Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 08:39:31 am

Title: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 08:39:31 am
OK, I have now done "exhastive" experimenting on my tub and I'm tired of getting cloudy water for the sake of science. ;D

At this point I realize:

- Using low doses of chlorine after soaking works for me if the PH is on the lower (7.2 - 7.4) side.  - I'm going back to 3 PPM after soaking so I never have to worry about it again!

- With my ozonator, a Del UV unit, running 24/7, I can go a whole 2 days before adding any chlorine vs running it for 8 hours a day and adding chlorine every other day. I'm going back to running the ozonator 8 hours a day and adding chlorine every other day. I do think that I will look into a different ozonator (at this point the Prozone PZ1) once my tub is out of warranty, I will then run the experiment again but I'm doubting I will find much difference. I am willing to try it since at around $100, it's not too big of an investment.

- I'm not going to use N2 or Frog. At $20 a pop, it's cheaper to dump the water every 3 months or so and reheat. Yes, the idea works but I don't think a mineral cartridge will do much with using the above routine with chlorine.

Finally, for all the newbies who ask for help, we non newbies (OK I'm still a little bit of a newbie) should realize that other than recommending a primary sanitizer - everything else may or may not work the way it does in our own tub.

Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Repeat_Offender on September 23, 2006, 09:40:37 am
The overwhelming majority of posts and threads on this website concern water chemistry or maintenance. This, above all else, I find the most exassperating for first time spa owners, myself included. If I have one complaint about the failure of disclosure from all the salespeople I have encountered it is that they intentionally, in my opinion,  neglect to mention the time and effort necessary to properly maintain your water. Too much time spent on waterfalls and LED lighting and all the other nonsense that has absolutely nothing to do with clean, safe, sanitized water.These are NOT small investments, yet more times than not we are forced to seek out websites like this one, or spend many hours experimenting as Vinny did, in search for the one thing that is taken for granted on the showroom floor. I'm willing to bet that a lot of salespeople don't know the first thing about water chemistry and that those who do have been forced to learn it on their own due to the high number of customer complaints after taking delivery of their spas. Do manufacturers train their dealers on this critical subject? And if so, why isn't this information passed along at the point of sale?
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Garyjr on September 23, 2006, 10:25:20 am
Vinny,

As always, thanks for your great feedback.

Repeat,

I have to somewhat disagree with what you are saying.  At least in my personal experience, my dealer has been very knowledgeable and forthcoming with any question I have had, including water chemistry.  Grant it, they did not dwell on the details like sometimes happens in groups like this, but they did provide me with all of the necessary information to safely set-up and maintain my tub.  I think most of us who frequent groups like this do so to gain additional knowledge.  Personally for me,  it is to learn and share stories with people who have a deeper interest on the how's and why's than the average consumer.  My theory is that most consumers are simply not interested in making sure their ph is exact or that their FC is maintained at a specific desired level.  For those of us who are, luckily groups like this exist. I would think that although the dealers #1 objective is to sell hot tubs and chemicals, the majority of them have and will share their knowledge with a potential consumer.  In fact, I would be willing to bet that rarely does a customer come in the store asking questions like we see posted in this group.  It is not until after we have a tub that these sort of question arise.

I am not trying to start any flames for or against anyone.  Just stating my 2C.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 12:03:53 pm
Repeat_Offender,

I want to say that I experimented on my tub because of all the positive things people say about ozone, how little chlorine they use and about mineral sticks. My personal water care experience is that I owned a pool for 4 years before buying a spa and I will say that my spa is definately more fussy than my pool! I could have stuck to the tried and tested formula of 3 PPM dichlor before soak and add some every day but to me it's overkill ... there are some manufacturers and people that swear that you don't need sanitizer in the tub and I will ALWAYS argue against this. Anyone who says this is just speading fertilizer!!  ;)  

My background is that I repair medical equipment for a living, been doing it for 21 years and have (had) 3 years into an E.E. degree.  I need to know a lot about different areas while doing my job and how to interpet things it if I don't. I am also somewhat of a information geek - sometimes people wonder how I have the info that I have ... OK this is the extent of my "bragging".

