CalderaSpas PALATINO, Owner'S Manual

25

Water Quality and Maintenance

FUNDAMENTALS OF WATER 

MAINTENANCE

Testing:

  Test the water weekly or each time the spa is used with 

convenient 5-way test strips or more accurate liquid/tablet reagent 

test kit per instructions.  Critical parameters: sanitizer level, pH, 

Calcium Hardness (CH), and Total Alkalinity (TA).  Store test 

equipment in a dark, cool, dry place to maintain potency.  

Water Filtration:

  The filtration used in 

CALDERA

 spas helps keep 

water clean by circulating sanitizer and removing waste from the 

spa.  Regularly inspect and clean filters for peak performance.

Chemical Balance/pH Control: 

 It is important to adjust the primary 

water parameters (Total 

Alkalinity, Calcium hardness, 

pH) into the recommended 

ranges so that they are 

stabilized or balanced.  

Balance the water chemistry 

every time you fill the spa 

with new water and then 

during the life of that body of 

water.  Keeping the water in 

balance prevents damage 

by holding the pH in a safe 

range and preventing calcium 

scale formation on spa equipment.  A low pH can damage 

metal components whereas a high pH can cause high levels 

of calcium to form scale.  Your dealer should provide a detailed 

water chemistry orientation soon after your new spa is filled for the 

very first time. 

The following three water components must be kept in balance to 

avoid damage to the spa.  Do balance these components in the 

order they are listed here as each will help you balance the next 

using a minimum amount of chemicals.  

1.  Calcium Hardness (CH) – CH is the measure of the amount of 

dissolved calcium in the water.  Low levels can make the water 

corrosive and high levels cause scale formation of spa components.  

The recommended CH reading is between

50 - 150 ppm

. If the CH level is too high, lower it with the 

VANISHING ACT

  calcium remover per instructions.  Once in 

balance, the CH reading normally remains stable until new water is 

added.  Great care must be taken when filling the spa from a water 

softener to ensure that the calcium remains in balance and avoid 

damage to the spa. 

2.  Total Alkalinity (TA) - TA is a measure of the water’s ability to 

resist changes of pH or buffer capacity.  A low TA allows the pH to 

fluctuate easily.  The recommended TA reading is between 

40 - 120 

ppm

.  To raise the TA, use 

FRESHWATER

 pH/Alkalinity Up (sodium 

hydrogen carbonate).  To lower the TA, use 

FRESHWATER

 pH/

Alkalinity Down (sodium bisulfate).  Once the TA is balanced, it 

normally remains stable until the next drain/refill.  We recommend 

you check the TA reading once per month.  Raising/lowering the 

TA may cause the pH readings to fluctuate widely.  Ignore the pH 

readings on the test strip while you are balancing the TA.  

3.  pH  - The pH is the measure of the acidity and alkalinity.  

Maintaining the proper pH level will optimize the effectiveness of the 

sanitizer, preventing damage to the spa and physical discomfort for 

spa users.   A low pH dissipates sanitizer, causes corrosion, and 

irritates spa users.  A high pH level will neutralize sanitizer, promote 

scaling and cloud water.  The recommended pH reading is between

7.2 - 7.8

.  To lower the pH level, use 

MONARCH

 pH/Alkalinity Down 

(sodium bisulfate).  To raise the pH level, use 

FRESHWATER

 pH/

Alkalinity Up (sodium carbonate).  

Water Conditioners:  

Spa fill water varies from location to location 

and user to user, therefore it is important to consult with your 

dealer for an appropriate program.   

a.  

VANISHING ACT

 – High levels of calcium and some minerals 

can be removed from the water with the single use 

VANISHING 

ACT

.  High calcium levels can cause scale formation on the spa 

equipment and shell.   

b.  

CLEAN SCREEN

 pre-filter –The 

CLEAN SCREEN

 pre-flter should 

be used at every fill and top-off to remove contaminants from the 

fill water, especially iron, copper, and manganese.  Many water 

sources including well water contain high concentrations of minerals 

that can cause staining of the shell and plastics.

c. Stain and Scale control – For water high in calcium and minerals, 

it may be necessary to use an anti-scalant like Stain and Scale 

control.  As water evaporates from your spa and new water is 

added, the amount of dissolved minerals like calcium, copper, iron, 

and manganese will increase. (Minimize evaporation by keeping the 

cover on the spa whenever possible.)  High iron or copper content in 

the water may produce green or brown stains on the spa.

d. Foam Inhibitors -  Soap is introduced into the spa water from users’ 

bodies and  swimming apparel and can cause the spa water to foam 

when the jets are used.  Low levels of calcium hardness (soft water) 

can increase foaming.  Although ozone can oxidize soap residual, 

it may become necessary to add Foam Inhibitors to suppress the 

foam.  Excessive soap in the water may require a water change to 

resolve.

Oxidizers:  

Ozone and Monopersulfate (MPS) are oxidizers used to 

prevent the buildup of contaminants, maximize sanitizer efficiency, 

minimize combined chlorine, and improve water clarity.  They are 

to be used in conjunction with EPA registered sanitizers.  The 

MONARCH

  III high output ozone system uses Corona Discharge 

technology to produce a high concentration of ozone which is 

injected into the spa water 24 hours per day.  Chlorine-Free 

Oxidizer, Monopersulfate (MPS) is a granular oxidizing chemical. 

Sanitizers:  

Maintaining the recommended residual level of an EPA 

registered sanitizer at all times will decrease the occurrence of 

unsafe bacteria and viruses in your spa water.  The recommended 

Free Available Chlorine (FAC), the amount of available chlorine 

sanitizer, is 

3.0-5.0 ppm

.  A low FAC can allow bacteria and 

viruses to grow rapidly in the warm water, and a high FAC can 

cause discomfort to the user’s eyes, lungs, and skin.  Each 

sanitizer carries its own instructions regarding how much to use 

and when to add it to the spa water.  Consult your dealer for their 

recommendations and instructions on proper sanitizing of the spa.

Watkins recommends the following sanitizer:

•   

FROG 

sanitizing system (mineral and bromine)

Watkins also approves the following sanitizers: 

•  Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione (sodium dichlor or chlorine)
•  Biguanide

WARNING: 

DO NOT use tri-chlor chlorine, bromo-chloro-dimethyl-

hydantoin (BCDMH), or any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, 

acid or any type of sanitizer which is not recommended by Watkins 

Manufacturing Corporation.

ALKALINE SPA

WATER

(SCALING

ZONE)

ADD pH

DECREASER

 TO LOWER 

pH

ADD pH

INCREASER

 TO RAISE   

pH

ACIDIC SPA 

WATER

(CORROSIVE 

ZONE)

COMFORT 

ZONE

IDEAL