Index

6.4. Water maintenance

Water maintenance is a point that requires the user’s closest attention, due to its importance. This maintenance will depend on the mineral content of the water used, how often the hot tub is used and the number of people who use it.

There are three key points for water maintenance:

Water filtration
Chemical analysis and pH control
Water disinfection

SAFE USE OF CHEMICALS

Before using any chemical, carefully read the instructions for use provided by the manufacturer on the product’s label.

We recommend that the same person always uses the chemicals.
Keep these products out of reach of children.
Add the exact specified amounts to the water. Neither too much nor too little.
Keep containers closed, in dry and well-ventilated places.
Do not inhale chemicals and do not allow them to contact with your eyes, nose or mouth. Wash your hands after using them.
Follow the emergency instructions that appear on the product’s label in the event of an accident or if ingested.
Avoid smoking when handling these products. They may be flammable.
Store these products in a suitable place, never inside the hot tub’s cabinet.
Do not mix the products together. Add them to the water one at a time. This avoids any unwanted chemical reactions between them.
Do not pour chemicals into the water while there are people inside the hot tub.

MAINTENANCE PROGRAMME FOR YOUR HOT TUB’S WATER

Al chemicals: chlorine, bromine tablets, algaecides, calcium descales and pH reducer/increaser, etc.: must be poured into a floating dispenser (not supplied), with the massage pump running for at least ten minutes.

ADJUSTING THE PH

A pH value between 7.2 ppm and 7.6 ppm is recommended. PH level measures acidity and alkalinity. Values above 7 ppm are alkaline; below 7 ppm they are acidic.

ATTENTION
It is extremely important to maintain a correct pH level, to ensure that the disinfectant works properly and to avoid any corrosion or scaling in the hot tub.

If the pH level is very low, it has the following effects:

The disinfectant will dissipate quickly.
The hot tub’s equipment may begin to corrode.
The water may start to cause irritation to bathers.

If the pH level is very high, it has the following effects:

The disinfectant is less effective.
Scaling will appear on the acrylic and on the equipment.
The water may turn cloudy.
The pores in the filter cartridge may become clogged.

Check the water’s pH level daily with the pH test kit.

If the pH level is too high, use CTX pH MINUS for hot tubs. Wait for two hours before testing the pH level again. If the pH level is too low, use CTX pH PLUS for hot tubs. Wait for two hours before testing the pH level again.

When the pH level is within the above range, follow the instructions below.

WATER DISINFECTION

Disinfecting the water is vitally important to destroy algae, bacteria and organisms that can grow in the water. However, over-disinfecting can cause irritation to skin and eyes.

Bromine tablets are the most suitable water disinfectant for your hot tub. This product is placed in the pre-filter to gradually dissolve. Check the level of residual bromine every day using the bromine test kit. We recommend residual bromine levels between 2.2 and 3.3 ppm. If using chlorine, to ensure that it is effective, you should maintain a free residual chlorine concentration between 0.5 and 1.5 ppm.

USING SPECIAL PRODUCTS

As well as products to maintain pH and disinfectant levels, there are other products that are specially formulated for use in hot tubs, which will help you to keep the water and equipment in a perfect condition.

CTX DESCALER FOR HOT TUBS: Prevents build-ups of calcium salts (scaling), especially in hard water. This product is added weekly and every time that the water is changed.
CTX ALGASTOP FOR HOT TUBS: This algaecide prevents algae from growing in the hot tub’s water. This product is added weekly and every time that the water is changed.
CTX ANTI-FOAM FOR HOT TUBS: Due to the water being agitated and the oils present in the water, foam is often formed. When a substantial amount of foam is observed in the water, remove it with CTX Anti-Foam for hot tubs.
CTX WATERLINE CLEANER FOR HOT TUBS: To eliminate the rings of dirt and grease that form on the hot tub’s walls. To use this product, we recommend draining the water from the hot tub and applying the degreaser onto the areas being cleaned with a sponge. Then rinse with plenty of water.

OZONE GENERATOR (depending on the hot tub model’s features)

Ozone, O3, is an oxidising chemical compound that is very effective at disinfecting water. Its main benefits are that it leaves no chemical residues and it is odourless.

It works as a disinfectant thanks to its oxidation potential, which eliminates any organic matter that may be in the water.

To produce ozone, there is an ozonate which uses electricity to produce ozone ions from the oxygen in the air. This process occurs automatically and the resulting product is injected into the hot tub via the filter’s return nozzles. No action is required on the user’s part to produce the ozone.

The water is collected by the overflow, the drains or the skimmer, due to the suction of the filtration pump.

It then passes through the heat exchanger and the ozone is injected at its outlet. The water is distributed via the filter return line.

Ozone treatment can be used together with other chemicals such as bromine or chlorine. Ozone is considered a supplementary treatment to bromine or chlorine, making it possible to use smaller amounts of the latter.

U.V. DISINFECTION (depending on the hot tub model’s features)

Ultraviolet rays (UV-C) allow water to be disinfected without using chemicals. When bacteria, viruses and protozoa are exposed to wavelengths between 200-300 nanometres (range C), these waves become a quick and effective germicide, preventing microorganisms from reproducing and contaminating the water.

Moreover, disinfection with UV-C rays is considered environmentally friendly, chemical-free, and highly effective at disinfecting the water and protecting it against harmful microorganisms. This disinfecting component is located after the filtration pump and before the electric heater. A lamp inside the unit emits UV-C rays that disinfect the water as it flows through it.

QUICK GUIDE TO USING CHEMICALS

	Reason for use	Amounts per m³ of water	Frequency of use
PH MINOR SPA	Add if the pH test comes out above recommended values (7.2-7.6 ppm).	Add according to recommendations of the chemical product manufacturer.	Analyse the pH daily with the pH Test.
PH MAJOR SPA	Add if the pH test is below recommended values (7.2-7.6 ppm).	Add according to recommendations of the chemical product manufacturer.	Analyse the pH daily with the pH Test.
BROMINE TABLETS	Add if the Br test is above recommended values (3-5 ppm).	Add according to recommendations of the chemical product manufacturer.	Analyse the Br daily with the Br. Test.
LIME SCALE REMOVER	Avoid the formation of calcium salts (scaling).	Add according to recommendations of the chemical product manufacturer.	Once per week, and each time the water is renewed.
ALGAECIDE FOR SPAS	Prevents the growth of algae in the water.	Add according to recommendations of the chemical product manufacturer.	Once per week, and each time the water is renewed.
SE REMOVER	Eliminate rings of dirt on the Spa walls.	Scrub with a sponge and immediately rinse with abundant water.	Whenever dirt is observed on the Spa walls.
FOAM REMOVER	Presence of foam in water.	Add according to recommendations of the chemical product manufacturer.	Whenever foam appear in the water.