I don't know which chems your using but chlorine (dichlor) for me is extremely easy. I come to this forum and go to Doc's to try to help people with their water chemistry issues. I don't know everything (although my wife will claim I act as though I do ::) ) but will put my $0.02 in in case what I said helps. The problem as I see it is that EVERYONE has an opinion (including myself) and it gets in the way at times at providing accurate information. The only thing I will say is to read the Vermonter's and Northman's info on Doc's site and follow these - you should have great results

If you read my posts and wonder where I'm coming from - this is it: N2 is a placebo IMO that wastes your money and IF it provides anything, it's minimal. Ozone is oversold and it may provide something but I personallly think that people think it's a miracle. If using ozone gives you 2 days of not treating a tub vs every other day - big deal. Drewstar swears that he gets 4 or more days with his ozonator and sledjunkie swears he gets 4 or more days without his ... conflicting results. I don't believe in dumping baking soda into a body of water just to reduce it to get the proper PH and alkalinity - IMO worry about the PH first and then worry about alkalinity if PH bounces. I believe in calcium in the tub - it costs so little I like to have "balanced water". AND finally I like the Taylor K-2005 kit - it does everything that you need and helps you in adjusting the water - I use it in my pool and tub.

As far as dealers, I sometimes wonder this myself about their knowledge - ALWAYS ask a tech  8-) or at least a salesman who was one. To give credit to some that are here, they will quickly say they don't know. To put a discredit to some that are here - they are spitting out company quotations.  Then there's the ones who really know. I have my own "trust" and "don't trust" list - you need your own. I have asked them questions when I ran into trouble.

I'm sorry that you have a high fustration level. If you have questions, you can PM me and I will try to help. As I said, I'm not in the business and I don't know it all but will try to help.

Vinny
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: In Canada eh on September 23, 2006, 01:04:57 pm
Hey Vinny,

   If you are truly done experimenting on your water( I doubt you are though, cause the itch will come back) I think all of us here owe you a very large THANK YOU!   You have allowed yourself to be a guinea pig for the sake of a bunch of less experienced people and your information has always proved to be valuable.

                                                                              Once again thank you


Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 01:09:13 pm
Quote
Hey Vinny,

   If you are truly done experimenting on your water( I doubt you are though, cause the itch will come back) I think all of us here owe you a very large THANK YOU!   You have allowed yourself to be a guinea pig for the sake of a bunch of less experienced people and your information has always proved to be valuable.

                                                                              Once again thank you



OK, OK ... I'm done for now! ;) :D

Oh, You're Welcome!!!!
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: In Canada eh on September 23, 2006, 01:31:22 pm
Quote
OK, OK ... I'm done for now! ;) :D


Thats better! ;D ;D
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Repeat_Offender on September 23, 2006, 01:50:11 pm
Vinny,

It's not so much frustration on my part as it is reading about everyones experiences and how they differ. It sounds like they were just left to fend for themselves or not given the resources to inform themselves. I too am a bit of an information junkie, that's how I stumbled across this site. As for my spa I have little or no issues maintaining the water. I use Bromine. Why? for no other reason than that is what the start up tech put in when he instructed me about tha care of my spa. I use the four color test strips to check for Bromine, hardness, total alkalynity, and PH. I've had my spa for 2 months now and have had to do very little to keep the readings good with the exception of adding a little PH+. I also add a few ounces of spa shock once a week. I've never heard of dichlor or spafrogs or N2 or a lot of the other treatments that the majority of people here use. Makes me wonder if I'm doing something wrong. My water is clean and clear with no odors, and feels soft, so I'm going to continue on this path. You certainly sound very knowledgible to me, and I appreciate your input as I have learned a lot since coming here.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 02:04:51 pm
You're not doing anything wrong as it's working! When I first started to look at spas I was going to use bromine but after reading Vermonter's and Northman's info and the fact my tub would need a floater, I decided to use dichlor. Heck, I was going to use Cal Hypo until I found out it was a no no! :-[

My dealer originally instructed me to use Nature 2 (N2), 8 hours of ozone and use an enhanced shock once a week. I asked her if her customers really have success with it and she said "YES!"; I don't see how and based on my tub it wouldn't work for me.

