Use and Care Manual

13
TESTING AND TREATING YOUR WATER
Whether you have used your spa or not, you should test your water twice a week. Regular testing lets you to make adjustments before
your water chemistry is out of control. When it comes to chemicals, more is not better. Adding chemicals changes the pH. Fluctuations
in the pH change the way chemicals react. The addition of too many chemicals may mean your only option is to drain the spa and start
over. Depending on how many people use the spa and how often the spa is used, you should replace the water every four to six months
to ensure your comfort and safety. Replacing the water will also help protect the spa components from damage caused by dissolved
solids that build up over time.
Ozone Generators
Your spa may have come with an ozone generator which will help reduce dissolved solids and increase oxygen in the water, but it will
not sanitize the water without chemicals. You must use a sanitizer in tandem with the ozone generator. The ozone generator is designed
to make chemicals more ecient and maintaining good water chemistry easier.
Chlorine Generators
Your spa may have come with an optional salt system, also known as a chlorine generator. This system is designed to maintain water
chemistry by converting salt into sanitizer without using any chemicals. Since the system does not create any residual chlorine, testing
water with strips will not provide an accurate assessment of sanitation levels. Test strips can only used to test and maintain adequate
levels of alkalinity, pH and water hardness when you have a chlorine generator.
BREAKING DOWN THE BASICS
Each step of a water maintenance program is dependent upon the previous steps. Omission of any step or failing to reach the
recommended ranges may cause an imbalance in water chemistry. Unbalanced water may cause damage to the spa components
and create discomfort for bathers. To measure the quality of your water, immerse a test strip in water following the instructions on the
container. Do not touch the test strips as it may aect the results. Compare the test strip and the label to determine the condition of the
spa water.
Step 1.) Balancing Total Alkalinity (TA)
The recommended total alkalinity levels are between 80 and 120 ppm. The Total Alkalinity is the measurement of carbonates,
bicarbonates, hydroxides and other alkaline substances in the water. TA is referred to as the water’s “pH buer”. It is a measure of the
water’s ability to resist changes in the pH level. If the TA is too low, the pH level will uctuate quickly, easily and greatly. Changes in pH
can cause corrosion or scaling on the spa components. You can correct low Total Alkalinity by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH/
Alkalinity Up).
Step 2.) Balancing Calcium Hardness (CH)
The recommended calcium hardness (CH) level for your spa is 150-250 ppm. Calcium Hardness is a measurement of the total amount
of dissolved calcium in the water. Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the spa’s water. Calcium-low water (commonly known
as “soft” water) is not recommended. It is highly corrosive to the components and can stain the acrylic surface. If the CH is too
high (commonly known as “hard”water), formation of scale on the spa and the components can result. CH can be decreased by using a
mixture of 75% “hard” water and 25% “soft” water; this will usually yield a reading of the correct range. If “soft” water is not available or
practical for you, a stain and scale inhibitor should be added to the water according to the label instructions.
If CH is too low, add a CH increaser. Once the CH is balanced, it normally remains stable. Adding small quantities of water should not
change the CH level. When the Calcium Hardness is within recommended range, proceed to the next step.
Step 3.) Balancing the pH
The pH level is the measure of the acidity and the alkalinity. It is imperative to have a slightly alkaline pH level between 7.2 and 7.6.
Problems become proportionately more severe the further outside this range the water gets. Values above 7 are alkaline; those below
7 are acidic Maintaining proper pH level is extremely important for optimizing the eectiveness of sanitizer, maintaining water comfort
for the users, and prevention of equipment deterioration. If the pH level in the water is too low, the sanitizer will dissipate rapidly, the
water may become irritating to users, and the spa equipment may corrode. If the pH is too low, it can be increased by adding sodium
hydrogen carbonate (pH/Alkalinity Up) to the spa water. If the pH level is too high, the sanitizer is less eective, scale may form on the
spa and the spa components, the water may become cloudy and pores in the lter cartridge will become clogged and obstructed. If
the pH is too high, it can be decreased by adding sodium bisulfate (pH/Alkalinity Down) to the spa water. Wait two hours after adding
sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium bisulfate before testing the pH levels again. It is important to check the pH level on a weekly
basis. The pH will be aected by the bather load, the addition of new water, the addition of chemicals and the type of sanitizer used.
When the pH is within the recommended range, proceed to the nal step.
Step 4.) Maintaining the Sanitizer Levels
Sanitizer is extremely important. It kills algae, bacteria and viruses while preventing unwanted organisms from growing in the spa. At the
same time, if the sanitizer levels are too high it may cause irritation to the skin, lungs and eyes. Always maintain the sanitizer level in your
spa at the recommended levels specied for each type of sanitizer. You should check the your sanitizer and pH levels before each use
and at least twice each week even if the spa is not in use.
Maintaining Water Quality