Marquis Vector21 Series Owner's Manual page 48

VECTOR21 SPA CARE GUIDE
Jet inserts and valves do not qualify for labor coverage. These parts can
be purchased or exchanged under warranty at your authorized Marquis
®
dealer. Gaskets and seals are not covered under the warranty. The control
system in your Marquis spa will automatically circulate and filter. (See SPA
CONTROL OPERATION, ConstantClean™ and SmartClean™ sections.) The
sanitation requires minimal effort if done consistently and properly.
To sanitize spa water, four things are required:
1. BRING spa heat to set temperature point.
2. BALANCE: The water must be balanced so the sanitizer can work and
spa equipment is protected.
3. SHOCK: Shock to oxidize organics and maximize sanitizer efficiency.
4. SANITIZE: Maintain a proper level of sanitizer at all times.
UNDERSTANDING WATER BALANCE
Water balance is the interrelation of factors that determine the quality of the
spa water. The effectiveness of chemicals and other additives are dependent
on all these factors working together or "in balance". The primary elements
to water balance are the calcium hardness, total alkalinity and pH. Always use
water treatment products recommended for use in a Marquis spa.
pH Balance
Keeping the pH balanced is the most critical component of water balance.
Calcium hardness and total alkalinity act as buffers to stabilize the pH. When
they are properly adjusted, the pH will be stable and easy to maintain. The
pH is a measure of the relative acidity and basicity of the water. The ideal
pH range is 7.4 - 7.6. When the pH falls below 7.2, the water can become
corrosive. Low pH can cause damage to metal in the control system and
heater, excessive sanitizer consumption, and skin irritation. A pH above
7.8 can be scale-forming and allow metals or minerals in the water to form
deposits and stain spa surfaces. pH above 7.8 can also cause eye and skin
irritation.
Total Alkalinity
Alkalinity acts as a buffer to prevent the pH from changing as other sub-
stances are added to the water. Stability of the pH is directly related to the
alkalinity. The alkalinity should be between 80 - 140 ppm. Alkalinity below
80 ppm makes it difficult to stabilize the pH. Alkalinity above 140 ppm may
increase the pH and cause cloudy water, scaling, and decreased efficiency
of the sanitizer.
Note: Alkalinity Increaser and Alkalinity & pH Decreaser will affect both the
pH and alkalinity. Generally, smaller additions will change the pH and have a
very minor effect on the alkalinity. Larger additions will also affect the pH, but
will have a much greater effect on the alkalinity. (Example: If the pH is very
high and the alkalinity is within range, adding a few smaller doses of pH and
Alkalinity Decrease instead of one large dose will reduce the pH with little
effect on the alkalinity.)
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