Contents Your Spa 1. Introduction...4 2. Planning...5 3. Installation Instructions...6 4. Maintenance...7 5. Accessories...9 6. Opening and Maintenance...10 7. Closing...11 8. Safety Guidelines...13 9. Appendix: Water Problems...14 Client s Name : Contract No. : Purchase Date : Brand : Model : Structure : Dimensions : Water Capacity : Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 2
Your spa 3 Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012)
1. Introduction Welcome to the Club Piscine Super Fitness family! Congratulations on the purchase of your Club Piscine Super Fitness spa. You have chosen the best value for your money, with a comprehensive warranty, and unsurpassed after-sale service. The purchase of a spa is often a dream come true, and it represents a long-term investment. At Club Piscine Super Fitness, we understand this, so we have created this booklet to help you get a clear picture of what this major purchase entails. Hold on to this guide, but don t forget that your Club Piscine Super Fitness store offers a full array of services, and experts to advise and help you. You may also refer to our website www.clubpiscine.ca, and select Contact us at the bottom of the home page for any question you may have. Have a wonderful summer, and enjoy your new purchase. We suggest that you notify your insurance company of your new purchase to ensure that you have adequate protection. Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 4
2. Planning With a project of this size, there are several steps that must be completed before the delivery and installation of your spa. Club Piscine Super Fitness offers a spaful of tips and recommendations to help make your dream a reality. MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS It is extremely important that you check with your municipality for any regulations that apply to your property. For example: Mandatory distances from property lines Required permits Required fencing CHOOSING YOUR SITE You must plan where your spa will be located, bearing in mind the following factors: Your yard s sun exposure Location of patio Children s play area Underground and overhead wires and cables (See some of Hydro Québec s requirements shown in the picture below, which is to be used as a guideline only since each installation is unique, and local regulations may differ.) Electrical power hook-up If your spa has a rigid cover, your municipality may not require a fence around your yard get the facts! For more information, visit Hydro-Québec s website. 7.5 m min. 7.5 m min. 5 m min. 5 m min. 1.5 m min. 5 Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012)
3. Installation Instructions OUTDOOR INSTALLATION Make provisions for a 75 to 100 mm (3 to 4 inches) thick reinforced concrete slab. Connect the ground lead to the wire mesh. If the spa is being installed on an existing patio or deck, the patio or deck must be leveled. Make sure the patio is structurally sound, and can support the weight of the spa, water, and users; talk to a structural engineer. (Water weighs 2.6 lb/ltr or 1.2 kg/ltr) Pre-assembled. Follow manufacturer s guidelines and recommendations. INDOOR INSTALLATION Prepare a good drainage system for water that will splash out when filling, draining, or using the spa. Proper ventilation will ensure comfort, and minimize damage that may be caused by humidity. Check the sturdiness of the structure that will support your spa. IMPORTANT Make sure mechanical components (motor, water heater, etc.) are easily accessible. Otherwise, you may expect extra maintenance costs overtime. ELECTRICAL WORK Have a licensed electrician hook up your spa, and make sure it is GFCI-protected. WARRANTY The spa warranty covers all manufacturing defects, which does not include damages resulting from an inadequate installation. Therefore, the owner is responsible for the installation. WARNING Setting up a spa may vary from one region to another depending on weather conditions, and soil type. Please contact your spa manufacturer prior to proceeding with its installation. Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 6
1) TESTS AND CHEMICAL TREATMENTS 4. Maintenance Maintaining water quality in your spa is extremely important. The goal is to keep the water well balanced chemically. The formula for this is different for every spa owner depending on the number of bathers, frequency of use, and location of the spa, besides other individual factors. Unbalanced water can seriously damage your equipment. This is why it is important to test the water regularly, either with a test kit or by bringing a sample of your water to your Club Piscine Super Fitness store. The test is free of charge! REPLACE SPA WATER APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3 MONTHS. ALKALINITY Total alkalinity is the measure of carbonates, bicarbonates, and hydroxides in solution, in the water. They stabilize, or buffer the ph to prevent large differences