Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Vinny on October 23, 2005, 06:32:08 pm
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(http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/425d7cf2ze8994a55/a894/__sr_/4545.jpg?phdOBXDBtvMkRGtx)
[glb]AND[/glb]
(http://us.a1.yahoofs.com/users/425d7cf2ze8994a55/a894/__sr_/6330.jpg?phcOBXDBfpEGZ8fO)
This is type of foam I deal with!
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I can't see the pics...
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Pictures aren't coming through on my end.
The only foam I get is after I use filter cleaner. I can never seem to rinse them enough.
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Sorry!
They came through OK on my end so I just assumed all can see.
Here's the place to go:
http://photos.yahoo.com/vinnynj57
and click on foam.
It's amazing the amount of foam I get!!
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Looks like some one dumped a box of Tide in you tub. I've heard foam discussed on the board before but never realised it could get that bad. Any ideas on how to correct it
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Thats serious foam. The best way to get rid of that much is to get something to scoop out the foam. A pool skimmer net works well. Then filter, filter, filter. Foam like that is being introduced by something you are adding...detergent in suits or filter cleaner still residing in filters just cleaned and not completely rinsed are what comes to mind.
That foam reminds me of the first time I used Swirl Away.
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Thats a bummer Vinny. I heard that Artesian had a foaming problem. ;D ;)
Looks like someone is going in with alot of soap residue in their suits that didnt get rinsed.
or
Is anyone in your family really really hairy? Hey someone had to ask. You were all thinking it!! ;D
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YOWZA! That's some foam ya got there Vinny 'ol boy!
I'm guessing you have some empty bottles of Mr. Bubble in your yard? ??? ;)
Tony mentioned skimming as much off as possible and that's true but you need to clean and rinse your filters, shock the bejesus out your water and try to oxidize out whatever it is that is causing it and increase your filtration. A foam away product is a quick fix but is just masking the problem.
Barring that, drain and refill. Add 3 times the amount of shock on your fresh fill and have clean your filters on start up.
Depending on how old that water is and what the TDS is, I'd just drain and start again.
Now to find what's causing it...
The most common aspects of foam in a hot tub is soaps, lotions and everything we bring into the water. Don't put your bathing suits into the laundry. Just rinse and let dry. Shower prior to use and make sure you're shocking weekly and keeping your chlorine and pH in line.
Steve
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We had that kind of foam last week. We had our water tested and found that our tds was over 4000. They had said that would be causing our foam problem. We had to dump our water and get water brought in on Saturday. Now, everything tests fine and no more foam.
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Salesdvl, can you explain or share what you have heard about Artesian having a foaming problem? I am considering one and am interesting in learning all I can. Thank you.
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Ummmm, I think the ;D ;) meant it was a joke...
No one "brand" of spa is more susceptible to foam than other Jeff. ;D
Steve
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I guess that is what you call a 'full foam' spa and all this time I thought they were talking about insulation.
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Full foam yes; but it would also be considered a perimeter lock as well as it would prevent you from getting in! ;D
Steve
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Salesdvl, can you explain or share what you have heard about Artesian having a foaming problem? I am considering one and am interesting in learning all I can. Thank you.
I'm sorry, I was kidding. Vinny & I joke alot. The only foaming problem Artesian may have is when they pour their beer too quickly at the end of the day. ;)
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Thanks. My fault. I did not pay much attention to the smiley icons.
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[glb]BEWARE THE SMILEY ICONS [/glb]
;D :) ;)
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This is the type of foam I have gotten from Day 5 :( and have changed my water out 2 times because of it.
I am planning on dumping the water on Nov 15 or so for the winter. I was hoping that the Nov water change would last until Feb or the beginning of March. It seems that I get about a month and a half out of the water - then foam.
It could be TDS or it could be detergent or it could be one of the spa products I use or a combination of all 3. I was doing good until about 2 weeks ago and then the whole process went kablueie (sp?). I started using spa perfect again to see if this was the cause of the foaming problem, then my son decided to "take a dip" (he went into the tub for 5 minutes and got out >:( ) with a newly washed bathing suit and I had some foam but couldn't tell from which. Then I decided to use the MPS/dichlor shock that my dealer gave me and now about a week later - I have the foam you see.
I did think at one time either Artesian sold me a Full Foam Tub ;D or that someone dumped some kind of soap into it! ??? As far as hairy people ... My oldest and I do have hairy legs but we don't condition them although I have warned my son that his legs seem hairier than mine and as he gets older he may have to shave his back. :)
My tub was doing well with just me and my youngest using it until the process descibed above. We're using bathing suits that haven't been washed in a while (it is our tub suits - don't want to give anyone the wrong impression). I was going to do a trial and error process but it turned out I couldn't keep the conditions constant.
