Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Bill_Stevenson on April 05, 2006, 11:03:10 am

Title: Yellow tubing
Post by: Bill_Stevenson on April 05, 2006, 11:03:10 am
All of the tubing associated with the pumps and ozonator on my spa have turned yellow.  There is some residual build-up of a white substance (calcium?) in the ozone injector.  Any idea what the cause could be?  Calcium hardness is added with each water change and whenever topping up water level to minimize foaming.  Should I change out this tubing and injector?

Thanks,

Bill
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: East_TX_Spa on April 05, 2006, 11:15:01 am
You might try running some white vinegar through the system in the fashion your owner's manual advises.  I've got a couple of pieces of ozone tubing over on a shelf and I noticed it's yellow.  The calcium would be more of a concern to me than the yellow tubing.  You might need to take a pipe cleaner and run it through there.

Anybody else got any ideas?

Terminator
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: hottubdan on April 05, 2006, 11:47:22 am
Cleaning per Term's suggestion is correct.  Ozone will color tubing over time.  Great oxidizer.  Make sure when you add calcium you add small amounts at a time to make sure water absorbs it.  Watch your pH.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Tatooed_Lady on April 05, 2006, 11:48:52 am
If the tubing isn't as flexible anymore, is flaking, or is turning brittle enough to crack.....replace the tubing.
Just my $.02
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Spatech_tuo on April 05, 2006, 12:21:38 pm
Quote
If the tubing isn't as flexible anymore, is flaking, or is turning brittle enough to crack.....replace the tubing.
Just my $.02


The next tubing will just yellow as well. As long as it is not cracked open I'd just run the vinegar through it and call it a day.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: East_TX_Spa on April 05, 2006, 12:25:28 pm
Well ALRIGHT!!!  I actually answered a technical question right and can now officially be considered an "expert".  Life gets better every day!!! ;D

Terminator
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: drewstar on April 05, 2006, 12:27:09 pm
Quote

The next tubing will just yellow as well. As long as it is not cracked open I'd just run the vinegar through it and call it a day.



How do get vinager to run through it? I assume you disconect both ends of the hose, have power turned off, as well as clamp the H20? Or is there another way?
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: East_TX_Spa on April 05, 2006, 12:31:59 pm
Quote


How do get vinager to run through it? I assume you disconect both ends of the hose, have power turned off, as well as clamp the H20? Or is there another way?


Turn power off, unplug tube from the suck thingy on the bottom of the ozonator, take 10 oz glass of white vinegar (not Mexican vinegar), put tube in glass, restore power, wait until all vinegar is sucked, replace tube, drink beer.  Piece of pie!

Terminator
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Spatech_tuo on April 05, 2006, 12:34:59 pm
Quote


How do get vinager to run through it? I assume you disconect both ends of the hose, have power turned off, as well as clamp the H20? Or is there another way?


Wrong Grasshopper! Remember how ozone works! It creates a vacuum in the line (venturi) which draws the ozone from the ozone generator. Therefore, you simply disconnect the hose at the ozone generator while everything is running and stick it into a cup of vinegar that you place on the floor of the equipment area and it draws the vinegar into the line just as it drew the ozone.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: drewstar on April 05, 2006, 12:37:02 pm
Quote

Wrong Grasshopper! Remember how ozone works! It creates a vacuum in the line (venturi) which draws the ozone from the ozone generator. Therefore, you simply disconnect the hose at the ozone generator while everything is running and stick it into a cup of vinegar that you place on the floor of the equipment area and it draws the vinegar into the line just as it drew the ozone.



The more you know.  ;D   Thanks.  

White vinegar, I assume?

Now that Spring is here, I should open up my front panel and see how things have weathered over the winter.  I'll take a look at my 03 tube as well.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: drewstar on April 05, 2006, 12:39:20 pm
Quote

Turn power off, unplug tube from the suck thingy on the bottom of the ozonator, take 10 oz glass of white vinegar (not Mexican vinegar), put tube in glass, restore power, wait until all vinegar is sucked, replace tube, drink beer.  Piece of pie!

Terminator



Mexican Vinegar?  

I refuse to use my Cabo Wabo  to clean the tube! That just aint right.  
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: East_TX_Spa on April 05, 2006, 01:06:22 pm
Quote

Wrong Grasshopper! Remember how ozone works! It creates a vacuum in the line (venturi) which draws the ozone from the ozone generator. Therefore, you simply disconnect the hose at the ozone generator while everything is running and stick it into a cup of vinegar that you place on the floor of the equipment area and it draws the vinegar into the line just as it drew the ozone.


HotSpring Owner's Manual

1. Disconnect power to the spa
2. Access the equipment compartment
3. Locate the tube that turns yellow and connects to the suck thingy on bottom of ozonator.
4. Place 16 ounces of white vinegar into a cup...blah blah blah

Go back to working on your Phoenix Premium spas, you ain't no spa technician!

Terminator
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Bill_Stevenson on April 05, 2006, 01:10:52 pm
Thanks everyone!
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Spatech_tuo on April 05, 2006, 01:18:35 pm
Quote

HotSpring Owner's Manual

1. Disconnect power to the spa
2. Access the equipment compartment
3. Locate the tube that turns yellow and connects to the suck thingy on bottom of ozonator.
4. Place 16 ounces of white vinegar into a cup...blah blah blah

Go back to working on your Phoenix Premium spas, you ain't no spa technician!

Terminator


Well you do have to turn the pweor back on.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Chas on April 05, 2006, 05:08:20 pm
I would only add that if the injector is so clogged that it will not suck, you should used a toothpick to clear it. Just shove it into the thing and wiggle it around until the thing begins to suck again. Then finish with vinegar of whatever nationality you have on hand.

Also - after you are done and everything is buttoned back up, check your pH just to be sure.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: wmccall on April 05, 2006, 07:04:03 pm
Quote

The next tubing will just yellow as well. As long as it is not cracked open I'd just run the vinegar through it and call it a day.



I agree, but I would still call it tubing.
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Spatech_tuo on April 05, 2006, 07:26:25 pm
Quote


I agree, but I would still call it tubing.



Keep your day job!
Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Gomboman on April 06, 2006, 12:59:37 am
Spatech t.u.o., how often should I do the vinegar trick? Once a year or so?

Bill, what's your calcium level out of the tap?  I'm around 150 ppm myself.

Quote

The next tubing will just yellow as well. As long as it is not cracked open I'd just run the vinegar through it and call it a day.

Title: Re: Yellow tubing
Post by: Bill_Stevenson on April 06, 2006, 04:13:39 pm
Gomboman,

The water is treated here and is soft out of the faucet.  I add calcium hardness to get it up to 130-150.  

Bill