Original > Hot Tub Forum
Nitro's Guide to Water Maintenance
chem geek:
--- Quote ---And as for water balance factors, there are 6, not 4, that must be taken into account:
Temp, CH, TA, pH, metals and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).
This is based on using the Langolier (or Saturation) Index. In almost all cases, however, metals will not be added into the formula. They should be considered since metals and calcium are both minerals that can and will be dissolved into water. This is the main reason most professionals use Total Hardness vs. Calcium Hardness when using the Saturation Index (SI) formula.
For those that are interested, the formula for it is as follows:
SI = Ft + pH +Fta + Fch - 12.1
Ft is the temp factor, Fta is the TA factor, Fch is the CH factor (Total Hardness could be substituted here). 12.1 is the value used assuming TDS is 1200 ppm or lower. That value must be raised by .1 for every 1000 ppm over 1200 ppm.
If anyone would like the SI Values for calculation, I'd be more than happy to post them. I, on the other hand, let my computer do the calculating for me.
Ideal range for SI is +.3 to -.3, with 0 being ideal. When SI is zero, the water is neither scale forming or corrosive. Above zero, and it tends to form scale; below zero and it tends to be corrosive.
While yes, this is overkill by most people's book, I'm only putting it out here because if we're going to give out this much information, it needs to be as complete as possible.
And if anyone would like to know where this info came from, it can be found in any BioGuard Dealers ChemPlus book.
--- End quote ---
You can get a reasonably accurate calculation of the saturation index by using The Pool Calculator. It is incorrect to use Total Hardness in place of Calcium Hardness. Total Hardness includes magnesium, whereas it is the saturation of calcium carbonate that is important because it is calcium carbonate that forms scale first and it is calcium carbonate that is in plaster/gunite/grout. At the same carbonate level, it takes 9 times as much magnesium as calcium to precipitate magnesium carbonate so it is NOT factor in the saturation index. You should use Calcium Hardness (CH). Generally speaking, in most water, the Total Hardness (TH) is around 40-70% higher than the Calcium Hardness (CH), but unless the magnesium were at extraordinarily high levels, then it is not a factor (except as general TDS, but you already covered that).
Also, the formula you gave is fairly standard in the industry but isn't quite right, though the accurate formula isn't much different. Mostly, the TDS and temperature adjustments are off a little (this mostly affects SWG pools and spas).
Richard
Nitro:
--- Quote ---
If you ever worked in the spa industry you would know that getting the spa owner to care for their water is not as simple as you think. Your guide will work fine for 10% of spa owners if it was a dealer tried to use it IMO. That % is higher on this site of course because people coming here are generally more willing to learn than the average spa owner but I guarantee you that a majority of spa owners who saw a 4 page guide would either not get past the first page or would not even attempt it in the first place and would come into the store or call and ask "can someone explain this in simple terms". Of course a good dealer goes over this with a spa owner at time of purchase and gives a simple 1 page guide after explaining it so the customer has some reference material after the tutorial.
It’s all about understanding your audience and I'm sure many will love the "Nitro Guide to Water Maintenance" because it is very thorough but so was my chemistry textbook in college but whenever I read that I’d get half way through a section and find I retained little because my mind was wandering with thoughts of what game is on tonight, where were the parties happening, why did I choose this major where no women are in my classes, etc. I'm just speaking about what will work for a dealer and spa customers.
--- End quote ---
I'm not saying it's easy to get new customers to care for the water, nor did I say my guide will work for every new spa owner. I posted it here for the poeple who want to learn NOT to have problems. For the people that don't want to learn, well, we'll see them when they start having problems.
Spatech_tuo:
--- Quote ---For the people that don't want to learn, well, we'll see them when they start having problems.
--- End quote ---
I prefer to teach them up front but even if they've failed (yes they do listen better then) understanding HOW to teach them is important. I've dealt with the people who go in thinking they won't understand, those who've failed reading the spa manual, those who don't think they have time to listen and those who'll listen, take notes, ask questions etc. For all of them we have very effective stream lined instructions and verbally explain what it all means. I'm not an expert on water care but I am as expert as anyone at knowing how to teach relative to spas so they'll grasp it and have a shot.
I've been in close to a thousand back yards teaching people how to care for their water. I can’t talk theory like a chemist as much as I can tell people what works, what to watch for, how to adjust to certain situations, why Ph/Alk matters, etc. I also roll my eyes at comments saying if you use dichlor you need to change your water every month or two when those of us with practical experience know that is ridiculous.
Nitro:
--- Quote ---
I prefer to teach them up front but even if they've failed (yes they do listen better then) understanding HOW to teach them is important. I've dealt with the people who go in thinking they won't understand, those who've failed reading the spa manual, those who don't think they have time to listen and those who'll listen, take notes, ask questions etc. For all of them we have very effective stream lined instructions and verbally explain what it all means. I'm not an expert on water care but I am as expert as anyone at knowing how to teach relative to spas so they'll grasp it and have a shot.
I've been in close to a thousand back yards teaching people how to care for their water. I can’t talk theory like a chemist as much as I can tell people what works, what to watch for, how to adjust to certain situations, why Ph/Alk matters, etc. I also roll my eyes at comments saying if you use dichlor you need to change your water every month or two when those of us with practical experience know that is ridiculous.
--- End quote ---
You have experience teaching people to maintain their spas, which is great. I myself have taught a few people in person how to maintain their water. It's much easier when you're there to show them. Unfortunately, not everone has personal access to you (or me), so they come on here.
Again, that's why I wrote this guide. However, if I knew it was going to cause this much trouble, I never would have. I'd much rather be spending my time helping spa owners, then arguing about the length and methods. ::)
Nitro:
After all these negative posts about this guide, it's good to hear a POSITIVE one.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version