American Spas AM-418B, Owner'S Manual

Page: 27 / 52

American Spa Owner’s Manual
LTR50001143, Rev. M
Clear
W
ater Plan
25
Sanitizers kill bacteria and other organic waste by breaking them down to non-harmful levels and are filtered
out. Before you fill your spa, you need to decide which chemical sanitizer you wish to use. Consult your Cal Spas
dealer for the right decision with regards to your lifestyle and spa usage.
We recommend either
bromine or chlorine as your sanitizer. Both work well when maintained regularly.
DO NOT use trichlor. Trichlor is very acidic and the hot temperature of the spa causes it to dissolve
too quickly. It will cause damage to your spa and will void your warranty.
Whichever plan you decide on, follow it completely and don’t take shortcuts. It will provide you with
clean, safe, clear spa water with a minimum of effort. Spa owners with an ozonator still need to use a
chemical sanitizer. See page 26 for a description of how the ozonator works.
Testing For: Ideal Range
(ppm)
Minimum Maximum
Chlorine level
Without ozonator
With ozonator 3.0 5.0
2.0 4.0
Bromine level
Without ozonator
With ozonator 6.7 11.0
5.7 10.0
Sanitation
Using Chlorine as a Sanitizer
Shocking the Water
Using Bromine as a Sanitizer
If you choose to use chlorine as a sanitizer, only use
granulated chlorine, not liquid chlorine.
Once a week, check the chlorine level using either
a test strip or a reagent kit. See the table on the
following page for the ideal range.
Add one or two tablespoons granulated chlorine to
the spa water weekly. Note that chlorine dissipation
rate will be faster at higher water temperatures and
slower at lower temperatures.
When you add chlorine, open all of the jets and run
the spa at high speed with the cover open for at
least 30 minutes.
Follow the maintenance schedule on page 27.
In addition to using a chemical sanitizer, you will
periodically need to shock the water. Shocking the
water helps remove burned-out chemicals, bacteria,
and other organic material from your spa’s water
and improves your sanitizer’s effectiveness.
Do not use chlorinating shock, which will damage
your spa’s jets and pump seals. Only use an oxidizer
shock. It can be used with either chlorine or bromine
sanitizers.
Add one ounce of oxidizer shock once a week, after
heavy bather loads, or if water has a strong odor.
Spa must be running with all of the jets on high for
30 minutes with the cover open. If necessary, repeat
oxidizer shock in 30 minute intervals.
Bromine is a very effective sanitizer that produces
low chemical odors. Unlike chlorine, it can break
down bacteria and other impurities to a safe level
with a low burn-out rate.
Use granulated sodium bromide to establish your
bromine base.
When you begin with fresh water, add 2 ounces of
granulated bromide. Open all of the jets and run the
spa at high speed with the cover open for at least
30 minutes.
Follow the maintenance schedule on page 27.