Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: BearBath on November 30, 2005, 05:46:04 pm
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My HS Grandee arrived and was installed today. They ran the electric right afterward. ($590!!!!)
It is merrily burbling away and heating up. When can I expect it to be up to temp? Like Brook, will I be spa-ing tomorrow morning?
Also they dumped in a whole bottle of Metal Gon when it was filled. All my water goes through a softener. Do I need the Metal Gon stuff?
Time to read up on all the chemical lore in the forum.
I'll post pics later.
BearBath
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Don't know about the Metal Get Gone, but I can tell you that I am happy for you about the wonderful spa you're about to enjoy for the next 20 years or so! Congratulations!
We just hooked up a Grandee at my store for our upcoming party. I'll race you to 102*. Ready, set, go.....
Ha ha, I started 2 hours ago! :D
Oh, the spa will be hot and ready when you wake up in the morning.
Terminator
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Congratulations BearBath, and welcome to the HotSpring club, that is a spa you will enjoy for years to come.
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Congrats on the new spa. I paid $685 for my wiring and thought I got great deal. I think we had it filled and running around 6:30 last night. At 11pm it was warm, but not hot enough to get in. By 6 am when I checked it it was 102*.
I know my manual said not to use softened water... so does metal gone stuff maybe help counter the soft water? I don't know anything... just guessing/rambling. :)
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What part of the country are you in? The water out of the tap these days will vary in temp quite a bit if your in Boston or Miami. My tap water is 45 in the dead of winter and 72 in the summer so how long it takes to get to 102 will vary quite a bit. Count on 3-5 degrees per hour. (I don't remember how many gallons in a Grandee)
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500 gallons U.S.
Terminator
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I know my manual said not to use softened water... so does metal gone stuff maybe help counter the soft water? I don't know anything... just guessing/rambling. :)
No, metal gon is for the metals in the water. Did you use softened water? You really don't want to do so and if you have I'd contact your spa guy so he can address it with you.
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I don't really have a choice. All the water in the house runs through the softener. :-[ There is a bypass valve on the softener, and I could bypass, purge the pipes, and then fill the spa, but that is not what was done. I was not here and the installer just used a hose.
I just read the part in the manual that said don't use softened water. Oh Sh*T, too late!
Now what do I do? Do I have to start all over again? Is there something I can add to correct the high sodium content?
Also, I had the "Clarion" light system put on and it appears to be on all the time. I have yet to find a switch to turn it off. That could be annoying!
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Oh, and I'm in upstate NY. The water temperature out of the tap is quite cool, but I would just guess it is 50 ish. (Kinda like me!)
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Using a water softer should do some of what the metal gon would do, so they are more the same than opposites. If you used the softened water you will most likely just have to add enough calcium hardness to compinsate. Shouldnt be to big a deal, and your dealer can test for your calcium levels. Next time you might want to use the unsoftened water or you will just have to add a bunch of calcium each time. Congratulations on the spa!
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Using a water softer should do some of what the metal gon would do, so they are more the same than opposites. If you used the softened water you will most likely just have to add enough calcium hardness to compinsate. Shouldnt be to big a deal, and your dealer can test for your calcium levels. Next time you might want to use the unsoftened water or you will just have to add a bunch of calcium each time. Congratulations on the spa!
If you use softened water you don't need to add metal gon but it is a big deal to use softened water. You should NOT do so though a one time deal probably would be no big deal but make sure ALL "topping off" water is hard. In reality, we always tell people what works well is to fill 75% hard water and 25% soft water so in this case, you don't need to bleed the lines of the soft water before adding the hard.
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Good idea spatech. I havent told anyone that before.
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Congrats, BearBath on your new Grandee! Hope it's everything you want it to be.
Welcome to SPATOPIA!!
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Spatech, That is really helpful not to have to bleed the lines.
I'll probably do the drain/refill thing this weekend, just to have peace of mind. I don't want to do it now, 'cuz I don't want to have to wait the 24 hours to have it warm up again!
Thanks for the advice!
Bearbath
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BearBath,
To save you a little time and money, I'd suggest that you drain it down part way and refill with hard water. It won't hurt to have a little soft water in there (25-30%). Drain it down to the seats and then put the hose in.
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can't he just throw some calcium in?
I thought you could harden up water pretty easily...?
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In a 500 Gallon tub like the Grandee, approximately 4 oz. of Calcium Hardness Increaser (calcium chloride) will raise the calcium hardness level by 50 ppm. Depending on your current CH level, it won't take much to get you into the range you need to be. Have your dealer check your CH level for you so you'll know what you are startiong with. Much easier and cheaper than doing a drain and refill.
-Sarge
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Congratulations on you Grandee!
"they dumped in a whole bottle of Metal Gon when it was filled"
Just rememberr to remove your watch before you get in...
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The reason not to use softened water is that the TDS tends to be super high. A local dealer should be able to test for TDS. if your levels are good, you're good.
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congrats
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Congrats on the Grandee delivery!sed. We're getting ours delivered on Dec. 16, but I 'm confused now. When I called the dealer today to ask about getting our water tested before delivery, he said we definately should run it through the water softener. If you use hard water, aren't there a lot of metals and iron? Why is soft water bad? ???
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Congrats on the Grandee delivery!sed. We're getting ours delivered on Dec. 16, but I 'm confused now. When I called the dealer today to ask about getting our water tested before delivery, he said we definately should run it through the water softener. If you use hard water, aren't there a lot of metals and iron? Why is soft water bad? ???
Soft water is corrosive due to the salts. Your manual probably specifically recommends against it. See if you can view the manual on-line and if so show it to your dealer and have him/her make a notation on your invoice that you should use soft water. Down the line if you have heater issues due to the soft water you don't want to rely on the dealer remembering that they told you to use it.
I would use the hard water and add a bottle of Metal Gon upon filling if you're worried about metals. Actually, what we tell people with water softeners is to use 75% hard water and 25% soft water but all this should go through your dealer. This is why you buy locally in the first place but the part about them telling you to use soft water is unfortunate.
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Spatech t.u.o., I also have a water softener but it is because I have a calcium neutralizer. The Ph of my well water is slightly acid. I have copper pipes and didn't want to chance having them pit and leak over time.
The only issue with my raw water is a little bit of iron and the Ph at about 6.6-6.8. Do you think I would be better going 100% raw well water and using one of the metal out products? I need to let the dealer know, probably tomorrow because the water sample that I submitted to him came through the softener. Thanks for your help
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I think I gave you official blessings in a different thread, but since my memory isn't what it used to be...
May you always have hot, clean, bubbly water in that new Grandee!!!
Enjoy spatopia!!!
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Congrats on your new tub! We've had our Grandee for several weeks now and can't be happier about our choice. We think it is a GREAT hot tub! You're gonna love it!!
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May you soak long and prosper. You have chosen a wonderful spa!
As to the soft water issue: the people who made your spa very specifically prohibit filling it with soft water. There are many reasons. But for now, simply test the hardness of the water in the tub, and adjust it if you need to. You do not need to drain/refill at this point. I am looking at the dates of your posts and this info may be too little too late... but:
You should change the water at the end of the first month, and at that time I would push the bypass valve on the softner, and fill away! Don't bother purging pipes: the small amount of soft water which will get into your tub will not hurt anything.
This first-month water change is something I recommend to all new spa owners - not just because you filled with soft water. It helps a lot - makes the tub that much easier to care for. Just this once though: usual interval is about four months.