My water is H2O and so is yours but I think the difference is the other stuff that's in its make up and this makes a certain recipe work for you and not for me.

I'm glad to see it's going good for you!

Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Mendocino101 on September 23, 2006, 02:23:51 pm
I think it is reasonable to understand that what works for one person may not be the same for another. In following the thread about this and ozone and following the feedback from our customers. I have found that with our line Marquis and the ozone unit that they use. Ozone does help and when it fails there a tangible difference in water quality. We let people know what it takes to keep your water clean and safe. I think the single biggest problem for most folks is not being consistent with their water care. If you get into a regular routine and will test your water at least once a week and make your needed adjustments in most cases you will be fine. If you are using a teaspoon or 2 after use of course you need to keep with this also.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 02:50:05 pm
Mendo,

What you said is important. I have said in other posts Del seems to have a good marketing scheme but it doesn't produce a lot of ozone. Will I get better results from the Prozone unit? Who knows.  The reason for the experiment was because of the positive info that was around about ozone. My stance on ozone has softened a bit.  I used to think it was nonsense based on what I found about water treatment ozone generators ... of course when I do replace it and if nothing changes ...  ;)

And consistency is the key also. While experimenting I was pushing the envelope to see what would happen by doing this or that. I ran many months doing my routine of ozone 8 hours a day, dichlor after soaking and 1 teaspoon every other day if I didn't soak.

Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Repeat_Offender on September 23, 2006, 02:57:53 pm
I have a friend who's had a spa for 5 years now and he uses nothing but an ozonator. No sanitizers with the exception of a scoop of shock every two weeks. Now I don't buy all of the wonderful claims that ozononator manufacturers make but this sounds dangerous to me. Do I think it has value? all of the scientific evidence I've seen says yes. Would I leave this as the sole way of sanitizing? Never. I have my spa programmed for filtration and ozone for 2-8 hour periods per day, and it seems to work for the amount of use my spa gets.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: gturn on September 23, 2006, 05:46:48 pm
OZONE.  Ozone kills bacteria, so if your tub has a ozonator and produces some ozone it should be killing some of the bacteria, thus to maintain the proper level of chemicals you should not have to use as many chemicals as you would have to use without the ozonator.  Some companies also claim you can maintain a lower level of chemicals and save even more, but there are a lot of folks out there that do not agree that this is a good idea.

My tub has a 24 hour circulation pump and the ozonator runs all the time.  I use bromine tablets in a floater and have it set to maintain 3 ppm, it doesn't take much about 3 marks on my floater.  I don't have to do anything else except a weekly non-clorine shock.  I have been testing 2-3 times per week and everything is staying good and the water is clear.  I use bromine only because it seems easier to me to just use the floater than to put stuff in after each use.  My sister uses clorine in hers and likes it because it is a little cheaper.  

When I fill my tub I have to use other chemicals to get everything balanced, but once balanced everything stays good for me.  When I fill I add the sodium bromide base, the metal gone, adjust my ph, and adjust my calcium (I have to use calcium up) After this setup, I have not had to do anything else to maintain my levels except for keeping my bromine floater full of tablets and do my weekly shock.  I have heard from others that with the clorine they have had to keep adjusting the ph, and some of the other levels, have others had that experience.  Maybe it is just my water that stays constant.

Next water change I may try the clorine to see if I like it better, but I have not been disapointed with the bromine, it seems to be easy and keeps the water clean.  I understand you can not change from bromine to clorine without a water change, but that you can change from clorine to bromine without a water change, has anyone tried that?

Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: sledjunkie on September 23, 2006, 07:08:29 pm
For what it's worth I've unplugged/disconnected my ozonator. I feel I don't need it, and don't want to risk shortening the life of my pillows or cover. I'm not sure there is any scientific evidence proving ozone will shorten the life of pillows or your cover, but I don't want to risk it, considering I found the ozone to make no difference for my tub and situation.
I use enough dichlor so that I feel comfortable my water is bacteria/trouble free.

I don't have that propure chamber upgrade, maybe that's why..

I have no trouble in my maintenance program keeping my water fresh and clear. I've never seen cloudy water...

So it will remain disconnected..
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 23, 2006, 08:54:25 pm
Quote
OZONE.  Ozone kills bacteria, so if your tub has a ozonator and produces some ozone it should be killing some of the bacteria, thus to maintain the proper level of chemicals you should not have to use as many chemicals as you would have to use without the ozonator.  Some companies also claim you can maintain a lower level of chemicals and save even more, but there are a lot of folks out there that do not agree that this is a good idea.

My tub has a 24 hour circulation pump and the ozonator runs all the time.  I use bromine tablets in a floater and have it set to maintain 3 ppm, it doesn't take much about 3 marks on my floater.  I don't have to do anything else except a weekly non-clorine shock.  I have been testing 2-3 times per week and everything is staying good and the water is clear.  I use bromine only because it seems easier to me to just use the floater than to put stuff in after each use.  My sister uses clorine in hers and likes it because it is a little cheaper.  

When I fill my tub I have to use other chemicals to get everything balanced, but once balanced everything stays good for me.  When I fill I add the sodium bromide base, the metal gone, adjust my ph, and adjust my calcium (I have to use calcium up) After this setup, I have not had to do anything else to maintain my levels except for keeping my bromine floater full of tablets and do my weekly shock.  I have heard from others that with the clorine they have had to keep adjusting the ph, and some of the other levels, have others had that experience.  Maybe it is just my water that stays constant.

Next water change I may try the clorine to see if I like it better, but I have not been disapointed with the bromine, it seems to be easy and keeps the water clean.  I understand you can not change from bromine to clorine without a water change, but that you can change from clorine to bromine without a water change, has anyone tried that?


Ozone does work in water treatment plants with 100% O2 and sophisticated instruments, we breathe 21% 02. I saw a program on the History Channel about bottled water and they use a 40' tall cylinder for ozone absorbtion (a little more  complicated than that though). The problem with spas and pools is that a question to ask is how much is the ozonator producing? The answer may surprise most people - not much depending on the ozonator.

I believe you're correct in that some ozone will kill some bacteria but IMO it has to bump into the bacteria and the only real place for that to happen is the mazzi injector and to a lesser extent the mixing area. So an ozonator producing minimal ozone will have very little effect.

The problem I see with using too little sanitizer is at what point does a vessel of water get over run with nasties by using too little. I have witnessed both in my pool and spa a large chlorine demand. In my pool, I once poured in 12 PPM to shock in the evening and there was no chlorine by morning and in the tub I put in 3 PPM and I saw the same reaction. Thankfully I didn't try to use either one at the time.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: ndabunka on September 23, 2006, 09:47:56 pm
Vinny - I didn't have time to read the other responses to your original post but did want to throw something out there for you to think about....You do NOT need to add chemicals to your tub every other day!  UNLESS you use it every other day.  In fact, on e of the best methods is adding chemical ONLY when they are needed and then the ONLY thing you really need to add is chlorine. about 3 teaspoons for a typical 400gallons tub AFTER each soak.  That way, the water is free of ANY chemicals when you get into it each time.  You will find yourself using your tub less and less as time goes by.  When it's only used once a week, you can also add chemicals just once a week.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 24, 2006, 08:05:47 am
Quote
Vinny - I didn't have time to read the other responses to your original post but did want to throw something out there for you to think about....You do NOT need to add chemicals to your tub every other day!  UNLESS you use it every other day.  In fact, on e of the best methods is adding chemical ONLY when they are needed and then the ONLY thing you really need to add is chlorine. about 3 teaspoons for a typical 400gallons tub AFTER each soak.  That way, the water is free of ANY chemicals when you get into it each time.  You will find yourself using your tub less and less as time goes by.  When it's only used once a week, you can also add chemicals just once a week.

