Interactions Of Common Chemicals - Laguna Bay Spas Spa Owner's Manual

Water Chemistry Basics
Warning: High levels of sanitizer can cause discomfort to eyes, lungs
and skin. Always allow sanitizer levels to fall to the recommended
levels before using the spa.
Each step of a water maintenance program is dependent of the previous steps.
Omission of a step or failing to reach the recommended range may cause an
imbalance in water chemistry. Unbalanced water may lead to damage to the spa
and its components and discomfort for spa users. Damage to the spa caused by
improper water chemistry is not covered under the manufacturer's warranty. To
measure the quality of your spa's water, immerse the test strip in water, following
the instructions on the test strip.
Do not touch the test strips as it may affect the results. Compare the test
strip and the label to determine the condition of the spa water.
Step 1.) Balancing Total Alkalinity (TA)
The recommended total alkalinity for your spa is between 125 and 150 ppm. The
Total alkalinity is a measure of the total levels of carbonates, bicarbonates,
hydroxides and other alkaline substances in the water. TA is referred to as the
water's "pH buffer". It is a measure of the water's ability to resist changes in
the pH level. If the TA is too low, the pH level will fluctuate from high to low.
Changes in pH can cause corrosion or scaling of the spa components. Correct
low Total Alkalinity by adding sodium hydrogen carbonate (pH/Alkalinity Up).
Step 2.) Balancing Calcium Hardness (CH)
The recommended calcium hardness (CH) level for your spa is 150-200 ppm.
Calcium Hardness is a measurement of the total amount of dissolved calcium in
the water. Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the spa's water.
Calcium-low water (commonly known as "soft" water) is not recommended.
It is highly corrosive to the spa components and can cause staining of the spa
shell. If the CH is too high (commonly known as "hard"water), formation of
scale on the spa and the spa components can result. CH can be decreased by
using a mixture of 75% "hard" water and 25% "soft" water; this will usually yield
a reading of the correct range. If "soft" water is not available or practical for you,
a stain and scale inhibitor should be added to the water, according to the label
instructions. If CH is too low, add a CH increaser. Once the CH is balanced, it
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Use Caution
with
Chemicals
Breaking Down the Basics