CalderaSpas PALATINO, Owner'S Manual

15

START-UP AND REFILL PROCEDURES

START-UP

Your 

VACANZA

 series spa has been thoroughly tested during the 

manufacturing process to ensure reliability and long-term customer 

satisfaction. A small amount of water may have remained in the plumbing 

after testing and, as a result, may have spotted the spa shell or the spa 

siding prior to delivery. Before filling the spa, wipe the spa shell clean with 

a soft rag.
The following instructions must be read and followed exactly to ensure a 

successful start-up or refill.

CAUTIONS

•  Do not fill the spa with hot water, as tripping of the high-limit 

thermostat may result.

•  DO NOT CONNECT POWER TO AN EMPTY SPA. Power to the 

spa automatically activates critical components within the spa, 

such as controls, heater, and other systems. If power is supplied 

to these components prior to the spa being filled, the components 

will be damaged, and this may result in a non-warranty 

component failure.

•  Do not use your spa after filling until all of the steps listed 

below are completed.

•  Do not add chlorine if treating your spa with 

polyhexamethylene biguanide (Biguanide, PHMB, eg. 

BaquaSpa

®

) sanitizer.

•  Before filling your spa for the first time, remove the 

equipment compartment door and check to ensure that the 

unions on either side of the pump(s) and heater are hand-

tight. 

1.   

ENSURE

 that the drain is closed and remove the filter compartment 

cover, skimmer basket, weir, and filter. Then insert the end of a 

garden hose into the filter canister and begin filling the spa. The 

water level of your 

VACANZA

 series spa should be maintained at 

a level one inch above the highest jet in the spa. Reinstall the filter 

and then the skimmer basket, and weir once the spa is filled.

    IMPORTANT:

 Watkins Manufacturing Corporation does not 

recommend that the spa be filled with “softened” water, as this may 

damage the spa’s equipment.

2.   

AFTER 

the spa has been filled with water and the equipment 

compartment door is secured, power must be applied to the spa. 

3.   

TO CHECK THE OPERATION OF THE JET SYSTEM 

and to 

purge any remaining air from the heating system, push the “JETS” 

button on the control panel three times (twice for 

CAPITOLO, 

CELIO 

& 

AVENTINE

 models) to run the jet pump(s) on high speed 

for one minute. Once the jet system is fully operational (as indicated 

by strong, non-surging jets), priming of the spa is complete. If you 

do not feel a steady stream of water from your jets, refer to the 

instructions for priming the pump in the SPA TROUBLESHOOTING 

section in the back of this manual.

4.   

SET THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL 

to the desired temperature 

between 38°C (100°F) and 40°C (104°F), then place the spa 

cover on the spa and allow the water temperature to stabilize 

(approximately 24 hours). Make sure you secure the cover in place 

using the cover locks. Periodically check the spa water temperature. 

When the water temperature climbs above 32°C (90°F), proceed 

to the next step. The spa temperature is pre-programmed to reach 

38°C (100 F), and will normally do so within 18 to 24 hours. 

5.   

USING A TEST STRIP AND APPLICABLE CHEMICALS 

adjust 

Total Alkalinity (TA) to 40-120 ppm, Calcium Hardness (CH) to 

50-150 ppm, then spa water pH to between 7.2 and 7.8. These 

procedures are listed in the “Water Quality and Maintenance” 

section.

OPERATION NOTE:

Adjusting the Total Alkalinity as the first step 

is important, as out-of balance TA will affect your ability to adjust the 

pH correctly and will prevent the sanitizer from operating effectively. 

IMPORTANT:  

Activate the Clean cycle (Press 

"MODE 



" or 

"MODE ▼"

 until CLEAN is displayed then press 

"ON 



" to activate 

clean cycle) 

before adding spa water chemicals directly into the filter 

compartment. Make sure all diverter valves are set to the middle 

position.

6.   

ADD

 Metal remover if metals are in water. Wait 24 hours before 

adding

 FROG.

7.   

SUPERCHLORINATE THE SPA WATER 

by adding 1½ teaspoons 

of 

MONARCH 

chlorine (sodium dichlor) per 950 liters (250 gallons) 

of spa water, then activate the Clean cycle by pressing "MODE 



" 

or "MODE ▼" until CLEAN is displayed then press the "ON 



" 

button .

8.   

TEST THE SPA WATER FOR CHLORINE RESIDUAL.  

If the 

residual is between 3 and 5 ppm on the test strips, go on to the 

next step. If the residual is less than 3 ppm add 1 teaspoon of 

MONARCH 

chlorine (sodium dichlor), activate the Clean cycle, and 

then retest. Repeat if necessary.

IMPORTANT:

For Canada, if you are only using the bromine 

cartridge, your bromine levels should be between 3.0 - 5.0 ppm.

9.   

IF USING FROG INSTALL FROG bromine and mineral 

cartridges. 

Dial the mineral cartridge to setting 6 and snap into the 

top space of the cartridge holder. Dial the bromine cartridge to setting 

3 and snap into the bottom space of the cartridge holder. 

WARNING:

High sanitizer levels can cause discomfort to the user’s 

eyes, lungs and skin. Always allow the sanitizer level to fall to the 

recommended range before  

 using the spa.

IMPORTANT:

Each time the spa is filled with water, you must 

remove and reinstall the 

FROG

 cap, even if you are not replacing 

the cartridge, in order to properly prime the jet pumps.

10.   

RECHECK

 the Total Alkalinity (TA) 40-120 ppm, Calcium Hardness 

(CH) 50-150 ppm, then spa water pH at between 7.2 and 7.8.

OPERATION NOTE:

Make sure you adjust your Total Alkalinity and 

pH correctly, this will affect the sanitizers effectiveness.   

The spa is ready for use when the spa water has circulated and 

the bromine level remains between 1 and 2 ppm or chlorine level 

remains between 3 and 5 ppm.

OPERATION NOTE: 

1.  Your spa is equipped with a ten-minute timer delay on the heating/

tranquil mode.   Whenever the jet pump has been turned off (and 

a three-degree temperature drop has occurred) or the temperature 

control has been turned up, it will take ten minutes before the low 

speed of the jet pump and heater become activated. Always push the 

“JETS” button to turn off the jet pump when exiting the spa. 

Getting Started