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Adding Chemicals to the Spa Water
IMPORTANT: All spa water chemicals, including MPS (shock), chlorine, granulated pH increaser or decreaser, granulated total alkalinity increaser, calcium hardness increaser, liquid stain and scale inhibitor, and liquid de-foamer must always be added directly into or in front of the filter compartment while a jet pump is running, and it must run for a minimum of ten minutes.
1. Fold back the cover.
2. Press the Jets or Jets 1 button.
3. Carefully measure the recommended amount of chemical and slowly pour it into the filter area. Use care not to splash chemicals on your hands, in your eyes, on the spa surface, or on the siding.
4. Close the spa cover.
Warning: High sanitizer levels can cause discomfort to the user’s eyes, lungs and skin. Always allow the sanitizer level to fall to the recommended range before using the spa.
IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING SHOCK TREATMENT: After administering 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 sanitation) 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.
1. Balancing the Water Chemistry Levels
Maintaining spa water chemistry can be tricky, especially since there are many methods of keeping your water clear and clean. Follow the maintenance schedule on page 105 to determine how often you should test your water.
We do not recommend any brand of chemical. See page 105 for a table of common chemicals used in spas and their generic equivalents.
See a spa dealer for guidance and recommendations on spa chemicals and supplies. Various chemicals often sold under brand names, but a spa dealer can advise you on generic chemicals that are often much less costly than proprietary brands.
Balancing the Total Alkalinity (TA)
Total Alkalinity is a measure of the total levels of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides, and other alkaline substances in the water.
TA is referred to as the water’s “pH buffer”. In other words, it’s a measure of the ability of the water to resist changes in pH level.
TA too high pH will be too high and may be difficult to stabilize pH
180
160
140
Add an alkalinity decreaser
If the TA is too low, the pH level will fluctuate widely from high to low. Fluctuations in pH can cause corrosion or scaling of the spa components. Low TA can be corrected by adding sodium carbonate
(pH/Alkalinity Up).
TA balance
120
100
80
Ideal TA balance
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 using sodium bisulfate(pH/Alkalinity Down).
TA too low pH will fluctuate wildly
60
40
20
Add an alkalinity increaser
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.
Causes scale to deposit on spa and
When the Total Alkalinity is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.
275
250
225
Dilute the spa with soft water
200
CH balance
175
150
Ideal CH balance
2021 Portable Spa
LTR20211035, Rev. A
CH too low
Causes equipment corrosion
125
100
75
Add a calcium hardness increaser www.calspas.com
pH too high
Too alkaline, causes scaling pH balance pH too low
Too acidic, causes corrosion
7.2
7.0
6.8
6.6
8.2
8.0
7.8
7.6
7.4
Add a pH decreaser
Ideal pH balance
Add a pH increaser
101
102
TA too high pH will be too high and may be difficult to stabilize pH
TA balance
180
160
140
120
100
80
Add an alkalinity decreaser
Ideal TA balance
Balancing the Calcium Hardness (CH)
Calcium Hardness is a measure of the total amount of dissolved calcium in the water. Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the spa’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 spa shell.
If the CH is too high (commonly known as “hard water”), formation of scale on the spa’s shell surface and equipment can result. You can use a generic calcium remover to remove hardness from water. CH can also be decreased by dilution – a mixture of 75% hard and 25% soft water will usually yield a reading within the correct range. If soft water is not available or practical for you, a stain and scale inhibitor should be added to the spa water, according to label instructions.
If the CH is too low add CH Increaser.
Balancing the pH
8.0
Add an alkalinity decreaser
Dilute the spa with soft water
Ideal TA balance
Dilute the spa with soft water
Add a pH decreaser
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.
When the CH is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.
The pH level is the measure of acidity and alkalinity. Values above
7.8 are alkaline; those below 7.2 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, and preventing equipment deterioration.
If the spa water’s pH level is too low, the following may result:
• The sanitizer will dissipate rapidly.
• The water may become irritating to spa users.
• The spa’s equipment may corrode.
TA too low pH will fluctuate wildly
TA too high and may be difficult to stabilize pH deposit on spa and
TA balance
CH balance
TA too low pH will fluctuate wildly
Causes equipment
CH too high deposit on spa and
Too alkaline, causes scaling
CH balance pH
CH too low
Too acidic, causes corrosion pH too high
Too alkaline, causes scaling pH balance pH too low
Too acidic, causes corrosion
60
40
200
175
150
125
250
225
7.6
7.4
7.2
7.0
8.0
7.8
7.6
7.4
7.2
7.0
6.8
6.6
Add an alkalinity increaser
Ideal CH balance
Add an alkalinity increaser
Add a calcium hardness increaser
Ideal CH balance
Ideal pH balance
Add a calcium hardness increaser
Add a pH increaser
Add a pH decreaser
Ideal pH balance
Add a pH increaser
If the pH is too low, it can be increased by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH/Alkalinity Up) to the spa water.
If the pH level is too high, the following may result:
• The sanitizer is less effective.
• Scale will form on the spa 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 sodium bisulfate (pH/Alkalinity Down) to the spa 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.
It is important to check the pH on a regular (weekly) 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.
When the pH is within the recommended range, proceed to sanitation.
www.calspas.com
2021 Portable Spa
LTR20211035, Rev. A
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