SPA WATER MAINTENANCE - START-UP
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1. Read the spa owners manual first.
2. Clean the surface with a spa general purpose cleaner or wipe down with a
clean wet towel.
3. Begin filling the spa with fresh water. If possible, do not use softened water.
4. When the spa has 2 to 4 inches of water on the bottom, add the recommended
amount of a sequestering chemical for that size spa. See the chemical bottle
for correct amounts.
5. When the spa is full, run the pumps on high speed for 30 minutes without air
controls open. This will give the sequestering chemical time to mix well with
the water. Allow sequestering chemical 12-24 hours to properly filter in the
water before proceeding with any further steps.
6. Using test strips or a test kit, test for total alkalinity, and adjust if necessary
to between 80 to 150 ppm using the pH / alkalinity increaser or decreaser 1oz.
at a time. Wait 15 minutes, retest, and adjust if necessary. The pump should
be running on high speed during this time.
7. Using test strips or a test kit, test for pH, and adjust if necessary to within the
7.2 and 7.8 range using the pH / alkalinity increaser or decreaser 1/2oz. at a
time. Wait 15 minutes, retest, and adjust if necessary. The pump should be
running on high speed during this time, without air controls open.
8. Add the sanitizer of choice, following label directions. If chlorine is used,
broadcast the recommended amount across the surface of the water, with the
pump running on high speed. Wait 15 minutes, retest, and adjust if necessary
to a total chlorine reading of 1 to 3 ppm. If bromine is used, add bromine
tablets to the bromine feeder following label directions. With the pump
running on high speed, add 2oz. of sodium bromide, and shock the spa with
2oz. of non chlorine shock. It may take several days adjusting the bromine
feeder to obtain a total bromine reading of 3 to 5 ppm. A bromine reading
may not be obtained on the first day.
9. If any foam develops, add a defoamer at the base of the problem area. Use
only enough defoamer to get rid of the foam. This is usually one or two
drops. Do not pour large amounts of defoamer into water.
10. Wait two days, and begin a three day a week maintenance program.
