Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: benalexe on November 04, 2008, 03:24:33 am
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It has been since about June that i have the same water in my tub. THe water is crystal clear. I don't use it very much maybe once every 2 weeks at this point. Do I need to changed the water prior to winter.
I have an ozone systemn and put about 2 oz dichlor every week in the tub.
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I would.
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I would.
because...
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because...
Maybe because the water is already six months old and it’s a lot easer and safer to change it now instead of the middle of Winter. :-?
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I would say yes,
Your CYA is probably over 300 (probably closer to 500) and with winter approaching the best time to change would be now. 4 months is about the top end of how long you should keep the water. You don't want to have to change the water on a 10º day.
Water is the best chemical you can add to a tub!
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Maybe because the water is already six months old and it’s a lot easer and safer to change it now instead of the middle of Winter. :-?
Thanks Mr. B. I didn't feel like stating the obvious. :)
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Absolutely YES because of Above!!!
Sean
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Benny...another new wonderful experience for you..Fresh clean water. My analogy is crisp clean sheets right off the clothes line. So I agree, dump that 5 month old water and enjoy a soak in fresh, crisp water..it's almost as nice as a mid winter soak!!! ;)
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Benny...another new wonderful experience for you..Fresh clean water. My analogy is crisp clean sheets right off the clothes line. So I agree, dump that 5 month old water and enjoy a soak in fresh, crisp water..it's almost as nice as a mid winter soak!!! ;)
Oh yes, there is nothing like a clean fill. It realy does feel differant.
@ Chad - I knew you were holding back... ;)
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Well here is another question. The other times I have drained my tub I get an air lock in my 3rd pump which means I need to unscrew the panels remove the insulation and unscrew the pump union. A real pain in the neck.
Any advise on how to avoide the air lock? Can I empty half the water and re-fill?
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Maybe because the water is already six months old and it’s a lot easer and safer to change it now instead of the middle of Winter. :-?
Bingo, if he can easily make it 6 months, changing now takes him into May.
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Well here is another question. The other times I have drained my tub I get an air lock in my 3rd pump which means I need to unscrew the panels remove the insulation and unscrew the pump union. A real pain in the neck.
Any advise on how to avoide the air lock? Can I empty half the water and re-fill?
Benalexe,
After you refill your spa, start it up w/o the filters installed and make certain that there is absolutely no debris in the water. I've never tried it but I know a few members who do this successfully.
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Definately change the water out. And to avoid air lock, are you filling the tub through the filter well? (put the garden hose down into the filter well standpipe)
And yes, you can empty half the water and refill. Folks who live in frigid climates and find themselves with bad water in the middle of Feb, the partial water change out can be a good fix.
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1/2 draining the water will only drop the high CYA level down half and will creep back up quickly. When the CYA level is high, the chlorine you add is not effective. Drain all the way and try the suggestion of filling via the skimmer, this may or may not help. If that particular pump does not draw water through the skimmer it won't help. You can try draining down to the suctions and leave the water level up over those, then you are getting most the water out, more than a 1/2 drain and allowing the water to stay in the pumps. Good Luck......
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Thanks, I think I will drain to right above the suctions, then I will fill up again maybe half way again and drain to above the suctions again. I think this should do it.
I just hate opening the cabinet if I don't have to.
FYI how do you check the cya?
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Do you use test strips? If so, look for the ones that have a pad for CYA level. it will be a chlorine test strip. if you use a test kit such as Taylor, it should have a test for CYA in it.
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Im wondering why we are talking about CYA levels when dichlor is being used. Unless they are Stabilized Granules. TDS levels would be alot more relevant for the water change.
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Dichlor is stabilized chlorine and contains CYA.
And honestly I don't think that there is a reliable way to measure TDS at a owner or store level. The only way is to have the water analyzed by a true lab. If a TDS meter only measures conductivity of the water then it isn't measuring the stuff that's not conductive.
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Dichlor is stabilized chlorine and contains CYA.
And CYA adds quite a bit to TDS to boot.
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As I type this I am emptying the tub. As disucssed in previous posts I am going to go as low as the top of the water intakes to hopefully avoide an air lock. Then I will add some water in and drain again so I think I will get all of the old water out.
One thing I don't remember is what to add to the new water. 2 oz of dichlor???
Anything else?
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Always do water balance first - TA and pH.
Then add whatever metal treatment you use, and finally Dichlor.
Two ounces is a good starting point.
8-)
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Just finished draining up to the suck in jets, refilling about half way and draining again... Yeah no air lock thank you for the advice worked perfectly.
Out of the tap my ph was fine and so was TA. I put 2 oz dichlor in, rinsed he filters (they were not bad at all).
I would love to go in but with water at 57 degrees I think I will pass. I am filling it up to a balmy 101. probably won't get there until 10pm tonight. It's 4 now.
Only thing I did not do was to replace the n2 cartridge. Not even convinced that it works.
Anyway thanks for all of your help.
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76 degrees and slowly rising- 4 hrs 19 degrees. watch that electric meter