Water Clarity; Water Quality Terms And Definitions - Cal Spas PATIO Owner's Manual

Water Clarity

This section is intended for new spa owners with no
experience with water chemistry. Everyone's experience
with maintaining water quality is different, but there are
some general concepts you need to know.
Water maintenance is not difficult, although it requires
regular attention. The most important thing to understand
about taking care of your spa water is that preventive action
is much easier than correcting water quality issues.
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Chemical Balance
See page 41 to learn how to balance your spa
Spa owners with a bromine generator also need to check
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on frequency and intensity of use.
Spa owners with an ozonator also need to add sanitizer,
although their requirements are different.
Filtration
See page
instructions.
Cleaning your filter regularly is the easiest
and most effective single thing you can do to
keep your water clear.
A clogged or dirty filter will cause the heater
Maintaining your water quality helps the enjoyment of your spa and extends your spa's life by preventing
damage from neglect and chemical abuse.

Water Quality Terms and Definitions

The following chemical terms are used in this section. Understanding their meaning will help you to better understand clear
water maintenance. Words in bold type are defined in this table.
Bromine is an efficient sanitizer chemical for spas. When used as a sanitizer, bromine forms compounds
Bromine /
called bromamines. Bromine can be added to the spa or automatically generated. See page 43 for discussion
Bromamines
on sanitizers.
Bromamines are compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils, perspiration, etc.
Unlike chloramines, bromamines have no pungent odor and are effective sanitizers.
Chlorine is an efficient sanitizing chemical for spas. We recommend using sodium dichlor-type granulated
Chlorine /
chlorine because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral. When used as a sanitizer, chlorine forms
Chloramines
compounds called chloramines. See page 43 for discussion on sanitizers.
Chloramines are compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body oils, perspiration, etc.
Chloramines can cause eye irritation as well as having a strong odor. Unlike bromamines, chloramines are
weaker, slower sanitizers. To remove chloramines, see the description of shock below.
2020 Portable Spas - LAF
LTR20201163, Rev. E
water.
You will need to test and adjust
the chemical balance of your spa
water. Although this is not difficult,
it needs to be done regularly.
You need to test the level of
calcium hardness, total alkalinity,
and pH.
44 for filter cleaning
Before you begin, we recommend you become familiar with
some water quality terms and their definitions (see next
page).
Whether you're filling your spa for the first time (see page
7) or refilling it after draining it for regular maintenance
(see page 51), start and maintain your spa water by
following the plan we describe in this section.
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total dissolved solids and phosphates.
Sanitation and Shock
See page 43 to learn how to
use sanitizer and shock.
Sanitizers kill bacteria and viruses
and keep the water clean. A low
sanitizer level will allow microbes to
grow quickly in the spa water. We
recommend using either chlorine or
bromine as your sanitizer.
You also need to add shock to the water to stimulate the
chemical sanitizer. How much you use and how often depend
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and pump to work harder than they need to,
possibly causing them to fail.
The spa's heating system will only function with the
proper amount of water flow through
the system.
Regularity
See page 45 for the schedule of
recommended maintenance.
Clear water requires regular maintenance. Establish a
routine based on a regular schedule for your spa water
maintenance.
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