Owner`s manual
16
HOW TO ADD CHEMICALS TO THE SPA WATER
IMPORTANT: All spa water chemicals (other than SPA FROG cartridges), including MPS Plus (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.
To Administer Spa Water Chemicals:
1. Fold back the cover and remove the filter compartment cover.
2. Carefully measure the recommended amount of chemical and slowly pour it over the filter basket area. Use care not to splash chemicals on your hands, in your
eyes, on the spa sheet surface, or on the siding.
3. Replace the filter compartment cover. After ten minutes, shut off the jet pump(s) and close the cover. Risk of Drowning: Never leave an open spa unattended!
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 "SUPER CHLORINATION/NON-CHLORINE SHOCK TREATMENT" NOTE: 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 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.
THE WATKINS SPA WATER MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
Each step in your water maintenance program is dependent on the completion of the previous steps. Omitting a step or failing to reach the recommended range may
cause an imbalance in your water’s chemistry. Unbalanced water chemistry can damage the spa and its components, as well as cause discomfort for the user.
BALANCING THE TOTAL ALKALINITY (TA)
A. The recommended Total Alkalinity (TA) for your spa water is 80 - 180 ppm.
B. 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.
C. 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
correcte by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH/Alkalinity Up).
D. 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)
E. 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.
F. When the Total Alkalinity is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.
BALANCING THE CALCIUM HARDNESS (CH)
A. The recommended Calcium Hardness (CH) level for your spa is 150 - 400 ppm.
B. 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.
C. If the CH is too high (commonly known as “hard water”), formation of scale on the spa’s shell surface and equipment can result. CH can be decreased by
dilution-amixtureof75%hardand25%softwaterwillusuallyyieldareadingwithinthecorrectrange. 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.
D. If the CH is too low add CH Increaser.
E.
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.
F. When the Calcium Hardness is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.
BALANCING THE pH
A. The recommended pH level for your spa water is 7.2 - 7.8.
B. 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.
• Preventing equipment deterioration.
C. 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.
If the pH is too low, it can be increased by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH/Alkalinity Up) to the spa water
WATER QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE
ALKALINE
SPA WATER
(SCALING ZONE)
ADD pH
DECREASER TO
LOWER pH
ACIDIC SPA
WATER
(CORROSIVE
ZONE)
ADD pH
INCREASER TO
RAISE pH
COMFORT ZONE
IDEAL