in ph readings. Total alkalinity must be between 80 and 150 ppm, with 120 ppm being ideal. Chlorine and bromine tablets reduce alkalinity gradually. When total alkalinity is low, ph is unstable, water becomes corrosive, and sanitizers are no longer effective. ph ph is a measurement that indicates if the spa water is basic, neutral, or acidic. Spa water should be slightly basic, between 7.2 and 7.6. If ph levels fall below 7.2, your water will corrode spa equipment, and irritate users skin. Sanitizers will also disappear more rapidly. Correct low ph by adding PH+. If ph climbs higher than 7.6, it can cause calcium build-up in the heat exchanger pipes, cloudy water, and calcium deposits, while reducing the effectiveness of sanitizing agents. Correct high ph by adding PH-. HARDNESS Water hardness is caused by dissolved limestone in the water. The ideal level is 150 to 280 ppm. When water hardness is too low, the water becomes corrosive, and will stain surfaces. To increase water hardness, add calcium. When water hardness is too high, calcium deposits form on the heating pipes and the water becomes cloudy, thus staining your spa. 2) SANITIZING To prepare the spa for sanitizing, add 3 capfuls (15 ml) of descaler every week (depending on the size of your spa) to prevent scale formation. Wait 1 hour before using other products in order for the descaler to have enough time to combine with the water. LITHIUM Drop the initial lithium dosage in your spa, that is 4 tsp diluted in hot water. Wait 4 hours before adding other products or using the spa. Put 2 teaspoons of lithium into the spa every week, or more often if needed. It is normal for your water to become cloudy when the jets are on. If the water stays cloudy, however, for more than 2 minutes when the system is back on the filtration setting, add 1 teaspoon of lithium to clear it up. Repeat this if there are more people than usual in the spa. When chlorine or bromine is low, give the spa a small lithium shock treatment. It is better to add lithium in the evening; you will not have to wait, and the spa will be ready to use the next morning. 7 Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012)
If you use an ozonator with your spa : Put 2 teaspoons of lithium in the spa every week, or more often if needed. You don t need bromine. If the spa is outdoors, add about a capful of 40% concentrated algicide every 2 weeks. BROMINE AND CHLORINE Keep bromine and chlorine levels between 1.0 and 1.5 ppm. If your spa is outdoors, and water temperature is never above 32 C (90 F), you can use chlorine. The odour would be too strong indoors, and the chlorine would not have time to act due to the likely higher water temperature. If you use bromine tablets : Put the initial dose of bromine tablets in your floating dispenser. Check it every week. There should be 4 or 5 tablets in the dispenser. Set it to 6. If you use liquid bromine or a bromine activator : Add the initial dose of liquid bromine. 4 hours later, add the initial dose of bromine activator diluted in warm water. 4 hours after that, add a capful of 40% concentrated algicide (if the spa is outdoors). The next day, start adding the activator; add it every day for 6 days. On the seventh day, add liquid bromine, and repeat the cycle using the activator for 6 days, followed by bromine. If you use chlorine : Add a capful of concentrated algicide. 2 hours later, add a double dose of chlorine for a small shock treatment. 24 hours later, add descaler if the spa is heated. 3) MISCELLANEOUS MAINTENANCE CLEANING CARTRIDGES Wash out cartridges regularly (every 2 weeks). Remove cartridge(s) (depending on the model), and insert replacement cartridge(s). Soak cartridges overnight in a mixture of water and cartridge cleaner at least once a month. Rinse cartridges and let dry completely or until the next time they are used so they don t lose their shape. JET MAINTENANCE Once a month, pull out the jets and wash with slightly soapy water, then lubricate with liquid silicone. CLEANING ACRYLIC Use slightly soapy water or our acrylic-cleaning product to avoid scratching and fading the acrylic. Do not use window cleaner; its ammonia base is too strong for acrylic. Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 8
5. Accessories Following are the main spa accessories: RIGID COVER Even if a solar blanket helps preserve heat, we recommend using a rigid cover to prevent water evaporation. The cover is covered with vinyl, and comes equipped with safety straps. Clean the cover regularly with soap and water to prevent odours and mildew, and do not leave it on the spa for more than 2 days in a row. FLOATING BROMINE DISPENSER This accessory is less expensive than a brominator, and is easy to use. Just pop in the bromine tablets, and adjust to the desired dispersal rate based on the size of your spa. OZONATOR An ozonator sanitizes water while reducing chemical use to little or none at all. MANUAL VACUUM These are used mainly with outdoor spas. Simply remove the small filter to empty it. THERMOMETER Most spas have a built-in thermometer. If yours doesn t, use a floating thermometer. Make sure your thermometer can read temperatures above 38 C (100 F). 9 Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012)
