BioGuard and SpaGuard are "Spa Care Systems" to help you, the spa owner, take complete care and control of your Hot Tub or Spa. To do this, you need to know a few things about what, when, and why.
There are 6 essential keys to spa care:
Circulation:
Every day, bacteria and other contaminants can find their way into your spa water. Care should be taken to enhance circulation – this will help prevent these contaminants from becoming problems.
As the water circulates it:
• passes through the filter and the suspended particles are trapped.
• thoroughly distributes the SpaGuard products that kill bacteria, eliminate undesirable compounds, and help prevent problems.
1. Run your spa's circulation system every day. Check your spa owner's manual to determine how long your spa's circulation system should run or ask the folks at Porter's for advice.
2. If your spa has a separate circulation pump that runs continuously, simply make sure that your system is always in good working order.
Cleaning:
If left unchecked, contaminants such as dirt, oil, and even bacteria can accumulate at the waterline, much like a bathtub ring. Good spa care involves regular cleaning of surfaces. This will not only preserve the surfaces, but will also make the whole spa environment look and feel better.
1. Use a skimmer net to remove floating debris.
2. Brush and vacuum the spa.
3. If you have a skimmer basket, empty it once or twice a week.
4. Clean the oily ring that forms at the waterline using SpaGuard Surface Cleaner or SpaGuard Spa Mitts. This fast-acting product breaks up the oils and debris at the waterline so you can easily wipe the surface clean. Unlike most common household cleaners, SpaGuard Surface Cleaner is totally compatible with your spa's water chemistry.
5. Prevent waterline build-up with SpaGuard Natural Spa Enzyme. This natural product has enzymes that digest most oils and eliminate them from the water.
By removing these oils:
• Your spa will be less likely to form foam.
• The surface will be easier to clean.
• The waterline will require less frequent cleaning.
• The filter will require less maintenance.
Filtration:
Many spa care mistakes are caused by poor filtration. A filter that's operating properly helps keep the water clear by capturing the hair, oils, and cosmetics that wash off when people use the spa. When the filter is dirty or clogged, all this debris remains in the water. Most spas have a cartridge filter. Check your owner's manual for detailed information on how to remove the filter for cleaning. Typically you should clean the filter every 4-6 weeks.
1. Remove the cartridge.
2. Rinse with a garden hose to remove loose debris. A hose-end nozzle is best. A pressure washer has too much pressure. (NOTE: this will not eliminate the accumulated oils.)
3. Every time you clean your filter, use SpaGuard Filter Cleaner and Degreaser according to label instructions. This will dissolve and loosen the built-up oil and dirt. If you are on the SoftSoak program, use Soft Soak Filter Cleaner.
4. Thoroughly rinse the cartridge again. (Ideally the cartridge should be allowed to dry before being returned to service.)
5. Return the cleaned cartridge to the filter housing.
6. Replace the filter element as often as the manufacturer or Porter's recommends.
7. Use SpaGuard Water Clarifier weekly. Some particles of debris are microscopic and too small for the filter to catch. Water Clarifier will help join these tiny particles together and allow the filter to remove them, keeping the water clear. SpaGuard Water Clarifier is compatible with the SoftSoak program.
Chemistry:
By using a SpaGuard program in your spa care regimen, you’ll receive numerous benefits. When used according to label instructions, SpaGuard products will:
Make the water feel clean and comfortable.
Kill bacteria which can multiply rapidly in a spa.
Protect spa surfaces from stains caused by metals which are often dissolved in water.
Protect spa equipment from scale caused by calcium deposits. Scale can accumulate on spa surfaces and inside filters and heaters, greatly reducing their effectiveness.
For your convenience, we've color-coded our different product categories.
BLUE: Sanitizers to kill bacteria and keep the water protected and soothing.
ORANGE: Oxidizers to remove undesirable compounds and keep the water clean and inviting.
PURPLE: Balancers to make the water feel wonderful, and protect the spa surfaces and equipment.
TEAL: Accessories to keep the spa surfaces clean and the water beautiful.
1. Maintain an adequate sanitizer level at all times to kill bacteria.
•SpaGuard Brominating Concentrate. Bromine is an ideal bacteria fighter in spa care. Simply add these concentrated granules into the spa water according to label instructions. A double dose of Brominating Concentrate can also serve as a shock.
