Do's And Dont's - Cal Spas PATIO Owner's Manual

Question: When I open my spa, I smell chlorine. How do I get rid of this smell?
Answer: There are two types of chlorine in your spa. The first is the Free Available Chlorine, which is the
chlorine available to sanitize your spa. This free Available Chlorine does not have an odor. The
second is Chloramine, which is residue from chlorine already expended. Chloramines have a
strong chlorine odor. The smell from Chloramines can be eliminated by shocking the water. If you
smell chlorine in the water, your spa is reminding you to add a shock treatment.
Question: Why can't I fill my spa with soft water?
Answer: Soft water is essentially the same as regular water, except that most or all of the calcium has
been replaced by sodium. Soft water may be corrosive to the heater and other components.
Replacement of spa components damaged by soft water is extremely expensive.
Question: I am trying to reduce the number of chemicals to which my family is exposed. Do I really need to
use so many chemicals and in such large amounts?
Answer: While over-exposure to any chemical can be unhealthy, many low levels of chemicals are effective
and beneficial. In the case of spa water, the chemicals we recommend are needed to protect the
user from water-borne pathogens (disease-causing microbes) and to prevent corrosion of spa
components.
Question: Why isn't water chemistry damage covered by the warranty?
Answer: The chemical levels and water quality of the water in the spa are under your direct control. With
proper basic care, the spa will provide many years of hot water relaxation. If you are unsure about
any chemical or its usage in the spa, contact your spa dealer.

4.10 Do's and Dont's

4.10 Do's and Dont's
• DO add all chemicals slowly into or in front of 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.
• DO use only a granular form of bromine sanitizer.
• DON'T use swimming pool (muriatic) acid to lower pH.
• DON'T splash pH increaser additives on the siding.
• DON'T use compressed sanitizers.
The use of bromine sticks or tablets in floaters, which may become trapped in a lounge or cooling seat (or
sink to the spa floor), have been shown to cause discoloration of or surface distress to a spa's shell.
• DON'T use a floater type sanitation system as a low or no maintenance solution to your spa maintenance
program.
Floating dispensers can become trapped in one area and cause an over-sanitation (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).
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