Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: kervis on November 13, 2006, 12:56:22 pm

Title: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: kervis on November 13, 2006, 12:56:22 pm
It's a balmy 40 degrees today and I just shocked the tub.  The nice breeze has caused the temp to drop a bit.

Do you guys REALLY leave your cover off for a whole hour after shocking?  Even when it's 10 degrees?  :o

Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: Repeat_Offender on November 13, 2006, 01:03:07 pm
I usually leave mine half open for 20 mins or so. I don't think it needs to be open longer than that.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: In Canada eh on November 13, 2006, 01:04:08 pm
I leave ours open for 1/2 hour.  I think that should be long enough.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: Rayman on November 13, 2006, 02:44:53 pm
When shocking usually 1/2 hour with the jets on high for the 1st 15 minutes.  After a soak I usually put in the chem and close it up when I am dressed (10 minutes).
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: tileman on November 13, 2006, 02:46:03 pm
It was 40 degrees yesterday and I shocked my tub to a 10+ppm FC. I kept it off for 1.5 hrs. It's probably overkill but I'd rather be safe than sorry. :)
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: windsurfdog on November 13, 2006, 04:13:02 pm
.5 hour and you should be good to go.  BTW, everything else working out chem-wise for you now?
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: kervis on November 13, 2006, 05:12:32 pm
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.5 hour and you should be good to go.  BTW, everything else working out chem-wise for you now?

My ph is still very high--I added another 1.5 oz of the Spa Down today--it's probably been at least a week since I added the last batch.  Still trying to adhere to the  :-* method!

I'll tell you what though, I am trying some new things with this last water change:  the N2 mineral stick, the SeaKlear MPS, and the SeaKlear Natural Clarifier.

HUGE difference in my water--HUGE!!!!!   :o :o

My dichlor lasts longer, no scum/oil lines, my filters appear cleaner looking,  when I shocked with the MPS today the yucky, foamy bubbles just disappeared with no residue left behind.

The way my family uses the tub (and I forget to sometimes add dichlor in-between) it should have been cloudy at least once if not twice already, and it just hasn't happened.

I am quite amazed at the difference I have seen.  We'll see how this grand experiment pans out over the course of this winter!

Thanks for checking up on me!  :D
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: bosco0633 on November 13, 2006, 05:31:49 pm
I would never close it less than a cycles worth.  On my tub 45min.  I would rather use a little extra hydro then have to pay for a new cover.  
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: windsurfdog on November 14, 2006, 08:37:17 am
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My ph is still very high--I added another 1.5 oz of the Spa Down today--it's probably been at least a week since I added the last batch.  Still trying to adhere to the  :-* method!

I'll tell you what though, I am trying some new things with this last water change:  the N2 mineral stick, the SeaKlear MPS, and the SeaKlear Natural Clarifier.

HUGE difference in my water--HUGE!!!!!   :o :o

My dichlor lasts longer, no scum/oil lines, my filters appear cleaner looking,  when I shocked with the MPS today the yucky, foamy bubbles just disappeared with no residue left behind.

The way my family uses the tub (and I forget to sometimes add dichlor in-between) it should have been cloudy at least once if not twice already, and it just hasn't happened.

I am quite amazed at the difference I have seen.  We'll see how this grand experiment pans out over the course of this winter!

Thanks for checking up on me!  :D
That sounds great!  Good work!  I've got a thrice-yearly water change coming up on Thanksgiving week....last change was in July.  My water is showing it's TDS but has not gone sour at all during this change...easy too!  Can't wait to get that fresh water in there...it is a REAL positive reinforcement factor for taking the time and effort to do a water change.  And I try to get as many soaks in the new water as I can before the water gets substantial use.  

And, oh my, the weather is just perfect for tubbing now! 8-)
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: Steve on November 14, 2006, 11:43:35 am
When shocking, most orgainic matter is oxidized within 15-20 minutes. Cycle the water on high speed during this time.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: kervis on November 14, 2006, 03:17:43 pm
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When shocking, most orgainic matter is oxidized within 15-20 minutes. Cycle the water on high speed during this time.

That's good to know.  I also have been pushing my jets 1 & 2 buttons rather than just my 10-minute "clean" button lately.  I go in the house and set the kitchen timer, then go back out, shut things down and cover things up.  I think it may have been you who suggested that a while back?  (to make sure that ALL of the water in the lines got chlorinated)

Anyway, I believe that it is also helping with my new experimental water routine and it is working well so far.

Now, mind you, I haven't been out in the spa and then back and forth, when it's been below 25 yet, but I'm still of the same mindset as Bosco with leaving the cover open in order to get the most life out of it that I can!  Maybe I will change my ways come January!  ;)


Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: Garyjr on November 14, 2006, 07:30:33 pm
When I shock (weekly with dichor and every other week with MPS) I usually just flip the 1st section back (my Maxxus has the 3 section cover) and run the jets through 1 full cycle.  My dealer said this was ok, and as memory serves me, the cover has a 3 or 5 year warranty.

