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Nitro's Guide to Water Maintenance

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Nitro:
Wow if you made it this far, you did pretty good. It seems like a lot to learn, but it's really not. I'll summarize it here.

[size=16]Summary[/size]

Water Balance
[*]If your CH is much below 100 ppm, raise it to ~150 ppm. Otherwise, make a note of it.
[*]Adjust your TA to ~60 ppm to start with then fine tune from there. Use Baking Soda to raise it, or Acid/Aeration method to lower it. It takes ~8 oz Dry Acid to lower TA by 100 ppm in a 350 Gal Tub. Don't add all at once! If you lower your TA, you may need to raise your CH to compensate.
[*]pH should be between 7.2-7.8. Aerate to Raise pH. Acid to lower it.
[*]If pH creeps up too much (>8.0), lower TA. If pH is to low, and doesn't raise enough by aeration, raise TA.
[*]Add ~50 ppm Borate. (Borox/Acid or Gentle Spa)
[*]Calcium, Baking Soda, Dry Acid and Borates is all you need to balance your water.
[*]Use The Pool Calculator to calculate exact amounts to add.[/list]
Sanitation
[*]On a fresh fill use Dichlor until you get to 20-30 ppm CYA. (10 ppm FC = 9 ppm CYA)
[*]Then switch to Clorox Unscented 6% bleach.
[*]Never let FC drop to Zero for any length of time. Keep it between 3-6 ppm normally, min of 1 ppm, and shock to 12 ppm once a week.
[*]Use MPS if needed before hot tub party's and/or once a week to help oxidation. Go easy, because it's acidic and will lower your TA/pH.
[*]Check your Chlorine Demand often, and keep it low.
[*]Dichlor, Bleach and MPS is all you need to keep your tub sanitized.
[*]Use The Pool Calculator to calculate exact amounts to add.[/list]
Lastly, get a drop test kit such as the Taylor K-2006. Also get FC test strips, because they come in handy for a quick estimate, during party's etc. The only two things you need to check regularly are FC and pH. Check them everyday and after soaks. If you have your water well balanced, you'll rarely need to adjust your TA. Shock once a week, and/or after high bather loads. Use MPS if you have party's, and/or don't want to use as much chlorine. Keep Chlorine Demand low, and you'll only need to add Chlorine every 2-3 days and after soaks. Easy as can be, and your tub is always ready.

I hope that helps you to understand Water Maintenance a little better.

Happy tubbing!  :)

Nitro:
Reserved

Spatech_tuo:

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That would be fine to give to people whose job it is to explain water care to spa owners but it won't work for the actual average spa user due to length and a feeling that they're having to read a dry text book. In fact I've seen similar postings by people but I can't even attempt to read this because I'm tired from staying up too late last night and doubt I could get past the second paragraph without needing a nap (water care theory does that to me). I'll wait for the movie.

Hmm, maybe I should post my method and name it after myself, "Spatech's simple guide to water care"! If I did I know it would be about 80% shorter in length, 5 or 6 bullet point sentences and a couple small paragraphs at most. I wonder how I'd collect royalties. Maybe I could combine it with my theories on dating and gambling?

Nitro:

--- Quote ---
That would be fine to give to people whose job it is to explain water care to spa owners but it won't work for the actual average spa user due to length and a feeling that they're having to read a dry text book. In fact I've seen similar postings by people but I can't even attempt to read this because I'm tired from staying up too late last night and doubt I could get past the second paragraph without needing a nap (water care theory does that to me). I'll wait for the movie.

Hmm, maybe I should post my method and name it after myself, "Spatech's simple guide to water care"! If I did I know it would be about 80% shorter in length, 5 or 6 bullet point sentences and a couple small paragraphs at most. I wonder how I'd collect royalties. Maybe I could combine it with my theories on dating and gambling?
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I'm just trying to cover all the bases for beginners. There's always the Summary at the end for people who want to skip the details.

COWBOY:
Why don't you post your guide spatech . I am a beginer & would like to see it. Also does anyone have a suggestion were to purchase a Taylor K-2006 kit.

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