Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: ISHAYKU on January 05, 2005, 07:24:28 am
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My tub had a strange odor last night. Kind of a sour smell (insert all jokes now.....). I have not had a chance to have the water tested, but I will. Anybody have any idea or experience regarding this?
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How old is the water? What sanitizer are you using?
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Odors are usually water balance related. A good shock might be in order. Could be dirty filters, your cover, pillows, or that big hairy, sweaty guy that was in there last night! ;)
Sounds like a chemistry issue for sure. Post your readings of chlorine, pH & Alkainity when you get a chance as well as answering PPOL's questions.
If it doesn't improve after balancing, drain and refill.
Steve
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Many times odor is caused by bacteria. If you use dichlor, give it an extra dose. If you use bromine, give it a dose of dichlor. Shocking also helps.
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Also consider that the smell of cl/br can be greatly amplified if the TA &/ pH are low.
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My tub had a strange odor last night. Kind of a sour smell (insert all jokes now.....). I have not had a chance to have the water tested, but I will. Anybody have any idea or experience regarding this?
If it smelled BEFORE you got in see the above suggestions. If it smelled AFTER, I would limit your chili eating prior to soaking. ;)
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Ahhh.... Now that was the answer I was looking for. I will avoid the extra beans in the chili and limit my Guinness intake to single digits. ;)
Actually, I have only had the tub for about 6 weeks, so the water is fairly new. I did give it a little extra chlorine last night. To be honest, I have not done much more than add chlorine every couple of days. The saleperson told me not to worry about much else. It has an ozonater, isn't that supposed to keep the chemicals in check? I will check the water readings and post them. Thanks guys.
If it smelled BEFORE you got in see the above suggestions. If it smelled AFTER, I would limit your chili eating prior to soaking. ;)
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Actually, I have only had the tub for about 6 weeks, so the water is fairly new.
Chas will recommend a drain
I did give it a little extra chlorine last night. To be honest, I have not done much more than add chlorine every couple of days. The saleperson told me not to worry about much else.
Sounds like a saleperson that either a) is green and dosen't know what they are talking about b) is slimy and deceived you to get the sale or in hopes of selling you parts down the road.
It has an ozonater, isn't that supposed to keep the chemicals in check?
NO. The ozonator will not balance your water for you. Ozone oxidizes thereby supplementing your sanitizer/oxidizer use. It is critical that you balance your water more often than every six weeks. If your TA and pH were correct 6 weeks ago, I guarantee they are not now.
There are several threads on this page currently discussing the potential damage that can be caused by unbalanced water. Read them.
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At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot, what is TA?
Chas will recommend a drain
Sounds like a saleperson that either a) is green and dosen't know what they are talking about b) is slimy and deceived you to get the sale or in hopes of selling you parts down the road.
NO. The ozonator will not balance your water for you. Ozone oxidizes thereby supplementing your sanitizer/oxidizer use. It is critical that you balance your water more often than every six weeks. If your TA and pH were correct 6 weeks ago, I guarantee they are not now.
There are several threads on this page currently discussing the potential damage that can be caused by unbalanced water. Read them.
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TA=Total Alkalinity
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Ok, I guess it is time for me to learn something. I just tested the water and everything is low. Ph, TA and Chlorine (I added chlorine last night). The dealer gave me some chemicals that he stated should last 6 months or so. I have shock, chlorine, ph increase & decrease, something called minquest extra strength formula and a "The natural spa purifier," which looks like it goes into one of the filters.
So, all levels are low. I am guessing I need to add chlorine and Ph increase - how much? How do I get the TA up, or is that a result of the chlorine and Ph?
HELP???
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While I am on this quest for more knowledge, how often should I drain and replace the water?
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Ishayku,
Some folks on here get 6+ months out of their water. Best thing to do is start reading page after page of posts. You will find answers to questions you didn't know you had (booze and hot tubs, nudity and hot tubs...). I have had my tub six months and this forum has saved me a ton of trouble.
Good luck.
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Ok, I don't know where you got the info LtDan, but you should drain and refill the tub every 3-4 months. Depending on usage! That is the norm. When the tub is new, Chas recommends changing the water after the first month, just to get over the learning curve.
You should raise your TA and PH. People have different methods, but I would suggest raising your TA first, then raising PH. That is what I have done, and it works well for me. Your chlorine level will drop, but that is ok, that means you soak in less chemicals. When you get out, put your chlorine in and it should be ok.