6. Opening and Maintenance Filling Remove skimmer cartridges (filters) and fill the spa through the skimmer openings to bring the water level higher than all jets. You might want to add a gallon of bleach to the water, and run the pumps for 1 hour. Afterward, empty the spa through the drain, then fill it again through the skimmer. Lithium System Add 1 tablespoon of lithium for every 1,000 L of water every evening (lithium has a high ph). Add 1 tablespoon of activator, booster, or oxidizer per occupant before using the spa. OR Bromine System Use about 4 bromine tablets in the bromine dispenser, or 2 tablespoons of liquid bromine each week. (Bromine has a low ph.) Add 1 tablespoon of activator, booster, or oxidizer per occupant before using the spa. Scale (safe scale inhibiting agent) Use 100 ml every week. This reduces calcium formation around the shell, in the pipes and jet rotation mechanisms, and specially in the water-heating element. Calcium causes extra wear and tear on equipment. Cartridge (filter) Every week, rinse the cartridge with a garden hose or put it through your dishwasher without soap. Soak it in a container of water, along with 500 ml of filter product (filter cartridge cleaner) for every 10 L of water, for 12 hours. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the entire cartridge. Water Empty the spa at least every 3 months: turn off spa power when draining the water, and always fill it through the skimmer. If the adjustable jets are not working properly, you can remove and clean them at this point. Chemical Balance Use ph- to lower the ph, or ph+ to raise the ph. Use 1 tablespoon every 4 hours. Use ph- to lower alkalinity, or alkalinity+ (baking soda) to raise alkalinity. Use 1 tablespoon every 4 hours. To increase water hardness, have your water tested at Club Piscine Super Fitness to determine the correct amount of hardness (calcium) to add. We recommend using clarifiers or defoaming agents in extreme cases only, for they cause cartridges to become dirty much more quickly. These products do not solve any chemical problems, but only hide them. Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 10
7. Closing You may keep your spa in operation (open) all year long, if your model allows it. However, should you prefer to close your spa for the winter season, following are detailed steps to guide you through this process. TURN OFF POWER AT THE HOUSE ELECTRICAL PANEL AND/OR THE GFCI. Draining your spa : (Ideally when outdoor temperature is above 5 C) Before draining, you might want to clean the plumbing with a cleaning product, and run the spa without air for 1 hour. Hoses will be rinsed as the spa empties. This will prevent calcium build-up, and premature damage to the heating element, pump shaft connection, jets, and valves. Use gravity to empty the spa through its drain (4 to 6 hours), or use a siphon connected to a garden hose, or use a submersible pump (1 hour with a ½ inch pipe, 5 minutes with a 1 ¼ inch pipe, and according to pump s water flow). Put these fittings away for the winter : Entry steps Spa cover (optional) Cartridge (filter) Removable skimmer parts Drain pre-filter (caps) Chemical products (store away from freezing cold and in a dry location) Jets (optional) Clearing water conduits : Once the spa has been drained, verify that the drain and jets are still open. Remove the valve switching handles. Unscrew the valve switch(es) (the largest). Open the door and pull out the cylindrical object inside. Use a wet/dry vacuum that will blow air out, and draw in air and water to remove any residual water (do not use a compressor): first blow air into all openings (massage jets, circulation jets, air injectors, drains, valve switches, skimmer), then use the suction setting to remove water, starting at the top of the spa and finishing at the bottom. Emptying pumps and water heater : Unscrew the water entry and outlet rings. Blow out and suction air from water entries and outlets to dry them completely. Once done, sponge up all the remaining water in the spa. When the spa is dry, screw the entry and outlet rings back in. Protecting the plumbing : (optional) Use pool antifreeze to protect your lines. Pour it into the skimmer and through openings in the jet, air, pump, switch valves, etc. (This should not take more than 2 gallons of pool antifreeze.) If you are certain that not a drop of water remains, you don t need to add antifreeze. It will be faster to start up your spa in the spring, since you won t have to rinse out the pipes. 11 Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012)
PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO : Filtration system and water heater (Spa pack) : They can remain outdoors if they are completely dry. N.B. SCREW THE RINGS BACK ON TO KEEP THE SEALS IN PLACE. Cover, reinforcement, and protective blanket : It is important that there be absolutely no water in the spa during winter. You can build a wooden cover to accomplish this. You can put the regular spa cover away, or leave it on the spa. You must reinforce the wooden cover, to ensure it can support the weight of the snow in the centre, using a styrofoam block sold at Club Piscine Super Fitness, along with two (2) 4 x 8 plywood panels, or six (6) 2 x 4 plywood panels. Protect the spa with styrofoam, or fabric, so as not to damage the acrylic. Finally, cover everything with a custom-made waterproof protective blanket available at Club Piscine Super Fitness to prevent any water from seaping in. Inspect the protective cover carefully before installing. Very Important : Remove all snow that accumulates on the spa during the winter, taking care not to damage the cover or the protective blanket covering the spa. In the Spring : Screw the drain back in. Reinstall the fittings that were removed. Fill the spa through the skimmer with cartridge(s) (filter) removed. (If you used antifreeze in the fall, run the spa for 1 hour, then drain it to rinse out the antifreeze in the pipes.) N.B. For more information or for an appointment, contact our customer service. Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 12
8. Safety Guidelines CHEMICAL PRODUCTS Carefully follow all manufacturer s instructions for using and storing chemical products. Never set dry products beneath liquid solutions. Keep them in a dry place away from children. Always add chemical products to water, and never water to chemicals. Never mix chemical products. Add products individually. Rinse the measuring cup before adding the next product. Store chemical products in a cool, dry place, away from children. In case of skin contact or ingestion, follow the directions on the label, or contact a poison control centre. Do not smoke near chemical products. Keep unused containers securely closed. SPA To avoid health risks to those using the spa, never heat spa water to above 40 C (104 F). Keep spa use limited to 15-minute periods to avoid feeling nauseous. In view of the elevated temperatures, spa use is not recommended for pregnant women, young children, and people with high blood pressure or heart problems. Do not use the spa when intoxicated, or if taking medication that could cause drowsiness. If you take medication, see a doctor before using the spa. Do not use an electrical appliance, such as a radio or hair dryer, near the water. Hot water is the perfect setting for spreading infections. Do not use the spa if you have open sores. Always enter and leave the spa carefully. Remove any snow build-up on the cover. Lock all straps on the cover when not using the spa. 13 Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012)
9. Appendix: Water Problems PROBLEM POSSIBLE CAUSE SOLUTION Organic contaminant build-up Administer lithium shock treatment. Particles in suspension Add clarifier. High ph Add ph reducer to bring it to 7.2 7.6. High total alkalinity Add hydrochloric acid to reach 80 150 ppm. CLOUDY WATER Elevated hardness Add descaler, circulate water softener until hardness is at 150 280 ppm. Inadequate filtration Wash dirty filter with cartridge cleaner. COLOURED WATER FOAMING CALCIUM DEPOSITS ODOUR EYE/SKIN IRRITATION NO CHLORINE/ BROMINE High level of dissolved solids Low total alkalinity Copper, iron, and other dissolved metals from the water source or equipment Algae Fragrance High concentration of oils and organic contaminates stirred up by water jets Soft water High alkalinity Empty spa and re-fill. Adjust alkalinity. Use descaler and obtain a water balance test at any of our stores. Add concentrated defoamer algicide. Stop using fragrance, and give the spa a lithium shock treatment. Add defoamer. Add descaler, circulate water softener until hardness is at 150 280 ppm. Adjust alkalinity by adding hydrochloric acid until alkalinity is between 80 and 150 ppm. Adjust ph if needed. Put an anode in the skimmer for calcium. Proceed with a lithium shock treatment. High ph High level of calcium Elevated level of organic contaminants, combined chlorine Low ph Add ph+ to reach 7.2 7.6. Combined chlorine due to elevated Use a lithium shock treatment. concentrations of organic contaminants Low total alkalinity High concentration of organic contaminants that absorb disinfectants Ineffective test reagents Unbalanced alkalinity and/or ph Add alkalinity to reach 80 150 ppm. Add sanitizer until levels reach the desired range (lithium, chlorine, bromine). Replace at least once a year, keep cool and away from the sun. First adjust alkalinity to between 80 and 150 ppm, then adjust the ph to between 7.2 and 7.6 ppm. Club Piscine Super Fitness - Spa - Owner s Manual (03/2012) 14