spa_marvel_faq

spa_marvel_faq

SPA MARVEL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(the following text was extracted from the Spa Marvel website)

 

Spa Marvel is compatible with all hot tubs and traditional spa treatment systems including ozonators, ionizors, ultraviolet, chlorine, bromine, lithium and salt systems.

In rare instances biguanide products, when used with Spa Marvel will turn the water yellow. If this occurs, contact our customer support for assistance at 1-888-400-1772 or at info@spamarvel.com

Similarly, in some instances Sundance Spas' and Jacuzzi's MicroClean disposable filters will not perform properly with Spa Marvel. Spa Marvel's natural sequestering agents can do such a great job that they will cause contaminants in the tub water to block the filters, resulting in cloudy water. This is the same reason that traditional water clarifiers are not recommended for use with these types of filters. If you encounter water quality issues when using a MicroClean filter, please contact our customer support team for assistance at 1-888-400-1772 or at info@spamarvel.com. In these situations the use of a replacement cartridge that does not utilize the MicroClean component may be necessary and is available from your professional spa store.

You will spend the same amount of money using Spa Marvel as you will when using traditional spa water treatment systems. Further savings can be realized when you factor in less frequent water changes and the associated heat-up of those water changes, no longer having damaged bathing attire and no more chemical damage to your lid, jets, heaters, jewelry, hair and nail polish. There is a school of thought that soaking in traditional spa-care chemicals may have negative long-term health consequences, on which a price cannot be put.

The same way it is easier to wash grease and butter from your hands in warmer water. Spa Marvel Cleanser will perform better in warmer water rather than in colder water.

Traditional spa treatment products work best at specific water-hardness levels. Spa Marvel will work at any hardness level, and given the choice Spa Marvel prefers softer water over harder water, but it is not a requirement. If your source water is so soft that it is corrosive and damages your heater and seals, then pleaase adjust the hardness using calcium hardness increaser as per your professional spa store's guidelines.

Spa Marvel has a ten year shelf life. One full bottle of Spa Marvel will treat any tub up to 500 gallons (2,000 litres) and will last three months with regular use. Spa Marvel is engineered to account for the fact that tubs do experience evaporation and some degree of spillage through regular use. Keep in mind that if you lost most of your tub water (i.e. a major leak or massive spillage) that Spa Marvel may not last as long as 3 months. Every 3 months simply add another bottle of Spa Marvel.

With Spa Marvel you can often go up to a year without changing your water. You do not need to change it as often as you typically would, as you are not super-saturating the water with all kinds of chemicals on a routine basis and the TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) of the water increases only marginally. For best results do not go over a year without changing the water. Water will wear out after a year and you will have difficulty maintaining the pH.

Use 1 full bottle of Spa MArvel for any tub up to 500 gallons (2,000 litres). The reason is that in smaller tubs, the bather load per volume of water is often greater than it is in the bigger tubs.

At some point you will start to encounter hazy water, pH travel, and the water will lose its "silky" feeling. For best results add 1 full bottle every 3 months.

One bottle of Spa Marvel treats all tubs up to 500 gallons (2,000 litres) for 3 months with regular use. If you had a 1,500 gallons (6,000 litres) tub such as a swim spa, which is 3 times the size recommended for 1 bottle, you need to add 3 bottles for 3 months. In other words, 1 bottle of Spa Marvel will last 1 month in a 1,500 gallons (6,000 litres) tub, and can be added monthly.

Yes. If for example your tub was at a vacation home that you only used 2 months of the year, you can use 2/3 of the bottle of Spa Marvel for 2 months. This formula can also be used if you are planning extremely heavy use of your spa, i.e. if you know that you are having a party a month after filling the spa that will result in such heavy use that a water change will be necessary, use 1/3 of a bottle of Spa Marvel to last for that month. After the party, change the water and use the remaining 2/3 to last another 2 months.

Yes. Spa Marvel is safe for children, pets and birds and does not stain clothes, ruin highlights in hair or harm jewelry or nail polish. Spa Marvel is a product so safe that it does not require warning labels or child-resistant packaging.

Spa Marvel Cleaser is a fast-acting proprietary cleanser that penetrates deep inside of your spa's plumbing and equipment, caustically removing biofilm, organic, mineral and chemical contaminants. In brand new spas, Spa Marvel Cleanser removes residues leftover from the manufacturing process including waxes, oils and resins.

If you do not use the Spa Marvel Cleanser the natural descalers contained within the Spa Marvel Water Treatment and Conditioner will clean out debris from the manufacturing process and accumulation from past use, which may cause water quality issues as a result.

Yes. If the lake water is cloudy due to tannins in the water, you will need to use spa shock and/or a clarifier to help in cleaning it during the first few days.

pH should range from 7.2 to 8.2 (a range broader that required when using traditional spa treatment products). Spa Marvel tubs tend to, more often than not, sit with a pH of 7.2 - 8.2. Alkalinity should range from 80 to 120 ppm. Always adjust alkalinity first, then pH, using products available from your professional spa store.

