Operating instructions
Directions - What you should read before using any chemicals.
Disinfect -
to kill living organisms on contact. The difference between a disinfectant and a sanitizer is the "kill time":
a disinfectant kills 99.9% of living organisms instantly. Chlorine and bromine are the only two sanitizers
classified as disinfectants.
Enzymes -
Used in spa formulations designed to break down and digest oils similar to the way enzymes are used in oil
spill clean-up efforts.
Fill Water -
Used in filling or adding to the water level. Whether from the hose or from a well, your fill water brings its
own chemical make up and water balance (or lack thereof).
Filter -
A device used to remove particles suspended in the water by pumping water through a porous substance
or material.
Filter Cleaner -
A deep cleaning filter soak that includes a releasing agent to relax the filter media and allow dirt and grim
to be dissolved and cleaned.
Filter Media -
A pleated, porous synthetic fabric in filter cartridges, used to trap foreign matter. Filter cartridges must
be cleaned regularly with filter cleaning compounds.
Foam Away -
Excessive Foaming is typically caused by swimwear used when bathing in a spa or pool. Using a capful of Foam
Away instantly reduces foam and will allow detergents to be filtered out of your water.
Foaming -
A term used to describe surface foam on your water, especially in spas/hot tubs. Foaming is caused by high
TDS levels working in combination with soft water and oils. Certain low grade algaecides can foam when added
to pool or spa. Use enzymes for foam control.
Hot Tub Folliculitis -
A skin condition often seen where spa sanitation is at fault. See Pseudomonas.
Iron -
An element often found discolored in ground water (in the form of ferrous iron) in concentrations usually
ranging from zero to 10 ppm (mg/1). It is objectionable in water supplies because it can effect water taste and
cause unsightly colors produced when iron reacts with tannins in beverages such as coffee and tea. Iron causes
staining after oxidation and precipitation, as ferric hydroxide (yellow, brown, and red on clothing, dishes, fix-
tures, and bathroom tile). Iron can also be found in a bacterial form which will appear as black or brown slime
and can effect the odor of your water. Iron is a common water problem throughout the United States, it can
be found in well water and municipal water. The EPA has set a maximum level for Iron of 0.3 ppm in water, iron
concentrations at this level or higher can cause staining.
Jet Line Cleaner -
This anti-bacterial cleaner is added to spa water prior to draining and refilling. Left in the spa for an extended
period (3 – 24 hrs), this cleaner will break down accumulated biofilm in spa plumbing. This product can also be
used in jetted bath tubs.
Manganese -
An element sometimes found in ground water, usually with dissolved iron but in lower concentrations. Manganese is
a typical natural occurring mineral found in municipal and well water. Manganese effects the taste and the color
or water. Manganese can also cause staining of clothes and dishware and black stains and other problems similar
to iron. The EPA has determined that concentrations greater than 0.05 ppm can cause these aesthetic problems.
Media -
The selected materials in a filter that form the barrier to the passage of certain suspended solids or
dissolved molecules.
Glossary
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Glossary
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Glossary
Activator (Potassium Monopersulfate) -
Also known as non-chlorine shock, it is a strong oxidizer capable of eliminating contaminants from your spa. It
is a non-chlorine chemical compound often used for shock treatments in spas and pools. It is very popular for
use in mineral purification systems.
Algae -
Over 20,000 species known! Algae may form on your pool surfaces or it may bloom in suspension. We typically
know algae to be green, but it may also be yellow (mustard algae), black, blue-green or any shade in between.
It may form separate spots, or seem to grow in sheets. Pink algae, is not algae at all, but a form of bacteria.
Algae are living, breathing organisms that need warmth, sunlight and CO2 to thrive.
Bather Load -
The number of individuals using a pool or spa in a 24 hour period. This is the primary source of bacterial
and organic contamination.
Bromine Liquid Salts -
In 2-Part Bromine, a compound called sodium bromide (Liquid Salts) is first introduced into the water. Sodium
bromide is NOT a sanitizer by itself. To work as a sanitizer the sodium bromide needs an oxidizer, such as monop-
ersulfate, to activate it. The addition of an oxidizer sets the bromide in motion, turning the bromide into the
killing form of bromine. After destroying bacteria, algae and other organisms, it can become bromide once
again. The oxidizer shocks the water and off-gases the physical waste. Adding additional oxidizer can start
the process all over, converting bromide into a sanitizer. This cycle can occur repeatedly.
Bromine Liquid Salts Advantages
• Does not create an offensive odor
• Is pH neutral
• If tub is not in use, no chemicals need to be added for up to 1 week
• Considered the most effective Bromine system on the market
Disadvantages
• Requires the use and knowledge of two separate chemicals
• Cannot be used with ThermoClear
Bromine Tablets -
Bromine Tablets are a combination of 70% bromide and 30% chlorine. Tablets are inserted into a dispenser that
floats in the water providing continuous coverage. As the tablet dissolves, it releases the bromide and chlorine.
The two work together immediately to produce bromine, the active chemical used in sanitization.
Advantages
• Easy to use
• Scent of chlorine is reduced
Disadvantages
• Bromine can potentially bleach out the shell’s surface
• Odor of 30% chlorine still exists
• Tablets are not pH neutral
• Cannot be used with ThermoClear
Calcium -
One of the principal elements making up the earth's crust; its compounds, when dissolved, make the water hard.
The presence of calcium in water is a factor contributing to the formation of scale.
Copper -
Copper in water is a common problem in many households. Copper is present due to the corrosion of plumbing
materials from Acidic (low pH) or Aggressive water (low TDS). Common problems associated with copper due
corrosion are leaks in the plumbing system or blue-green staining. High copper content can also cause some health
concerns by effecting the stomach and intestines. The EPA has set a maximum contaminant level of 1.3 ppm.
Cyanuric Acid -
A granular chemical added to the pool water which provides a shield to chlorine for protection from UV
radiation, which disrupts the molecule, destroying its sanitizing ability.