18
Troubleshooting Water Clarity Problems
Problem
Cloudy Water
Water Odor
Chlorine Odor
Musty Odor
Organic buildup /
scum ring around
spa
Algae Growth
Eye Irritation
Skin Irritation / Rash
Stains
Scale
www.calspas.com
Probable Causes
•
Dirty filter
•
Excessive oils / organic mat-
ter
•
Improper sanitization
•
Suspended particles / organ-
ic matter
•
Overused or old water
•
Excessive organics in water
•
Improper sanitization
•
Low pH
•
Chloramine level too high
•
Low pH
•
Bacteria or algae growth
•
Buildup of oils and dirt
•
High pH
•
Low sanitizer level
•
Low pH
•
Low sanitizer level
•
Unsanitary water
•
Free chlorine level above 5
ppm
•
Total alkalinity and/or pH
too low
•
High iron or copper in
source water
•
High calcium content in
water – total alkalinity and
pH too high
Possible Solutions
•
Clean filter
•
Shock spa with sanitizer
•
Add sanitizer
•
Adjust pH and/or alkalinity to recommended
range
•
Run jet pump and clean filter
•
Drain and refill the spa
•
Shock spa with sanitizer
•
Add sanitizer
•
Adjust pH to recommended range
•
Shock spa with sanitizer
•
Adjust pH to recommended range
•
Shock spa with sanitizer – if problem is vis-
ible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the
spa
•
Wipe off scum with clean rag – if severe,
drain the spa, use a spa surface and tile
cleaner to remove the scum and refill the spa
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and adjust pH
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sani-
tizer level
•
Adjust pH
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sani-
tizer level
•
Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sani-
tizer level
•
Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm
before spa use
•
Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH
•
Use a stain and scale inhibitor
•
Adjust total alkalinity and pH – if scale re-
quires removal, drain the spa, scrub off the
scale, refill the spa and balance the water
•
Use a stain and scale inhibitor
2009 Genesis Portable Spa
LTR20091058, Rev. B