Create your own backyard paradise with
a hot tub from McBurney Pools & Spas


Water Care Solutions

We belong in the water - Water Care
For health and happiness

This section will quickly help you identify and correct problems.

Algae
Cloudy water
Colored water
Eye or Skin Irritation
Foaming
Odor
Scaling
Surface Stain or Discoloration
No Chlorine/Bromine Reading
Too Much Sanitizer
Soft Water

 If you have any concerns about your water that are not dealt with here, take a sample of your water in to your authorized Beachcomber dealer for a full water analysis.

Beachcomber Professionals are equipped with our Computerized Water Analysis program. Regular testing can identify potential problems, protect your investment and maximize your enjoyment.

Algae
Algae is an unusual problem in hot tubs. Algae takes the form of small flakes that appear to be tissue paper. Algae may consume large amounts of the sanitizer present in the water. In fact, the presence of algae in a hot tub is usually attributable to insufficient sanitizer addition. If algae is present in your hot tub, please consult your Beachcomber professional for the Beachcomber white algae elimination treatment. Maintaining the recommended daily sanitizer residual will prevent the growth of algae.

Cloudy Water
Water may become cloudy for several reasons:

* High dissolved solids

Solids accumulate in hot tub water due to heavy bather use or chemical overload over a period of time. These dissolve and become part of the general water chemistry. When these dissolved solids become too concentrated, water clarity deteriorates. The best solution is to empty and refill your hot tub with fresh water.

* High pH

High pH in excess of 7.6 can cause water to cloud. Reduce pH to the proper level of 7.5 with Spa Minus.

* Poor filtration

Check your filter weekly for proper operation and cleanliness. If the filter is dirty and efficiency reduced. Alternate cleaning filter with the Filter Pure and Filter Cure. Filter should be cleaned at least once a month. Spa Resist and Spa Protect were added in quick succession without waiting 15 minutes to allow to circulate.

Colored Water
Copper from equipment fittings and pipes dissolves into the water due to high velocity and/or low pH, low alkalinity and low calcium hardness. This can show up as a greenish blue residue in the water. Your water may also contain other minerals such as iron, manganese and copper. To prevent the stains these minerals may cause, use Eliminate #1 initially. Eye and or skin irritation

* High pH

pH that is too high may irritate skin and eyes. Correct by adding Spa Minus and bring pH down to 7.5.

* Low pH

pH that is too low may also be irritating to skin and eyes. Have Total Alkalinity checked first by a Beachcomber professional, if T.A. is in range (80-120 ppm) then raise pH by adding Spa Plus to increase pH to 7.5

* Chlorine

Chlorine combines with nitrogen from body wastes, oils, etc to form chloramines. These cause familiar chlorine odor and irritations. Correct by super-chlorinating with Lithchlor or Spa Chlor as per label recommendation.

* No Sanitizer Present

Bacteria and micro-organisms can enter pores in your skin and cause hives and rashes. Correct by super-chlorinating with Lithchlor or Spa Chlor as per label recommendation.

Foaming

Is a common ailment of hot tubs, caused by agitated water, dissolved solids or low calcium hardness levels. To correct, use Foam Free sparingly. About ten drops is enough to disperse foam in an average hot tub. If the problem persists, have calcium hardness level checked by a Beachcomber Professional. In extreme cases you may have to replace the water.

Odor
Odor is generally a pH or chlorine/bromine problem. Check the pH and free chlorine level of the water. It may also be caused by high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS). To correct, shock with Bromate, Spa Chlor or Lithchlor as per label and adjust pH to 7.5. If this does not correct change hot tub water.

Scaling
Is a common problem. These rough, hard deposits can clog or coat circulation lines, heater pipes, heater elements and filter lines. This restricts the water flow and efficiency of equipment, which may require expensive repairs or replacement. Scale is usually the result of dissolved calcium which precipitates and becomes calcium carbonate when the pH is too high. To prevent, maintain pH at 7.5 and Total Alkalinity between 80-120 ppm. Add Eliminate Plus #2 to water weekly. Have your water analyzed by your Beachcomber Professional.

Surface Stain and Discoloration
Water line stains and residues on your hot tub are caused by Total Dissolved Solids precipitating from the water or by body oils building up in the hot tub. These may be removed by cleaning with Tub Clean.

No Chlorine/Bromine Reading

* Santizing demand not met

During times of heavy use, hot tub water may become contaminated by bacteria, organic matter, oils, etc. These use chlorine/bromine as they are oxidized and until this demand is satisfied no sanitizer residue is left. It is important not to use the hot tub while sanitizer levels are below those recommended bromine 4.0 - 6.0 ppm & chlorine 3.0 - 5.0 ppm)

* Old test kit reagents

Test Kit Reagents which are over one year old may have lost their effectiveness. These should be replaced. High sanitizer levels can bleach out the color out of the reagents, making it appear that no sanitizer is present when there is actually an excess amount present. Excess sanitizer can also cause your pH test to go purple, to correct, circulate water.

* Algae present in the water

Algae quickly consumes any sanitizer present in the water and may account for heavy demand. Follow the Beachcomber White Algae elimination treatment prescribed by your authorized Beachcomber dealer.

Too Much Sanitizer
It may be harmful to use the hot tub if the sanitizer exceeds recommended levels. To reduce, add Neutr-All as per the label and re-test the sanitizer until desired level is reached.

Soft Water
If you live in an area with soft water or use a softener for your water source, it may be corrosive. The water will demand minerals from parts of pumps and heater (corrosion). To prevent, bring calcium hardness to 150-200 ppm, with Spa Protect. Your Beachcomber Professional can test your water to determine the amount of Spa Protect that you need to add.
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