Gecko waterlab

FAQ

• What is required to use Gecko waterlab?
  • Gecko waterlab requires a chamber, which will be installed in the plumbing of the spa beneath the skirt; a probe that allows you to gather data from your water; an in.touch 3+ module, which allows this data to be transmitted to the Gecko Cloud; and finally, the Gecko app to read this data from the comfort of your home.
• What is the difference between an inline water monitoring system and a floater?
  • No possible water infiltration for the inline system, which means:

    • Longer lifespan
    • No need for batteries
    • The inline system is much less burdensome than a floater and works in a "set and forget" mode; you won’t have a floating device annoying you during your therapy sessions.
• What does Gecko waterlab monitor and why?

  • Gecko waterlab monitors the pH, ORP, and temperature of the spa.

    These parameters are the most critical, as they provide indications of how clean, safe, and sanitized your water is. Through the water monitoring module, further parameters such as Total Dissolved Solids, Total Alkalinity, Total Hardness, and Cyanuric Acid provide additional insights into the quality of your water. For safe and clean water, pH, ORP, and temperature are the only parameters that need to be monitored.

• Why isn’t this product available on keypads?

  • We’ve surveyed our end-users, and they’ve told us, loud and clear, that they prefer monitoring their water quality using a cellphone (150 responses) rather than on the topside (75 responses). We are continuously working on improving the user experience, so stay tuned for future developments.

• Is water monitoring popular?
  • While some might consider the market rather small, the interest in the technology remains quite high. In fact, it could be argued that the size of this market is largely due to the lack of a satisfactory solution. In our survey of 645 users, 57% were unaware of water monitoring technology (but showed a great deal of interest), and another 27% either had a solution or were planning to buy such a product.
• Isn’t your product more costly upfront than other solutions?
  • While the solution may indeed be more costly upfront, the cost of the product over its useful life is the lowest on the market. Indeed, using a four-year probe that only requires one calibration is unheard of. To ensure a good product-market fit, we asked our users which factor would be the most important if they were to buy a water monitoring device. The top factor was, by far, the cost of ownership, while the retail price was selected as the 6th most important.
• How should I store the probe if I’m not using my spa for an extended period?
  • Keeping the probe wet and ensuring it stays in an environment that doesn’t drop below 0°C is very important. For optimal use and to ensure it meets its expected 4-year lifespan, use the soaking bottle provided with the product.
• My pH or ORP readings seem out of range, inconsistent or erratic. How can I fix this?

  • Recalibrate the Probe: Even though standard calibration is only needed every two years, out-of-range readings may require immediate recalibration using pH 4.0 and pH 10.0 solutions.

    Check for Chemical Imbalances: Overdosing chemicals can skew readings. Check Total Alkalinity and Cyanuric Acid levels.

    Clean the Probe: Fixed readings may be caused by contamination.

    Inspect for Damage: Look for cracks in the glass bulb (pH probe) or wear on the electrode (ORP probe). If damaged, replace the probe.

• How often should I clean and calibrate Gecko waterlab probe to ensure accurate readings?
  • Gecko waterlab probe will typically be situated in an area with a good amount of flow and may require minimal cleaning during its lifetime. However, it is recommended to inspect the probe if the readings are inaccurate, inconsistent, or out of range. As for calibration, the probe requires only one calibration every two years. If damage is suspected, however, you will be asked to calibrate it to ensure that the source of the bad reading is not due to calibration.
• Is my Gecko waterlab probe still under warranty if I disconnected it for more than 24 hours?
  • If the probe is taken out of the spa water or disconnected for a period exceeding 24 hours, you will be asked to re-calibrate the unit to ensure the proper functionality of the equipment. Once recalibrated, the probe will be covered under warranty.
• What is the recommendation engine?

  • The recommendation engine is an algorithm that allows you to proactively monitor your water, rather than reactively. Do you want to understand why your water's pH tends to swing or anchor? Do you want to know the exact amount of chemicals you need to add to balance your water? Then the recommendation engine is for you.

    Upon activation, the recommendation engine will request a water report. This report can be provided by simply using a test strip or by having your water analyzed at your local dealer. The water report will complement Gecko waterlab's monitoring, allowing you to calculate the exact volume of chemicals required to balance your water.

