Full Product Manual
American Spa Owner’s Manual
LTR50001143, Rev. M
Clear Water Plan
28
Problem Probable Causes Possible Solutions
Cloudy Water • Dirty lter
• Excessive oils / organic
matter
• Improper sanitization
• Suspended particles /
organic matter
• Overused or old water
• Clean lter
• Shock spa with sanitizer
• Add sanitizer
• Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended
range
• Run jet pump and clean lter
• Drain and rell the spa
Water Odor • Excessive organics in water
• Improper sanitization
• Low pH
• Shock spa with sanitizer
• Add sanitizer
• Adjust pH to recommended range
Chlorine Odor • Chloramine level too high
• Low pH
• Shock spa with sanitizer
• Adjust pH to recommended range
Musty Odor • Bacteria or algae growth • Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is
visible or persistent, drain, clean and rell
the spa
Organic buildup /
scum ring around
spa
• Buildup of oils and dirt • Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe,
drain the spa, use a spa surface and tile
cleaner to remove the scum and rell the spa
Algae Growth • High pH
• Low sanitizer level
• Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH
• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain
sanitizer level
Eye Irritation • Low pH
• Low sanitizer level
• Adjust pH
• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain
sanitizer level
Skin Irritation / Rash • Unsanitary water
• Free chlorine level above 5
ppm
• Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain
sanitizer level
• Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm
before spa use
Stains • Total alkalinity and/or pH
too low
• High iron or copper in
source water
• Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH
• Use a stain and scale inhibitor
Scale • High calcium content in
water – total alkalinity and
pH too high
• Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale
requires removal, drain the spa, scrub off the
scale, rell the spa and balance the water
• Use a stain and scale inhibitor
Troubleshooting Water Clarity Problems