•Brominating Tablets. As these Brominating Tablets dissolve, they release powerful protection against bacteria. Use them in a brominator or in a floating feeder. IMPORTANT: Do not place Brominating Tablets in the skimmer or drop directly onto the spa's surface.
• Chlorinating Concentrate. This fast dissolving chlorine product is also effective against bacteria and easy to apply. Sprinkle the granules directly into the spa according to label instructions. A double dose can also serve as shock.
2. Use SpaGuard Enhanced Shock (or a shock dosage of Brominating or Chlorinating Concentrate) to remove undesirable compounds, eliminate odors, clarify the water, and restore the sparkle. SpaGuard Enhanced Shock is the preferred routine shock product in spa care. This patented formula has oxidizers to remove undesirable compounds and clarifiers to make the water beautiful and clear. And it works fast so you can quickly get right back to relaxing.
Every time you refill your spa with fresh water use SpaGuard Stain and Scale Control to prevent metal stains and scale build-up. If your water contains high levels of minerals or metals, your SpaGuard Dealer may also recommend a weekly maintenance dose in your spa care routine.
Even if your spa is equipped with an ozone generator, you still need SpaGuard sanitizing and "shock products." Ozone can provide some oxidizing support, but ozone is very short lived. SpaGuard sanitizers provide the continuous, reliable protection you need.
Testing:
There are 2 primary components that affect spa water quality.
1. Sanitizer
2. pH
When both are within their recommended ranges:
• Your water is comfortable, protected and clear.
• Your sanitizers and "shock products" work efficiently.
• Your spa surfaces and equipment are protected.
1. Maintain sanitizer within the recommended levels:
Bromine residual = 2 - 6 ppm
Brominating Concentrate = 3-6 ppm
Brominating Tablets = 2-4 ppm
Chlorine residual = 3 - 5 ppm
(If your spa is equipped with an ozone generator, you may choose to maintain the chlorine or bromine at the lower end of their ranges.)
2. Maintain the pH between 7.4 - 7.6. In this range bathers are comfortable, the spa surface and equipment are protected, and the sanitizers perform efficiently.
Add SpaGuard Spa Sentry to hold the pH in it's optimum range. pH is THE most important aspect of spa water quality. However, maintaining the proper pH can be a challenge in a spa. The heated, aerated water, combined with heavy bather loads can cause the pH to change quickly, unless a means for buffering these changes is present. That's where SpaGuard Spa Sentry comes in. Spa Sentry is formulated to "watch over" the pH and protect the water from pH changes. So all you have to worry about is enjoying your spa.
3. Test sanitizer and pH level several times a week with the test strips. These strips provide quick, easy and accurate readings. The test process is easy. Follow the label instructions. Simply dip and read.
4. Take a water sample to Porter's regularly (every 4-6 weeks) for a complete water analysis. In addition to testing the pH and sanitizer, this analysis will measure the water's total alkalinity, calcium hardness, iron, copper, manganese and total dissolved solids. Based on this analysis, your dealer can recommend the SpaGuard spa care products you need in order to keep the spa looking and feeling great!
Draining and Filling:
Regular draining and refilling is a normal part of spa care. Over time, the water absorbs and dissolves minerals, chemicals and other soluble material. Porter's can perform a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) test to help determine if it's time to replace your water. High TDS can make the water look dull, become foamy and develop an odor.
How often you drain and refill your spa depends on how often you use it.
This simple formula can help.
(# of Spa Gallons / # of Daily Bathers) / 3 = Days Between Draining
* Example: (300 gallons / 2 daily bathers) / 3 = 50 days
1. Drain the water. Check your owner's manual for information.
2. Clean the spa surfaces with SpaGuard Surface Cleaner or SpaGuard Spa Mitts.
3.SpaGuard Surface Cleaner is compatible with the SoftSoak Program
5. Refill the spa with fresh water.
6. Take a sample of the water used to refill the spa to Porter's for a complete analysis.
(By testing the fill water we can help reduce problems before they start)
7. Add the recommended SpaGuard products in the order and amount determined by the water analysis
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