|
Because of the unique difference between a pool and spa, it is very
important that you maintain your spa with chemicals specifically formulated
for spa/hot tub use. It is important to realize that a spa is different from
a pool because you are dealing with water that is heated between 98-104 degrees
F... much warmer than a swimming pool. The ratio of people to the amount of
water in a spa is much greater. For example, four people in a spa are equivalent
to having 300 people in an average size pool. The heated water and higher bather
load ratio can result in spa water problems due to a great deal of residual soaps,
deodorants, perfumes and other cosmetics. Also, there are natural body oils that
are released into the spa water and cause other organic contaminants.
Leisure Time and Affordable Spas
Hot Tubs offer an extensive line of chemical products designed especially for
spa/hot tub use. We hope that this guide, used along with our products, will
help give you many hours of relaxation and enjoyment in your spa/hot tub.
Chemical Safety Tips
- Read all the instructions and make sure you
have a clear understanding of the chemical
before you use it.
- Never mix chemicals together.
- Always add chemicals to water, not to
chemicals.
- Always store chemicals in a cool, dry area
out of the reach of children.
- Keep chemical containers tightly closed when
not in use.
- Never inhale chemical fumes or let chemicals
come in contact with eyes, nose or mouth.
- Wash your hands thoroughly immediately after
applying chemicals.
- Use spa chemicals only. Chemicals formulated
for swimming pool use can ruin your spa.
- Never drain chemically treated spa water on
to lawns, plants or into streams or lakes.
Spa Safety Tips
- Do not heat your spa water higher than 104
degrees. This is bad for your health and could
cause damage to the spa surface.
- Do not drink alcohol while using the spa. If
you are on any medication, consult your doctor
before using the spa.
- Shower before and after using the spa to
prevent possible skin problems.
- Due to chemical concentration and possible
bacteria, it is not recommended to submerse your
head into the spa water.
- Children should never use the spa without
adult supervision.
- Keep electrical appliances away from the spa.
- If you are pregnant, have high blood pressure
or a cardio-vascular condition, consult your
physician.
- Always maintain proper sanitizer level.
Insufficient sanitizer level can lead to skin
irritation.
- Clean filter minimum 1 time per month. If
less than 50 square feet, clean more frequently.
Spa Start Up Instructions
Before you fill your Spa...Protect the finish of your new spa
by sealing it with SPA FAST GLOSS. It is a good idea to apply a
coat of SPA FAST GLOSS every time you drain and refill the spa.
It is advisable to check your water source before filling your spa.
Soft water can be corrosive and cause damage to the spa equipment;
while well water may contain materials that cause stains or deposits.
Filling Your Spa...
Fill your spa until the water level is at the center of the skimmer,
at the middle of the tile line or eight inches from the top of the spa.
If you are using a garden hose to fill the spa, allow the water in the
hose to flush out for several minutes. Stagnant water in hoses can
contain bacteria which could cause skin irritation to some bathers.
To instantly adjust the pH to a proper range, add Leisure Time pH
BALANCE. For more information on pH, see the Spa Water Testing section.
Upon filling the spa you should add one bottle of SPA METAL GON for
up to 500 gallons of water. SPA METAL GON prevents staining resulting
from trace metals in source water such as Copper or Iron.
Spa Water Testing...
Your spa/hot tub water should be tested upon filling and at regular
intervals during the week. The purpose of testing is to determine the
condition of the water. There are several important areas of water
chemistry which should be tested:
The Total Alkalinity Test
The total alkalinity test measures all of the alkaline or base
materials in the water. Total Alkalinity acts as a buffer to stabilize
the pH. THE TOTAL ALKALINITY FOR A SPA IS BETWEEN 80ppm and 120ppm.
If the total alkalinity is too low, the water has very little buffering
capacity and the pH will become erratic. A high total alkalinity means
that the water has too much buffering capacity and the pH will be very
difficult to change. For this reason it is best to adjust the total
alkalinity first. You can use SPA UP to raise the total alkalinity and
SPA DOWN to lower it.
The pH Test
The pH test will tell you if your water is acidic or alkaline (base).
pH is measured on a 14 point scale with 7 being neutral. A pH reading of
below 7 would be considered acidic and one above 7 would be alkaline.
THE IDEAL pH FOR A SPA IS BETWEEN 7.2 AND 7.8. CAUTION: If the pH is
lower than 7.2 the water could start to dissolve the metal in your spa
equipment and also cause irritation to your eyes and skin. A high pH
above 7.8 could result in deposits of Calcium or scale on the spa and
equipment. To raise pH use SPA UP. To lower pH use SPA DOWN. In a freshly
filled spa use pH BALANCE to instantly raise or lower the pH to the correct
range of 7.2 to 7.8. pH BALANCE SHOULD NOT BE USED IN AREAS WITH A CALCIUM
HARDNESS OF 200ppm OR ABOVE.
