ISIS Frequently Asked Questions
1.30 FAQ
Contents
How is the ISIS salt system different from other salt systems? .................................................................... 1
What do I do if I have a notification code on my ISIS controller?................................................................. 2
How do I know if the ISIS system is working? ............................................................................................... 2
What should I do if I am not getting a Bromine Reading? ............................................................................ 2
What is the significance of Calcium Hardness in my water? ........................................................................ 3
What should I do if the Bromine level is too high?....................................................................................... 3
What should I do if the Bromine level is too low? ........................................................................................ 3
What if my Bromine level is no longer showing up on my test strips? ........................................................ 3
What do I do if I suddenly get a green or rustic color to my water? ............................................................ 4
I know that the electrode in my ISIS unit is a consumable part (meaning over time it will need to be
replaced) how will I know when it is time to replace the electrode?........................................................... 4
What should I do when I go on vacation? .................................................................................................... 4
What should I do when I know I am having a bunch of guests over to use the Spa? .................................. 4
What are the best practices I can use to help keep my water clean? .......................................................... 4
I was provided with a phosphate test kit, what will happen if there are ANY phosphates in my water?.... 5
Can I use water that comes from a water softener to fill my spa?............................................................... 5
What should I use instead of a water softener? ........................................................................................... 5
When I get ready to drain and refill my spa, what should I do to prepare the Spa for new water? ............ 5
How is the ISIS salt system different from other salt systems?
The ISIS is an actual Bromine Generator. The operative word in that statement is “Bromine”. Many of the salt systems being offered today are
actually Chlorine systems… converting Sodium Chloride into Free Chlorine rather than using the more appropriate, safer, and more enjoyable,
Sodium Bromide. In fact, Chlorine is not effective at all in a warm water features because it begins to gas off at 85 degrees and is gone by 97
degrees. This is simply a fact of nature. Most spa owners prefer to keep their spa at 102 to 104 degrees for the ideal water enjoyment.
Additionally, many other systems claim to sanitize water and be virtually hands-free as far as maintenance is concerned. This is NOT the case.
For true, effective and efficient spa water management using one of these other systems, it will be necessary to add an ozone unit or other
algaecides and bactericides to your water. With ISIS, you won’t need an Ozone to make it work. Moreover, you will be taking ALL those special
up and down chemicals back to the spa store. You won’t need them. Just salt, balanced water, and ISIS.
With ISIS, you truly have bromine generating water care working for the safety, enjoyment, and health of you and your family. ISIS is
environmentally friendly, all the way from manufacturing to your spa. We at BluWater Technology take pride in working with our community
and other resources to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We recycle, use alternative sources of energy and work with both vendors
and consumers to effectively do the same. ISIS uses the best possible materials, not the cheapest, to ensure that your system is as sturdy,
stable, and effective as possible. There are no magic Diamonds or Titanium elixirs in our system, just true, patented, chemistry and
technologically advanced innovative design. Our research professionals are experts. Don’t settle for gimmicks or knock-off versions- you and
your family deserve the best, the truth, the original Genesis technology; you deserve to care for yourself and your family with an ISIS.
What do I do if I have a notification code on my ISIS controller?
Your ISIS automated bromine generator has integrated smart technology constantly working to better help you manage your spa. The
following are identification codes you will find on your ISIS and the associated reasons for these codes:
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OE or Open Element: This code will result when the controller detects an inadequate connection to the electrode cell. This can
result if the electrode is not connected properly or salt has not yet been added to the spa water. If the OE notification code appears
after extended use of your ISIS unit, this might be the result of calcium build up on the electrode from poor water chemistry (see
“What is the significance of Calcium Hardness in my spa water?”).
LC or Low Current: This code will result from low current at the electrode cell. This can be the result of calcium building up on the
electrode or poor current going to the electrode cell. (See also “What is the significance of Calcium Hardness in my spa water?”).
Check your salt level to be certain it is between 1300-1500ppm. If you are still seeing LC, you may be developing calcium build-up on
the helix cell; it will need to be cleaned.
