Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: pruned_hands on December 17, 2005, 10:57:32 pm
-
Ok folks....I have cloudy water after 6 weeks of crystal clear water --don't know why and don't like it. Here is my chemical routine which has performed well for me to this point. I use dichlor after each soak and shock every 10 days with mps. This has seemed to work well with the biggest problem being a drop in TA after the shock.
A local dealer talked me into shocking with dichlor and did this monday (in part because I noticed the water getting cloudier.) Water didn't seem to change. Tried an MPS shock this weekend and still looks cloudy.
I have also noticed a ton of extra foam as well when jets are on and am not sure if cloudiness is caused by the same agents which cause the foam or not.
Regardless, how do you folks tend to clear up cloudy water? any advice would be appreciated.
thanks
PH
p.s. early Merry Christmas to everyone!
-
When did you last rinse your filters ?....also I would suggest adding a couple of teaspoons of dichlor every 3 to 4 days if you are not using your spa regularly. I think if you are using enough shock than you should be fine there.
-
I agree rinse your filters and shock with dichlor then filter a bit longer. How long are you filtering now? How often do you use the tub? Did anything get introduced to the water (soap, lotion, deoderant, hairgoo)
-
We use the tub daily, 1-2 people, 1/2 hour. My tub is a HS Grandee with Tri-X filters and I believe filters constantly. I have not rinsed filters in a while, but will do so and may shock again.
But I just did an MPS shock on Thursday...is this too early to do a dichlor shock?
PH
-
Have you raised your TA which you said was low??? I believe that when I had my last spa when the TA was low, and it often was from using MPS, that the water got cloudy. Just a thought.
-
Here is what I do and it has worked for me. It took a couple of months and a couple of extra tub fills but I got it down. I check the PH a couple of times a week and adust if I need to. I use dichlor after I get out or if I don't go in I put some in and run the tub for a bit. Once a week (usaly on Mondays) I shock with MPS let it run for a bit then add 1 once of bright and clear turn it on high. Let it foam up and scum up realy good then remove all the foam with a pool skimer. I clean off the scum with a sponge along the sides.By the end of the cycle its all clear. I change the filter (I have a spare) every other week and clean it for next time. I have been changing the water every 2 1/2 months or so and it is still clear when I do. I also have stopped using spa scents I think it has also helped keep the water fresh. ;)
-
Good advice above.
A few thoughts:
Have you topped up the tub with water in the last six weeks? How many times? You may have lowered you calcium level over time by adding fresh water. Water that is low in calcium is not only unhealthy for the tub, but will foam and cloud easier.
How is your TDS? If you are soaking daily, your TDS may be moderate to high after 6 weeks. As the TDS rises over time, your water will not be as clear, it will foam up easier and will not feel the same.
Are you leaving the cover off long enough when you shock? I have had some newer customers tell me that they shock the water and put the cover on right away because they dont want to lose heat. This is counter productive.
-
Good advice above.
As the TDS rises over time, your water will not be as clear, it will foam up easier and will not feel the same.
What does "not feel the same mean?" Will the water feel harder or softer? Can you clarify (no pun intended) a bit?
-
What does "not feel the same mean?" Will the water feel harder or softer? Can you clarify (no pun intended) a bit?
After a while you will learn what this feels like. I call it sluggish "your water gets sluggish" The bubbles move slower and keep the water cloudy longer. It's just a learned thing I know what he is talking about and at the end of a water cycle you will see it. There is nothing like fresh water. It's crisp!
-
1. Clean filters with TSP
2. Shock big time with Dichlor 3 oz
3 Clean filters again after the water clears.
4. Shock with Dichlor once a week
Remember Dichlor...Dichlor...Dichlor for shock and after each soak
-
Rick in Cleveland (and others),
thanks for all the advice. My dealer likes the MPS shock, but another local dealer likes the dichlor shock. I had been doing the mps shock with religious dichlor after every use and in between when needed. Now, I am thinking of switching to dichlor.
Which shock do you folks recommend?
i am planning on cleaning the filters overnight with some filter cleaner bought from my dealer. Then we shock and see what happens...
keep the advice flowing...it is very helpfull
PH
-
Rick,
by the way, why do you clean the filters a second time?
just curious.