The Sanitizer Test - Bromine or Chlorine
A neglected spa can be a breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria
can be responsible for many problems including bather discomfort (i.e.
skin rashes and/or irritation). Tiny microscopic plants called algae can
also be a problem if ignored. Both bacteria and algae can be controlled by
aintaining a proper sanitizing level. THE PROPER SANITIZING LEVEL FOR A SPA
IS 3.0 TO 5.0ppm. This is a level recommended by the National Spa & Pool
Institute in their publication "Minimum Standards for the Operation
of Commercial and Residential Spas and Hot Tubs". A proper sanitizer
level can be achieved by using either Leisure Time CONCENTRATED CHLORINATING
GRANULES or Leisure Time BROMINATING TABLETS.
You can test for pH, Total Alkalinity and Sanitizer levels by using
Leisure Time 3 WAY SPA WATER TEST STRIPS or a liquid test kit.
Proper Sanitizing
Types of Sanitizers
Recent developments in the spa industry have given spa owners several
choices of sanitizer methods. The three most commonly used ways of achieving
sanitizing levels are:
Chlorine
The ideal Chlorine to use for spas is Leisure Time CONCENTRATED
CHLORINATING GRANULES. This is a fast dissolving, stabilized granular
type of Chlorine. WARNING: USING LIQUID CHLORINE OR SOME CHLORINE TABLETS
CAN CAUSE SEVER DAMAGE TO YOUR SPA BY ALTERING YOUR pH AND LEAVING DEPOSITS
ON YOUR SPA EQUIPMENT.
Bromine
Leisure Time BROMINATING TABLETS are a convenient and effective source
of Bromine for your spa or hot tub. These slow dissolving tablets are designed
to be used after the addition of a 2oz. package of SODIUM BROMIDE, which is
added to new spa water as part of the Bromine system. The tablets can be used
in the Leisure Time FLOATING BROMINATOR or other suitable erosion type floaters
or dispensers. CAUTION: DO NOT ADD TABLETS DIRECTLY TO THE SPA AS THIS MAY DAMAGE
THE FINISH.
Ozone
One of the newest technologies to the spa industry is the use of Ozone as a
sanitizer. Many spa manufacturers are offering Ozone generators with each spa they
sell. While its use in water sanitation is relatively new, Ozone is as old as time
itself. It is formed when Oxygen is exposed to ultra violet rays causing normal
Oxygen (O2) to be converted to Ozone (O3). Ozone can be an effective sanitizer.
However, it is highly reactive and decomposes quickly if not used daily. Most spa
manufacturers recommend the use of a chemical sanitizer to act as a "backup".
Bromine is generally preferred due to its lower odor and irritation potential. For
shocking in an Ozone system, use Leisure Time OZ tablets. Use 3 tablets for up to 250
gallons. Since Ozone can act as the primary sanitizer, the quantity of Bromine
consumed is significantly less than normal.
Shocking:Why & When
With regular use of your spa there will be an increased amount of non-filterable
wastes such as perspiration, oils and organics that can accumulate. As these
contaminants enter the water they will react with the sanitizer (Chlorine or Bromine)
to form either Chloramines or Bromamines. Chloramines and Bromamines are the most
common source of spa water problems such as: eye and skin irritation, foul odors and
dull, cloudy water.
Shocking or Super-Chlorinating the water will "burn out" the Chloramines
or Bromamines. This can be accomplished by the addition of Leisure Time CONCENTRATED
CHLORINATING GRANULES or RENEW, a non-chlorine shock treatment. For ozone systems,
OZ tablets can be used. Your spa should be shocked every 7 to 10 days, depending
upon the level of spa use, or whenever there has been increased bather activity.
Calcium Hardness
Calcium Hardness refers to the amount of Calcium, Magnesium and other mineral
salts in the water. You should test your water before filling the spa to determine what
the Calcium Hardness level of your source water is. To test for Calcium Hardness use
leisure Time SPA or POOL WATER TOTAL HARDNESS TEST STRIPS.
The ideal range of Calcium Hardness for a spa should be 120 to 250ppm. High levels
of Calcium Hardness can lead to the formation of scale on the surface, heater element,
equipment and plumbing. You should test periodically for Calcium Hardness because as
the water in your spa gets older the Hardness level will raise due to evaporation of
pure water and increased concentration of dissolved solids. This process usually takes
a few months to occur. We recommend that you drain your spa water every 2 to 3 months.
TDS
TDS stands for total dissolved solids and indicates the sum total of all dissolved
material in the water including Calcium and other mineral salts. Anytime you add chemicals
you are increasing the TDS of the water. The higher the TDS becomes the less effective your
chemicals will be. Your pool and spa professional can test your water for TDS. Maximum level
of TDS for a spa is 1200ppm.
Back
|
