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Shopping list for the spa's arrival

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CalicoskiesNC:
We are getting our J365 on July 14.  I want to have everything ready when it gets here.  I'm not sure what chems I will get from the dealer, I know it will be a chlorine system.  I guess I will get the usual: sanitizer (Dichlor?) spa up/down, filter cleaner solution, test strips of some kind.  

I'm working up a shopping list to order from rhtubs so I will have it here before the tub comes, please see if this is what I will need:

Nature 2 cartridge

Taylor test kit (do I really need this? I've read that the strips arent very accurate, but this kit looks impressive and complicated and while I enjoy science/chemistry I wonder if I will really need this much of a test kit, but it does look cool tho.  I'm afraid I will be testing water everywhere just cuz I can!)

Swirl Away (I want to fill-SwirlAway-drain-refill initially becuz of what I've read about "leaktest" water left in system from factory, ick.)

303 Protectant (see? I really do read all the posts on these forums)

Leisure Time Spa gloss for shell

Metal Gone (do I always have to add this at fillup or will I test water first? And do you get this with chems at delivery?)

Do I need these too?  Spa Defender, Spa Bright & Clear, Velvet Touch?  I am also going to buy 2 spare filters at dealership, and of course I threw in a few toys that I saw at the rh website.  I didnt really look at the wall of chems at dealership, but if he has these things and prices are comparable, I will purchase from him first.  But in general, how does my list look? Complete? Incomplete? Overkill?

I've taken on the responsibility for learning water care, so I'm sure I will have more questions in the next few weeks (or years)  Thanks for all the help.  
Thanks, Lori

Chas:
Looks like a nice, comprehensive list.

I have never used Spa Gloss, but then, I now own my first glossy spa, so I may!

As to the test kit: this is an area where many of us regulars agree to disagree. I am all for test strips, because they are so easy. I have seen a lot of new tub owners through the first few months of ownership (it's very easy, but most folks get a little overwhelmed at first) and the strips just seem to work fine.

Defender is good insurance against a couple of things: scale buildup if your pH and TA go high together, and stains from things like hairpins or metal toys being left in the tub, as well as the iron dropouts that happen from some city water supplies.

Bright and Clear is handy, but don't put it in unless you need it. The label says to put in 2 ounces twice a week, and that will only give you foaming problems and waste money. I don't even have a bottle right now, come to think of it, but I do have one in each store, ready to clear up a cloudy spa if we get one.

Yes, a kit is more accurate, and depending upon what model you buy, it may do other tests beyond what a bottle of strips can do. Try the strips for a while, and see if you need more info - or, if you have trouble detecting the color variations on the strips, the kit may be for you.

Next to my spa at home, I have: test strips, spa down, Dichlor, foam down.

wmccall:

--- Quote ---Looks like a nice, comprehensive list.

As to the test kit: this is an area where many of us regulars agree to disagree. I am all for test strips, because they are so easy.
--- End quote ---


Here is a possible compromise.  I purchased a test kit from HTH, for pools and it looks very similar to the Taylor kit, but not quite as comprehensive.  ($19US at Wal-Mart)

This kit is quite easy to use and getting accurate results for PH, alkalinity, and hardness are much easier. My test strips show the sanitizer level and is pretty easy to read, but most times I can't get the pH to within 1.0 using a strip.  Hardness strips are a pure mystery.

The weakness of strips is if you look at the choices of readout, the numbers are far apart.   If you are one of the people whose alkalinity and PH are on the opposite sides of the scale, you will drive yourself nuts trying to get them both in range.  

Chas:
good idea - and keep in mind that Taylor makes a wide variety of test kits, from the simple to the very complex.

stuart:
Lori,
Honestly I have found that the less you agonize over what you have to add, what you have to test and how much you work on the spa the better you will do.

Most new spa owners have a tendency to over-do-it and then turn around and under-do-it. Relax, enjoy the spa, and just remember to add sanitizer. Your water balance is very important but Sanitizer is vital.

A couple of the things I would recommend is robes, water proof slippers and plastic spa cups for water (Oh, and don't forget the bottle of wine for the inauguration!)

Try ownership for a week or two before you start buying products and you will have a better feel for what you need. Most dealers start you out with enough to get you through the learning process.

BTW, I fully agree with chas, test strips are fine and very easy! Enjoy

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