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Spa & Hot Tub
Water Tips:
Disinfection
Disinfecting your spa water means killing the harmful bacteria and keeping
the water clean. Superior offers two types of disinfectant systems to choose from;
chlorine or bromine based. Both have their advantages.
Chlorine
There are different types of chlorine treatments available to the spa
owner. We believe stabilized chlorine in tablet or granular form is best suited for
outdoor spa use. Spa Tabs are 90% available chlorine and offer a continual slow release of
disinfectant. Tabs require a feeder or skimmer basket to dissolve. CHLOR-AID granular
chlorine dissolves completely and immediately for instant disinfection and does not alter
the pH.
Bromine
There are two common types of bromine systems available. These include
organic bromine tablets and the two part liquid bromine program. Bromine tablets are
convenient and require a skimmer basket or feeder to dispense the disinfectant. The two
part bromine systems can be added directly and immediately to the spa. Make sure the
bromine level is 3-5 p.p.m.
Shock Treatment
After using your spa, body oils, perspiration, hair and dirt accumulate
which can turn your spa cloudy. Periodic shock treatments with SPA SHOCK will oxidize
these organic contaminants. SPA SHOCK is compatible with both Chlorine and Bromine
disinfectant systems.
Water
Balance
Water balance is important to he overall performance of your spa. No spa's
water conditions are exactly alike. The water source, location of the spa and frequency of
use all affect the water balance. Unbalanced water can damage the equipment, make the
water uncomfortable for the user, and decrease the effectiveness of the disinfectant.
Total alkalinity, pH, and calcium hardness must be within the correct range to balance the
water.
pH
Simply, pH is a scale indicating whether spa water is basic, neutral or
acidic. Spa water should be slightly basic 7.2-7.6.
A low pH below 7.2 leads to corrosion of spa equipment and will irritate the skin of the
bathers. The sanitizer will dissipate more rapidly. A low pH can be corrected by adding pH
BOOSTER.
A high pH above 7.6 promotes scaling on heat exchange tubes, creates cloudy water, calcium
deposits and reduces the effectiveness of disinfecting agents. A high pH can be corrected
by adding pH REDUCER.
Alkalinity
 Total
alkalinity is a measure of the alkalines in the water. They act as a pH buffer or a pH
stabilizer preventing large changes in the pH. The total alkalinity should be between
80-150 p.p.m.; ideally 120 p.p.m. Tablet chlorines and bromine tend to gradually lower the
alkalinity level.
A low total alkalinity causes:
- the pH to wander
- corrosive water
- disinfectants to be ineffective
To raise the total alkalinity add ALKA RISE.
A high total alkalinity causes:
- cloudy water
- scale formation
To lower the total alkalinity add pH REDUCER.
Calcium
Hardness
 Calcium
hardness is the hardness present due to dissolved calcium. The desired range is 150-280
p.p.m.
A low calcium hardness causes:
- corrosive water
- staining of surfaces
To raise calcium hardness add CAL-RISE.
A high calcium hardness causes:
- scaling of heating pipes
- cloudy water
- staining of spa
To correct this problem add PREVENT II. Do not fill the spa with soft water!
Common
Spa Water Problems - Cause & Remedy
| Problem |
Possible Cause |
Solution |
| Cloudy Water |
A) Organic contaminants build up. |
A) Shock treatment and SPA SHOCK. Add deskummer |
| B) Suspended particles. |
B) Add SPA CLEAR. Use SPA-BALL. |
| C) pH high. |
C) Add pH REDUCER until pH level reads 7.2 - 7.6 |
| D) Total alkalinity too high. |
D) Add pH REDUCER, adjust total alkalinity to 80 - 150 p.p.m. |
| E) Hardness too high. |
E) Add PREVENT II, circulate through a water softener until hardness is
150-280 p.p.m. |
| F) Poor filtration. |
F) Dirty filter, clean with CARTRIDGE CLEANER. |
| G) High dissolved solids. |
G) Empty spa and refill. |
| Coloured Water |
A) Dissolved copper, iron and other metals from source water or equipment |
A) Use PREVENT II. Have Superior check water balance. |
| |
B) Algae |
B) Add non-foaming AGAECIDE. |
| |
C) Fragrance |
C) Stop the use of fragrance. |
| Foaming |
A) High concentration of oils and organic contaminants being agitated by
jets |
A) Squirt DEFOAMER on foam. Use SPA-BALL or add Descummer. |
| |
B) Soft Water |
B) Add CAL RISE until hardness is 150-280 p.p.m. |
| Scale Deposits |
High calcium level, high pH, high alkalinity |
Drain partially, add PREVENT II, correct pH level to 7.2-7.6 and
alkalinity to 80-150 p.p.m. |
| Odour |
High level of organic contaminants, combined chlorine. |
Shock with SPA SHOCK, add Descummer. |
| Eye/Skin Irritation |
A) pH too low |
A) Add pH BOOSTER until level is 7.2-7.6 |
| |
B) combined chlorine due to high concentration or organic contaminants |
B) Shock with SPA SHOCK, add CHLOR-AID, SPA-TABS or LITHIUM |
| No Chlorine / Bromine Reading |
A) High concentration of organic contaminants using up sanitizers |
A) Add sanitizers until levels are up to recommended range. |
| |
B) Test reagents may be ineffective |
B) Replace at least once a year, keep cool and out of sunlight. |
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Last modified: 05/13/03
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