Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: sledjunkie on September 21, 2006, 03:07:35 pm
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Anyone using this to clean their filters?
Looking at picking it up from my local paint store in the powder form to mix in a bucket of hot water.
I heard it works good, and doesn't foam up the tub afterwards.
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The only thing I know about TSP is that we used it in the seafood industry as a water softener to soak shrimp, it was commonly called Calgon by the inside folks. It was great making the shrimp pick up more water weight and eliminate some black spots on their tails.
If you have never taken a shower in soft water it feels like you still have soap all over your skin after you've rinsed off.
How it will work on filters? Beats me, hope your filters don't start smelling like shrimp cocktails. LOL
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I decided to google it and came up with this article..
I'm trying it...
http://www.hancockpools.com/rep_cartridges.cfm?&crtclean=yes
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The only thing I know about TSP is that we used it in the seafood industry as a water softener to soak shrimp, it was commonly called Calgon by the inside folks. It was great making the shrimp pick up more water weight and eliminate some black spots on their tails.
How it will work on filters? LOL
Oh my goodness!! :o :o And people wonder why we have so many ailments when we are ingesting chemicals that are capable of cleaning filters... :o :o
sledjunkie--I checked out the post and am glad I did. It has the ratio of chemicals to water that I have been wondering about. I think I may try this as well. I recently cleaned my 5 filters using the LT spray-on instant cartridge cleaner. I went through over a half-bottle.
I wonder if I can put the concoction in a spray bottle for my monthly cleanings? Perhaps I'll try!
I haven't soaked my filters overnight yet.
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The only thing I know about TSP is that we used it in the seafood industry as a water softener to soak shrimp, it was commonly called Calgon by the inside folks. It was great making the shrimp pick up more water weight and eliminate some black spots on their tails.
If you have never taken a shower in soft water it feels like you still have soap all over your skin after you've rinsed off.
How it will work on filters? Beats me, hope your filters don't start smelling like shrimp cocktails. LOL
Pretty tricky. Hopefully not that same as the bath detergent: "Calgon! Take Me Away!
Hmmm. Calgon and Water = $002 a lb.
Jumbo Shrimp $20 a lb.
I can see why a seafood market would soak the shrimp.
Where's Sled junkie when you need him? ;) Folks need to be warned about this.
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TSP or Dishwashing detergent - interesting. I've been putting my Tri-X filters in the dishwasher with some detergent and then running them through an extra rinse cycle. Result - clean filters, no suds or foam.
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TSP or Dishwashing detergent - interesting. I've been putting my Tri-X filters in the dishwasher with some detergent and then running them through an extra rinse cycle. Result - clean filters, no suds or foam.
tonyp--Do you do this for your monthly cleaning instead of the spray-on stuff? The one time I have cleaned my filters, I hosed them, sprayed them, hosed them, dishwasher--everything was great.
Thanks!
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Do a web search for "Trisodium Phosphate filter" or something similar.
There are alot of resources on the web relating to cleaning spa, pool, or any cartridge filters with TSP..
I was surprised when I searched this board I didn't find anyone who used straight TSP and hot water in a bucket to clean their spa filters.
Wait a minute, why would dealers recommend this over buying spa brand chemicals at their store? Hmmm..
Anyway, from what I read on the web it could be a good, cheap solution to cleaning filters.
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IT could be. try it out for a few months and let us know.
I assume you are aware that many products don't use TSP because they are banned in many communities. Right?
You do understand the differnces between TSP and some the packaged degreasers, right?
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I'm not planning on soaking them every month, more like every 3 months, so I'll let you know in the spring.
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One thing I hate about cleaning my filters is the amount of water it takes to rinse them well (I grew up in a drought, and live in CA, so I can't even turn on a faucet without thinking about making sure I'm not wasting water ) and I hate then dumping the bucket of cleaner down the drain. TSP vs regular cleaners....which would be less harmful? I think I remember someone asking about Simple Green here.....cannot remember the consensus, tho. Comments?
