Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Gomboman on March 27, 2006, 11:33:58 pm
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First of all, I'm a dichlor user. I basically follow Vermonter's method in conjunction with ozone and N2. In the past, I would shock weekly whether or not I needed to. My normal shock dose is about 7 times my daily routine. That works out to a little more than 2 Tablespoons of dichlor.
After two weeks of use my combined chlorine levels are still very low--less than 0.5 ppm. My Taylor test kit only reads in 0.5 ppm increments so I know I'm below this level. The Taylor Water Chemistry guide suggests that some people are sensitive to levels around 0.2 ppm. Since I can't read to this resolution I'm not sure if I'm beyond 0.2 ppm. I don't smell any chlorine and there's no eye irritation etc. Maybe I should buy a Kit that reads in 0.1 ppm increments.
Anyway, I'm thinking I don't need to shock every week anymore. How often do you shock and what method do you follow?
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I shock several times a week.
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I put in 2 tsp dichlor after each soak. If I don't use it for a few days I'll add an additional 2 tsp every 2-3 days. I'll shock every 7- 10 days depending on usage @ 1-1.5 oz dichlor. (3 oz dixie cup 1/3 - 1/2 ful). I check the pH and Alk every 2 weeks or so but for the first 2-21/2 months I rarely need to adjust these. Once in a while for kicks I'll add a little MPS but mainly because I have some around....Oh and I use N2 and ozone
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I'll shock every 7- 10 days depending on usage @ 1-1.5 oz dichlor. (3 oz dixie cup 1/3 - 1/2 ful).
I like that unit of measurement! I've got those 3 ounce cups in my bathroom, and hadn't even considered their possibilities for measuring chemicals...
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I shock once a week to 10 days. Like you, I have ozone and mineral filters and really see no need to shock more often unless a party breaks out...... :D
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I shock once a week to 10 days. Like you, I have ozone and mineral filters and really see no need to shock more often unless a party breaks out...... :D
How do you know when to shock...is there a chlorine reading that indicates when you should shock, or do you just shock regardless every 7-10 days.
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I'm on a similliar routine with my 350 gal tub. I'm a dichlor and ozone user, but have stoped with the N2 stick.
I santize with about 1/2 tspoon of dichlor per bather after each use. The tub is used about 3 time a week.
I was shocking with Renew every week. However I've backed that off to about every 10-14 days without any negative effects.
The only issue/question I have is Shocking is supposed to free up the chlorine, yet after shocking I never see a raise in Chlorine levels in my pool. Should I ?
My water is clear and smells fresh. I've still running the same water from the end of Nov and it looks pretty damn good. PH and AL always test within range, and as mentioned, after each uses I get my Cl levels up to about 2-3 ppm.
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I shock every 7-10 days regardless. If you try to extend it further you'll get into problems.
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I shock only when I need to. Like you, as a dichlor user I should shock when the combined chlorine levels reach .2 ppm. What I do is check for total chlorine when my free chlorine level is zero. I also use a Taylor kit. If total chlorine shows any color, I know I need to shock. If it shows zero (no color), same as free chlorine, then I know there is no combined chlorine. Sometimes I don't have to shock for two weeks, sometimes more often. I shock with MPS.
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I shock every 10 -14 days depending on our use, normal use is 2 people 2-4 times per week and we add 1tsp per person after each soak. I use dichlor ozone and n2
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How do you know when to shock...is there a chlorine reading that indicates when you should shock, or do you just shock regardless every 7-10 days.
Following tony's post, checking the combined chlorine readings when the free chlorine is zero is a good method but every 7-10 days is a good rule of thumb. Of course if the tub gets less use, the 10-14 day period is certainly appropriate.
And drewstar said:
The only issue/question I have is Shocking is supposed to free up the chlorine, yet after shocking I never see a raise in Chlorine levels in my pool. Should I ?
No, the combined chlorine isn't freed-up....it is oxidized along with other organics. I think you might be mistaking a dichlor tub shock with a bromine tub shock which does free up bromides.
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Following tony's post, checking the combined chlorine readings when the free chlorine is zero is a good method but every 7-10 days is a good rule of thumb. Of course if the tub gets less use, the 10-14 day period is certainly appropriate.
And drewstar said:
No, the combined chlorine isn't freed-up....it is oxidized along with other organics. I think you might be mistaking a dichlor tub shock with a bromine tub shock which does free up bromides.
Good info. What would you consider light use? What would you consider heavy use?
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I shock several times a week.
Why?
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Good info. What would you consider light use? What would you consider heavy use?
I'd say any tub that is used at least once a day would be heavy use. Any tub only used once or twice a week would be light use. Sound reasonable?
Of course, there's always the drunken, toe sucking parties....DEFINITELY heavy use! ::)
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Good info. What would you consider light use? What would you consider heavy use?
I'll give my experience. If I alone use the spa daily (relatively clean person..don't like to use suits), I can generally go two weeks between shocks. If four teens are using the spa two to three times a week, I'm lucky to get a week.
Average use is probably two people, three times per week.
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Thanks for the info Tony. I can see a slight purplish color when I look straight down the Watergram (test tube). I guess that's getting close to the 0.2 ppm level.
What are the advantages to shocking with MPS? On page 31 of the Taylor Water Chemistry book, under the disadvantages of MPS it says: "Unlike breakpoint chlorination, will not remove combined chorine". Is that correct? I've heard some folks say that MPS neutralizes chloramines better than dichlor. Does anyone have more information on this topic?