HC or High Current: This code will result from high current at the electrode cell. This can be the result of high TDS. If high TDS are
present in your spa should confirm the NaBr levels are correct. You can reduce the TDS in the spa by doing a partial drain and refill.
If your high TDS is coming from your fill water, you can refill from an alternate source.
TDS or Total Dissolved Solids: This code will result when your Total Dissolved Solids are too high. If you get this reading at or near
start-up, you will want to check your source water used to fill the spa. It is likely that you have high metal content and will need to
enlist the support of a metal remover from your local pool and spa dealer. You will want to take them a sample of your water for
testing and recommended actions. If the TDS code appears after an extended period of successful spa usage you can drain
approximately 25% of your spa water and refill. This will reduce the Total Dissolved Solids in your water. Refer to your dealer for a
comprehensive water analysis to determine future course of action.
LOC or Locked: This code will result when the ISIS is in operation during circulation but is not being manually used. The LOC feature
can be disabled by holding down any button on your controller for at least 3 seconds.
BST or Boost: This code will display when you engage the Boost function on your ISIS. Engaging this function will increase or “boost”
your bromine production to 2x that of your normal maintenance setting. The “boost” will take place during your next accumulated 8
hours of circulation time. It is a good idea to boost your spa before having a higher bather load or immediately after to bring your
bromine reserve back to the desired 3-5ppm.
How do I know if the ISIS system is working?
ISIS is an “automated” Bromine generator, meaning that it will operate automatically, perpetually creating Bromine to sanitize your spa as long
as you have followed the appropriate set-up instructions included in your ISIS Operations Manual. When the Spa is circulating, power will flow
to your ISIS and current will be generated at the electrode cell. The electrolytic process will take place there, in the flow-through cell,
converting TRU-BLU sodium bromide into Bromine. You will know your ISIS unit is working if you spa is circulating and you see a reading on
your ISIS Logix Controller. Additionally, you can test for conductivity at the cell by depressing the up and down arrow keys on your controller
for 3 seconds. You will receive a reading between 0.5 and 1.5 indicating that there is conductivity in the cell. And lastly, a very easy way to
determine of your ISIS unit is working will be by testing for Bromine in your Spa. Your ideal range is between 3 and 5 PPM.
What should I do if I am not getting a Bromine Reading?
ISIS, like many other options for spa water treatment and management, is an interactive aspect of your spa. Although the ISIS is automated and
will produce Bromine for your spa water without telling it to do so, you will need to make certain that conditions in your spa, particularly your
spa water, are such that the ISIS can perform properly. The absence of a bromine reading can result from:
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Phosphates in your water. For phosphates, bromine is like a food. Phosphates consumer bromine. The higher the phosphates, the
less likely you will be able to get a bromine reading. You should completely eliminate phosphates if at all possible.
No sodium bromide in your water. In order for the electrolytic helix cell that is part of your ISIS unit to produce bromine, it requires
that there be sodium bromide or NaBr in your water. You should have approximately 1300-1500ppm per your test strip
measurement. This is an ideal range and can be slightly higher or lower depending on how much NaBr you added when starting up
your spa. Consult your ISIS Operation Manual or section 1.10 ISIS Start-up overview Flowchart for the proper amounts of NaBr per
the volume of water in gallons in your spa.
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No conductivity or abnormal conductivity at your helix cell. This issue will typically be part of multiple causes for not producing
bromine. You may have no any sodium bromide in your water in which you can reference the solution noted above. You may have
your helix cell connected improperly resulting in no conductivity at the cell. You can check to see that your cell is properly connect
by referring to the installation diagram in your manual and ensuring that all connections are properly in place. We HIGHLY
recommend seeking the support and professional service of your Dealer and or pool and spa technician.
