26 Beachcomber Hot Tub Owner’s Guide www.beachcomberhottubs.com 27
Effects of Unbalanced Calcium Hardness
Metals and Minerals
Effects of Unbalanced Total Alkalinity
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Calcium Hardness is a measure of the amount of calcium present in the water.
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Water that contains high levels of calcium and magnesium salts is called hard water. “Calcium Carbonate” scale may be present in
hard water, in the form of white residue on massage inserts, heaters, filters and hot tub controls. If left for longer periods, calcium
scale can become hardened and impossible to remove. Due to increased aeration and agitation, calcium deficient water will cause
foaming in hot tub water. Hard water can significantly impair the heating ability of the hot tub heater element and cause increased
costs to keep the hot tub to temperature.
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Water that contains little or no calcium/magnesium is called soft water. Soft Water feels “slippery”, and is aggressive and
damaging to concrete areas surrounding the hot tub.
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Please contact your nearest Beachcomber Hot Tubs Store for free water testing and more information.
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Dissolved metals have the ability to stain surfaces and discolor water if not properly controlled.
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Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is a measure of accumulated dissolved materials in solution (not suspended particles) in hot tub water.
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As more water care products are added, especially granulars, the TDS level will climb.
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When TDS level reaches 1500 ppm over start up TDS, it may cause clouding, odor, listless water and chemical inefficiency.
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Contributors to TDS levels include: hair, evaporation, sweat and skin particles, lint, fecal matter, environmental debris (leaves, pine
needles, dirt etc.), dust, pollen, expectorant (spit), lotions, nasal discharge, cyanuric acid (from stabilized chlorines such as Chlor
Blast and Care Free Boost), oils, urine, inert solids from granular products.
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Remove once per week and rinse with water.
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Once per month, filter should be cleaned, alternating monthly between Filter Cure and Filter Pure, soaking it for 12-18 hours.
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Rinse filter very well to prevent any residual filter cleaning product entering the hot tub water.
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Always have two filters, one in hot tub and one clean and ready to be installed.
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Advantages of a clean filter include: clean water, better circulation, lower sanitizer, overall better performance.
UL Certified according to the ASTM F1346-91 standards for Hot Tub safety covers.
• Never allow children or pets to sit, play or stand on top of the hot tub cover.
• Please use the handle when lifting the heatshield.
• Use Cover All as part of your regular hot tub maintenance on the hot tub cover as conditioner to protect from sun’s damaging rays.
• Use Purezyme #3 to eliminate organic odors and scum that can occur on the underside of the hot tub cover.
CAUTION: The hot tub Heatshield cover is strong enough to withstand up to 2 feet of snow. It is not designed to support the weight of
children, pets or adults. This extra weight will break the foam inners and lead to premature failure of the heatshield which is not covered
under the Beachcomber Guarantee.
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The Total Alkalinity reading is based on the total of alkaline salts in the water. Total Alkalinity is the measure of the ability of water
to resist or “buffer” changes in pH. Highly unbalanced water condition will cause damage to heater elements, light rings, stainless
steel fittings, dials, heatshields and pump components.
LOW CALCIUM HARDNESS
Aggressive water
Foam
Etching of plaster or concrete
Odor
Damage to patios, railings, concrete
LOW TOTAL ALKALINITY
Corrosive Water
pH Bounce
Cloudy water
HIGH CALCIUM HARDNESS
Scaling Water
Cloudy Water
Plugged filters
Reduced circulation
Lowered heater efficiency
HIGH TOTAL ALKALINITY
Scaling Water
pH drifts up
Cloudy water
METAL STAIN COLOR WATER COLOR
Copper blue-green to black stain blue-green or black
Iron yellowish, red-brown yellow-brown
Manganese
grey to black stain, violet coffee-brown
SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS
Cloudy Water
Factors that affect water to be cloudy: TDS Level, Lack of Sanitizer, High/Low pH, Poor Filtration, Products
added to water too close together, Plugged Holiday tender.
Colored Water
Factors that affects colored water: Well water, Copper from equipment and pipes that dissolve into water due to
improper water balance.
Skin Irritations
Factors that may cause skin irritation: Improper TA & pH balance, Chloramines, NO Sanitizer level, extended bathing sessions,
High TDS level.
Foam Factors that may cause foaming: Low calcium hardness, bather waste (TS).
Odor Factors that may cause odor: Combined pH and Chlorine problem.
Scaling Caused by high pH level.
Scum Lines
Caused by combination of: High TDS, low sanitizer levels, dry filters, plugged or nonfunctional floating dispens-
ers or holiday tenders.
Biofilm (White Algae)
Nature’s way to provide bacteria with a suitable coating in which to proliferate and survive even in a harsh
environment.
Common Water Care Issues
Filter Care and Maintenance
Heatshield Care and Maintenance
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