SPA RANGE CARE: EVERY FEW DAYS

Your Brass Monkey needs a little extra attention every few days, or as required after heavy user loads.

Back Washing Media Filter 

This should be done at the end of the day allowing 1 hour before the bath is used after backwashing. 
The function of backwashing is to separate the deposited particles from the filter media grains and flush them from the filter bed. Backwashing is achieved by reversing the flow of water through the filter bed at a fairly high flow rate. This high flow rate expands the filter bed and the water flow carries the debris out to waste. 

Before backwashing the media filter read the instructions. We recommend you do ‘dry’ practice run.

Do not turn the handle to recirculate or waste unless you have read the WaterCo. Instruction manual

Always be sure you know where your turning the handle too, your main points are Backwash, Rinse , Filter and Close. 

 

Familiarise yourself with the Media Filter 

 

 

Task

Why

1. Activate MAINTENANCE MODE (Press and hold the spanner on the control panel).

Turns off the engines and pump, allowing you to move the filter handle without water rushing through.

2. Depress the media filter handle and turn it to the BACKWASH position.

Directs water through the media filter and out to waste.

3. Activate BACKWASH MODE (Press and hold the down arrow on the control panel).

Turns on the pump for cleaning while keeping the engines off.

4. Allow the backwash to run until the sight glass runs clear (if unsure, flush up to a max of 2/3rd of the water in the bath).

Ensures the media is fully cleaned.

5. Activate MAINTENANCE MODE (Press and hold the spanner on the control panel).

Stops the pump and engines so you can safely adjust the filter handle.

6. Depress the media filter handle and turn it to the RINSE position.

Prepares the media for rinsing when the pump is turned back on.

7. Activate BACKWASH MODE (Press and hold the down arrow on the control panel).

Starts the pump to rinse the media while keeping the engines off.

8. Wait 60 seconds, then activate MAINTENANCE MODE (Press and hold the spanner on the control panel).

Turns off the pump so the handle can be adjusted again.

If completing a full drain down, STOP here and refer to Full Drain Down

9. Depress the media filter handle and turn it to the CLOSED position.

Closes the media filter so the bath can be refilled with water.

10. Open the FILL TAP and close it once the water level reaches the middle of the skimmer.

Restores the correct water level for operation.

11. Depress the media filter handle and turn it to the FILTER position.

Sets the media filter to its daily use configuration.

12. Exit MAINTENANCE MODE (Press and hold the down arrow on the control panel).

Restores pump and engine operation.

13. Check the bath is running: ensure the light is illuminated, and water is flowing.

Confirms the backwash process is complete. Wait 1 hour before using the bath.

 


Check and Balance Water 

The key to maintaining pool water is balancing various factors. The Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) helps by combining these elements. It's best to calculate the LSI weekly, alongside checking alkalinity, TDS, and calcium hardness. Results should be recorded weekly.

 

Step 1 

  • Take a sample bucket of water from the bath at a depth of 30cm
  • Take a temperature reading
  • Take a TDS reading using your preferred meter
  • Take a TOTAL ALKALINITY reading using your preferred meter 
  • Take a pH reading using your preferred meter
  • Take a calcium hardness reading using your preferred meter

Step 2 

  • Record the findings on the weekly test record sheet and work out the water balance. •
  • If the reading is outside of the acceptable balance dilute the water in the bath until an acceptable level is found

CHLORINE

  • Ideal: 1-3 ppm
  • Kills bacteria and viruses.
  • Low? Increase chlorine.
  • High? Stop adding and dilute with water.

PH BALANCE

  • Ideal: 7.2-7.6 (Best at 7.4)
  • Low pH: Causes irritation and corrosion.
  • High pH: Cloudy water, weakens chlorine.
  • Adjust with chemicals or fresh water.

ALKALINITY

  • Ideal: 80-120 ppm
  • Stabilizes pH.
  • Adjust alkalinity first, then recheck pH.

FREE CHLORINE

  • Ideal: 1mg/L
  • Upper limit: 3mg/L
  • If too high, reduce dosing or dilute water.

COMBINED CHLORINE

  • Should be less than 50% of free chlorine.

CALCIUM HARDNESS

  • Ideal: 75-150mg/L
  • High levels cause scaling.
  • Test weekly.

TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)

  • Keep under 1000mg/L
  • Test weekly, reduce by dilution.

SULPHATES

  • Ideal: Less than 360mg/L
  • Test weekly.

Working out your Water Balance 

Temperature T.Factor Calcium Hardness C. Factor Total Alkalinity  A. Factor 
1°C 0.0 5ppm 0.3 5ppm 0.7
8°C 0.2 50ppm  1.3 50ppm 1.7
15°C 0.4 100ppm 1.6 100ppm 2.0

Use the T. factor, C. factor and A.factor from your results to work out your water balance using the Langlier equation:

T.factor + C. factor+ A.factor + Ph) - 12.1 = Water balance index

Compare you result to the index below. Reading between +0.5 and -0.5 are acceptable

Level Meaning
+0.5 Scale Forming
+0.2 to +0.5 Acceptable balance 
+0.2 Aim for +0.1
-0.1 to +0.1 Ideal Balance
-0.1 to -0.5 Acceptable Balance
-0.5 Corrosive and erosive

Check and Balance Water 

What Ideal Levels  Actions
Chlorine 1-3ppm

Kills bacteria and viruses.

Low? Increase chlorine.

High? Stop adding and dilute with water

PH Balance 7.2-7.6(Best at 7.4)

Low pH: Causes irritation and corrosion.

High pH: Cloudy water, weakens chlorine.

Adjust with chemicals or fresh water

Alkalinity  80-120ppm

Stabilise pH 

Adjust alkalinity first, then recheck pH 

Free Chlorine 1mg/L

Upper limit: 3mg/L 

If too high, reduce dosing or dilute water 

Combined Chlorine Should be less then 50% of free chlorine  
Calcium hardness 75-150mg/L

High levels cause scaling 

Test Weekly 

Total dissolved solids (tds)  Keep under 1000mg/L

Test weekly, reduce by dilution

Sulphates Less then 360mg/L

Test Weekly


 

See all care overview & protocols for SPA Range