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Water Quality and Maintenance Page 21
To Administer Spa Water Chemicals:
1. Fold back the cover. Carefully remove and set aside the filter compartment cover (Trinidad
®
does not have a filter cover).
2. Push the JET button twice to activate the jet pump’s high speed mode.
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 siding.
4. After ten minutes, shut off the jet pump and close and lock the cover to complete the procedure. 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 twenty 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 HOT SPOT
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.
FILLING THE SPA WITH WATER
A. To prevent contaminants from entering the spa, Watkins Manufacturing Corporation recommends using the FreshStart
®
10,000
pre-filter when
filling the spa with water. Always fill the spa through the filter compartment.
WARNING: DO NOT use the FreshStart
10,000
pre-filter if you plan to use granular bromine or BaquaSpa
®
as your sanitizer.
B. The FreshStart
10,000
pre-filter is designed to remove unwanted contaminants such as rust, dirt, detergents and algae from the fill water.
Dissolved minerals and metals such as lead, calcium, copper and iron are not removed.
C. Instructions are included with the FreshStart
10,000
pre-filter. When the spa is filled, proceed to the Start-Up and Refill Procedures on page 11.
BALANCING THE TOTAL ALKALINITY (TA)
A. The recommended Total Alkalinity (TA) for your spa water is 125-150 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 corrected by adding Hot Spring
®
FreshWater
®
pH/Alkalinity Up or sodium hydrogen carbonate.
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 adding Hot Spring
FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down or sodium bisulfate.
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 150-200 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. If the calcium level is too low, we recommend using HotSpring FreshWater Calcium Increaser to bring the
calcium hardness level to within the recommended range.
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 – 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, such as Hot Spring FreshWater Stain and Scale Defense, should be added to the
spa water, according to label instructions.
D. 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.
E. When the Calcium Hardness is within the recommended range, proceed to the next step.