 

Water Quality Questions

 
 

Spa Marvel users should expect to enjoy clear, odour free water at all times. On very rare occasions some users have occasionally experienced less than perfect water and have sought assistance. Click on the links below to find answers to these infrequently asked questions:



Almost always caused by the introduction of soaps to the spa. Properly cleaned filters, increased circulation and time will usually correct foam problems. Shower before using the spa; ensure that there are no detergents entering the spa from hair, skin, bathing suits, clothing etc. Some filter cleaning products will cause foaminess. Ensure that the filters are thoroughly rinsed after cleaning, before reinstalling. Click Here for instructions on properly cleaning filters.

Ensure that alkalinity is between 80-120 and then that pH is between 7.2 and 8.2. Balance the water using traditional spa-water balancing products if necessary using traditional spa-water balancing products available from your professional spa retailer. The acceptable range for pH when using Spa Marvel is much broader than when using traditional spa care products, so please take care to read your testing devices properly.

Spa Marvel contains positively charged ions and your spa surface has a negative charge. Occasionally a bond between these two charges will occur resulting in a slight film that may develop on the spa walls. Simply wipe the surface with your hand or a cloth (rinsed well to remove any existing detergents) to break this bond. The bonding also creates a natural lubricant that allows your spa’s mechanical components and heaters to work better. If this situation occurs in a Softub brand vinyl-lined hot tub, you will also need to increase the amount of sanitizer you are using.

Musty odours are typically a result of contaminants that have accumulated in the spa’s filters or are caused by musty water that drips from the spa cover back into the tub.

Properly clean filters using a product such as Spa Marvel Filter Cleaner, and clean the spa cover. If odour persists, shock water with a non-chlorine shock.

Caused by the development of algae in the spa. Shock the water with 30 grams (2 tablespoons) of chlorine (sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione).

If these conditions occur within the first week of using Spa Marvel it is typically a case of the Spa Marvel Cleanser having not been able to completely remove all contaminants from the plumbing of the spa. Spa Marvel Water Treatment will, over a period of time, loosen these contaminants causing them to be released into the spa water. You will now experience better efficiency and longer life from the heater and stronger circulation from the jets, but consequently, as the contaminants are released into the spa water you may experience a combination of cloudy or discoloured water, major changes in pH, foam and odours. In brand new spas these conditions may occur as the spa off-gasses and Spa Marvel removes other contaminants leftover from the manufacturing process.

If these conditions occur after the first week of the introduction of Spa Marvel it is typically a result of low circulation/filtration. Ensure that your spa is programmed to circulate/filter a minimum of 6 hours per day, and even longer if possible.

To correct these conditions:
PROPERLY clean filters with a product such as Spa Marvel Filter Cleaner.
Shock spa with a non-chlorine shock.
Add a water clarifier.
Increase sanitizer level.
Check alkalinity (80 – 120), and pH (7.2 – 8.2) and manually adjust if necessary by using traditional spa-water balancing products available from your professional spa retailer. The acceptable range for pH when using Spa Marvel is much broader than when using traditional spa care products, so please take care to read your testing devices properly.
Allow the tub to circulate/filter continuously (or as much as it can) for 24 hours for these steps to work, then re-clean the filter.

If after 24 hours the water is still not perfect, repeat the above steps. If after repeating these steps you are STILL experiencing difficulty, please contact our Solutions Department for further assistance.

Solutions Department: info@spamarvel.com or call 1-888-400-1772

Some hot tubs can harbour dirt and debris in the plumbing that get loosened up during the cleansing process, further loosened up by the natural descalers in Spa Marvel, but despite this they still hang on in the plumbing of the spa and are not removed. It isn’t until the second 3-month treatment of Spa Marvel is added that the fresh dose of natural descalers and detergents cause this debris to be finally removed. As it is purged from the plumbing it can cause cloudy water.

To correct this condition:
PROPERLY clean filters with a product such as Spa Marvel Filter Cleaner.
Shock spa with a non-chlorine shock.
Add a water clarifier.
Increase sanitizer level.
Check alkalinity (80 – 120), and pH (7.2 – 8.2) and manually adjust if necessary by using traditional spa-water balancing products available from your professional spa retailer. The acceptable range for pH when using Spa Marvel is much broader than when using traditional spa care products, so please take care to read your testing devices properly.
Allow the tub to circulate/filter continuously (or as much as it can) for24 hours for these steps to work, then re-clean the filter.

If after 24 hours the water is still not perfect, repeat the above steps. If after repeating these steps you are STILL experiencing difficulty, please contact our Solutions Department for further assistance.

Solutions Department: info@spamarvel.com or call 1-888-400-1772

This is generally related to minerals in your water or minerals deposits in the plumbing of your spa. As minerals oxidize they change colour. For example, as iron oxidizes (rusts) it turns yellow/red. Manganese turns brown. Copper turns blue/green. These changes show up as tints of colour in the water. Your water will be beautifully clear, but have a mild hue to it, as though someone added some colour to the water.

