Water Chemistry and Maintenance Guide for Spas with Ozone

OZONE

So you have an ozone built into your spa? Good Choice!

Ozone...naturally healthy

A Spa Ozonator converts oxygen to small safe levels of ozone,(O3 ozone gas), pumping it into the water to sanitise your spa. Ozone destroys odours, stops eye and nasal irritation and kills bacteria faster than chlorine or bromine,increasing bather protection. Ozone gives your spa clear, sparkling, healthy water which feels absolutely brilliant.

Save time and money

An Ozonator needs little to nomaintenance, giving you more time to sit back and relax. Ozone is the natural choice for spa hygiene and greatly reduces the chemical demand in spa pool water sanitising. This in turn reduces operation expenses by up to 85%.

Yes !......you still need to add chlorine.

An ozone in no way replaces the need for a sanitiser such as chlorine. It only helps you use less of it. Ozone, in conjuctionwith Nature2, can eliminate the use of Bromine.

Make Sure your ozone is working correctly on a regular basis!

Depending on the type of ozone injection system you have, the ozone bubbles will come out ofa jet wall fitting or grill. Usually

located at or near the bottom of your spa. Easily identified. Bubbling should be present with a distinct smell. Take note of the smell whenyou first start your spa so you know if your ozone is working correctly. Remember if there is no bubbling from the ozone jetthe ozone will not be working either. There are two types of ozones 1. U.V. lamp ozone, whichis basicly a special type of flurocent light. These units have a blue indicator light so it is easy to see when it is on. 2. C.D. (Corona Discharge)ozone, which is an high voltage electrical charge produced through the transformer producing an ozone gas discharge. This unit normalydoes not have an indicator light so only by smell can you tell it is working.

How Long Does Ozone last for?

A U.V. type ozone will only last about 2 to 3 years before the percentage of ozone being put out, drops down below 20%. Even thoughthe blue indicator light may still be on, it will not be producing the same level of ozone. The Corona Discharge type will last as long as the volt charge box and components, meaning it could last about 5 to 6 years still producing the correct amout of ozone.

NATURE 2

What is Nature 2?

Nature 2 is a Continuos Silver Ion Purifier cartridge that is loaded with silver and zinc coated ceramic beads. The coating is released into the spa water when rushingwater passes over it. So it needs to be located inside of or on top of your filter cartridge to work properly.

How does it Work?

The flowing water, through a chemical erosion process, carries with it the silver ions necessary to add a sanitizing residual to thespa water. Bromine, sodium bromide and biguanides should not be used with nature 2 because it coats the beads and does notlet the silver ions be released. So if you have been previously using those chemicals you will need to clean the shell, filtersand compartment thoroughly before using. The ozone works inconjunction with nature 2, it enhances the performance of the silverions and may substantially reduce the need for supplemental chemical treatments when the spa is not in use.

How often do I replace the cartridge?

If you have a 24hour circulation system that runs all the time, your cartridge will last about 4 months. Look at the beads inside and whenall the silver has worn off they turn white. If you have a demand heating system it will probably last about 5 to 6 months.

I Now Have An OZONE and NATURE 2 Installed !! What Do I Do Now?

Are your filter cartridge/s cleaned properly and ready for use?

Weekly

Your filter cartridges are the most important thing in your spa and should be cleaned weekly! They should be washed down with a high pressure hose, getting all particles out from in between each layer.

Monthly

They should be soaked overnight in a solution that eats off the body fats and accumulated oils as per directions on pack.

The ONLY solution that worksthat I have found isfilter brite. All other so called degreasers and filter cleaners I have used did not clean the oils off.

NOTE: Your filter cartridge may not be clean when it is white and sparkling! It may have oils all over it so it must be soaked in the solution, otherwise your cartridge will not absorb or filter correctly. Most people find it easier to have a spare or spare set of filters constantly soaking, so there is always a clean one ready to put in.

Testing The Water Chemistry In Your Spa

You will need to have a good test kit to be able to test the following levels in your spa. The test strips is an quick and easyway of testing the following levels. A more effective way is a two in one or four in one professional test kit which is more accurate. Follow the steps from one to five in that order to complete.

1 *Cleaning filter cartridges

2 *Total Alkalinity level and balancing

3 *Calcium Hardness level and balancing

4 *P.H. level and balancing

5 *Sanitiser Boost Levels

Total Alkalinity level and balancing (TA)

The recommended Total Alkalinity for your spa water is 125-150ppm (parts per million).

Total alkalinity is a measure of the total levels of carbonates, bicarbonates, hyroxides, and other alkaline substances in the water. Total (Alk), is refered to as the water's "pH buffer". In other words, it's a measure of the ability of the water to resist changes in pH level.

~If the TA is too low, the pH level will fluctuate widely from high to low. Fluctuations in pH can cause corrosion or scalling of the components. Low TA can be corrected by adding sodium bicarbonate(TA increaser).

~ If the TA is too high, the pH level will tend to be high and may be difficult to bring down. It can be lowered by using sodium bisulfate.(Total Alkalinity decreaser).

~ Once the TA is balanced, it normally remains stable, although the addition of more water with a high or low alkalinity will raise or lower the TA readingof the water.

~ Once the Total Alkalinity is balanced proceed to step three

Balancing the Calcium Hardness (CH)

The recommended Calcium Hardness (Ch) level for your spa is 150 - 200ppm (parts per million). Calcium Hardness is a measure of the total amount of dissolved calcium in the water.Calcium helps control the corrosive nature of the spas water. That is why calcium - low water (commmonly known as soft water).

P.H Level and Balancing

The recommended pH level for your spa water is 7.4 - 7.6.

The pH level is the measure of acidity and alkalinity. Values above 7 are alkaline. Those below 7 are acidic. Maintaining the proper pH level is extremely important for:

*Optimizing the effectiveness of the sanitizer

*Maintaining water that is comfortable for the user

*Preventing equiptment deterioration

The pH level can be affected by the bather load. The addition of new water, the addition of various chemicals, and the type of sanitiser used. It is important to test the pH regulary, every week.

What Happens If My pH Level Is Out Of This Range?

~ If your pH level is to low the following may result;

*The Sanitiser will disipate rapidly.

*The water may become irritating to spa users.

*The spa equipment may corrode.

~If your pH level is to high the following may result;

*The sanitiser is less effective.

*Scale will form on the spa shell surface and the equipment.

*The water may become cloudy.

*The filter cartridge pores may become obstructed.

NOTE: Whenadjusting pH levels, Wait two hours before re testing the water for pH. Measurements taken too soon may not be accurate.

P.H. Stabalisers

There is a great product on the market, if used correctly! Enables you to not have to keep adjusting the pH levels up and down. It locks the pH level once you add it!

This product is not recommended for use by some spa manufacturers or any spa surface that is not acrylic. Because it can cause scaling on the surface and components. If you use this product correctly and maintain your water chemistry accurately you will not have a problem.

The best stabaliser I have found is called Perfect Balance.