Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: steve771 on December 04, 2004, 12:58:37 pm
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I started doing an alternate shocking procedure, where every other week I use MPS instead of Dichlor as a shock. I still sanitize after every use with Dichlor (pretty much daily). I've noticed that there is some foaming when using MPS, but not when using Dichlor. It isn't a lot, but definitely noticible. Is this normal? ???
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I use only MPS shock, with bromine, and no foaming problems.
Brewman
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I use only MPS shock, with bromine, and no foaming problems.
Brewman
Ditto.
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I do pretty much the same as you with no foaming problems. Are you also cleaning the filter at the same time? Some filter cleaners cause foamin if you don't , as I like to say, "rinse the beegeebers" out of them.
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Yep, I clean the filters regularly, but my filters are a little different in that they go in the wash with a very slight amount of detergent and some bleach (cloth style that fit over a plastic "basket"). Always do an extra rinse. Maybe I'll give it a shot w/o the detergent at all, but that is what the manufacturer recommends.
I just wondered if, all other things being equal, MPS could cause foaming where dichlor doesn't. Chlorine really doesn't bother me at all, but my wife is a bit sensitive, so that's why I was trying the alternative method.
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And along the same lines... when using MPS, does it tend to leave the water a little cloudy compared to dichlor?
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Our water is clear, but I've never used dichlor so I can't compare the two.
Brewman
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Thanks Brewman. I really think all the problems I'm experiencing now relate back to when I tried that "velvet touch" crap from leisuretime. It caused foaming then, and I wonder if there is some sort of reaction to that. I'll probably do a drain and fill, but I would like to get another month out of this water.
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If you need to stretch it out another few weeks, why not try one of the foam dispersing products?
The one I use works fine, for the few times I've ever had foaming issues.
Brewman
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I have used the foam dispersing stuff. It worked well, but I don't like adding more to the mix than I have to. I'm starting to feel like a chemist making some evil brew! ;)
The foam only occurs now with an MPS shock, and then only a little that I can manually skim off, so it's no big deal. I think I can just live with it until the water change. Thanks!
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MPS should actually help get rid of foam being an oxidizer that eliminates organics.
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MPS should actually help get rid of foam being an oxidizer that eliminates organics.
Well, that statement only makes me think it is more than likely that 'velvet touch' crap! :P Although maybe the foam coming up is what it is trying to get rid of (if that makes sense)? ???
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MPS should actually help get rid of foam being an oxidizer that eliminates organics.
Some versions of MPS shock - "Freshwater" by HotSpring for example - contain a clarifier. I have found that over doing it with this particular product can increase the likelyhood of foam. It also tends to raise the TDS if overdone.
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That is why I now use just a straight MPS product...no buffers, no clarifiers. It is also less expensive and you use less.
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That is why I now use just a straight MPS product...no buffers, no clarifiers. It is also less expensive and you use less.
Can you give a brand example?
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For instance, Doc sells Sea Klear non chlorine shock and LeisureTime Renew. Renew is buffered meaning it is pH neutral. For a 500 gal spa you need 4 oz Renew to shock vs 2 oz Sea Klear. Renew is also quite a bit more expensive. Right now, I am using a brand called Diamond which only calls for 3/4 oz to shock, even though I use LeisureTime chems for everything else.
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For instance, Doc sells Sea Klear non chlorine shock .
Thanks, I just ordered some from him, will try it. I only use it every other week, so it won't affect my PH that much so I'll give it a try.
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Thanks, I just ordered some from him, will try it. I only use it every other week, so it won't affect my PH that much so I'll give it a try.
If I might ask, why are you looking to an alternative to MPS?
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If I might ask, why are you looking to an alternative to MPS?
Steve771, the answer is in the quote! MPS lowers pH.
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If I might ask, why are you looking to an alternative to MPS?
I'm not looking into an alternative to MPS, but to an alternative MPS. (Hope that makes sense)
For me, it was the buffering which raises the TDS count and means I have to change water more often and without the buffering I can use a lot less chemicals in my tub, and my motto is less is more (I tell my wife that too ;D)
My regiment is daily dichlor in small amounts with a shot of TDS every other week. Using it that little it doesn't affect my PH that much and my PH is usually in the right neighborhood.
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I only shock when necessary so I am not using a whole lot of MPS. My pH rarely needs adjusting even though I use a non buffered non chlorine shock. TDS never seems to be an issue for me and with my low amounts of dichlor I use, my CYA stays under control.
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Ok, gotcha. If MPS lowers pH, does it also lower TA? ???
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Do clarifiers ever cause foam? I recently tried Sea Klear 4 in 1 clarifier and now have foaming. Wonder if it related or coincidental and caused by something else?
Another question for those without 24 hr circ pumps or air BLOWERS. When the spa is not in use, should the air INJECTION be on or off during filter cycles? Does it make any difference? Was thinking that with the air on, the fine bubbles would give suspended particles something to grab onto and improve overall filtration (or is this just a plain dumb idea?)
Last, is it normal for the water to look pretty cloudy with the jets and air on high? Within a minute or two after the pumps turn off and the fine bubbles rise/dissipate the water is very clear.
txwillie
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Another question for those without 24 hr circ pumps or air BLOWERS. When the spa is not in use, should the air INJECTION be on or off during filter cycles? Does it make any difference? Was thinking that with the air on, the fine bubbles would give suspended particles something to grab onto and improve overall filtration (or is this just a plain dumb idea?)
The air injector tends to have no effect when the pump is on filter cylce - at least in all the spas I've seen
Last, is it normal for the water to look pretty cloudy with the jets and air on high? Within a minute or two after the pumps turn off and the fine bubbles rise/dissipate the water is very clear.
Yep, that's normal, introduction of air into the water will temporarily decrease visibility.
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The air injector tends to have no effect when the pump is on filter cylce - at least in all the spas I've seen.
When you say the air injector has no effect, do you mean no benefit to the filtration, or no air injection on low speed? Mine still injects a fair amount of air at low speed.
txwillie
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I meant no air injection.
I had the same curiosity and experimented. Although my spa can have a small amount of air when the jets are on low speed - there is no noticible air when the pump is on the filter cycle only. If your spa does inject air on filter, I don't know if it would be beneficial or not but I would think it would help with the oxidation process
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Clarifiers can cause foaming. I use one sparingly (rarely). Overuse can cause water issues.