Incorrect installation of your ISIS unit. If your unit is installed incorrectly it is very likely that this will impact your bromine
production. In some cases, you may still have bromine production but the cell will quickly degrade and eventually become a dead
cell if installed incorrectly. The reason for this can be gas bubbles in your cell because it was installed horizontally, at an angle, or
any way other than the required vertical installation instruction in the manual. Also, it is possible that your unit was installed on a
jet line that can be turned off. This will also kill the cell. In order for bromine to be produced, water must flow through the cell
while it is powered and receiving current. This means it should be installed on a jet line that is on while the circulation pump is
running. Another incorrect installation issue would be placing ISIS in a location where it receives no positive pressure resulting in no
flow through the helix cell. While the cell may have water inside and be producing bromine, there is no way to push that water back
into the spa in the absence of positive pressure. You may get a very light/negligible bromine reading, but not what is required.
What is the significance of Calcium Hardness in my water?
Calcium Hardness is part of your water chemistry management and has a significant impact on overall water quality and spa experience.
Additionally, CH can impact things like scaling, scum lines and etching in your spa shell. Where ISIS is concerned, excessive calcium in your
water will degrade and eventually stop the performance of your electrode cell. With high calcium hardness, you will experience scaling and
calcium build-up on the electrode. ISIS has an integrated innovation which will reverse the polarity of your electrode cell resulting in resistance
to this scaling and calcium build-up, but it will not stop it and eventually, rather quickly, your electrode will fail and need to be replaced. This is
NOT covered under warranty and is the responsibility of the spa owner. Also, high Calcium Hardness in the presence of high pH will result in
the calcium coming out of solution and causing scaling on your helix cell.
What should I do if the Bromine level is too high?
With your ISIS unit, there are several things that can result in having a Bromine level that is too high. It is important that you follow your set-up
instructions in the ISIS Operations Manual and also consult your dealer to learn exactly which steps to take and when to ensure you have a
smooth start-up. If your Bromine level immediately shoots up too high at start-up, you may have introduced more Sodium Bromide than
appropriate for your gallon rated need… and at the same time, had your maintenance setting too high on the ISIS controller. Having your
setting too high is the main reason for this issue. The combination of these factors results in an over-production of Bromine and can even
exceed the scale level on your Bromine test strip (See “what if my Bromine reading is no longer showing up on my test strips?”).
What should I do if the Bromine level is too low?
The ISIS system is equipped with two different methods for getting your low Bromine level back to the ideal 3-5 ppm. If you suspect that your
low Bromine level reading is as a result of a higher bather load than normal, it may be that your maintenance setting was set for a normally
lower bather load. In this case, you can simply hit the “Boost” key on your ISIS controller and allow the system to circulate for at least 12 hours
and measure again. At this point, you should have your bromine level back to normal. If you bromine level is consistently too low, it may be
that you are not on the correct maintenance setting for your average or normal usage of the spa. Consider increasing your power level
(maintenance level) 1 (one) increment at a time per 24 hour period and as you allow your bromine level to stabilize. Once you reach the ideal
level of 3-5 ppm of bromine, your maintenance level is established and should remain in that range as long as your average bather load remains
consistent. Refer to your manual for guidance when having higher or lower bather load. Additionally, see “What should I do when I go on
vacation?” and “What should I do when I am having a bunch of guests over to use the spa?”.
What if my Bromine level is no longer showing up on my test strips?
There is a distinct possibility, when trying to correct low Bromine that you will inadvertently create too much bromine and not be able to detect
your bromine level any longer. It is usually the case that you have been getting a bromine level reading up to this point. It may also be the case
that you have been trouble shooting another problem with your spa water and all of the sudden; you are no longer getting a bromine reading.
