Common Water Chemistry Questions; Water Terminology - HotSpring PLS Owner's Manual

• DON'T use a sanitizer which is not designed for hot tubs.
• 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 hot tub surface blistering
(chemical abuse).

COMMON WATER CHEMISTRY QUESTIONS

Question: Why can't I use a floater to sanitize my hot tub water?
Answer: Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not recommend the use of a floater for three reasons.
1. The floater is unable to control the rate at which sanitizer is dissolved into the water. When a floater is first placed in a hot tub, the sanitizer
level can be extremely high. High sanitizer levels can chemically burn or discolor the hot tub's shell or the underside of the cover. Then, after a
period of time, the sanitizer level dispensed by the floater will fall to near zero. A low sanitizer level will allow viruses, bacteria or algae to grow.
2. Floaters tend to stay in one area of the hot tub most of the time (usually over the cool down seat), causing this area to be exposed to extreme
sanitizer levels.
3. The floater may allow pieces of the highly concentrated sanitizer to fall out and settle on the floor or seat of the hot tub shell. These pieces of
sanitizer will chemically burn (blister) the hot tub shell. Although your hot tub shell is specifically designed to resist the effects of hot tub
chemicals, no hot tub surface can withstand this type of highly concentrated chemical. Remember, chemical abuse is specifically not covered
under the terms of the warranty.
Question: When I open my hot tub, I smell chlorine. How do I get rid of this smell?
Answer: There are two types of chlorine in your hot tub. The first is the Free Available Chlorine, which is the chlorine available to sanitize your hot
tub. This available free 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 hot tub
is reminding you to add a shock treatment.
Question: Why can't I fill my hot tub 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Answer: Soft water is essentially the same as regular water except that most or all of the calcium has been replaced by sodium.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 hot tub 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 unhealthful, many low levels of chemicals are effective and beneficial. In the case of hot tub
water, the chemicals recommended in the Limelight
(disease-causing microbes) and to prevent corrosion of hot tub components. The EverFresh
with harsh side effects, such as halogen sanitizers.
Question: Why isn't water chemistry damage covered by the warranty?
Answer: The chemical levels and water quality of the water in the hot tub are under your direct control. With proper basic care, the hot tub will
provide many years of hot water relaxation. If you are unsure about any chemical or its usage in the hot tub, contact your Authorized Dealer, or
Watkins Manufacturing Corporation.

WATER TERMINOLOGY

The following chemical terms are used in this Water Quality and Maintenance section. Understanding their meaning will help you to better
understand the water maintenance process.
Bromamines: Compounds formed when bromine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Unlike chloramines,
bromamines have no pungent odor, and are effective sanitizers.
Bromine: A halogen sanitizer (in the same chemical family as chlorine). Bromine is commonly used in stick, tablet, or granular form. See the DO's
and DON'Ts of Hot tub Water Maintenance for additional information.
Calcium Hardness: The amount of dissolved calcium in the hot tub water. This should be approximately 150-200 ppm. High levels of calcium can
cause cloudy water and scaling. Low levels can cause harm to the hot tub equipment.
Chloramines: Compounds formed when chlorine combines with nitrogen from body oils, urine, perspiration, etc. Chloramines can cause eye
irritation as well as having a strong odor. Unlike bromamines, chloramines are weaker, slower sanitizers.
Chlorine: An efficient sanitizing chemical for hot tubs. Watkins Manufacturing Corporation recommends the use of sodium dichlor-type
granulated chlorine. This type is preferred because it is totally soluble and nearly pH neutral.
Chlorine (or Bromine) Residual: The amount of chlorine or bromine remaining after chlorine or bromine demand has been satisfied. The residual
is, therefore, the amount of sanitizer which is chemically available to kill bacteria, viruses and algae.
Corrosion: The gradual wearing away of metal hot tub 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.
DPD: The preferred reagent used in test kits to measure the Free Available Chlorine.
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Water Maintenance Program are needed to protect the user from water-borne pathogens
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water care system minimizes the use of chemicals
Water Quality and Maintenance