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Water Quality and Maintenance
BASIC INFORMATION
It’s important to have clean water. Water maintenance is one of the
least understood, yet most important, areas of spa ownership. Your
dealer can guide you through the process of achieving and maintaining
perfect water in your spa, given your local conditions.
IMPORTANT:
Water Terminology can be found at the end of this section.
• Always
read &
refer to the owner's manual
for complete
information.
• Test your water
with a test strip once a week, or each time the spa is
used.
• Add chemicals
in frequent small amounts to prevent overdosing the spa.
• Use the spa only
when the chlorine level is between 1-5 ppm or
manually add chlorine as needed.
• When using ACE
System
, read & refer to the
ACE
owner's manual.
• It is the spa owner's responsibility
to prevent over or under
chlorination.
IMPORTANT:
Remember to change your water every three to four
months. Spas with the
ACE
Salt water Sanitizing System may not need
to drain as frequently - up to twelve months. Refer to the
ACE
Owner's
Manual for more detailed instructions.
Check with your
HOT SPRING
dealer to determine if water in your
region has unique qualities - such as high metal or mineral content -
that should be addressed.
Your program will depend on your water’s mineral content, how often
you use your spa, and how many people use it.
WATER QUALITY CHART
PARAMETER
TARGET MIN - "OK" RANGE - MAX
pH
7.4
7.2
7.8
ALKALINITY
80 ppm
40 ppm
120 ppm
HARDNESS
100 ppm 50 ppm
150 ppm
HARDNESS (ACE SYSTEM) 50 ppm
25 ppm
100 ppm
CHLORINE
3 ppm
1 ppm
5 ppm
Maintaining the water quality and the cleanliness of the filters in your
spa is your responsibility. Keeping the spa water balanced prolongs the
life of the spa components and will make the water more comfortable.
Your dealer can guide you through the process of achieving and
maintaining perfect water in your spa, given your local conditions. Your
program will depend on your water’s mineral content, how often you
use your spa, and how many people use it.
Watkins Wellness
has
developed several water care systems and products to simplify water
care which are available from authorized
HOT SPRING
dealers.
ACE
Salt Water Sanitizing System
Vanishing Act
™
Calcium Remover
HOT SPRING
FreshWater
™
products
FRESHWATER
5-way Salt Test Strips
EverFresh
™
System
CLEAN SCREEN
Prefilter
CHEMICAL SAFETY
When using chemicals, read the labels carefully and follow directions
precisely. Though chemicals protect you and your spa when used
correctly, they can be hazardous in concentrated form.
Always observe the following guidelines:
• Allow only a responsible person to handle spa chemicals. Keep them
out of the reach of children.
• Accurately measure the exact quantities specified, never more. Do not
overdose your spa.
• Handle all containers with care. Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated place.
• Always keep chemical containers closed when not in use. Replace
caps on their proper containers.
• Don't inhale fumes, or allow chemicals to come in contact with your
eyes, nose, or mouth. Wash your hands immediately after use.
• Follow the emergency advice on the product label in case of
accidental contact, or if the chemical is swallowed. Call a doctor or the
local Poison Control Center. If a doctor is needed, take the product
container along with you so that the substance can be identified.
• Don't let chemicals get on surrounding surfaces or landscaping. Don't
use a vacuum cleaner to clean up chemical spills.
• Never smoke around chemicals. Some fumes can be highly
flammable.
• Don't store any chemicals in the spa equipment compartment.
HOW TO ADD CHEMICALS
TO THE WATER
IMPORTANT:
All spa water chemicals, including granulated dichlor,
MPS, granulated pH increaser or decreaser, granulated total alkalinity
increaser, liquid stain and scale inhibitor, and liquid defoamer must
always be added directly into the filter compartment while the jet pump
is running in its high speed mode, and it must run for a minimum of ten
minutes.
To Administer Spa Water Chemicals:
1. Fold back the cover. Carefully remove and set aside the filter
compartment cover.
2. On your Control Panel:
• Press
on Home Screen to display Clean Cycle.
• Press
Start
to begin the Clean Cycle.
3. Carefully measure the recommended amount of chemical and slowly
pour it into the filter compartment. Use care not to splash chemicals
on your hands, in your eyes, on the spa shell surface, or on the spa
cabinet.
4. Replace the filter compartment cover. After ten minutes, the jet pump
will automatically shut off to complete the procedure. Close and secure
the cover.
DANGER:
Risk of Drowning: Never leave an open spa unattended!
IMPORTANT:
After administering a super chlorination treatment or
non-chlorine shock to your spa, leave the cover open for a minimum
of 20 minutes to allow the oxidizer gas to vent. A high concentration of
trapped oxidizer gas which may exist as a result of the shock treatment
(not daily sanitization) may eventually cause discoloration or vinyl
degradation to the bottom of the cover. This type of damage is considered
chemical abuse and is not covered under the terms of the limited warranty.
FUNDAMENTALS OF
Water Quality and Maintenance