I shock only when I need to. Â Like you, as a dichlor user I should shock when the combined chlorine levels reach .2 ppm. Â What I do is check for total chlorine when my free chlorine level is zero. Â I also use a Taylor kit. Â If total chlorine shows any color, I know I need to shock. Â If it shows zero (no color), same as free chlorine, then I know there is no combined chlorine. Â Sometimes I don't have to shock for two weeks, sometimes more often. Â I shock with MPS.
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How often do you shock and what method do you follow?
[size=16]Almost every time I do my own electrical work and generally I just yell, "Da*n!!" or Aw sh*t!!" and keep working.[/size]
;D
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What are the advantages to shocking with MPS? On page 31 of the Taylor Water Chemistry book, under the disadvantages of MPS it says: "Unlike breakpoint chlorination, will not remove combined chorine". Is that correct? I've heard some folks say that MPS neutralizes chloramines better than dichlor. Does anyone have more information on this topic?
The biggest advantage with MPS is the ability to re-enter the spa between .5-1 hour after shocking. Also, if using unbuffered MPS and if your pH is on the high side, MPS will also lower pH--its pH is about 3-4 or so. The greatest disadvantage is its contribution to TDS. I was unaware that there is debate over MPS' ability to oxidize chloramines.....I'll have to re-read the Taylor booklet and look for further information. I was under the impression that it took care of chloramines. I've been using primarily MPS for shocking and have not had problems with combined chlorine levels so it sure seems like it works.
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I know there are grids out there to help find the "right" hot tub based on size, features, etc....is there a grid to help figure out what chemical(s) to add dependant upon what levels need to be raised or lowered? And yes, I know about the sites that help in estimating how much of what to make one change or another..just seems that if one level's outta whack, another is too.
This whole "add this to raise this, unless your (x) level is high, in which case you want to add THIS instead...." thing is confusing...or maybe it's just me. ::)
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The biggest advantage with MPS is the ability to re-enter the spa between .5-1 hour after shocking. Also, if using unbuffered MPS and if your pH is on the high side, MPS will also lower pH--its pH is about 3-4 or so. The greatest disadvantage is its contribution to TDS. I was unaware that there is debate over MPS' ability to oxidize chloramines.....I'll have to re-read the Taylor booklet and look for further information. I was under the impression that it took care of chloramines. I've been using primarily MPS for shocking and have not had problems with combined chlorine levels so it sure seems like it works.
You will not get rid of chloramines with chlorine until you reach breakpoint chlorination. Too little and you just increase free chlorine...too much and you have to wait longer to use the spa. With MPS chloramines are oxidized no matter how much you use. Too little doesn't get the whole job done...too much and you have extra MPS waiting in the water to do its job (unused non chlorine shock stays active until it is used). I have done both extensively and I prefer MPS as a pure shock. I do raise my free chlorine level to 5ppm once per week as a precautionary measure to make sure no nasty bugs get a foothold in my spa. I use a non buffered non chlorine shock...two tablespoons for 485 gallons. When I shocked with dichlor...the same two tablespoons got the job done.
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Tony, my HS manual recommends using almost 6 tablespoons for my 450 Gal spa. I'm not sure if the HS brand is buffered or not? What brand of MPS do you use?
You will not get rid of chloramines with chlorine until you reach breakpoint chlorination. Â Too little and you just increase free chlorine...too much and you have to wait longer to use the spa. Â With MPS chloramines are oxidized no matter how much you use. Â Too little doesn't get the whole job done...too much and you have extra MPS waiting in the water to do its job (unused non chlorine shock stays active until it is used). Â I have done both extensively and I prefer MPS as a pure shock. Â I do raise my free chlorine level to 5ppm once per week as a precautionary measure to make sure no nasty bugs get a foothold in my spa. Â I use a non buffered non chlorine shock...two tablespoons for 485 gallons. Â When I shocked with dichlor...the same two tablespoons got the job done.
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I am using a very inexpensive noname brand called Diamond Spa Shock. The instructions say:
When adding this product for the first time use at a rate of 1-1/2 oz per 500 gallons of spa water to insure thorough oxidation..
For residential spas with normal bathing load further treatments at the rate of 3/4 oz per 500 gals should be done every other week when temperpature is below 86*F and every week at the same rate when temperature is above 85*F.
When I used Leisure Time Renew which is buffered, I would need 2 oz to shock. I seemed to be adding lots of stuff to the water. That is when I started shocking with dichlor. I stayed with dichlor for almost two years, but hated the day or so that I couldn't use the spa and my CYA levels would skyrocket. That is when I tried this non buffered product. Two tablespoons is actually more than what the directions recommend. It has worked well for me so far, I can keep a lid on CYA and TDS really has not been an issue as I change water at four months max.
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I am using a very inexpensive noname brand called Diamond Spa Shock. The instructions say:
When adding this product for the first time use at a rate of 1-1/2 oz per 500 gallons of spa water to insure thorough oxidation..
For residential spas with normal bathing load further treatments at the rate of 3/4 oz per 500 gals should be done every other week when temperpature is below 86*F and every week at the same rate when temperature is above 85*F.
When I used Leisure Time Renew which is buffered, I would need 2 oz to shock. I seemed to be adding lots of stuff to the water. That is when I started shocking with dichlor. I stayed with dichlor for almost two years, but hated the day or so that I couldn't use the spa and my CYA levels would skyrocket. That is when I tried this non buffered product. Two tablespoons is actually more than what the directions recommend. It has worked well for me so far, I can keep a lid on CYA and TDS really has not been an issue as I change water at four months max.
Excellent advice, tony.......my routine and philosophy exactly......except I've been using 3 tbsp to shock but after reading your response, I may drop back to 2-2.5. My tub is 450 gal. 8)