The only problem I have is my water goes cloudy after 2 days. This is why I add dichlor every other day.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Zep on September 24, 2006, 07:02:41 pm
I have to agree....

Almost everyone in the industry seems to have an "aw shucks there's nothing to it" attitude.....but for many of us it is a pain in the ass and frustrating.

My brother's way of handling it is he dumps his water once a month....he has a sump pump that has a huge width hose and he can get his dumped very quickly. He has a float with chlorine/bromine tabs he keeps in the tub in between water changes. He does not have alot of tub traffic, no kids, ect... and it seems to work for him.

Being color blind I can't read the freaking water tester shade charts. I was constantly dealing with foam, cloudy water, water not smelling right, ect.... I just finally said "the hell with this chemistry class and frustration".....so I asked a pool/spa guy that was maintaining my neighbors pool/spa here in Dallas to come by and clean, vacuum, test and chemical balance my hot tub once a week while he is two houses down doing my neighbors.

Yeah it costs...($18 a week)....but it's well worth it to me to never have to buy any chemicals and never have to worry about all the BS like foam, smelly water, grit at the bottom, ect......I just jump in and it always perfect.  :)

Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: tanstaafl2 on September 25, 2006, 02:46:26 pm
Quote
Vinny - I didn't have time to read the other responses to your original post but did want to throw something out there for you to think about....You do NOT need to add chemicals to your tub every other day!  UNLESS you use it every other day.  In fact, on e of the best methods is adding chemical ONLY when they are needed and then the ONLY thing you really need to add is chlorine. about 3 teaspoons for a typical 400gallons tub AFTER each soak.  That way, the water is free of ANY chemicals when you get into it each time.  You will find yourself using your tub less and less as time goes by.  When it's only used once a week, you can also add chemicals just once a week.

I have been using my tub fairly infrequently over the summer and only now as it begins to get a little cooler in the evening am I increasing my use again. I have 24 hr ozone and N2 and on several occasions this summer went two weeks at a time without using the tub or adding any chemicals. I would shock every two weeks with dichlor but other than that I added nothing. Water has remained crystal clear and so far no foam or other problems. Had a similar experience when I was away from home on vacation for 17 days and that was after 3 months of the same water and when it was getting more frequent use than it has of late. Tub is only 6 months old but so far the ozone doesn't seem to have affected the cover. I do take the pillows out when the tub is not in use but otherwise I find I have to do little maintenance. I am told that the water in my area is pretty good out of the tap so that probably helps but so far taking care of the water has been pretty easy.

I certainly don't know how much the ozone and N2 help if any but I plan to keep using them both for the forseeable future!
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: ndabunka on September 25, 2006, 04:08:58 pm
Quote
Quote
Vinny - I didn't have time to read the other responses to your original post but did want to throw something out there for you to think about....You do NOT need to add chemicals to your tub every other day!  UNLESS you use it every other day.  In fact, on e of the best methods is adding chemical ONLY when they are needed and then the ONLY thing you really need to add is chlorine. about 3 teaspoons for a typical 400gallons tub AFTER each soak.  That way, the water is free of ANY chemicals when you get into it each time.  You will find yourself using your tub less and less as time goes by.  When it's only used once a week, you can also add chemicals just once a week.

The only problem I have is my water goes cloudy after 2 days. This is why I add dichlor every other day.

Hmm, I've never had any cloudiness issues.  my water is clear as a bell for a long term 7-10 days, no problems (If I wanted to let it go like that).  But the turth is that I "know" when the water needs treating even if it is perfectly clear.  I wonder what is causing yours to cloud?
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 25, 2006, 06:45:24 pm
Quote
Quote
Quote
Vinny - I didn't have time to read the other responses to your original post but did want to throw something out there for you to think about....You do NOT need to add chemicals to your tub every other day!  UNLESS you use it every other day.  In fact, on e of the best methods is adding chemical ONLY when they are needed and then the ONLY thing you really need to add is chlorine. about 3 teaspoons for a typical 400gallons tub AFTER each soak.  That way, the water is free of ANY chemicals when you get into it each time.  You will find yourself using your tub less and less as time goes by.  When it's only used once a week, you can also add chemicals just once a week.