PH
-
Pruned hands....if you're shocking with dichlor, that's what you use. That's the beauty of it, you don't need an extra shock....just use a higher (at least double the normal daily amount) of dichlor. From what I understand, this also doesn't increase your TDS like MPS does.
Mark
-
Are you testing the chlorine level after you put chlorine in? If so, what reading are you getting?
"Shocking" the spa is a relative term. You will use less chemicals and probably have an easier time shocking with MPS than with chlorine. MPS is a much stonger oxidizer than chlorine, so less MPS will be needed to do the same job as chlorine.
-
The water should be changed. The cloudiness and foaming are most likely caused by too much Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Your filtration system will not get rid of TDS. Since you have been using MPS to shock, you should know that doing so adds TDS much faster than would be the case if you shocked with dichlor once a week. Frankly 6 weeks between water changes is not bad anyway. I never go more than about 8 weeks between water replacement and I am one regular user, not two as is your case.
Bottom line: Dump your water and refill with fresh water. This is easy to do and will definitely solve your problem.
Regards,
Bill
-
Frankly 6 weeks is not bad any way. I never to more than about 8 weeks and I am one user not two as is your case.
Bottom line: Dump your water and refill with fresh water. This is easy to do and will definitely solve your problem.
Regards,
Bill
Six weeks is "not bad"? ? ?
I respectfully disagree. Six weeks is not good. Esp if you are in the colder climates, and water change out's are the last option. (if at all) I think you should be able to go at least 3 months, Idealy 4 months.
IF changing the water out isn't an option, what else would you recomend?
-
A good rule of thumb is between 75 and 150 bathers and it is time to dump the water.
If it is possible, dumping the water seems like the best advice.
-
If the water is really cloudy all that "stuff' will end up in your filter after you have cleaned it the first time. By cleaning the filters a second time (you don't need TSP the second time) you will be set for happy tubbing without a relapse back to cloudy water. Remember to hose off that filter every 10 days or so.
-
Six weeks is "not bad"? ? ?
I respectfully disagree. Six weeks is not good. Esp if you are in the colder climates, and water change out's are the last option. (if at all) I think you should be able to go at least 3 months, Idealy 4 months.
IF changing the water out isn't an option, what else would you recomend?
Agreed, I need 3 months minumum this time of year. Very difficult to change out in Jan-Mar. I try and get a change in Dec, late Nov, and make it till Mar. if possible. Otherwise it's a cold cold frozen water change, but a partial change is not out of the question.
-
Agreed, I need 3 months minumum this time of year. Very difficult to change out in Jan-Mar. I try and get a change in Dec, late Nov, and make it till Mar. if possible. Otherwise it's a cold cold frozen water change, but a partial change is not out of the question.
ah, the partial change out. Forget about that. That could help.
-
Is this a new tub that is only 6 weeks old? Or do you usually get serveral months and for some reason have an issue at 6 weeks this time?
I know that typically a new owner has a couple of other things to deal with. Usually there's a learning curve to water management that leads to new owners micromanaging the water and a lot of extra stuff is added the first month or so due to trying to keep the water balanced. This is hard on the water and could lead to a limited life span of the water. It doesn't happen to all but is quite common. This is probably a big reason for the Chas' Law of dumping after a month if you're a new owner to start again fresh.
Also, usage is usually quite heavy for new owner and it takes time for new hot tub 'bodies' to become adjusted. It takes a while for a lot of the oils and stuff to get out of your system. I've heard that over time your body becomes more used to a hot tub and is easier on the water (who knows if that's really true or not). The other thing with new owners (for us anyway) is that there tends to be WAY more guests the first couple of months... Adds a lot to your water.
Just a couple of things to think about anyway... :)
-
Thanks for the feedback everyone...I appreciate the varied ideas and I am sure this will help me now and in the future.
This is a new tub and I am a new tub owner so micro managing isn't out of the question, but I have been actually micro-managing how much I might be "micro-managing" and basically have followed advice on this forum almost ahead of advice from local dealer (I hope you folks don't steer me wrong).
