Page 17
Tadpole Hot Tub Owner’s Manual — January 24, 2003
MAINTENANCE
WATER CHEMISTRY
Tap water that is safe to drink is not always right
for your hot tub. Normal tap water is usually filled
with minerals and micro-contaminants that are
not visible to the naked eye.
Properly testing and treating your hot tub water is
essential for the health of your hot tub as well as
the people that use it.
Proper chemical maintenance can control and help
prevent the following: 1. Bacteria, algae and fungi,
which can spread disease and infection to
humans; and, 2. Staining and scale build-up on
your hot tub shell, equipment, and piping; and, 3.
Clogged filters.
Note 1:
When using chemicals, always follow the
instructions provided on the manufacturer's
labels.
Note 2
: Use an accurate test kit to perform all
chemistry tests.
Note 3:
Never mix chemicals.
Note 4:
With the exception of Chlorine or
Bromine Tablets, always add chemicals directly to
the hot tub, evenly spreading the chemicals over
the surface of the water. Run the Filter Pump at
high-speed for 15 or more minutes after applying
any chemical.
OVERVIEW OF WATER CHEMISTRY:
1. Sanitation:
Sanitizers kill bacteria and keep the
water clean. Effective and safe sanitizers include
any of the following: GRANULAR CHLORINE
(Dichlor), GRANULAR BROMINE, CHLORINE
TABLETS (TriChlor) OR BROMINE TABLETS.
Note: Non-trichlor chlorine tablets
and/or non-
dichlor granular chlorines must not be used in
your spa, they may damage the hot tub, voiding
your warranty.
2. Super-Sanitation:
As your hot tub is used, non-
filterable wastes, including perspiration, oils, hair
sprays, etc, will build up in the hot tub water.
These substances make the water unattractive in
appearance and odor, and can also interfere with
sanitizer effectiveness. Normal sanitation does
not eliminate these waste substances, but Super-
Sanitation does. Super-Sanitation is achieved by
"shocking" the hot tub water with a NON-
CHLORINE SHOCK (Potassium Peroxymonosulfate),
GRANULAR CHLORINE (Dichlor) or GRANULAR
BROMINE.
Note:
Non-Chlorine Shock is the preferred
shocking chemical because it will shock the water
without raising the sanitizer level.
3. pH Control:
Proper pH balance is extremely
important in controlling bacteria, providing water
that's comfortable for the user, and in preventing
damage to the hot tub and its equipment. Using
the scale of 0-14, pH is the measure of acidity and
basicity in the water. pH levels under 7.0 are acidic
while pH levels over 7.0 are basic. The proper pH
range for a hot tub is 7.4 to 7.6.
High pH levels (over 7.6) can cause the following:
Scale build-up on the hot tub and its equipment,
cloudy water, a prematurely dirty filter, and less
effective chlorine sanitation. To correct high pH
levels, add a pH DECREASER.
Low pH levels (under 7.4) can cause the following:
Discomfort to the hot tub user and corrosion to the
hot tub and its equipment. To correct low pH levels,
add a pH INCREASER.
Note:
Never use muriatic or hydrochloric acid to
adjust pH as it can damage your hot tub shell and
surroundings.
4. Total Alkalinity (TA):
Total Alkalinity (TA) is the
measure of carbonates and bicarbonates in the
water. Low TA can cause pH to be unstable,
bouncing from one level to another, causing the
water to be corrosive or scale forming to the hot tub
and its equipment. To correct low TA, add a TOTAL
ALKALINITY INCREASER. High TA can cause scale
build-up, cloudy water, as well as other pH
problems.To correct high TA, contact your
authorized Tadpole Portable Hot Tub Dealer.
5. Calcium Hardness (CH):
Calcium Hardness (CH)
is the measure of dissolved calcium in the water.
Low CH (soft water) can result in staining to the hot
tub's surface as well as corrosion to the hot tub and
its equipment. To correct low CH, add a CALCIUM
HARDNESS INCREASER. High CH (hard water) can
cause cloudy water as well as rough scale build-up
on the hot tub's surface and equipment. To correct
or manage high CH, contact your authorized Tad-
pole Portable Hot Tub Dealer.
6. Stain & Scale Control:
Stain and scale problems
are common in hot water environments. To help
prevent and control staining and scaling, add a
STAIN & SCALE INHIBITOR.
7. Foam Control:
Hot tub water that's polluted with
body oils and lotions, combined with high water
temperatures, can cause excessive surface foaming.
To prevent and control foam on the surface of the
hot tub water, add a FOAM REMOVER.
8. Clearing Cloudy Water:
There are two basic
reasons that hot tub water becomes cloudy. First,
non-filterable liquid wastes (perspiration, etc.) have
contaminated the water. To remove these waste
substances, Super-Sanitize the water (as described
above). Continued next page