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You do know that phospates create algie blooms right?
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You do know that TSP can bleach out redwoods, right?
You do know it can corrode metal. right?
Christ sakes, the same things you complain about dealers and so called people parroting back what they heard, you do.
8-)
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Drewster this is great, keep it coming!!!!
I'm not so sure I'm following you regarding your TSP statements.
I mean I understand your facts, but how does that related to the use of TSP to clean filters.
As far as corroding metal? I'm not dumping it in my spa silly!
And bleaching out redwoods? I'm not pooring it on my redwood deck!
It won't kill bacteria? Uh, it's purpose is not to sanitize my filter, just clean it.
Again, I'm not following you.
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Oh no no no. I was asking you. As you seem to know a lot!!!!! I was hoping you can eleborate on those items and tell us what we should be doing. And if there where any downsides to it. Yea. why would we be concerend about wood. That's silly. Or a filter that goes back into a body of water that we are soaking in....... (hey, I'm with you, the dealers here are just trying to F us over!). Are there are concerns using TSP? Why don't Spa dealers sell stright up TSP? What are the ingerdients of those over the counter cleaners?
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Wow I think I must have made a new best friend!!
Sorry I'm not the expert on the effects and uses of trisodium phosphate, so I can't answer your unrelated questions/statements.
Artesian tech support simply recommended it to me for cleaning my filters, and I figured I'd throw it out to this forum and see if anyone else was using it as it sounded like a good solution.
It's available to purchase at stores in my area. Local paint stores, hardware stores, etc.
Not to concerned about environmental issues and the use of TSP
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I'm curious, too, as to the pro's and con's of using TSP.
Anne, I remember some posters saying they were gonig to start using Simple Green. I'd like to know the pro's and con's of that, too.
Anyone care to enlighten us? :-?
Phil
P.S. This is good timing as I just started using my last bottle of the purple filter cleaner. For what it's worth, I don't spray it on. I pour 8 oz. into a 5 gallon bucket and put both pleated filters in. I have two sets so I let them soak overnight or longer. Once I forgot and left them in for two weeks. :o It didn't seem to bother them any. Rinsed them off and put them back in the spa. They did fine and I've had both sets of filters over a year now.
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Wow I think I must have made a new best friend!!
Sorry I'm not the expert on the effects and uses of trisodium phosphate, so I can't answer your unrelated questions/statements.
Artesian tech support simply recommended it to me for cleaning my filters, and I figured I'd throw it out to this forum and see if anyone else was using it as it sounded like a good solution.
It's available to purchase at stores in my area. Local paint stores, hardware stores, etc.
Not to concerned about environmental issues and the use of TSP
Well I assumed my friend that since you said that you were surprised that there wasn't alot of dicussion here, that you had inside info. You alluded that once agian, maybe dealers were trying to mislead you. So, yup color me surprised that you don't know why it's not a nationaly distrubued product and that there are concerns with using it. I was simply quesitoning your authoratitave knowlege and statments to see if you had any clue of what you were talking about, or simply repeating back what some "tech support" guy told you. ;)
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I could be wrong but it seemed to me that Drew was against using TSP to clean filters. I'm not sure exactly why as his comments didn't make sense to me.
For what it's worth, I did find much info on the web regarding using TSP to clean pool and spa filters.
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I'm against using TSP. It's causes a lot of problems in our lakes and streams. It can damage your deck, it can ruin grout and metals in the bathrooms. (I clean my filters in my tub. in my bathroom. Sometimes, I carry the wet filter across my deck.... I was leary of taking your advice at face value. I'd be careful with the stuff, because some of the info passed off on the web by some folks who claim to be consumer advocates just don't know.
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Drew -
Please enlighten us the concerns, related or urelated, to cleaning filters with TSP.
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So is that supposed to be a con of using it?
Just being careful where it drips?
