Spa Boy salt dosage chart

These are the amounts in Arctic Spas’ 2026 Spa Boy Version 1 R1 table. The dose aims for approximately 2,200 ppm on a fresh fill. The “first third” column is a practical approximation of Arctic’s instruction to add the total in three stages.

Current Custom Series models

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Model	Metered fill	Full chart dose	Approx. first ⅓	Another ½ lb raises
Summit XL	537 gal 2,033 L	9.9 lb 4.5 kg	About 3.3 lb	About 111 ppm
Summit	360 gal 1,363 L	6.6 lb 3.0 kg	About 2.2 lb	About 165 ppm
Tundra	411 gal 1,556 L	7.6 lb 3.4 kg	About 2.5 lb	About 145 ppm
Kodiak	342 gal 1,295 L	6.3 lb 2.8 kg	About 2.1 lb	About 174 ppm
Klondiker	373 gal 1,412 L	6.9 lb 3.1 kg	About 2.3 lb	About 159 ppm
Yukon	334 gal 1,264 L	6.1 lb 2.8 kg	About 2.0 lb	About 178 ppm
Cub	275 gal 1,041 L	5.1 lb 2.3 kg	About 1.7 lb	About 216 ppm
Arctic Fox	208 gal 787 L	3.8 lb 1.7 kg	About 1.3 lb	About 286 ppm

Additional models listed in the 2026 Spa Boy table

Use these numbers only if the spa is actually equipped with Spa Boy Version 1 R1. The current Classic Series brochure promotes Onzen rather than Spa Boy, so a table entry does not mean every Mustang, McKinley, Totem, Eagle, or Timberwolf has Spa Boy.

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Model	Metered fill	Full chart dose	Approx. first ⅓	Another ½ lb raises
Frontier	335 gal 1,268 L	6.2 lb 2.8 kg	About 2.1 lb	About 177 ppm
Mustang	370 gal 1,400 L	6.8 lb 3.1 kg	About 2.3 lb	About 161 ppm
McKinley	449 gal 1,700 L	8.3 lb 3.7 kg	About 2.8 lb	About 132 ppm
Totem	360 gal 1,360 L	6.6 lb 3.0 kg	About 2.2 lb	About 165 ppm
Eagle	313 gal 1,185 L	5.8 lb 2.6 kg	About 1.9 lb	About 190 ppm
Timberwolf	242 gal 916 L	4.4 lb 2.0 kg	About 1.5 lb	About 246 ppm

Older Spa Boy amounts from the 2019 manual

Use this table for an older generation only when the model, metered fill volume, and Spa Boy version match the 2019 manual. Do not substitute an older number for a current spa simply because the shell carries the same model name.

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

Older model/generation	Metered fill	Full chart dose	Approx. first ⅓	Another ½ lb raises
Fox	234 gal 884 L	4.4 lb 2.0 kg	About 1.5 lb	About 295 ppm
Glacier	302 gal 1,144 L	5.6 lb 2.6 kg	About 1.9 lb	About 216 ppm
Glacier XL	343 gal 1,300 L	6.6 lb 3.0 kg	About 2.2 lb	About 190 ppm
Cub	313 gal 1,185 L	5.6 lb 2.6 kg	About 1.9 lb	About 210 ppm
Klondiker	378 gal 1,431 L	7.1 lb 3.2 kg	About 2.4 lb	About 173 ppm
Frontier	351 gal 1,330 L	6.6 lb 3.0 kg	About 2.2 lb	About 188 ppm
Summit	371 gal 1,405 L	6.9 lb 3.2 kg	About 2.3 lb	About 175 ppm
Summit XL	525 gal 1,988 L	10.0 lb 4.5 kg	About 3.3 lb	About 122 ppm
Yukon	359 gal 1,360 L	6.7 lb 3.1 kg	About 2.2 lb	About 180 ppm
Kodiak	420 gal 1,592 L	7.8 lb 3.6 kg	About 2.6 lb	About 157 ppm
Norwegian	413 gal 1,565 L	7.7 lb 3.5 kg	About 2.6 lb	About 157 ppm
Tundra	449 gal 1,700 L	8.4 lb 3.8 kg	About 2.8 lb	About 147 ppm

Example: Kodiak changed materially. The 2019 chart uses 420 gallons and 7.8 lb. The 2026 chart uses 342 gallons and 6.3 lb. Do not average those figures. Use the chart that belongs to the actual spa generation.

How to add Spa Boy salt safely

Arctic Spas warns that salt causes pH to rise. Adding the full chart amount in one shot can push pH high enough that the water may need to be drained. The manual’s staged process is slower, but it is a hell of a lot cheaper than dumping a fresh fill.

Balance the water firstTest and adjust total alkalinity and pH before adding salt. Arctic lists 80–100 ppm for total alkalinity and 7.2–7.6 for pH in its Spa Boy startup guidance.

Dissolve one-third of the chart doseMix it into a clean 5-gallon (20-litre) pail of hot water. Do not pour dry salt into one concentrated spot.

Add slowly and circulateSlowly pour the dissolved mixture into the spa, then run the pumps for five minutes.

Wait one hour and retest pHCorrect pH if needed before adding the next portion.

Repeat for the second and third portionsDissolve, add, circulate, wait, and retest each time.

Test salinity before fine adjustmentsIf the level is still low, dissolve and add 225 g (½ lb), then test again. Stop when the water reaches the proper range.