That is how I maintain my water, anyway.
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Lori - Thanks. How do I increase the TA? I have ph increase. Do they make a TA increase as well?
Ok, I don't know where you got the info LtDan, but you should drain and refill the tub every 3-4 months. Depending on usage! That is the norm. When the tub is new, Chas recommends changing the water after the first month, just to get over the learning curve.
You should raise your TA and PH. People have different methods, but I would suggest raising your TA first, then raising PH. That is what I have done, and it works well for me. Your chlorine level will drop, but that is ok, that means you soak in less chemicals. When you get out, put your chlorine in and it should be ok.
That is how I maintain my water, anyway.
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Yes they do. I use baking soda. Just an oz at a time until I get the TA within range. It has worked for me.
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I have had the smell recently too, smells like sour milk.
Anyway its because your chemicals are out, as you have found out. It will tell you on the product how much to add depending on how low your levels levels are. Your dealer should have mentioned what you have an what it is fore. I would add what you need and run the tub for a cycle and then re-test about an hour or so after that. When I first got my tub I spent hours finding out about water chemistry (I am still learning lots). I started testing my water every day until I felt more comfortable, now I check every other day. Get in a routine with your tub..it makes it easy. I have everything on a calendar. Filter changes, water change etc.
As for fill/drain. Depends on use really. I have heard some actually only change once a year unless they really have to. I am leaning towards 4 times, maybe three. I live in a cold climate so I want to avoid a winter change if possible. I think if you have to start adding LOTS of chemicals to keep things in check its time for a water change.
I would stop into your dealer and see if somthing that knows a little more can show you what you should be doing with the chemicals. My dealer outlined everything. And it wouldn't hurt to bring in a water sample for more in depth testing every so often.
Good luck. It does get easier
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I added baking soda and now have the TA around 100. It also seemed to raise the ph. Is that possible or did I misread the ph level the first time. Either way, it looks like I am on the right path. Thanks again.
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.... and limit my Guinness intake to single digits. ;)
OK there's no reason to start talking crazy now.... 8)
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Yes, it should raise the ph as well. Just remember, small increments. Patience is a virtue in water care!!! ;)
Not that I have a whole lot of patience, but the moderator around here convinced me that slow is the way to go when adding chemicals!
Post again if you have any other problems! Even if we get to razzing each other, we are all here to help! ;D I was a newbie last year, and I survived! You will, too!
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You are right, that is crazy talk. Thanks for talking some sense into me! ;)
OK there's no reason to start talking crazy now.... 8)
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Is that possible or did I misread the ph level the first time.
It is possible, but how did you take your PH reading? I can take the two strips from the same container and use them in the same water and get two different readings. I just can't get consistent PH measurements with strips. I can however, get a fairly good TA reading with strips.
Lori mentioned going slow. The primary reason for that is PH. If you add baking soda to the water and she suggests, and I do, within minutes you can read the proper alkalinity, but it can take 12-18 hours for the PH to stabilize when you make changes.
Another common newbie mistake is to try to get all the readings to a specific number. Remember all of these values have acceptable ranges. If raising your TA just above the desired point gets you above the minimal acceptable PH level, then rejoice, don't sweat hitting exact numbers.
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I've not run across a water problem so far that cannot be solved with a healthy dose of sanitizer. I've seen it pretty funky.
It may even take a few days to clean it up, but keep the sanitizer level up and it should clear up.
Of course, do this within reason. If it makes you gag when you open up the cover... by all means... change the water.
But cleaning my filters, dosing with chlorine and running the filter cycle a little longer than normal works if you don't have the time or inclination to change the water at that particular time.
Tim
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Oh Ya.... make sure all your "other" chemical readings a OK (Balanced).
One other thought... I have seen some people mention that their spa cover gets a nasty odor too.
Make sure it's not water-logged. Dry it out and wash the exterior of the cover with a water /bleach solution to make sure no fungus or mildew is starting to take over.
Tim
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I've noticed a sort of "plastic" smell when I lift the cover. What is that? I use bromine/spa frog and have an ozonator. My sanitizer, PH and TA are all in the appropriate ranges.
txwillie
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me too! I don't know what it is - but we use the same stuff as you - bromine, frog, ozone...
Jodi