FAQ

If your recommended dosage is 60 grams, just fill the cup to the 60mls mark. 

Cloudy water can be caused by a number of issues. It’s common for the water to appear cloudy after a heavy bath load because of excess body fats built up in the water, pipes, or filter.  If this is the case, add a dose of Spa Boost for spas, or Crystal Waters Shine for swim spas and pools, clean the filters, and run the filtration or clean cycle. If cloudiness persists, balance the water, and repeat the process above after 24 hours. 
The other common causes of cloudy water are high alkalinity, pH and/or calcium, and incorrect sanitiser and clarifier dosing. Check your water with the Crystal Waters test strips and dose accordingly. Please note, a large dose of Alkalinity Enhancer or pH Reducer will also make your water temporarily cloudy, but should clear up within a couple of hours. If you have accidentally overdosed your sanitiser or clarifier, drain 1/3 of the water and replace with fresh water and chlorine remover. Retest with strips. 

Foaming water is usually caused by excess body fats, natural oils and skin and hair care products building up in the water and reacting to the water’s natural alkalinity. To fix the issue, add a dose of Spa Boost for spas or Shine for swim spas and pools. Clean your filters and turn the filtration time up to 24 hours for a couple of days, or until the foam clears. Filters may need cleaning again after 24 hours. Ensure your spa or swim spa is filtering for a minimum of 4 hours per day, and your filters are getting cleaned every 10 person hours (for spas with a 100 sq. foot filter) to help prevent excessive foaming. 
If the above doesn’t work, check your Calcium (Total Hardness) levels on your test strips. Though rare, too much calcium can sometimes cause a foaming effect, and the only solution is draining the water. 
If you need the foam to clear up urgently for aesthetics rather than to swim in, we have a product called Crystal Waters Anti Foam available on request which will temporarily remove the foam. However because Anti Foam can lower pH and alkalinity we don’t recommend bathing after use, until the pH and alkalinity are back in balance.  
Please note, that Anti Foam only masks the problem, it doesn’t prevent foam reoccurring.

A scum line is most commonly caused by excess body fats in the water, but can also be caused by using Crystal Waters when there’s chlorine in the water, or by bathers’ skin products, such as fake tan, or by having the jets on when adding sanitiser to your spa. 
To prevent a scum line, ensure that chlorine remover has been added to the water, and that the jets are off when sanitising. 
Also ensure that guests shower before entering the spa, and that the filters are clean and the filtration cycle is set for a minimum of 4 hours a day. 
To clean a scum line, scrub with our Spa Pad, and a paste of alkalinity enhancer and water.  

Spa filters need to be cleaned weekly or every 10 person hours (for spas with a 100 sq. foot filter) , whichever comes first. If you have 2 people in the spa for 5 hours, the filters will need cleaning. 
Swim spa filter cleaning varies depending on the size of the filter box. We recommend checking with your swim spa manufacturer, or cleaning every 10 person hours if you’re unsure.  
For both spas and swim spas, filters should still be cleaned weekly even if the spa has not been used. 
Pool filter cleaning varies depending on filter and pump size, but the pressure gage on your filter can be a reliable indicator of when your filters need cleaning. Check with manufacturer if you’re unsure. 

A Pipe Klenz should be done every 12 months or sooner if required due to heavy spa use, or water quality issues.

Yes it is. However it’s important to be aware that pH Down dosage recommendations are by 10,000L instead of by 1000L.

We recommend making a paste out of the Alkalinity Enhancer and water, and gently scrubbing with a Spa Pad. Using other products can throw out your water balance, corrode equipment, and cause water quality issues such as soaping and cloudiness.

Crystal Waters Sanitiser’s active ingredient is Polyhexanide Hydrachloride which is a hospital grade cleaning agent that is gentle on skin and APVMA approved and registered as a pool and spa sanitiser. It is completely chlorine and bromine free, and perfectly safe for bathers.