To correct this, shock the spa with 30 grams (2 tablespoons) of chlorine (sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione) and increase your filtration/circulation for a few days. Multiple treatments may be required. Ensure that filters are kept clean. There are products available through your spa store that aid in removing metals from the water.

Flakes in your spa resembling pieces of tissue paper are indicative of a white mould in your plumbing. White mould occurs in areas left damp such as garden hoses, children's bathtub toys and hot tub plumbing. White mould can develop in spa plumbing when the tub was wet-tested at the factory and then drained, in the time between when it was drained at the showroom till the time it gets to your house or if you drain your tub and don't refill it for a few days. White mould can also be introduced to spa water when filled from a garden hose that has developed some white mould from lying out in the sun. White mould can remain in your tub and be kept at bay for months and years by conventional sanitizers such as bromine and chlorine. Once you switch to a natural system (Spa Marvel) and reduce the amount of sanitizer, the white mould can proliferate to a point that it becomes apparent (often 6-8 weeks before you notice it). Left unattended white mould can overwhelm your spa.

To kill white mould, you need to super-chlorinate the water with granular chlorine (sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione). Remove any headrests and leave the lid open for at least the first hour while performing this treatment. Add 2.5 ounces (5tbsp, 75g) of chlorine per every 100 gallons (400L) of spa water or part thereof (i.e. if you have a 350 gallon (1,400L) spa, treat it as though it is a 400 gallon (1,600L) spa and add 10 ounces (20tbsp, 300g) of chlorine). This treatment will not interfere with or degrade the performance of Spa Marvel. For this to be effective it is imperative that the chlorinated water is distributed throughout the entire plumbing system. Ensure all jets, valves, waterfalls, water features, aerators and diverters are open and subjected to the chlorine. If your tub has a drain next to the pump or at the base of the cabinet to which you can attach a hose to facilitate draining, ensure that chlorinated water is bled through the drain for 10 minutes. Do not use the spa for 72 hours, and then only do so if the chlorine level is equal to or below the high end of the "ok" range.

It is important to note that the chlorine will kill the white mould so that it doesn’t continue to grow, but it will not make the flakes vanish. The flakes floating in the water will be picked up by the filter and/or can be manually scooped out using a strainer or net. If the tub is overwhelmed by the pieces of mould to the point that it would be faster to drain the spa rather than manually remove them, please contact our Solutions Department prior to draining. Solutions Department: info@spamarvel.com or call 1-888-400-1772

This condition is caused by alkalinity and/or pH being too high, which allows calcium to precipitate from the water and attach to the spa walls, leaving a rough, unpleasant surface. To correct this, balance alkalinity (80-120) and then pH (7.2-8.2) by using traditional spa-water balancing products available from your professional spa retailer. The acceptable range for pH when using Spa Marvel is much broader than when using traditional spa care products, so please take care to read your testing devices properly.

Manually scrub the buildup from the spa walls, being certain not to use anything abrasive.See your professional spa retailer for a scrubber designed to safely clean the surface of your spa walls, or at a minimum do not use anything that you wouldn’t use on a Teflon frying pan or on the paint of your car. Once the crystals are removed they will go back into solution.

There are several reasons as to why your alkalinity or pH were too high and caused this:
The source water was not balanced on the initial fill.
Due to evaporation or spillage, you have recently added large amounts of un-balanced water to the existing spa water, which raised the alkalinity and/or pH.
There was still debris in the plumbing of your spa that was not removed during the cleansing process. As Spa Marvel reintroduces the debris to the spa water it can cause fluctuations in pH and alakilinity.
Your tub is not filtering/circulating often enough. Spa Marvel works best at a minimum 6 hours a day of circulation/filtration, and if it is getting less than that it may cause the water to go out of equilibrium and then the ph and alkalinity will not be properly maintained.

In extremely rare cases users have encountered this situation during the cleansing process.Spa Marvel Cleanser is very alkaline, which will raise the alkalinity and pH of your water.In areas very high in calcium it is possible for calcium to precipitate out of the water, or to be cleaned out of the plumbing, and attach itself to the spa walls in a very short period of time as a result of using the Spa Marvel Cleanser.

To correct this, wait until the cleansing has been completed.Drain the spa and scrub the spa walls down being certain to not use anything that could damage the surface of the spa. A descaling product such as C.L.R. works well in these rare situations.

Often described as having the appearance of “drywall compound” on the surface of the spa. This can happen in areas where water is extremely high in gypsum. Spa Marvel Cleanser can cause the gypsum to precipitate out of the water and stick to the spa walls. After the cleansing process, drain the spa and use a cleaner suitable for hot tubs to clean the gypsum off of the surface of the tub.

 

Spa Marvel Water Treatment & Conditioner (Spa Marvel) is an environmentally-friendly, enzyme based spa-water treatment product that can reduce and eliminate the need for many of the chemicals used in traditional spa water treatment.