Am I just asking for trouble?  Will enough gases build up under there to do damage to the bottom of the cover?

Just asking,
Jr
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: galen on November 17, 2006, 07:39:00 am
I noticed that Bosco said something about this yesterday. Is that the reason for leaving the cover open, is because it damages the cover.?
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: anne on November 17, 2006, 12:44:56 pm
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I would never close it less than a cycles worth.  On my tub 45min.  I would rather use a little extra hydro then have to pay for a new cover.  

Bosco, I assume by "cycle" you mean the amount of time that the pumps, etc will stay on  by themselves with one push of the button........my cycle is 20 minutes......? When I add daily chlorine, I turn all 3 pumps on for 1 cycle...they go off on their own in 20 min. I close the lid in 5-10 min. When I shock I do the same thing but I leave the cover off for a 30-40 min.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: Snowbird on November 19, 2006, 06:18:48 pm
After we shock, we leave the cover off and run the pumps for 20 minutes witht the waterfall on to get everythign cleaned out.  The pumps auto shut off after that.  Then we close the cover.

We have a closed cell blanket under the cover.  Since the tub is indoors, we don't really need the extra insulaion, but it protects the cover from chemicals and water very well.  After 1 year we have an area of slight discoloration & moisture around the edges of the bottom of the cover.  It doesn't feel any heavier.

The gray blanket seems to be doing well too, but there are some areas turning lighter, especially over the ozone outlet.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: bosco0633 on November 20, 2006, 06:06:37 am
no anne, I mean a boost cycle.  For the Arctic, you hold down pump 2 button for 5 seconds. You will see your display read boo.  This is a filter cycle, it is recommended for adding chemicals to the tub.  Every time I get out of tub and shock I hit this.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: anne on November 20, 2006, 12:39:43 pm
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no anne, I mean a boost cycle.  For the Arctic, you hold down pump 2 button for 5 seconds. You will see your display read boo.  This is a filter cycle, it is recommended for adding chemicals to the tub.  Every time I get out of tub and shock I hit this.

Right! I forgot about that. I used to do that, but it only turns on pump #1 for 45 minutes, and I decided I wanted the newly chlorinated water to circulate everywhere, so I turn all three on, making sure when I get out that all three diverters are midway, and I let them all go for 20minutes. (Then they go off of their own) Do you suppose this is a bad idea? I felt a little environmentally irresponsible using the extra energy, but I'm not sure that pump 1 on high for 45minutes is all that different than all three on low for 20 minutes.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: bosco0633 on November 20, 2006, 02:23:53 pm
Environmentally friendly???? Why even have a tub in the first place??  I agree though, it shouldnt matter what one you do.  Actually, I like your idea better.  Heres to new beginnings.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: anne on November 20, 2006, 02:55:57 pm
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Environmentally friendly???? Why even have a tub in the first place??  I agree though, it shouldnt matter what one you do.  Actually, I like your idea better.  Heres to new beginnings.

Yeah, that is the thing......in the big picture I'm already committing environmental sin. I also have a 30 minute commute, eat meat, and cannot seem to compost to save my life (I tried). BUT I recycle, turn off lights, go easy on the heat and A/C and try to tread as lightly on the earth as I can.
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: tileman on November 20, 2006, 04:36:45 pm
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Quote
Environmentally friendly???? Why even have a tub in the first place??  I agree though, it shouldnt matter what one you do.  Actually, I like your idea better.  Heres to new beginnings.

Yeah, that is the thing......in the big picture I'm already committing environmental sin. I also have a 30 minute commute, eat meat, and cannot seem to compost to save my life (I tried). BUT I recycle, turn off lights, go easy on the heat and A/C and try to tread as lightly on the earth as I can.

Just being curiuos, are you from California Anne?
Title: Re: Winter shocking-Cover open for whole hour?
Post by: anne on November 20, 2006, 05:44:24 pm
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Quote
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Environmentally friendly???? Why even have a tub in the first place??  I agree though, it shouldnt matter what one you do.  Actually, I like your idea better.  Heres to new beginnings.

Yeah, that is the thing......in the big picture I'm already committing environmental sin. I also have a 30 minute commute, eat meat, and cannot seem to compost to save my life (I tried). BUT I recycle, turn off lights, go easy on the heat and A/C and try to tread as lightly on the earth as I can.

Just being curiuos, are you from California Anne?

LOL- Bingo- born and raised in the SF bay area. Mom works in Berkeley for the university. Went to UC Davis. Grew up in a house heated only by a wood burning stove. I cannot throw a can away, and refuse to subscribe to a newspaper.

On the other side of the coin, though, my dad and both brothers have a safe full of rifles and handguns, are members of the local shooting club, and taught me to shoot a little. I am addicted to Starbucks, and I have a spa. I am a yuppie-hippie-redneck.