Water Testing Methods - Cal Spas PATIO Owner's Manual

40
Calcium Hardness
Corrosion
Dichlor
Monopersulphate
or MPS
Oxidizer
Ozone
pH
ppm
Sanitizer
Scale
Shock
Total Alkalinity
Trichlor

Water Testing Methods

There are two testing methods to choose from:
Test strips are a convenient testing method
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Abbreviated as CH. 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 and is why soft water is not recommended. The
low CH level can cause corrosion to the equipment and can cause staining of the spa shell. See page 42 for
testing for and balancing calcium hardness.
The gradual wearing away of metal spa parts, usually caused by chemical action. Generally, corrosion is
caused by low pH or by water with levels of TA, CH, pH or sanitizer which are outside the recommended
ranges.
Also called sodium dichlor. It is a type of chlorine and is frequently used when shocking the water. An
effective chlorine-based powdered oxidizer and sanitizer. Dichlor works by oxidizing waste product in the
water such as bromamines and chloramines and causing them to burn off.
Frequently used when shocking the water. An effective non-chlorine-based powdered oxidizer that
works well with both chlorine and bromine. It works by oxidizing waste product in the water such as
bromamines and chloramines and causing them to burn off.
Shocking the water with an oxidizing chemical prevents the buildup of contaminants, maximizes sanitizer
efficiency, minimizes combined chlorine and improves water clarity.
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which is produced in nature and artificially. Ozone forms no by-products
of chloramines (ozone actually oxidizes chloramines) and will not alter the water's pH.
The pH level is the measure of the balance between acidity and alkalinity. Low pH causes the water to be
too acid, which will cause corrosion, whereas high pH causes the water to be too alkaline, which will cause
scaling. See page 42 for testing for and balancing pH.
The abbreviation of "parts per million", the standard measurement of chemical concentration in water. Identical
to mg/l (milligrams per liter).
Sanitizer is a chemical added to the water to kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water clean. The two
sanitizers we recommend are chlorine and bromine. See page 43 for discussion of sanitation.
Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces, heaters, plumbing lines and clog filters. Generally,
scaling is caused by mineral content combined with high pH. Additionally, scale forms more readily at higher
water temperatures.
Also called shocking the water, shock treatment, or superchlorination. Shocking the water is adding
significant doses of dichlor or MPS to oxidize non-filterable organic waste and to remove chloramines
and bromamines. Shock treatment breaks down organic waste contaminants which cause odor and cloudy
water. See page 43 for discussion of shocking the water.
Abbreviated as TA. Total alkalinity is the measure of the total levels of carbonates, bicarbonates, hydroxides,
and other alkaline substances in the water. TA is important for pH control. If the TA is too low, the pH will
fluctuate out of control, and if it is too high, the pH becomes difficult to stabilize. See page 41 for testing for
and balancing total alkalinity.
Used as a pool sanitizer. NEVER use trichlor in a spa. Trichlor is extremely acidic and will lower the pH,
causing corrosion to equipment. Using trichlor will void your warranty.
commonly used by spa owners.
The reagent test kit is a
method which provides a
high level of accuracy but is
more expensive and more
difficult to use.
2020 Portable Spas - LAF
LTR20201163, Rev. E