MAINTAINING THE SANITIZER LEVEL
A. Sanitizer is extremely important for killing algae, bacteria and viruses, and preventing unwanted organisms from growing in the spa. At the same time, you don’t
want too high a sanitizer level, or it can irritate your skin, lungs, and eyes.
B. Always maintain the sanitizer level in your spa at the recommended level for each type of sanitizer.
C. Watkins
®
recommends only the following sanitizers:
• Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione (sodium dichlor or chlorine)
• Baqua Spa
™
(please consult your Baqua Spa
™
manual for instructions on the use of this product).
• Brominating Concentrate
™
(one step granular bromine)
WARNING:
DO NOT use tri-chlor chlorine, bromo-chloro-dimethyl-hydantoin (BCDMH), or any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, acid or any type of sanitizer
which is not recommended by Watkins Manufacturing Corporation.
MONARCH
®
SILVER CARTRIDGE SYSTEM
The silver cartridge system is comprised of the following products:
•
Sodium Dichlor (chlorine)
is the only recommended sanitizer that will work in conjunction with all of the other products in this system.
•
Monopersulfate (MPS)
is an oxidizing chemical used to prevent the buildup of contaminants, maximize sanitizer efficiency, minimize combined chlorine, and
improve water clarity.
•
Monarch silver
c
artridge
introduces silver ions into the spa water, inhibiting bacteria growth. When combined with MPS or chlorine, oxidizes particulates in the
spa water.
It is important to follow the recommended application and maintenance programs outlined for each product’s use.
If the spa is being used over an extended period or time, such as a whole afternoon or evening, additional sanitizer will be needed.
A weekly “shock treatment” is required
.
The shock treatment quickly destroys any remaining contaminants while revitalizing the silver cartridge, allowing the silver ions to continue to be released into the
water. Without this weekly shock treatment, the silver cartridge may stop releasing silver ions into the water.
To weekly “shock treat” your spa you may use either MPS or sodium dichlor. It will require much less sodium dichlor to administer the shock treatment than MPS
(1 teaspoon of sodium dichlor has oxidizing capabilities comparable to 2 tablespoons of MPS). Sodium dichlor may be a more appropriate weekly shock for those
users that experience heavy bather load conditions.
IMPORTANT NOTE
: MPS is an oxidizer, not a sanitizer.
MONARCH SILVER CARTRIDGE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
When replacing the silver cartridge (every four months), it is highly recommended that the spa be drained and refilled at the same time. After refilling the spa with water,
balance the Total Alkalinity (TA), Calcium Hardness (CH) and pH to the recommended levels. Shock the spa by adding sodium dichlor.
1. Release the cover locks and fold back the cover.
2. Remove the filter compartment cover (see Filter Lid Removal instructions).
3. Make sure the filter compartment is clear of any floating objects.
4. Drain the spa using the recommended procedures found in the Owner’s Manual.
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WATER QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE
THE WATKINS WATER MAINTENANCE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
Ideal Range (ppm)
What Chemicals to Use
Steps
Minimum Maximum
To Raise
To Lower
1 Total Alkalinity
125
150
Sodium Hydrogen
Sodium Bisulfate
Carbonate, or
Sodium Bicarbonate
2 Calcium Hardness 150
200
Calcium Hardness
Use a mixture of
Increaser
75% hard water
and 25% soft water
or use a Stain and
Scale Inhibitor
3 pH
7.4
7.6
Sodium Hydrogen
Sodium Bisulfate
Carbonate
4 Sanitizer
See section on Maintaining the Sanitizer Level
