Question:
Should I treat my spa water the same way as I treat my pool water?
Answer:
Although the pH and total alkalinity measurements are the same, the
sanitizer level (bromine or chlorine) should be kept between 3-5 ppm. In
a spa, the filter requires more frequent cleanings. In addition, the
water will require more frequent care to assure pH and sanitizer levels
are correct. For further details, please see our spa care guides for
Leisure Time, Robarb, or GLB's Rendezvous spa line.
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Question:
I decided to buy a product to lock my pH at the proper level. When I
added the product (such as Leisure Time pH
BALANCE or
Robarb PERFECT pH) my spa water clouded up! Why?
Answer:
These products are meant to be used in water that contains less than 150
ppm calcium hardness. Have your dealer test your water to ensure that
your calcium level is below 150 ppm before using any of these products.
If your water does cloud, the filter will remove the cloudiness, but you
should clean the cartridge after the water clears. Once the spa clears,
the spa will resume normal operation.
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Question:
I am using bromine tablets to sanitize my spa and the directions for use
say I need to add a "bromide bank" first. Why do I need to do this?
Answer:
It is recommended that you add this "bank" in order to ensure that the
sanitizer in the water is all bromine from the moment you first start
using it.
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Question:
My dealer tells me not to use soft water (low calcium level) in my spa.
Why is the calcium level important to my water's balance?
Answer:
Too little calcium in the water can cause corrosion, particularly in
heaters and other metal components. To increase the hardness to the
recommended level of 150-400 ppm, add a calcium hardness increaser such
as Leisure Time
CALCIUM BOOSTER or
Rendezvous LIQUID CALCIUM HARDNESS UP. Too much calcium can cause
scaling on the walls and heating elements or cloudy water. To prevent
calcium in the water from causing these problems, add a sequestering
agent such as Leisure Time
SPA DEFENDER, Rendezvous
PROTECT PLUS or Robarb
METAL-X.
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Question:
My spa has an ozonator. I have heard that I should not use a clarifier
in my spa. Why?
Answer:
Ozone is a highly reactive oxidizing agent. Some people are under the
impression that ozone will destroy clarifiers and make them ineffective.
We have found, however, that ozone does not affect the effectiveness of
clarifiers. Clarifiers do provide a very real benefit in ozonated spas
by helping the filter keep the water clean.
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Question:
My cartridge filter is dirty, and I was told to just put it in my
dishwasher to clean it. Is this the best way?
Answer:
The dishwasher will clean out the larger debris, but can also damage the
fabric on the filter. The best way to clean your filter is to use a
filter cleaner that contains both acids and detergents and is designed
specifically for cartridge cleaning. This will ensure that all oils,
lotions and minerals will be removed from the filter. Cleaning properly
increases the longevity of the cartridge. Check your cartridge filter
once a month. Try Rendezvous
FILTER FRESH, Robarb
EZ FILTER CLEANER or Leisure Time
FILTER CLEAN.
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Question:
I just refilled my spa and I'm having problems balancing my water. The
pH is low and the total alkalinity is high. What can I do to fix it?
Answer:
When the pH and the total alkalinity are opposite of one another, always
fix the low number first. In this case, add a pH increaser until the pH
is within a normal range. Then, adjust the total alkalinity by adding a
pH level reducer. Using Robarb PERFECT pH, Leisure Time pH BALANCE or
GLB's Rendezvous pH MAGIC after this will lock your pH into the proper
range.
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Question:
My spa has odd-shaped white chips on the bottom after I shut it off!
Where's this stuff coming from?
Answer:
The white chips are calcium deposits (scale which forms on the heater
elements) which are knocked off when the blowers and jets are on. This
problem can be prevented by using a sequestering agent, such as
Rendezvous PROTECT PLUS or Leisure Time SPA DEFENDER, on a weekly basis
to prevent calcium in the water from forming deposits.
Question:
I am using a non-chlorine shock in my spa. Is it the same product for
both pools and spas?
Answer:
Non-chlorine shock for pools is not buffered and may affect the overall
water chemical balance of the spa water. It is best that you use a
non-chlorine shock, such as
Rendezvous ACTIVATE or Leisure Time
RENEW, designed specifically for spas. This will help reduce the
need for extra chemical treatment to keep pH in the proper range.
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Question:
My spa is foaming. Why?
Answer:
There are several reasons that a spa foams. A common cause is the
rapidly moving water combined with bathers bringing in soaps and
detergents on their bodies and bathing suits. Showering before entering
the spa helps prevent this problem. If excess detergents are the cause
of the foam, using a defoamer such as a Rendezvous FOAM OUT, Leisure
Time
FOAM DOWN or Robarb
SUDS-X will reduce the amount of foaming.
Another cause of foaming is soft water. This means that the calcium
level in the water is low. This can be corrected by raising the calcium
level to 150-400 ppm.
Organic waste build up can also cause foaming. By shocking the spa on a
regular basis, the wastes are oxidized out of the water and foaming is
reduced.
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Question:
My dealer offers both chlorine and bromine as sanitizers. Which should I
use?
Answer:
Overall, bromine tends to be more popular among spa owners. Bromine is
offered in both a tablet form and as a two-part system. Unlike chlorine,
bromine is effective over a wider pH range, doesn't irritate your eyes
or bleach bathing suits. Additionally, bromine is effective in its
combined form, doesn't smell and is an effective sanitizer.
Many spa owners however, elect to sanitize with chlorine. It is
traditionally used in pools, and it is an effective sanitizer and
oxidizer. Granular chlorine is the easiest form to use and will keep the
water sparkling clean!
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Question:
How often do I really need to shock my spa water?
Answer:
How often you shock spa water depends on the sanitizer used and the
bather load. If you are using the 2-part bromine sanitizing system such
as Rendezvous
ENHANCE and ACTIVATE, it is recommended that you shock each time you
finish using your spa. If you are using chlorine or bromine tablets, it
is recommended that you shock at least one time per week. It may be
necessary to shock more often if the bather load is heavy or the water
is cloudy.
Question:
I have an ozonator on my hot tub. Do I need to use a sanitizer with it?
Answer:
Yes. Even though ozone is an effective oxidizer and will even destroy
microorganisms directly exposed to the ozone, the ozone is relatively
short lived in your hot tub water. As such the ozone is not present in
the water for a sufficient length of time to assure adequate sanitation
of the entire tub and the surfaces and plumbing. The use of an ozonator
will reduce your consumption of chlorine or bromine as it makes it
easier to maintain proper levels of these in the water it does not
eliminate their usefulness.
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Question:
Do I need to maintain a calcium hardness level in my spa?
Answer:
Absolutely. Water that is low in calcium hardness can be corrosive to
other metal parts in your spa, particularly your heater. We recommend
maintaining a calcium hardness level of 150 - 400 ppm.
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