Cal Spas LTR20051000 - Manual (Page 54)

Water Quality Maintenance
Page 50 2005 Spa Owner's Manual
8/1/2005
Adjusting pH
Adjusting pH with Sodium Bisulfate
pH Reading Prior to Sodium Bisulfate to Add
Chemical Addition: (500 gallon/1850 liter spa)
7.8 - 8.0 ppm 1 ounce
8.0 - 8.2 ppm 1.5 ounces
Greater than 8.4 ppm 2 ounces
Retest the spa’s pH vale after allowing two hours to pass and repeat the above steps if required. pH is closely
affected by your spa’s total alkalinity. Test your spa’s pH value at least twice every month. The correct range
for pH is 7.2 - 7.8 ppm. The lower the pH value, the more effective bromine is in spa water sanitation.
Caution: If the water becomes acidic (pH below 7.2), damage to spa surfaces and equipment may occur.
pH has a direct effect on bromine’s effectiveness at sanitizing your spa’s water! It also affects bather comfort.
Imbalance can result in eye irritation.
Adjusting Bromine Level
As discussed earlier, desired bromine levels vary between spas, mainly due to different bather loads. You will
quickly determine the right level for your particular spa. Of course, if bromine readings are lower than desired,
you can just turn up the dial on the bromine generator. Likewise, if bromine readings are higher than you want,
you can simply turn down the same dial. The bromine level will then gradually reduce tot he production rate
required to suit your needs.
Determining Sodium Bromide Level
It is important to be able to maintain the appropriate amount of TRU BLU sodium bromide in your spa’s water.
By following these instructions, you will be able to. There are some things to consider, however. You will
normally find that over the weeks and months that you are enjoying the use of your tub, the water level will
decrease for several reasons. One is evaporation. The other is a result of water “removal” (splashing, exiting
bathers, etc.). The first cause of water loss -- evaporation -- will not reduce the sodium bromide that is available
in your tub, because sodium bromide does not evaporate. The second cause -- water removal -- will, however,
result in loss of some sodium bromide.
Since it is impossible to know how much water loss results from evaporation and how much from removal, it is
necessary to determine your sodium bromide level when adding water to the tub. There are available, through
your dealer, sodium bromide test strips. Use of these strips will help you determine how much, if any, TRU
BLU to add. Consult your dealer for more information.
Common Questions About the Automatic Bromine Generator
Q. Why do pool and spa professionals warn consumers against using chlorine in hot tubs and spas?
A. Chlorine is an extremely corrosive chemical and may cause damage to equipment; moreover, most spas
maintain temperatures of over 100 degrees and chlorine readily evaporates at about 97 degrees, potentially
leaving the spa’s water untreated.
Q. What causes a fishy or musty smell with spas?
A. Low bromine or no bromine, which is usually caused by failing to fill up the bromine feeder or failing to
return it to the spa after bathing.
Q. How often do I need to drain my spa with an automatic bromine generator?