I'm not going to comment on the lake and stream concern.
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once agian for the slow folks....If your are going to use TSP to clean your filters, be aware that what you put down the drain can have a very negative effect on lakes and streams. IF you're like me, and clean your filters in the bathroom,. be carefuls with the stuff, it will ruin you grout, it can corroed the metal on bathroom fixtures, If you're putting the filter directly back into the spa, make sure it's rinsed well, espically so, if you have a wooden cabinet, or your spa is on a deck.
Many dealers sell a quality degreaser for filters that's a lot more enviormentaly friendly, and if you have a problem with the product or specific questions, they can help you out.
Also, if someone alludes that since a dealer doen'st recomend TSP, or sell a product carried via a national retailer, it may not be because they are steering you towards thier high profit cleaner, It may be that's it's been banned in several states.
Is that clear enough for you my friend? You wanted to discuss it. I'm discussing it. Ialso recomended that since you have a lot of knoweldge, try it out for yourself and report back to us....oh wait, that might be tough, since you really don't have anything to compare it to.
If you do not understand my words, polietly ask, and I'd be happy to restate them. If you disagree, please state what you disagree with and why. Maybe then we can communicate?
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"I'm not going to comment on the lake and stream concern."
Why not? Or is the EPA,(like those salesfolks) just scaring us? You might be surprised but the envriomental effects on products is a pretty significant issue with many folks. Maybe not for you, but let's not be ignorant and promote the use of a Banned product on the forum for home use.
Or is it that you just didn't know? It's relevant. I thought you wanted to discuss it?
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Great thanks for all the info Drew. Unfortunatley your concerns are not a concern for me, so with that being said I'm going to use it.
Your right it may be that they don't carry it because it's banned it their state, but I'd put my money on that not being the case.
I know one thing, if it was sold at spa dealers, it would have been mentioned on this board at some point in time, and it wasn't.
That reminds me, I need to get home now and spray "diazinon" around the permiter of my foundation to kill those pesky carpenter ants. Good stuff by the way, kills the ants good. I have two cases in my garage. Should last me 20 years.
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Your welcome. But at least now you know. Right? That was the point of your post, right? And we didn't have to call anyone a liar, or uncover some great conspiaracy from the dealer. (The shop keeper is trying to sell me a product!!! Run away!) Too bad we took the long way to get there. but at least your a bit less ignorant now. Right?
I don't see the relavancy of the Diazon statement to hot tub filters.. However, I'm sorry to hear your home is infested with bugs. Sounds kinda gross.
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I am not trying to stir up this mess, and I am not completely sure about how relevant this is to cleaning filters, BUT...there are products for pool water designed especially to remove phosphates. Phosphates can have a negative effect on the quality of pool water, and if I can believe the tech at my local pool store, phosphates can also screw up your water test results...So maybe there is much we don't know right now about the full effects of TPS as a filter cleaner.
I have used it to clean walls before I paint. But like, Drew, I know the potential of dumping phosphates..so I am careful when I use it.
I had no idea TPS was used for shrimp, but I can relate to that slippery feel sometimes..I am going to ask my friend in the seafood department of my Super Fresh store..I know years ago they used formaldehyde.... :P
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Great thanks for all the info Drew. Unfortunatley your concerns are not a concern for me, so with that being said I'm going to use it.
Your right it may be that they don't carry it because it's banned it their state, but I'd put my money on that not being the case.
I know one thing, if it was sold at spa dealers, it would have been mentioned on this board at some point in time, and it wasn't.
That reminds me, I need to get home now and spray "diazinon" around the permiter of my foundation to kill those pesky carpenter ants. Good stuff by the way, kills the ants good. I have two cases in my garage. Should last me 20 years.
Until these comments, I appreciated your cynical and straightforward comments on this forum as a good balance and contrast to other stuff here. But if you actually mean what you just said, and arent just trying to stir up controversy for the sake of a little (weird) fun, then I really think you must be a piece of work. What goes? >:(
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TSP-- I would not want to use it on any part of our spa... including filters.