And lastly, you may been trying to over-compensate for something like phosphates or high TDS, and as a result you increased your power
setting to 10 and added more TRU-BLU to your water hoping to address the issue. Although every circumstance is different, each can result in
significantly higher bromine levels in your spa. When you try to test for bromine in these situations, it may be that you have overproduced
bromine resulting in a level higher than the test strip is capable of measuring. In this case, you will have, in fact, bleached out the test strip and
it will appear as though you have no bromine at all. This is not usually the case. In most of these circumstances, you have way too much
bromine. It will be necessary to allow the half-life of bromine to subside over the course of the next 24 hours. You will do this by shutting off
your circulation pump so that no more bromine is produced. After 24 hours, you will measure for bromine again in hopes that it will now show
up on your test strip. If it does, you will know how high it was the day before. Simply multiply the reading you get by 2. This was your bromine
level before letting the spa sit for a day. Take care to ensure that all water chemistry levels are in the appropriate ranges, lower your power
(maintenance) setting on the ISIS controller, and allow your spa to begin circulating again. You will likely need to have your level on 2 or 3 for
the next couple of days while you allow the bromine to stabilize again. Once you have a good handle on your bromine level (3-5ppm) you can
reestablish your maintenance level and begin enjoying your spa once again.
What do I do if I suddenly get a green or rustic color to my water?
This is usually the result of either pH getting too high or excessive metals in your water. You will need to add some form of pH Down to your
spa or possibly use a metal remover in order to get your water chemistry to the correct level of pH (7.2-7.6). It cannot be overstated that
proper and effective water chemistry management is imperative to the successful use of your spa. Your personal spa experience as well as that
of your family and your guests is completely dependent upon your dedication to water chemistry. We HIGHLY recommend familiarizing
yourself with the water chemistry management tools provided by BluWater Technology as well as those provided by your spa dealer and spa
manufacturer.
I know that the electrode in my ISIS unit is a consumable part (meaning over time it will need to be
replaced) how will I know when it is time to replace the electrode?
Your new ISIS Automated Bromine Generator comes with a manufacturer’s warranty on all parts and labor for two years from the time of
installation. After the two year period has passed, you can continue to enjoy your spa with the existing Helix cell. If, at any point, you start to
notice your maintenance level beginning to increase steadily over time, or if you find yourself struggling to keep your bromine level at 3ppm
even on the higher power settings, you might need to consider replacing the cell.
What should I do when I go on vacation?
Great question! And Great Idea! Vacations are fantastic! Many spa owners choose to have a pool and spa technician come and visit their spa
periodically during absences. It is important that you take all the necessary steps to prepare your spa for prolonged periods of absence as the
spa will not be in use and will need to be properly cared for in your absence. For shorter times away where you just want to make certain you
are not over-producing Bromine, turn down your ISIS unit to the lowest power setting. Keep in mind that the reduced Bromine production will
result in far less Bromine upon your return and your unit and circulation time will need to be adjusted accordingly before enjoying your spa.
What should I do when I know I am having a bunch of guests over to use the Spa?
Your new ISIS unit is innovative and technologically advanced in a way that supports your spa needs on a continually changing basis. When you
are planning to have several guests over to enjoy time with you in your spa, simply hit the “Boost” button on your ISIS unit and rest assured
that your guests and your spa water will be taken care of automatically by your ISIS automated bromine generator.
What are the best practices I can use to help keep my water clean?
Best practices are a great way to ensure that you water stays always clean, clear, and inviting!
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Always fill your spa using a carbon based multi-stage spa pre-filter. PURE FILL Spa Pre-Filter can be used more than once and is
likely what you used when you filled your spa the first time. We recommend not exceeding 15,000 gallons of use on each pre-filter
you buy. When you drain and refill your spa, use the same pre-filter you used before. Please note; it is important to properly store
your spa pre-filter between uses. Otherwise, your filter will become ineffective.
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Test your water on a regular basis. Water chemistry naturally fluctuates both as a result of using your spa, and as a result of not
using your spa. For this reason, it is a good idea to become familiar with water chemistry management and to gain a great
understanding of how your spa responds to use and non-use. You can reference section 1.20 ISIS Water Chemistry Flowchart for
more information about basic water chemistry management.
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Drain and refill your spa with new water at least once per year (or season). It is always a good idea to use fresh new clean water
when the season begins. It should be noted, however, that ISIS is a highly effective salt system requiring far less drain and refill to
maintain and ideal clean, clear, and safe water environment.
