Common Water Chemistry Questions - HotSpring Vista Owner's Manual

nitric acid accumulates in the air lines of the ozonator and
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injector. nitric acid will cause severe chemical burns if direct
skin contact is made, so always wear protective gloves, glasses
and clothing when working on the ozonator or injector lines. to
prevent inhalation or ingestion of the nitric acid, do not blow or
inhale with your mouth to any of the adapters, fittings or tubing
of the ozonator or injector air lines.
4. Place 16 ounces of white vinegar into a container such as a cup or bucket. Place the container on the equipment compartment floor. NOTE:
White vinegar will not damage any of the spa components.
5. Carefully loosen the long clear tubing to the bottom of the ozonator. A liquid substance may be found inside the tubing. If a liquid
substance is present, be CeRTAIN NOT TO COMe INTO CONTACT WITH THe lIqUId (See WARNINg AbOve).
6. Place the end of the tubing into the vinegar, making certain that the end of the tubing sits at the bottom of the container.
7. Reconnect power to the spa.
8. Run the spa until all 16 ounces of the vinegar are gone. This should allow an ample flow of vinegar to be run through the injector and clear the
blockage.
9. Disconnect power to the spa.
10. Remove the empty cup or bucket.
11. Reinstall the tubing to the bottom of the ozonator.
12. Close the equipment compartment door.
13. Reconnect power to the spa.
dOS ANd dON'TS
• DO add all chemicals slowly into the filter compartment with the jet pump operating for ten minutes.
• DO use special care if using baking soda to clean either the interior or exterior plastic surfaces.
• DON'T use swimming pool (muriatic) acid to lower pH.
• DON'T use compressed sanitizers.
• DON'T use a floater type sanitization system as a low or no maintenance solution to your spa maintenance program.
WARNINg: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation dOeS NOT recommend the use of any floating chemical dispenser. Damage to the
spa shell or components caused by a floating chemical dispenser is specifically not covered under the terms of the limited warranty.
The spa shell easily can withstand the effects of a properly administered sanitizer. Floating dispensers can become trapped in one area
and cause an over-sanitization (or chemical burn) of that particular area.
If the dispenser setting is too high, the high concentration can discolor the spa shell and damage the underside of the cover.
Automatic floating dispensers have a tendency to either over-brominate or under-brominate as the rate of erosion varies greatly.
Damage to the spa and cover can occur very quickly.
• DON'T use a sanitizer which is not designed for spas.
• DON'T use household bleach (liquid sodium hypochlorite).
• DON'T broadcast or sprinkle the chemicals onto the water surface. This method may cause chemically-induced spa surface blistering
(chemical abuse).

COMMON WATeR CHeMISTRy qUeSTIONS

question: Why can't I use a floater to sanitize my spa water?
Answer: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend the use of a floater for three reasons:
1. The floater is unable to control the rate at which the sanitizer is dissolved into the water. When a floater is first placed in a spa, the sanitizer
level can be extremely high. High sanitizer levels can chemically burn or discolor the spa's shell or the underside of the cover. Then, after a
period of time, the sanitizer level dispensed by the floater will fall to near zero. A low sanitizer level will allow viruses, bacteria or algae to grow.
2. Floater tend to stay in one area of the spa most of the time (usually over the cool down seat), causing this area to be exposed to extreme
sanitizer levels.
3. The floater may allow pieces of the highly concentrated sanitizer to fall out and settle on the floor or seat of the spa shell. These pieces of
sanitizer will chemically burn (blister) the spa shell. Although your spa shell is specifically designed to resist the effects of spa chemicals, no
spa surface can withstand this type of highly concentrated chemical. Remember, chemical abuse is specifically not covered under the terms of
the warranty.
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water Quality and maintenance
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