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Water Balance Procedures
PROTECT PLUS Protect Plus is a stain and scale control with a Clarifier. The stain and scale control ties up the metals and minerals in the water so you do not have any build up of minerals on (in) the plumbing, filter, heater or spa surface. The clarifier is a coagulant that makes the small particles large enough so that they can be filtered out. The Protect is applied at the rate of 4 ounces on the fill per 500 gallons. Then weekly at the rate of 2 ounces per 500 gallons. The protect should be added on the initial fill while the spa is filling. Then after the spa is filled to the normal level, turn it on and heat to at least 90 degrees before any other chemicals are added to the water. This is so the Protect is allowed to work on the metals and minerals that are present in the fill water. For the weekly treatment no wait time is required. The rate of application for the protect never changes. It is the same no matter how much or often the spa is used. The pH is the ratio of acid to base of the water. This is one of the more important aspects of the water in minimizing the damage that the water can cause to the spa components. Low pH is corrosive to the metal parts of the spa. High pH is scale forming; meaning the water is prone to a build up of mineral deposits on the plumbing and equipment. The acceptable range for pH is 7.2 - 7.8. Never allow the pH to drop below 7.2. To adjust the pH up, use either baking soda or soda ash. Baking soda raises both pH and total alkalinity. Soda ash raises just the pH. Always check the pH with a good test kit (or strip) before making any additions of chemical to the water. After the addition (if needed) always wait at least 2-4 hours before re-testing the water. To lower the pH use a pH down product. pH down is an acid that will lower both the pH and total alkalinity. There is no chemical that will lower one without the other. Under most conditions the alkalinity is adjusted first then the pH.Total alkalinity is a measurement of the carbonates dissolved in the water. This is an important aspect of the water in that it helps you control the pH of the water. If the total alkalinity (TA) is high, the pH is hard to adjust. If the pH is low, you will experience pH shift or bounce. In general the TA helps you control the pH of the water. In most circumstances the TA will need to be adjusted before the pH. The acceptable range for total alkalinity for an acrylic spa is 80 - 120 PPM. Baking soda is the most common material for raising the TA. Acid is the usual chemical for lowering the TA. When trying to lower the TA or pH you will be using an acid so BE CAREFUL. Acids can and will damage the spa surface, the equipment, you or anything else it comes in contact with. USE with CARE! Calcium hardness is the amount of calcium in solution in the water. The main function of the calcium is to buffer the water so it is not as corrosive to the spa and equipment. It also buffers the water to help stabilized the pH. Some also think that the calcium helps to keep your skin from wrinkling, but, alas, it is not true. Keeping the calcium level correct it the cheapest way to protect your investment. Typically, once the calcium is added to the water (if needed) you do not need to add it again until the spa is drained and re-filled. The factors that can cause the calcium level to decrease are when the water is physically removed from the spa. I.e. the water is splashed or carried out of the spa. Normal evaporation of the water leaves the calcium in the vessel then when make up water is added you actually are increasing the level from the calcium that is present in the fill water. TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDSTotal dissolved solids (TDS) is just what it sounds like, the amount of solids that are in solution in the water. The solids come from a variety of sources: The chemicals that are used to maintain the water, the fluids that your body induces, the small amount of rain water and melting snow. The most significant aspect of the TDS's is that when the level raises above 1500 PPM it's time to start thinking about changing the water in the spa. After the level is above the 1500-PPM mark the solids interfere with the other chemicals making it increasingly difficult to maintain proper sanitizer and water balance levels. At this point it's better to drain and re-fill then fight a loosing battle.
Proper levels synopsis pH: 7.2 - 7.8 (exception, with ozone can be as high as 8.0) Total Alkalinity: 80 - 120 PPM Calcium Hardness: 100 - 400 PPM TDS: 0 - 1500 PPM
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Colorado Spas & Leisure Located 1.25 miles south of Harmony and College on the East Side of College Avenue Just south of Poudre Valley Feed |