I also live in a cold climate so am holding out for the next water change until things are less likely to freeze. I do know this would be a good idea and if the temp. were 40 F, I would have change it out days ago.
I did have the water tested today at the local dealer who recommended another shock since my free chlorine is really low. I am shocking as we speak and letting the jets run for awhile to help get everything "shocked". After this I am going to try cleaning the filter again and see if anything changes in the day or two following. If no good results occur, then a partial water change is in order.
I appreciate the discussion about shock choice and feel that a dichlor shock seems to have more pros than cons compared to MPS.
Thanks again for the feedback...this forum never ceases to amaze with the level of friendly advice and helpfulness. Thank goodness no scrooges here!
PH
-
Generally when I get cloudy water, I add chorine and filter more. I know this is not easy to do with a HS spa because you have to hit the clean cycle a few times. If that doesn't do the trick I add some Bright and Clear.
-
Generally when I get cloudy water, I add chorine and filter more. I know this is not easy to do with a HS spa because you have to hit the clean cycle a few times. If that doesn't do the trick I add some Bright and Clear.
Tony, it's actually easier than you might realize. Once a week, add some chlorine and just turn on the jets and leave it. It'll shut off in 2 hours and 100% of your water (with NO BYPASS, I might add) will be thoroughly sanitized without sucking debris into your plumbing. That's what I do every Saturday evening before I leave the store. When I come back on Tuesday, the water is crystal clear! :)
Pruned Hands, do the same thing and your water will always sparkle.
Terminator
-
Term,
just a couple of questions...(and I have a HS grandee so you know what I'm dealing with)
1. When you "add chlorine" are you adding a shock treatment amount or just a TBS like I do after a soak?
2. Do I turn on both jets (#1 and #2) and just leave them? I didn't know they would shut off in 2 hours on their own. I suppose leaving the cover off would be needed?
thanks for the reply...
PH
By the way forum friends, I finished the shock I spoke of earlier and also soaked/cleaned my filters over night and rinsed them like crazy and the water is looking much better. I was just amazed that I basically did a dichlor shock last Monday, an MPS shock on last Thursday, and still needed another stronger dichlor shock again on Monday! I would have thought that was too much dichlor, but apparently I had enough junk in there that needed to get oxygenated out.
thanks for all the posts (and by the way I always get a good laugh on this forum ...although this thread in itself was not too funny. This post showed how helpful the forum can be. The funny posts are found elsewhere and can certainly be skipped by those not interested. Happy holidays!
-
Term,
just a couple of questions...(and I have a HS grandee so you know what I'm dealing with)
My friend, this is the easiest spa in the world to take care of and this is how you do it:
1. Balance the pH
2. Get the Calcium Hardness where it needs to be
3. Add a tablespoon of dichlorine each time you get out of the spa. Push the "Clean" button
4. Once a week, add 2 tablespoons of dichlorine, push "Jet Pump 1" and "Jet Pump 2", prop the lid open slightly, go do something fun with your family. The spa will shut off in 2 hours and your water will be crystal clear.
5. Clean filters twice a month with water hose. Use filter cleaner every 2 months.
6. That's it, easy as pie! :)
Terminator
-
Tony, it's actually easier than you might realize. Once a week, add some chlorine and just turn on the jets and leave it. It'll shut off in 2 hours and 100% of your water (with NO BYPASS, I might add) will be thoroughly sanitized without sucking debris into your plumbing. That's what I do every Saturday evening before I leave the store. When I come back on Tuesday, the water is crystal clear! :)
Pruned Hands, do the same thing and your water will always sparkle.
Terminator
Now why didn't I think of that? My head must be somewhere else. Thats how I do it with my SD.
-
Now why didn't I think of that? My head must be somewhere else. Thats how I do it with my SD.
Oops! I thought you were Tony P than owns an Envoy, my mistake. Been really busy lately and didn't pay as close attention as I should have. I apologize for any inconvenience.
Terminator
-
No inconvenience. I really should have known that. My dealer sells both Sundance and HotSprings so I see them all the time. Don't know what I was thinking. ;D