The only problem I have is my water goes cloudy after 2 days. This is why I add dichlor every other day.

Hmm, I've never had any cloudiness issues.  my water is clear as a bell for a long term 7-10 days, no problems (If I wanted to let it go like that).  But the turth is that I "know" when the water needs treating even if it is perfectly clear.  I wonder what is causing yours to cloud?

Being on Doc's site when Vermonter posted there often I remember him saying something to the effect of adding dichlor every other day (actually every day for a really sanitized tub) to keep the tub biologically safe.

When I first got the tub there was a period of time that due to the construction of my deck around it, I couldn't get to it for a few days. I opened the cover to find my tub NASTY ... YUCK!!!!! The tub was maybe a few weeks old at the time.

I have gone 4 days with clear water this past Aug when I went on vacation but I shocked the tub with 11 PPM dichlor and had the ozone running 24/7. I don't want to shock to 10 PPM every time I use the tub.

My thinking so far is: my water makeup is different and causing the cloudy water; the surrounding environment is putting bacteria in the water either during the line clean out cycle (I have air injected when the pumps come on) or as the wind blows; my ozonator isn't that powerful and it doesn't contribute anything and it doesn't pay to use a N2 cartridge since it doesn't actually kill bacteria but helps the other sanitizers in killing the bacteria.

I doubt that my filter isn't working since it does clean up the tub once it gets cloudy, my return jet is shooting out bubbles and my flo sensor isn't coming on ... I believe the sensor is working as I had an air lock once and it came on.

Reading how you all get a lot of time between doses makes me go HMMM too!
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: sledjunkie on September 25, 2006, 07:10:17 pm
I wonder if it's you?

Anything you put on your body that would get into your tub?

Any cologne?
Lotion?
Deodorant?

do you wear deodorant? just kidding..

Seriously that would drive me nuts. I would have to get to the bottom of that.

City water or well water?
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: sledjunkie on September 25, 2006, 08:11:32 pm
on that note...

Are you adding enough chlorine after each soak?
Up you dosage and see...
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 25, 2006, 09:01:10 pm
It could be me!

As far as wearing anything on my body, I do wear deodorant but that's it. Nothing in my hair or body. I am a basic man. I will say I don't shower before going into the tub unless I became really sweaty during the day.

My belief is that if I have to shower before using the tub ... screw that!!! That's what chlorine is for! ;D And I'm sure others don't shower either.

I started using 3 PPM when I first got the tub and I had the same results as I do with 1.5 PPM. I am upping it back to 3 PPM after soaking just to see if it makes a difference but based on my previous experience, probably not.

I have been using the same suit for months and only use it for pool and spa so I know there ain't no suds in them. Speaking of suds, I do get foam whenever my wife or my son's friends go into the tub since their wearing washed suits.

But that brings me to believing that it's not detergent or body lotion since when my tub does get stuff in it even a lot of chlorine doesn't stop it from clouding up and foaming. If I use 1.5 PPM every other day then my tub stays clear! I truely believe it's bacteria ... and I do shock the tub occasionally with 6 or more PPM of chlorine and just recently when I went on vacation I hit the tub with about 11 PPM.

On a side note there was a period of about 3 weeks to a month that my tub developed chlorine lock. I could put in 3 PPM and it would last for days and my tub stayed clear!

I could let it drive me nuts but I need to go with the flow. I usually open up the tub as I let the dog out in the morning and add a teaspoon to the water and run the pumps. I just thought I could prolong the mornings that I needed to do it!


Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: martyz4 on September 25, 2006, 09:26:27 pm
nobody here has mentioned Baqua. have any of you any opinions about it? we were advised to try it first with our new spa so we did. we have no comparisons to know the difference between it and the others.

any feedback on baqua? thanks. :)
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 25, 2006, 10:01:38 pm
Quote
It could be me!

As far as wearing anything on my body, I do wear deodorant but that's it. Nothing in my hair or body. I am a basic man. I will say I don't shower before going into the tub unless I became really sweaty during the day.

My belief is that if I have to shower before using the tub ... screw that!!! That's what chlorine is for! ;D And I'm sure others don't shower either.

I started using 3 PPM when I first got the tub and I had the same results as I do with 1.5 PPM. I am upping it back to 3 PPM after soaking just to see if it makes a difference but based on my previous experience, probably not.

I have been using the same suit for months and only use it for pool and spa so I know there ain't no suds in them. Speaking of suds, I do get foam whenever my wife or my son's friends go into the tub since their wearing washed suits.

But that brings me to believing that it's not detergent or body lotion since when my tub does get stuff in it even a lot of chlorine doesn't stop it from clouding up and foaming. If I use 1.5 PPM every other day then my tub stays clear! I truely believe it's bacteria ... and I do shock the tub occasionally with 6 or more PPM of chlorine and just recently when I went on vacation I hit the tub with about 11 PPM.

On a side note there was a period of about 3 weeks to a month that my tub developed chlorine lock. I could put in 3 PPM and it would last for days and my tub stayed clear!

I could let it drive me nuts but I need to go with the flow. I usually open up the tub as I let the dog out in the morning and add a teaspoon to the water and run the pumps. I just thought I could prolong the mornings that I needed to do it!



Just came in from a soak and I realized that when I only use 1.5 PPm chlorine I still have a residue the next morning and sometimes that night ... so I will assume I have killed all the bacteria!
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: Vinny on September 25, 2006, 10:04:26 pm
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nobody here has mentioned Baqua. have any of you any opinions about it? we were advised to try it first with our new spa so we did. we have no comparisons to know the difference between it and the others.

any feedback on baqua? thanks. :)

I have friends who used it but from what I've read it's a fussy product. AND EXPENSIVE!!!

If you like it stick with it but most people use bromine or chlorine (dichlor). Their easy to use and very inexpensive. You can buy a 5 lb jug of dichlor for about $30.00 and it will last you almost a year.
Title: Re: I'm done experimenting on my water!
Post by: gturn on September 25, 2006, 10:52:46 pm
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It could be me!

As far as wearing anything on my body, I do wear deodorant but that's it. Nothing in my hair or body. I am a basic man. I will say I don't shower before going into the tub unless I became really sweaty during the day.

My belief is that if I have to shower before using the tub ... screw that!!! That's what chlorine is for! ;D And I'm sure others don't shower either.

I started using 3 PPM when I first got the tub and I had the same results as I do with 1.5 PPM. I am upping it back to 3 PPM after soaking just to see if it makes a difference but based on my previous experience, probably not.

I have been using the same suit for months and only use it for pool and spa so I know there ain't no suds in them. Speaking of suds, I do get foam whenever my wife or my son's friends go into the tub since their wearing washed suits.

But that brings me to believing that it's not detergent or body lotion since when my tub does get stuff in it even a lot of chlorine doesn't stop it from clouding up and foaming. If I use 1.5 PPM every other day then my tub stays clear! I truely believe it's bacteria ... and I do shock the tub occasionally with 6 or more PPM of chlorine and just recently when I went on vacation I hit the tub with about 11 PPM.

On a side note there was a period of about 3 weeks to a month that my tub developed chlorine lock. I could put in 3 PPM and it would last for days and my tub stayed clear!

I could let it drive me nuts but I need to go with the flow. I usually open up the tub as I let the dog out in the morning and add a teaspoon to the water and run the pumps. I just thought I could prolong the mornings that I needed to do it!

Have you checked your calcium, my spa chemical supplier told me that one of the most important levels to adjust when you do a new water fill is the calcium, low calcium can cause all kinds of problems.  Just a thought.