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Clean your filter frequently. You filter is a safeguard for many things. It catches everything from skin to foreign objects and
contaminants that may have been introduced into the spa water. Follow your recommended filter cleaning schedule per your spa
manufacturer or filter manufacturer. We recommend that you keep an extra filter in your storage so that each time you remove one
to clean, you have another already clean and dry filter to replace in your time.
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Always shower before entering your spa. Soaps, perfumes, shampoos and conditioners, all of these items contain different types of
contaminants to your water. If you can, shower before entering. This will reduce the impact. Additionally, we all shed skin cells on a
constant basis. You will be helping to keep your water clean from this type of contaminant as well.
Always use non-chlorine shock. If you have a circumstance arise where you need to introduce a shock into your spa, it is very
important to use a non-chlorine shock. Chlorine shocks contain CYA or Cyanuric Acid. CYA is unfriendly with bromine and will result
in your system having to work much harder to produce it.
I was provided with a phosphate test kit, what will happen if there are ANY phosphates in my water?
Phosphates are an enemy to Bromine. Bromine is the necessary free agent in your water which cleans and sanitizes the water making it safe
and inviting for you and your family. Because Phosphates consume Bromine, it is imperative that we take the necessary measures to eliminate
them from the spa. This can be done using a phosphate remover and thoroughly cleaning your filter or replacing the filter with a new one. The
combination of both of these steps is necessary to rid your spa of all phosphates. Using only a phosphate remover will leave residual
phosphates in your filter and they will continue to consume the Bromine being produced.
Can I use water that comes from a water softener to fill my spa?
No. Do NOT use water from a water softener to fill your Spa. Water softeners add chemicals and other hazardous agents to the water which
will be detrimental to both your ISIS and your spa water.
What should I use instead of a water softener?
At BluWater Technology, we recommend using the PURE-FILL Spa Pre-Filter you received with your ISIS system. Using this pre-filter and your
garden hose will provide with a clean and clear water fill that is as close to bottled water as you can get without buying it at the store. If you
did not receive a pre-filter, you can purchase one at your local Pool and Spa dealer or distributor.
When I get ready to drain and refill my spa, what should I do to prepare the Spa for new water?
That’s great! You’ve had your spa long enough to have a need to drain and refill. You’ve likely been having a lot of fun with your spa and are
looking forward to kicking off the summer or possible you are ready to start another season of fun with your friends. When you are preparing
to drain and refill your spa, the first thing you should do is prepare for the necessary materials you will need. We suggest following these
simple steps:
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Get the appropriate amounts of TRU-BLU sodium bromide using the chart in section 1.10.
Visit your local pool and spa dealer to purchase a spa cleaning agent that is completely free of phosphates. Believe it or not, some
spa cleaning agents have phosphates in them.
Determine how you intend to dispose of the water currently in your spa. We recommend recycling the water in some way. There
should be very little harmful chemicals in your water once you allow the bromine to dissipate. See the table on Bromine half-life to
determine the necessary time to wait before draining.
Once you have determined the time you need to deplete your bromine reserve, you will need to shut off your ISIS controller and
allow it to dissipate as noted above. If you are NOT planning to recycle, you will not need to wait for the bromine reserve to
dissipate.
Next, you will want to transfer your water to transfer media (i.e. hose, buckets etc…) or some other recycling containers in order to
reuse the water in some other application.
Next, you will want to clean your spa, clean your filter, and clean your jets with an appropriate cleaning agent from your pool and
spa dealer.
After cleaning your spa, it will be best to thoroughly rinse with a garden hose or other water source.
You will then want to get another PURE-FILL spa Pre-Filter and refill your spa with crystal clean brand new water.
At this point, you can simply follow the steps outlined for you in start-up including the addition of TRU-BLU sodium bromide as well
as balancing your water chemistry.
And now, it’s time to start enjoying your spa once again!