Troubleshooting Guide

The water in my swim spa is cloudy

Cloudy water can be caused by multiple things. The following list includes causes followed by its solution.

  1. Excessive organic contamination, or lack of sanitizer.
    • Shock treat with non-chlorine shock and adjust sanitizer level.
  2. Dissolved chemical solids.
    • Use clarifier to help remove small particles
  3. pH balance or total alkalinity is incorrect.
    • Test total alkalinity and pH.
    • Correct with pH increaser or pH decreaser.
  4. Calcium too high (hard water).
    • Use a sequestering agent weekly.
    • Replace some water with softer water.
  5. The filter is dirty.
    • Clean filter with filter cartridge cleaner.

Chalky, white scale deposits

Cause: Mineral deposits in water.

Solution: Use a sequestering agent. Check water balance and adjust as necessary.

Clear, green water in my swim spa

Cause: High iron or copper content.

Solution: Use a sequestering agent.

Cloudy, green water in my swim spa

The following list includes causes, followed by its solution.

  1. Alkalinity levels are low.
    • Use a pH increaser.
  2. Sanitizer levels are low.
    • Test the sanitizer level.
    • If needed, show with non-chlorine shock.

Brown water in my swim spa

Cause: High iron or manganese level.

Solution: Use a sequestering agent.

Chlorine odor

Cause: Chloramines (the combined chlorine level) is high.

Solution: Shock with non-chlorine shock.

Eye/skin irritation

Cause: Organic contaminants, chloramines or pH is out of balance.

Solution: First, shock with non-chlorine shock. Then test it again, and adjust pH level as necessary.

Foaming

Cause: High concentration of chemicals due to evaporation and build-up of body oils, cosmetics and other contaminants

Solution: Use foam reducer. Shock treat with non-chlorine shock. Use enzyme reducer weekly as part of regular maintenance

Pitting of metal fixtures

The following list includes causes followed by its solution.

Cause: pH or total alkalinity levels are too low.

Solution: Test and adjust pH and total alkalinity by adding pH Up.

Cause: Improper sanitizer levels.

Solution: Regularly test and maintain proper sanitizer.

Cause: Not rinsing or cleaning metal fixtures regularly.

Solution: Rinse metal fixtures with non-chlorinated water and wipe with soft cloth. See additional stainless steel care instructions in the Regular Maintenance Procedure section of your owner???s manual.

Nothing on the swim spa operates

Check the control panel display for any messages. If there is a message, refer to the diagnostic section in the Spa Controls section of your owner???s manual. There you will find the meaning of the message and what action is to be taken. If there is no message on your control panel, check and reset the internal GFCI* and as well as your power disconnect near the swim spa and the house breaker. (*located on 8ft spa end.)
If the swim spa does not respond, contact your dealer for service.

NOTE: If you own a MP Momentum 80, your swim spa will have two separate electrical services and sets of breakers. It is important to determine which side of your swim spa is not operating. The 50 Amp internal GFCI and breakers function the spa end and your propulsion system. The 30 Amp service functions the swim side heating and filtering system. This should have a 30 Amp breaker in your house, as well as a 30 Amp GFCI located near your swim spa (within line of sight). Depending on which side of your swim spa is not operating, check and reset the appropriate electrical breakers.

If you own an MP Signature with Wave XP Pro Propulsion, your swim spa will have two separate electrical services and sets of breakers. It is important to determine which components of your swim spa are not operating. The 50 Amp internal GFCI and breakers function the propulsion motor. The other 50 Amp service functions the spa equipment. This should have a 50 Amp breaker in your house, as well as a 50 Amp GFCI located near your swim spa (within line of sight). Depending on which component of your swim spa is not operating, check and reset the appropriate electrical breakers.

+Spa pumps do not operate

  1. Press the "Jets" button on your control panel.
  2. If you hear the pumps trying to operate:
    • Check that all the slice valves are open.
    • The pump(s) may need to be primed.
    • Check that the air controls are open.
  3. If you do not hear anything from the pump, contact your dealer for service.

+Propulsion motor not operating

If you have already checked and reset electrical breakers, contact your dealer for service.

Poor spa jet performance

  1. Make sure pump is operating.
  2. Check that the water level is adequate (up to minimum safe water level).
  3. Make sure the jets are open and the air controls are open.
  4. Check for dirty filters. Clean if necessary.

Swim spa not heating

*If the swim spa heater has failed, the majority of the time it will trip the GFCI breaker. If the swim spa is not heating and has not tripped the breaker, please follow these steps:

  1. Check the control panel display for any messages. If there is a message, refer to the diagnostic section in the Spa Controls section of your owner's manual. There you will find the meaning of the message and what action is to be taken.
  2. Check water set temperature at control panel.
  3. Check for dirty filters. Clean if necessary.
  4. Check "heat mode" the swim spa is set in. swim spa should be in ready/standard mode.
  5. Check the control panel for heater light indicator and/or thermometer icon. If the light is on or the indicator icon is moving, the swim spa should be heating. Wait a reasonable amount of time (approximately 4-6 hours) to see if the water temperature is changing. During this time, make sure the insulating cover to your spa is on and secured.
  6. Reset power to the spa at GFCI breaker.
  7. If swim spa is still not heating, contact your dealer for service.

GFCI is tripping

The Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is required, by National Electrician Code (NEC), for your protection. The tripping of the GFCI may be caused by a component on the spa or by an electrical problem. Such electrical problems include, but are not limited to, a faulty GFCI breaker, power fluctuations or a miswire. It may be necessary to contact an electrician if your local dealer recommends doing so.