We recommend replacing filters after 12 months, but this can vary depending on how often the spa is used.

The sanitising products only protect your water from germs for a week. Skipping doses (even while not using the spa), will cause your water to become unhygienic and can lead to illness and infections. 
Your pH and alkalinity will naturally change and become unbalanced as well which then leads to your sanitisers not working, and your equipment becoming damaged.

Absolutely! Your water will become a breading ground for bacteria, even without people swimming in it, and with a cover on it, and your pH and alkalinity will change.  
Even after returning to dosing, the water could be unsafe for swimmers. 
If you have a spa, it will also damage all the equipment. We advise draining the water if you won’t be using it for a while and don’t wish to continue dosing.

Yes! Continue cleaning your filters weekly, even if you’re not using the spa.

Total Alkalinity is a measurement of alkaline minerals that help prevent changes in your pH. If your Total Alkalinity is low, it can cause your pH to drift creating issues associated with unbalanced pH, and it can cause your water to have more corrosive tendencies which can lead to damaged equipment and skin and eye irritation. If your Alkalinity is too high, it can cause your pH to become stuck at a high level and a very large amount of chemicals will be needed to bring it down again. Scaly and cloudy water and poor sanitiser efficiency are also linked to high Total Alkalinity. The recommended range for Total Alkalinity with Crystal Waters is 120ppm – 150ppm. 

pH is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline the water is. 
If pH is too high, and therefore your water is too alkaline, your water can become cloudy or scaly. Your sanitiser won’t be able to work properly and it can cause skin and eye irritation, and in rare cases coughing and chest irritation. If your pH is too low and therefore too acidic, it can also cause poor sanitiser efficiency and skin and eye irritation, as well as corrosion of the equipment in your spa. It’s important to keep your water in the neutral range (7.2 – 7.8)

Calcium or Total Hardness is a measurement of minerals in your water. If your water doesn’t have enough calcium, it will draw minerals out of the other metals in your spa causing corrosion. Water quality issues and unbalanced pH can also be caused by having too much or not enough calcium, so it’s important to look at your test strips 

Spa filters need to be replaced every 12 months, but may need replacing sooner, if the spa is used heavily. You may notice the water quality has changed, and the filters are very brown instead of white or ‘tea stained’. You may even be seeing error messages that indicate a blockage, because your spa isn’t able to filter properly. If you’re unsure, call Crystal Waters, or bring your filters into your local spa shop for advice.

Using products in the water that aren’t intended for a pool or spa can throw your water out of balance, cause your water to become cloudy, and even prevent your sanitising products from working and corrode equipment.

In regards to sunscreen, skin safety is the most important thing so always wear sunscreen during prolonged sun exposure! If you do need to wear sunscreen in your spa, be aware that it can clog the filter cartridge, cause a scum line and a film on top of the water, and throw out your chemical balance. If you do need to wear sunscreen in the spa, wait 10 minutes after applying so your skin can absorb it, before entering the water. After you’re done, clean your filters straight away, add the recommended dosage of Spa Boost, and re-balance the water.  

Wearing fake tan in the spa is definitely not advisable! (Tell your guests too!) Fake tan clogs the filter cartridge rapidly, leaves a film over the water, and leaves a brown scum line that can be difficult to remove. It can even get into your pipes and damage the equipment. 
Equally important, bathing can ruin your tan!

We always advise all bathers have a shower before entering the pool or spa. The natural oils and secretions on your skin, and any skin care products can rapidly throw out the balance of your water,  and cause your water to become cloudy and/or foamy.

Chlorine remover only needs to be used if you’ve filled your pool or spa with tap water, or other treated water. It’s not necessary if you’ve used rain water. This is because Crystal Waters is a chlorine free system and tap water is actually treated with chlorine. If Crystal Waters mixes with Chlorine, even a small amount, it won’t be able to sanitise your water efficiently.

pH and alkalinity can be tricky, especially when they’re appearing at opposite ends of the scale. 
Always balance alkalinity FIRST, then pH second. This often means doing a large dose of Alkalinity Enhancer to bring the alkalinity up really high, then doing the pH Reducer, to bring them both down to the correct range. For more detailed instructions, please download our Balancing Cheat Sheet.

