W
ater Clarity
19
OC Hot Tubs Owner’s Manual
LTR50001045, Rev. N
Calcium Hardness
Abbreviated as CH. Calcium hardness is a measure of the total amount of dissolved calcium in the
water. Calcium helps control the
corrosive
nature of the spa’s water and is why soft water is not
recommended. The low CH level can cause
corrosion
to the equipment and can cause staining
of the spa shell. See page 21 for testing for and balancing calcium hardness.
Corrosion
The gradual wearing away of metal spa parts, usually caused by chemical action. Generally,
corrosion is caused by low
pH
or by water with levels of
TA
,
CH
,
pH
or sanitizer which are outside
the recommended ranges.
Dichlor
Also called sodium dichlor. It is a type of chlorine and is frequently used when
shocking the
water
. An effective
chlorine
-based powdered
oxidizer
and
sanitizer
. Dichlor works by
oxidizing waste product in the water such as
bromamines
and
chloramines
and causing them
to burn off.
Monopersulphate
or MPS
Frequently used when
shocking the water
. An effective non-chlorine-based powdered
oxidizer
that works well with both
chlorine
and
bromine
. It works by oxidizing waste product in the
water such as
bromamines
and
chloramines
and causing them to burn off.
Oxidizer
Shocking the water
with an oxidizing chemical prevents the buildup of contaminants, maximizes
sanitizer
efficiency, minimizes combined
chlorine
and improves water clarity.
Ozone
Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent which is produced in nature and artificially. Ozone forms no
by-products of
chloramines
(ozone actually oxidizes chloramines) and will not alter the water’s
pH
.
pH
The pH level is the measure of the balance between acidity and alkalinity. Low pH causes the
water to be too acid, which will cause
corrosion
, whereas high pH causes the water to be too
alkaline, which will cause
scaling
. See page 21 for testing for and balancing pH.
ppm
The abbreviation of “parts per million”, the standard measurement of chemical concentration in
water. Identical to mg/l (milligrams per liter).
Sanitizer
Sanitizer is a chemical added to the water to kill bacteria and viruses and keep the water clean.
The two sanitizers we recommend are
chlorine
and
bromine
. See page 22 for discussion of
sanitation.
Scale
Rough calcium-bearing deposits that can coat spa surfaces, heaters, plumbing lines and clog
filters. Generally, scaling is caused by mineral content combined with high
pH
. Additionally, scale
forms more readily at higher water temperatures.
Shock
Also called shocking the water, shock treatment, or superchlorination. Shocking the water is
adding significant doses of
dichlor
or
MPS
to
oxidize
non-filterable organic waste and to remove
chloramines
and
bromamines.
Shock treatment breaks down organic waste contaminants
which cause odor and cloudy water. See page 23 for discussion of shocking the water.
Total Alkalinity
Abbreviated as TA. Total alkalinity is the measure of the total levels of carbonates, bicarbonates,
hydroxides, and other alkaline substances in the water. TA is important for
pH
control. If the TA
is too low, the
pH
will fluctuate out of control, and if it is too high, the
pH
becomes difficult to
stabilize. See page 20 for testing for and balancing total alkalinity.
Trichlor
Used as a pool
sanitizer
. NEVER use trichlor in a spa. Trichlor is extremely acidic and will lower
the
pH
, causing corrosion to equipment. Using trichlor will void your warranty.
Water Testing Methods
There are two testing methods to choose from:
Test strips are a convenient testing method
commonly used by spa owners.
The reagent test kit is a
method which provides a
high level of accuracy but is
more expensive and more
difficult to use.
