HotSpring FLR, Owner'S Manual

Page: 31 / 44

Page 28
Page 28
components.
Low TA can be corrected by adding Hot Spring
®
FreshWater
®
pH/Alkalinity Up, or sodium hydrogen carbonate.
D. If the Total Alkalinity is too high, the pH level will tend to be high and may be difficult to bring down.
It can be lowered by adding Hot Spring
FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down, or sodium bisulfate.
E. Once the TA is balanced, it normally remains stable, although the addition of more water with a high or low alkalinity will raise or lower the TA
reading of the water.
F. When the Total Alkalinity is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.
BALANCING THE CALCIUM HARDNESS (CH)
A. The recommended Calcium Hardness (CH) level for your hot tub is 150-200 ppm.
B. Calcium Hardness is a measure of the total amount of dissolved calcium in the water. Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the hot
tub’s water. That’s why calcium-low water (commonly known as “soft” water) is not recommended. It is very corrosive to the equipment, and
can cause staining of the hot tub shell.
C. If the CH is too high (commonly known as “hard” water), formation of scale on the hot tub’s shell surface and equipment can result.
CH can
be decreased by dilution – a mixture of 75% hard and 25% soft water will be a good starting point.
If soft water is not available, or
practical for you, a stain and scale control such as Hot Spring FreshWater
®
Stain and Scale Defense should be added to the hot tub water,
according to instructions on its label.
D. Once the CH is balanced, it normally remains stable, although the addition of more water with a high or low calcium content will raise or lower
the CH reading of the water.
E. When the Calcium Hardness is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.
BALANCING THE pH
A. The ideal pH level for your hot tub water is 7.4-7.6.
B. The pH level is the measure of acidity and alkalinity. Values above 7 are alkaline; those below 7 are acidic. Maintaining the proper pH level is
extremely important for:
• Optimizing the effectiveness of the sanitizer.
• Maintaining water that is comfortable for the user.
• Preventing equipment deterioration.
C. If the hot tub water’s pH level is too low, the following may result:
• The sanitizer will dissipate rapidly.
• The water may become irritating to hot tub users.
• The hot tub’s equipment may corrode.
If the pH is too low, it can be increased by adding Hot Spring FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up,
or sodium hydrogen carbonate to the hot tub water.
D. If the pH level is too high, the following may result:
• The sanitizer is less effective.
• Scale will form on the hot tub shell surface and the equipment.
• The water may become cloudy.
• The filter cartridge pores may become obstructed.
If the pH is too high, it can be decreased by adding Hot Spring FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down, or sodium bisulfate to the hot tub water.
NOTE:
After adding sodium hydrogen carbonate or sodium bisulfate,
wait two hours
before testing the water for pH. Measurements taken too
soon may not be accurate.
E. It is important to check the pH on a regular basis. The pH will be affected by the bather load, the addition of new water, the addition of various
chemicals, and the type of sanitizer used.
F. When the pH is within the recommended range, proceed to the final step.
MAINTAINING THE SANITIZER LEVEL
A. Sanitizer is extremely important for killing algae, bacteria and viruses, and preventing unwanted organisms from growing in the hot tub. 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 hot tub at the recommended level for each type of sanitizer.
C. Watkins recommends only the following sanitizers:
• Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione (sodium dichlor or chlorine)
• Brominating Concentrate
™
(one step granular bromine)
• BaquaSpa
®
(please consult your BaquaSpa manual for instructions on the use of this product).
ACIDIC
HOT TUB
WATER
ALKALINE
HOT TUB
WATER
Water Quality and Maintenance