You need to know how many litres your spa is so we can give you the correct dosage instructions! Crystal Waters is a sensitive system, so it’s important to dose as accurately as possible to ensure your water is safe to swim in.

Australia wide!

From when your order is placed online, it can take up to 2 business days for us to process your order. Delivery to Melbourne metro takes approximately 2 days, and country Victoria and interstate takes approximately 3-5 days.

No we won’t. This is because everything is delivered by courier, and our courier wouldn’t be able to fit chemicals in a PO box.

Delivery is $20.00. Flat fee Australia wide.

For spas and swim spas, absolutely! Run a Pipe Klenz too! Mixing Crystal Waters with other systems such as Chlorine or Bromine will cause cloudy water and a severe scum line, as well as other water quality issues. 
If you have a pool, follow the User Guide to change systems.

That depends on the size of your pool or spa, and the size of the kit you bought. We expect a start up kit to last for approximately 2 months in a 1000 litre spa, a 2.5L kit to last 10 months in a 1000L spa, and a 5L kit to last 20 months in a 1000L spa. Some chemicals will likely last a lot longer than others, so you won’t need to purchase kits every time, just replace individual chemicals as needed.

Jets can become rusty when there’s a high level of corrosive properties in your spa, for example when your pH is too low and your water becomes too acidic, or when your water doesn’t have enough calcium and the water is drawing minerals from other metal components of the spa. To prevent rust, make sure you’re sanitising correctly every week and keeping your levels balanced according to the test strips. To combat rust once it has already started to form, remove the jet and scrub all the rust off. If you miss a spot, the rust will continue to form, even if the water is balanced.

No! Some harsher chemical systems will cause this, but definitely not Crystal Waters!

No! Crystal Waters does not require a salt water chlorinator.

Test and balance all levels weekly, or as required. Any water quality issues such as cloudiness can indicate an imbalance.

Place your test strip in the water on a knife’s edge angle and hold for approximately 5 seconds. Pull it out of the water, wait 10 seconds, and hold next to the colours on the back of your test strip bottle, and simply match the colour on the strip to the colour on the bottle. 
The BIG/Biguanide level is your sanitiser. As long as you’re dosing the correct amount weekly, your spa should be correctly sanitised. 
The Alkalinity (explained further in ‘Why is Alkalinity important?’) should read between 120ppm  and 150ppm. 
The pH (explained further in ‘Why is pH important?’) should read between 7.2 and 7.8. 
The Total Hardness/Calcium (explained further in ‘Why is Calcium/Hardness important?’) should read between 80ppm and 140ppm. 
You may notice that this is different to the bracketed numbers on the back of the test strip bottle. This is because the test strips are made for all different surfaces and chemical systems, and are made overseas where water quality requirements vary. Disregard the bottle’s bracketed recommendations.

Yes most people can use Crystal Waters! Crystal Waters was designed for allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people with sensitive skin and skin issues such as psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema, who would usually have adverse reactions to chlorine. The only people that can’t use Crystal Waters are those that are allergic to seafood.

If you are using Crystal Waters in your spa, you can use our spa calculator to determine running costs.
If you are using Crystal Waters in your pool, you can use our pool calculator to determine running costs.
If you are using Crystal Waters in your swim spa, it costs approximately $2.00 per week. (Calculated based on 6000L.)

Straight away! However we recommend waiting 15 minutes if you’ve added Spa Boost or Pool Shine.

For spas, simply drain the water, run a Pipe Klenz, and start using Crystal Waters! Click here to read our user guide! 
For pools, simply follow the Pool User Guide.

No you won’t! No salt water chlorinators, no dispensers… Everything you need comes in your start up kit!