I resently bought a home with a cal spa pacifica 3000
on the contols under mode I noticed I can choose SP1-5
(sp1 or sp2 or sp3 or sp4 or sp5)
anybody know what exacty these numbers mean and what is controled by them?

That's my best guestimate. Filtration cycles:

1: 2 Hours
2: 4 Hours
3: 6 Hours
4: 8 Hours
5: 12 Hours

So if you selected 2, it would filter your water twice each day for 4 hours - which is a good setting.