• Why is a test strip necessary for the water report? Can't Gecko waterlab analyse my water?
  • Gecko waterlab will indeed analyze your water, specifically pH and ORP—the two most important parameters. However, Gecko waterlab cannot measure alkalinity, hardness, TDS, or CYA, so a water report can help assess and balance your water.

    Although the water report complements Gecko waterlab, it is by no means necessary to operate it.

• Why is my spa water showing low ORP readings even though I’ve added enough chlorine, and how can I fix it?
  • A low ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) reading despite adding sufficient chlorine can be confusing but is a common issue in spa water chemistry. ORP measures the effectiveness of the sanitizer (like chlorine or bromine) in oxidizing and disinfecting contaminants, not just the amount of sanitizer present. A low ORP means that your sanitizer isn’t working as effectively as it should, even if your chlorine levels seem adequate.
    
    

    Here are some common reasons for low ORP and how to fix them:

    
    

    1. High Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Levels:

    • Cyanuric acid is often used as a stabilizer for chlorine, especially in outdoor pools and spas. However, too much CYA can "lock" the chlorine, making it less effective at oxidation and lowering ORP readings.
    • Solution: Test and maintain CYA levels below 50 ppm in spas. If CYA is too high, partially drain and refill the spa with fresh water.
    
    

    2. pH Imbalance:

    • Chlorine is most effective when the pH is balanced between 7.2 and 7.8. High pH reduces chlorine’s oxidizing ability, leading to lower ORP readings.
    • Solution: Test and adjust your spa’s pH regularly to keep it in the optimal range.
    
    

    3. High Organic Load or Contaminants:

    • Excess organic material like body oils, lotions, or debris can consume chlorine, reducing its availability to oxidize contaminants effectively.
    • Solution: Shock the spa with a non-chlorine oxidizer (like potassium monopersulfate) to break down organic waste and free up chlorine.
    
    4. Stale or Inactive Chlorine:
    • If chlorine has been in the water for a while without proper circulation or if the spa is rarely used, the sanitizer can become less effective, leading to lower ORP readings.
    • Solution: Ensure proper water circulation and add fresh sanitizer as needed.
    
    

    5. Sensor Calibration Issues:

    • ORP sensors, like those in Gecko waterlab, can drift over time and may require recalibration to ensure accurate readings.
    • Solution: Follow the manufacturer’s calibration instructions to keep your ORP readings reliable.
• Why is my ORP low even though my Free Chlorine levels seem fine?
  • ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) measures how effective your chlorine is at sanitizing, not just how much is in the water. A low ORP could mean:
    
    
    • High pH levels, which reduce chlorine’s sanitizing power.
    • Buildup of contaminants that are consuming chlorine faster than it can sanitize.
    • Solution: Test and balance your pH (ideal range 7.2–7.8) and consider shocking the spa to oxidize contaminants.
    
    Why is my ORP low Gecko waterlab helps identify these issues by providing real-time ORP readings and will alert you if there’s an imbalance.
• Can Gecko waterlab help me manage my saltwater spa?
  • Absolutely! While Gecko waterlab doesn’t measure salt directly, it continuously monitors the effects of your salt system by tracking:  
    • ORP — indicating how effective your chlorine is at sanitizing.
    • pH — ensuring chlorine from the salt cell remains effective.
    • Sanitizer levels — to ensure consistent disinfection.
    When the WaterLab detects signs of low sanitizer effectiveness or unstable ORP, it will guide you through the app on whether to:  
    • Adjust salt levels.
    • Clean the salt cell.
    • Balance pH and alkalinity.
• Can Gecko waterlab help me prevent algae growth?
  • Absolutely! While Gecko waterlab doesn’t directly measure phosphates, it plays a crucial role in preventing algae growth by: 
    
    
    • Monitoring ORP — a declining ORP can indicate early algae development. 
    • Tracking sanitizer levels — increased chlorine/bromine consumption is often a sign that phosphates are feeding algae. 
    • Alerting you in real-time — Gecko waterlab will notify you when water conditions favor algae growth and guide you on corrective actions, like adding a phosphate remover or shocking the spa.