Did a quick search and here is an interesting link...
http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/inftsp.shtm
quote from that page is "It can damage many metal and painted surfaces, and can stain woods. It is not recommended for use on glass, either, since it will leave a filmy residue."
Not to mention algae loves phospates :D
I would not want to risk residual possibilities from this stuff... and will leave residue.
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I like the filter cleaner. Of course, I can just take a bottle home if I ever need it. Come to think of it, I tend to throw my filters away when they are dirty. If they get REAL dirty I just get a new spa. Hmm. Probably shouldn't admit that...
If you want to try TSP, here are some tips:
Find a bucket that will cover your filter(s) with as little water as possible.
Use a plastic bucket.
Don't use TSP indoors.
Wear old clothes -
Wear eye protection -
Gloves are a good idea.
Don't splash.
Do not dump down storm drains.
Do not dump on lawn or shrubs.
Do not dump into septic systems.
The product sold in grocery stores under the brand name, "TsP" in the bright orange box is NOT TriSodium Phosphate. It is a low-phosphate detergent and will drive you nuts with suds. You can only buy real TSP at hardware/paint homecenters.
8-)
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well i used tsp from ace hardware put my filters inside normel size cooler and dumped 8 onces of the stuff in closed the lid for 24 hours dumped in the yard rinsed filters nice and white along with cooler no dead grass or any other problems at all.
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Sounds like you have a good system.
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Well I knew that they cut down phosphate usage in detergents. I guess I will do my part and do something different because I do care, after all I quit using herbicides (weed killers for those without a clue) and pesticides years ago. Maybe amonia (the pure natural yellow stuff) will do the trick. ::)
Steve
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I have not used it on a spa filter before, but for those that want to soak the filter in something, plain vinegar is a great cleaner and would rinse easily... just a thought :)
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I have not used it on a spa filter before, but for those that want to soak the filter in something, plain vinegar is a great cleaner and would rinse easily... just a thought :)
Hmmm interesting . . . I use white vinegar for a lot of cleaning. We try to run a pretty "green" household, and I find that most jobs can be pretty well covered by vinegar, baking soda, and CitraSolv (I'm not fond of licorice so can't really deal with the smell of Simple Green).
Yesterday was the one-month mark for my new J-220, so I'm looking at doing a filter clean, or at least a rinse, this weekend. We've been in the tub all but three or four nights since getting it. I use dichlor after use (1 tsp for 350 gallons), and weekly MPS shock. Had to add calcium at the beginning, and have used only a tiny bit of baking soda or PH up to keep the TA and PH pretty steady. Stopped using my favorite body oil (Neutrogena sesame if anyone cares) in honor of the new tub.
So far water quality has been great! I noticed a very slight cloudiness last night, so I figure a filter clean and maybe an extra shock is in order, but am hoping I can get away without the newbie water dump.
So . . . I would LOVE to be able to use the vinegar for cleaning the filter, if folks here think that's a good idea. (FYI our dishwasher is the Spouse, so that's not an option.)
Wondering, would a vinegar rinse affect the PH? What dilution/strength should I use? (I use 3 parts water to one part vinegar for glass cleaning.) How long should I soak the filter?
Any advice appreciated . . . thanks! :)
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As far as vinegar effecting the Ph, it should not as long as it is rinsed well.
We have used vinegar and salt to clean aquarium parts for years... all while maintaining ph levels where we wanted them. We kept Discus and other tropicals and had to run different tanks at different levels and tried to do that without chemicals.
Vinegar tip: Cider vinegar is a little stronger for heavy duty cleaning ;)
(make sure to shake before using... good cider vinegar has sediment in the bottom)
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Cool, thanks for the tip. Do you dilute or use full strength? Seems to me a bucket large enough for the filter would mean a LOT of vinegar!
Comments from others still welcome!