Thatchers

SPA START UP FOR BROMINE

  • Use these directions each and every time you drain and refill your spa.
  • Please read and observe all safety information in your owner’s manual.
  • Fill spa with hard water. If you do not have hard water available, you will need a water analysis immediately to avoid equipment and spa surface damage. The hardness can be adjusted with the addition of Calcium Hardness to the water.
  • When spa is full, activate electrical power to spa.--- Plug in or Turn on the Breakers.
  • It is important to have a water sample analyzed in our computerized lab to make sure your fill water consists of proper hardness levels and determine if any iron is present in your water. Bring 2 cups of your fill water to Thatcher Pools & Spas and we will perform the analysis absolutely free.
  • Add Stain & Scale Control (1 capful per 100 gal.)
  • Add 1/2 CAP of Brominating Concentrate per 300 gallons. If Iron is present, DO NOT add Brominating Concentrate until NEXT DAY, and rinse filter First BEFORE adding Brominating Concentrate----It may be necessary to soak filter in Acid Solution (see pg. 2, How to clean your filter).

    MAINTENANCE
    3 TIMES A WEEK: Test spa water with test strip and maintain:
    pH 7.4 – 7.6
    Bromine Concentrate 2.0 – 4.0
    Total Alkalinity above 125
  • Dip the strip into the spa water for 1 second, remove and hold horizontal. Read Bromine, PH and total alkalinity in 15 to 30 seconds. After that the reading will change.
  • If adjustments are necessary, turn jets on and adjust pH and alkalinity before adjusting Bromine. It is not unusual to add PH De-creaser and Brominating Concentrate daily, especially to fresh water. As the water ages, you will see these readings become more stable and require less adjustment.
  • If you consistently read low bromine, it will be necessary to increase the amount of Brominating Concentrate added daily.
  • Spas equipped with ozonators can maintain bromine readings at 1.0 – 2.0.
  • Never use a spa that does not contain bromine.

    WEEKLY:
    Add Stain & Scale Control ................................... 1 capful per 100 gallons
    Add Water Clarifier or Sea Klear 4 in 1 ............... 1 capful per 300 gallons
    Add Spa Shock .................................................... 1 capful per 300 gallons

  • Bromine level must be between 1.0-3.0 ppm before shocking.
  • To shock spa; remove spa cover, start jets, add dosage of Spa Shock and let run uncovered for 10 minutes.
  • It may be necessary to increase the amount and frequency of Spa Shock when shocking the spa after heavy bather loads, if the water is hazy, cloudy, or has an odor.
  • Add maintenance dose of Stain & Scale Control faithfully each week. This chemical keeps calcium from building up on the spa surface and inside equipment.
  • It may be necessary to increase the amount of Stain & Scale Control you add weekly to control iron deposits and excessive calcium hardness readings.
  • Anti-Foam – when needed. Add 1/2 oz. Per 600 gallons of water or 1 teaspoon per 200 gallons.

    EVERY 4 MONTHS:
    Chemically clean your filter cartridges.---Shut off power to tub.

    SOAK

  • Remove filter(s) from spa
  • Do not operate the spa without filters
  • Clean with Filter Cleaner & Degreaser
  • Place filters in a bucket
  • Add clear water to cover filters
  • Add 1 pint of Filter Cleaner & Degreaser
  • Allow cartridges to soak 4-8 hours
  • Rinse thoroughly with clean water
  • Soak in clear water for 1 hour
  • Hose off filters every 2-4 weeks

    RINSE

  • Hose off with a Garden Hose
  • Spray Filter Cleaner and Degreaser FULL STRENGTH directly onto filter
  • Allow soaking for 15 min
  • Light brushing may be required for heavy oils
  • Rinse clean w/ Max. Garden hose pressure

    Sometimes, it may be necessary to give your filter an ACID BATH. That will happen if you have too much excess metal on it. After cleaning with the Filter Cleaner and Degreaser, soak your filter using 4 cups of PH De-creaser or LoNSlo and 5 gallons of water. Soak filter for 4 hours. Rinse with a garden hose.

    Change your Silver Zinc Cartridge-----if have one

    Formula to find out how often you need to drain and refill your spa:
    DIVIDE SPA GALLONS BY DAILY BATHERS; THAT NUMBER DIVIDED BY 3 EQUALS DAYS BETWEEN DRAINING. EXAMPLE: 300 GALS / 2 DAILY BATHERS / 3 = 50 DAYS

    Change the water in your spa (follow your owners manual instructions)

  • Be sure you shut off power to the spa before draining.
  • Plastic surfaces can be cleaned with Total Alkalinity Increaser, as you would use a scouring powder.
  • The water you re-fill with must be hard. Softened water will cause surface and equipment damage to the spa.
  • Do not re-fill with hot water; this can cause the high-limit switch to trip.
  • Be sure the spa is completely full before restoring power to the spa.
  • Try to time water changes so that you are not draining and refilling the spa Dec-Feb.
  • In the event that your spa won’t heat after changing the water, it is possible an air bubble is causing the problem. Remove your filter element and stand pipe, run water from a hose into the standpipe connection to help “burp” the system.

    YOUR SPA AT A GLANCE

    Spa Brand/Model:___________________ Gallons:________
    Ozonator:_____(UV bulb replace every 3 yrs) Brand:_______
    _____Corona Discharge Brand:_______

    Cartridge Filters:_______ Single cartridge_______ sq. ft (must be rinsed weekly with clean Water and chemically cleaned every 4 months)

    _______Multiple cartridges _______sq. ft (chemically clean every 4 months)

    Note: Cartridges must be replaced every 2-4 years

    Warranty Summary: Surface/Structure: For warranty specifics, please review spa owner’s manual.
    _______Plumbing
    _______Parts
    _______Labor
    Initial start-up warranty on pillows, cover locks, light bulbs, and filter cartridges.
    _______Cover
    _______Tile
    _______Ozonator

    Mileage beyond a 20-mile radius of Rochester is not covered under the terms of your warranty. Travel time and mileage cost is $1.00/mile. We will make every attempt to schedule out of town warranty calls in groups so that you may share the travel fee with others. No travel charges occur for the first year.

    Emergency service is available November through March. The additional after hours rate is not covered under the terms of your warranty, however, we will make every attempt to avoid this additional charge and perform work needed during normal business hours. To obtain emergency service, call 507/269-1126 and if no one is available, be sure to leave a message. A service staff member will contact you for advice and evaluation of your problem as soon as possible.

    COVER CARE:
  • Never sit or stand on your cover.
  • Remove snow and ice immediately.
  • If water “pools” on top – flip the core over.
  • Do not locate your spa under the eaves of your home.
  • Always secure the cover to the spa when not in use.
  • Clean your cover each spring and fall with Sunstar Cover Cleaner.
  • Never use Armor-All on your cover – it will void your warranty.
  • Notify Thatcher Pools & Spas immediately with any problems.
  • Use handles to remove the cover and never drag the cover on the ground.
  • With proper care, covers last 4-5 years on outside spa installations.



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