#1 Portable Hot Tub - Hot Spring Spas

Spa Water Maintenance Troubleshooting Guide

PROBLEM	PROBABLE CAUSE	SOLUTIONS
Cloudy Water	Dirty Filters Excessive oils/organic matter Improper sanitization Suspended particles/ organic matter Overused or old water	Clean filters with FreshWater® InstantFilter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner Shock spa with sanitizer Add sanitizer Adjust pH and/or alkalinity with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up or FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down Run jet pump(s) and clean filters with FreshWater Instant Filter Cleaner or FreshWater Filter Cleaner Drain, clean and refill the spa
Water Odor	Excessive organics in water Improper sanitization Low pH	Shock spa with sanitizer Add sanitizer Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up to recommended range
Chlorine Odor	Chloramine level too high Low pH	Shock spa with sanitizer Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up to recommended range
Musty Odor	Bacteria or algae growth	Shock spa with sanitizer—if problem is visible or persistent, drain, clean and refill the spa
Organic Buildup/ Scum Ring Around Spa	Buildup of oils and dirt	Wipe off scum with clean rag—if severe, drain the spa, use FreshWater Spa Shine after cleaning to protect the spa shell, and refill the spa
Algae Growth	High pH Low sanitizer lever	Shock spa with sanitizer, and adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down to recommended range Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level
Eye Irritation	Low pH Low sanitizer lever	Adjust pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up Shock spa with sanitizer, and maintain sanitizer level
Skin Irritation/ Rash	Unsanitary water Free chlorine level above 5 ppm	Shock spa with sanitizer and maintain sanitizer level Allow free chlorine level to drop below 5 ppm before spa use
Stains	Total alkalinity and/or pH too low High iron or copper in source water	Adjust total alkalinity and/or pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up Use FreshWater Stain & Scale to inhibit metals
Scale	Total alkalinity and/or pH too high High calcium content in water	Adjust total alkalinity and pH with FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down—if scale requires removal, drain the spa, scrub off the scale, clean spa shell with FreshWater Spa Shine, and refill the spa. Add FreshWater Stain & Scale and balance the water using FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Up or FreshWater pH/Alkalinity Down
* Watkins Manufacturing Corporation recommends only the following sanitizers: * Sodium Dichloro-s-Triazinetrione (Sodium Dichlor or chlorine) * One-step granular bromine * AutoFresh Water Care System * FreshWater Biguanide Water Care or Baqua Spa™ (please consult your Baqua Spa manual for instructions on the use of this product)