SPA WATER CHEMISTRY AND BALANCE (continued)
Calcium Hardness (CaCO
Result if too low – Diffi culty balancing water, corrosion of metal components, eye & skin irritation and water
foaming.
Result if too high – Scale formation, cloudy water, eye & skin irritation, diffi culty balancing water and fi lter/
heater ineffi ciency.
Saturation Index (SI): temperature, calcium hardness concentration, total alkalinity and pH represent the
main factors infl uencing scale formation. The tendency of water to either form scale or corrode is indicated by
the Saturation Index (SI):
*Where: TF = Temperature Factor; CF = Calcium Hardness Factor; AF = Total Alkalinity Factor
Water Temperature
(ºC)
8
12
16
19
24
29
34
40
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Test the water pH, Temperature, Calcium Hardness and Total Alkalinity levels. Use the equivalent Factors in
the SI equation.
SI = 0, Balance
If SI > 0, Scaling or cloudy water condition.
If SI < 0, Corrosive to metals or eye & skin irritating condition.
The SI is considered satisfactory if the value is within -0.3 to +0.3 range. Zero being perfect.
How to adjust the spa water chemistry when the levels are off the range. CAUTION: Always follow the
chemical manufacturer's directions, and the health and hazard warnings.
Remove the spa cover to aerate the water and use the included test strips to check the chemistry level.
Ensure the chlorine level in the water is between 2-4 ppm fi rst, as chlorine will affect the TA test result.
If the TA level (and not the pH) is higher than 120 ppm, to lower the TA level, you add muriatic acid (hydrochloric
acid) or sodium bisulfate.
If the TA level is lower than 60 ppm, you add sodium bicarbonate.
For example (for 4 adults'), if the TA level is 180 ppm, the desired decrease is 60 ppm, from below chart, you
need to add 0.269 Lb (121 g) of sodium bisulfate or 0.101 qt (96 ml) of muriatic acid
If the test strip color is between 180 ppm and 240 ppm, and close to 180 ppm, you can also add 0.269 Lb
(121 g) of sodium bisulfate or 0.101 qt (96 ml) of muriatic acid.
If the reading is more than 240 ppm, you can add sodium bisulfate or muriatic acid to the water drop by drop
until the test strip indicates a 240 ppm reading, then add 0.528 Lb (238 g) of sodium bisulfate or 0.202 qt
(192 ml) of muriatic acid.
NOTE: After adjustment, retest the water after 24 hours and adjust again if necessary.
S AVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
(299IO) SPA (JET + BUBBLE) ENGLISH 7.5" X 10.3" PANTONE 295U 06/30/2016
): refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium dissolved in the water.
3
SI = pH+TF+CF+AF-12.1
Calcium
TF
Hardness (ppm)
(ºF)
46
0.2
75
54
0.3
100
61
0.4
150
66
0.5
200
75
0.6
250
84
0.7
300
93
0.8
400
104
0.9
500
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1000
SPA Water Adjustment
Total Alkalinity (TA) Adjustment
English
Total
CF
AF
Alkalinity (ppm)
1.5
50
1.7
1.6
75
1.9
1.8
100
2.0
1.9
150
2.2
2.0
200
2.3
2.1
300
2.5
2.2
400
2.6
2.3
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2.6
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Page 17
299
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