How to test the salt level correctly

A chart is only the starting point. Source water varies, and water left in the plumbing may already contain salt. Arctic Spas suggests AquaChek salt test strips and gives a specific sampling method:

Take the sample 12–18 inches below the water surface.
Put only the lower end of the strip in the sample and keep the upper half completely dry.
Leave it in the water for three to five minutes, until the yellow band at the top turns dark.
Read the top of the white peak to the nearest 0.2 division and compare it with the bottle chart.

The chart target is 2,200 ppm. The acceptable Spa Boy Version 1 R1 range is 2,000–2,500 ppm. More is not better.

Fresh fills, partial refills, and top-ups

Fresh fill

Use the applicable chart as a starting point, add it in thirds, and confirm the final reading. The chart assumes the listed metered water volume, not an arbitrary “full tub” estimate.

Existing water or top-up

Test first. Do not add the entire chart dose to water that already contains salt. If the reading is low, make dissolved 225 g (½ lb) corrections and retest after each one.

What if the salt level is too high?

Stop adding salt and verify the result with another correctly used strip. High salinity is corrected by dilution or water replacement, not by adding another chemical. Follow the manual that matches the installed system or contact the dealer if the reading remains outside the range.

What type of salt should you use?

Arctic Spas’ warranty language specifies Arctic Pure Sea Salt Blend for Spa Boy and warns that using other salt can damage components and affect warranty coverage. This is not the place to experiment with whatever pool salt or water-softener pellets happen to be in the garage.

Spa Boy is not the same as Onzen

Spa Boy monitors pH and ORP and manages sanitizer production around those readings. Onzen is a separate saltwater generation system with its own controls, manual editions, and historical salinity guidance. A model may also have been sold with neither system.

The May 2026 brochure shows Spa Boy and Onzen as separate upgrades on current Custom Series models. It shows Onzen, rather than Spa Boy, on current Classic and Core models. Identify the equipment installed in the cabinet before following system-specific numbers.

Troubleshooting common salt-startup problems

The strip still reads low

Confirm the sample depth and strip timing, then add only a dissolved 225 g (½ lb) increment. Retest instead of jumping straight to another full bag.

pH keeps climbing

Pause the salt additions and rebalance pH. Salt systems naturally tend to raise pH, which is why Arctic requires the wait-and-retest steps.

ORP is still low

Give the system time, check circulation and filters, and manually verify sanitizer. Arctic says My Arctic Spa should provide accurate ORP and pH readings about 24 hours after salt is added.

The model appears in both charts

Use model year, manual edition, and metered volume to choose. If those do not line up cleanly, get the serial number in front of an Arctic Spas dealer before dosing.

Salt care still depends on good circulation

Spa Boy manages sanitizer, but it cannot make a plugged filter move water. If circulation or filter maintenance is part of the problem, see the Spa Boy pH and ORP guide, the filter replacement guide, or the Spa Filter Adapter compatibility guide.

Spa Boy salt dosage FAQs

What salt level should Spa Boy use?

For Spa Boy Version 1 R1, Arctic Spas specifies an operating range of 2,000 to 2,500 ppm. Its model dosage table targets approximately 2,200 ppm.

How much salt does my Arctic Spa need?

The amount depends on the model generation and the metered water volume used in the applicable Arctic Spas manual. Current chart amounts range from 3.8 lb for an Arctic Fox to 9.9 lb for a Summit XL. Use the table that matches your spa and confirm the final reading with salt test strips.

Can I add the entire Spa Boy salt dose at once?

No. Arctic Spas warns that adding the full amount at once can raise pH to an unmanageable level. Dissolve and add one-third at a time, circulate for five minutes, wait one hour, and retest pH between additions.

What kind of salt should I use with Spa Boy?

Arctic Spas warranty language specifies Arctic Pure Sea Salt Blend and warns that alternative salts may damage Spa Boy components and affect warranty coverage.

Should I use the full chart amount after topping up the water?

No. The chart is a fresh-fill starting point. If water already contains salt, test first. When salinity is low after startup, Arctic Spas recommends dissolved 225 g or one-half-pound adjustments followed by another test.

Why are there two different salt amounts for some Arctic Spa models?

Arctic Spas reused model names and changed metered fill volumes over time. For example, the 2019 Kodiak chart lists 7.8 lb while the 2026 chart lists 6.3 lb. Match the manual and water volume to your model year instead of averaging the numbers.

Is Spa Boy the same as Onzen?

No. Both use salt, but Spa Boy monitors pH and ORP while Onzen uses a different salt-generation and adjustment process. Do not automatically apply a Spa Boy number to an Onzen-equipped spa.

What should I do if the Spa Boy salt level is too high?

Do not add more salt. Confirm the reading with a properly used salt test strip and follow the applicable Arctic Spas manual or dealer guidance for dilution and water replacement.

How soon will Spa Boy readings be accurate after startup?

Arctic Spas says My Arctic Spa should provide accurate ORP and pH readings about 24 hours after salt is added. Continue checking pH and sanitizer manually before use.

Official Arctic Spas references

This is an independent aftermarket owner guide. Spa Filter Adapter is not affiliated with or endorsed by Arctic Spas. Arctic Spas, Spa Boy, and Onzen are trademarks of their respective owner.

Last updated: July 11, 2026.