Alscott

Thanks for the info. I got a Sundance Maxxus in June and we have been in probably a total of 30 to 45 times since with usage increasing to about every other day over the past 10 days. It holds 670 gallons which makes it a pain to easily calculate how much chem to add based on charts that go from 400 or 500 to 1000 gallons for amounts. It has the metal/mineral block in it and an ozonator. In the little use times I checked everything once a week to 10 to 14 days and it's always been fine. When I posted this I had just added the 99% sodium dichlor, water fine used tub got out and added the 58.2% sodium dichlor which is what dealer told me to do after every use. I guess that's why the chlorine levels shot up so much for so long. Just checked everything and came back with below: FC=2 TC=3 CC= 1 pH= 7.8 TA=100 CH= 100 CYA yesterday was under 40ppm, about 37. Using Spa Guard chemicals which includes Chlorinating Concentrate (99% sodium dichloro-s), Enhanced Shock (58.2% sodium dichloro-s), pH Increaser, pH decreaser, Total Alkalinity Increaser and Calcium Hardness Increaser. All came with spa from dealer along with stain control, water freshener and anti foam none of which I use because Waterbear said they were useless and just from the names I thought the same thing. I mean if the water is good why would you need any of them?? Based on the numbers above I added 3.5 ounces of pH decreaser and 11 tbsp of Calcium Hardness Increaser.

Newish spa and the chlorine is off the charts all of a sudden. I am certain it is my fault due to my spa chemical inexperience. How do i get the levels down? Using Taylor K-2005 and level is well above five for TC, FC and CC. Taylor book says ideal is 2.0-4.0 FC and 0 CC. Also i know everybody says use 2006 kit but only difference i can see is it is a FAS-DPD test and 2005 is just DPD, not sure what this means. Just know it has been going very well until past Sunday when PH was high, TA was high and Chlorine was non-existent. Got in June with limited use since. Water looks awesome but for first time does have a chlorine odor.

I guess I will give this a shot for a while since I have the chemicals. What Taylor test kit would I need?

Bioguard (spaguard) does not sell sodium bromide! Their "Brominating Concentrate" is really a mixture of mostly dichlor with some sodium bromide at their attempt at creating a one step bromine. Will not work if trying to do 3 step bromine. Get Sodium Bromide from HTH (Brom Start), Leisure Time (sodium Bromide), or Proteam (Brom Bank)! Thanks for the response. I read what the "water freshener" bottle said and had the same thought. I hope I never have a reason to think it's useful. They actually set me up on the Sun Purity system (which I believe is made by Nature 2) - NOT bromine. But isn't this basically chlorine? Or is it the dichlor method i have seen on here? They added the chlorinating concentrate, enhanced shock, alkalinity increaser, and calcium hardness increaser and put in the Sun Purity cartridge. I read many, many posts for weeks leading up to delivery and thought I would be good but now I am more confused than ever.

New Maxxus was just delivered.... Like a kid at Christmas time. The dealer provides chemicals with the purchase and I have a box full of SpaGuard chemicals. Is SpaGuard OK to use? It will be set up as bromine. After reading Waterbear's bromine post I just want to be sure that the SpaGuard won't cause any problems. Aren't they just the chemicals you need but just packaged under a brand name? I have: Total Alkalinity Increaser pH Increaser Chlorinating Concentrate Enhanced Shock pH Decreaser Anti Foam Stain & Scale Control Water Freshener Believe they forgot the bromine tablets.

What's the promo about? I just bought a 2010 floor model Maxxus for less than that. Includes stereo, cover mate 3, ozonator, delivery, 6 mos Chems, set up and tax but it is a floor model. I haven't been told or seen anything on the promo.

Finalized deal on a tub and have some questions raised from things I have read here. I saw a post about too much foam. In the store when it was running there was foam with everything running but when turned off it quickly dissipated. Is that normal or should there be no foam. Or is what I saw not even "foam" as discussed here? The reason I ask is the dealer said it was normal but after reading horror stories here and some of the chem posts I am worried that he may not know what he is talking about or just told me what he thought I wanted to hear. The buying experience so far with him has been very good and I didn't doubt his knowledge. They suggest only a bromine system for chems. It's a maxxus tub if that matters it does churn some water with everything open and all pumps on.

Finalized deal on a tub and have some questions raised from things I have read here. I saw a post about too much foam. In the store when it was running there was foam with everything running but when turned off it quickly dissipated. Is that normal or should there be no foam. The reason I ask is the dealer said it was normal but after reading horror stories here and some of the chem posts I am worried that he may not know what he is talking about or just told me what he thought I wanted to hear. The buying experience so far with him has been very good and I didn't doubt his knowledge. They suggest only a bromine system for chems. It's a max us tub if that matters it does churn some water with everything open and all pumps on.

Ran 200ft of 6 gauge from house panel to my dock with new box, GFCI etc so I know exactly what's involved with that. It's just my first tub and that end is the big unknown. The frying of the tub or me is what has me worried. Just some sticker shock.

Has anybody done the wiring for their first tub themselves? If so how difficult is it? If you hired someone what did it cost? I have an estimate for $600 - $800 which seems ridiculous to me.

I am in SE U.S. I have not wet tested any but just got back from long visit with dealer and think that may next step. Think it will be the Maxxus

First off....great forum. I have been reading on here for about 8 months while shopping and have found it to be very helpful. Also gives me some piece of mind to know I have somewhere to go for good help if I buy a spa. I am looking at a Sundance Optima, $9,350 and Maxxus, $10,900 both with stereos, delivery, cover, hook up and 6 months of chemicals. Both are 2010 floor models. Is either or both a good deal? The Optima has the slick finish shell and the Maxxus is the textured type, any pros or cons to either of those shells? I also like this dealer the best of the ones I have talked to, another plus. Not to divert attention from the pressing questions above... I have looked at Hot Springs, Bull Frog and Master Spa. The Hot Springs is the only one that equates to Sundance in fit and finish, options and just overall feel when comparing brands IMO. However the HS dealer seems to have no interest in quoting any price other than pretty much MSRP, so it would be 3K more and no stereo. Not that the stereo is ultimate deciding factor but if I can get it, why not.