CalderaSpas PALATINO, Owner'S Manual

24

W

ater

 q

ualIty

and

m

aIntenance

BASIC INFORMATION

It’s important to have clean water. Water maintenance is one of the least 

understood, yet most important, areas of spa ownership. Your dealer can 

guide you through the process of achieving and maintaining balanced 

water in your spa, given your local conditions. 

IMPORTANT:

 Water Terminology can be found at the end of this section.

Always

read &

refer to the owner's manual

 for complete 

information.

Test your water

 with a test strip once a week, or each time the spa 

is used.  

Add chemicals 

in frequent small amounts to prevent overdosing 

the spa.

Use the spa only

 when the chlorine level is between 1-5 ppm or 

manually add chlorine as needed.

It is the spa owner's responsibility

 to prevent over or under 

chlorination.

IMPORTANT: 

Remember to change your water every three to four 

months. Check with your 

CALDERA

 dealer to determine if water 

in your region has unique qualities - such as high metal or mineral 

content - that should be addressed.
Your program will depend on your water’s mineral content, how often you 

use your spa, and how many people use it. 

WATER QUALITY CHART

PARAMETER

TARGET

MIN  - "OK" RANGE -  MAX

pH

7.4

7.2

7.8

ALKALINITY

80 ppm

40 ppm

120 ppm

HARDNESS

100 ppm

50 ppm

150 ppm

CHLORINE

3 ppm

1 ppm

5 ppm

Maintaining the water quality and the cleanliness of the filters in your spa 

is your responsibility.  Keeping the spa water balanced prolongs the life 

of the spa components and will make the water more comfortable.  Your 

dealer can guide you through the process of achieving and maintaining 

perfect water in your spa, given your local conditions. Your program will 

depend on your water’s mineral content, how often you use your spa, 

and how many people use it. Watkins Manufacturing Corporation has 

developed several water care systems and products to simplify water 

care which are available from authorized 

CALDERA

 dealers.

FROG 

Water Care System

Vanishing Act

™

 Calcium Remover

CALDERA MONARCH

 products

MONARCH

 5-way Salt Test Strips

MONARCH

 System

CLEAN SCREEN

 Prefilter

CHEMICAL SAFETY 

When using chemicals, read the labels carefully and follow directions 

precisely. Though chemicals protect you and your spa when used 

correctly, they can be hazardous in concentrated form. Always observe 

the following guidelines:

Allow only a responsible person to handle spa chemicals. Keep 

them out of the reach of children.

Accurately measure the exact quantities specified, never more. Do 

not overdose your spa.

Handle all containers with care. Store in a cool, dry, well ventilated 

place.

Always keep chemical containers closed when not in use. Replace 

caps on their proper containers.

Don't inhale fumes, or allow chemicals to come in contact with your 

eyes, nose, or mouth. Wash your hands immediately after use.

Follow the emergency advice on the product label in case of 

accidental contact, or if the chemical is swallowed. Call a doctor 

or the local Poison Control Center. If a doctor is needed, take the 

product container along with you so that the substance can be 

identified.

Don't let chemicals get on surrounding surfaces or landscaping. 

Don't use a vacuum cleaner to clean up chemical spills.

Never smoke around chemicals. Some fumes can be highly 

flammable.

Don't store any chemicals in the spa equipment compartment.

HOW TO ADD CHEMICALS  

TO THE WATER

IMPORTANT:

 All spa water chemicals (other than 

FROG

 cartridges), 

must always be added directly into or in front of the filter compartment 

while a jet pump is running, and it must run for a minimum of ten minutes. 

TO ADMINISTER SPA WATER CHEMICALS:

1.  Fold back the cover and remove the filter compartment cover. 
2.  To activate the Clean Cycle, press the soft button next to 

Clean

 on 

the Home Screen.

3.  Carefully measure the recommended amount of chemical and 

slowly pour it over the filter basket area. Use care not to splash 

chemicals on your hands, in your eyes, on the spa sheet surface, or 

on the siding. 

4.  Replace the filter compartment cover and close the spa cover.   

Risk of Drowning

: Never leave an open spa unattended! 

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 “SUPER CHLORINATION/NON-CHLORINE SHOCK 

TREATMENT” NOTE:

 After administering a super chlorination 

treatment or non-chlorine shock to your spa, leave the cover open 

for a minimum of 20 minutes to allow the oxidizer gas to vent. A 

high concentration of trapped oxidizer gas which may exist as a 

result of the shock treatment (not daily sanitation) may eventually 

cause discoloration or vinyl degradation to the bottom of the 

cover. This type of damage is considered chemical abuse and is 

not covered under the terms of the limited warranty.

Water Quality and Maintenance