I just may buy some foam down just to get through the Winter and use it as needed. I am going to stop using that shock that my dealer gave me and just use MPS and dichlor. Maybe I'll also stop using the Spa Perfect and see how it all goes.
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What sanitizer are you using? Other additions too?
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What sanitizer are you using? Other additions too?
My chemical are:
All Clear Dichlor
Sea Klear MPS
N2 - at this moment, not in last 2 water changes
Spa Esentials Spa Shock Xtra - MPS/Dichlor and ?
Baking Soda
Spa Perfect
Calcium Chloride
I have used a bleach and water solution to clean the filters as needed and rinsed them off well.
My water starts with a PH of 6.8 and very low calcium hardness. I try to keep PH between 7.2 and 7.6 sometimes it goes 6.8 and right now it's at 7.8. I put enough calcium in the water for a reading of about 150 to 170 PPM.
My last reading with the Taylor K-2005 kit was:
PH - 7.8 - a little high
Alk - 220 - also a little high
I figured a couple of hits with MPS and they'll go down.
Cal - about 170
CYA - way over 100 - this was a surprise to me, usually treat my tub to 3 PPM chlorine (2 teaspoons)
Hit the tub Sat (a little cloudy) with 4 teaspoons or 6 PPM clorine and shocked with MPS on Sun due to a high combined chlorine reading.
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Got home, turned on the jets with air and my foam has subsided somewhat ... not frothing up as in the pictures although far from cleared up. I put a double dose of Spa Perfect into the tub yesterday and I guess it did some damage to the foam!
It's amazing what 28 hours of enzymes will do!
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I say srew it and just use the spa for a wahing machine. ;D
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I've seen that somewhere before - Oh yeah - looking out the window of an airplane at 39,000 feet. Of course I couldn't see the tub.
This brings up a curious question. Would this happen if your pumps ran backwards?
I know this didn't help anybody but after a few drinks this will be real funny. ;D
r100rs
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Wow, Debra, you say your TDS read over 4000ppm. My dealer said my TDs was at 1100 and I should think about changing the water. What do you pros say is the right time to change? I don't want to be changing my water if I don't have to......especially once the snow starts falling.
By the way, I use Carefree (water treatment) and Carefree Boost (chlorine) and rarely do I have any problems. If non family uses the tub and I do get some foam, I just skim it off, alternate filters and sanitize a little heavier and its usually gone by the next day.
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Update ...
I was in the tub last night, got rid of the N2 cartridge and put a double shot of Spa Perfect to eat up the remaining foam. Woke up to twice the foam ... Next water change goodby Spa Perfect ... forever!
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I frequently have issues with alot of foam. Several days ago and I doubled the dose of SpaPerfect and added a clarifier and now my foam is completely gone!!! I haven't used the clarifier in several months because of the awful tan colored ring it leaves for a day or two. I don't know which caused the foam to disappear...
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Hi Vinny
We had some low levels of foam when we first used tub. Get rid of the suits...... but as far as the chemicals and water changes....my dealer set me up with diclor/MPS/N2/metal gone....... had to change water after two months. I talked to dealer and told him two months was not going to work during the winter. His answer was just use Diclor and the water will last longer. Changed water July 1st, just had it checked tues, water is at 1400, not bad for 3 1 /2 months!!!!
Good luck!
john :)
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I haven't used the clarifier in several months because of the awful tan colored ring it leaves for a day or two.
That is the product doing it's job. You are supposed to wipe that off with a towel while the water is calm, and you are removing all sorts of oils, soaps, etc.
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My chemical are:
Cal - about 170
Is this the "total calcium hardness" measurement? When I complained to my dealer about our foaming problem, she suggested that I raise the level way up over the 250ppm scale. Any comments on this?
I just changed my water for the first time yesterday, after 4 1/2 months use (We had foam after the first). Since I have quit using Spa Perfect, and am reducing my use of Stain and Scale control, I am now suspected that my (over) use of my dealer's supplied Surface Cleaner, added to the water when cleaning the scum lines, without proper rinsing, may be my main culprit. Time will tell, but I really think the motto "less is best" applies to spa chemical maintenance.
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Is this the "total calcium hardness" measurement? When I complained to my dealer about our foaming problem, she suggested that I raise the level way up over the 250ppm scale. Any comments on this?
Soft water (below 150ppm hardness) can contribute to a foaming problem but that's only one small factor and in my experience, not normally the key issue.
Generally, the products we introduce into the water cause the majority of the problems. Alternately, it could be filters not rinsed properly, poor chemical balance, high TDS, high pH or lack of sanitizer.
Steve