Jump to content

Mps And Chlorine Readings


Jim F

Recommended Posts

I keep reading about MPS and its value as an oxidizing agent to help chlorine "do its job"

I believe that using MPS will alter effective DPS chlorine testing afterwards, for how long I don't know

What do you do to correct this, especially since some users, like Nitro, add MPS before a heavy use and check chlorine levels during the soak?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chem Geek can explain this in more detail.

Total Chlorine = Combined Chlorine + Free Chlorine. FC is what needs to be consistently above zero, and what we are most interested in. If FC gets too low for too long we will have serious problems.

However, if CC (spent chlorine) get's too high (above 1ppm), it starts to give off bad odors etc. This happens when not enough Chlorine is used. Therefore we want to keep CC < 1ppm, by using plenty chlorine.

MPS helps Chlorine oxidize waste, and therefore helps keep CC low. The issue is, once you add MPS, the CC reading is no longer valid. Keep in mind though, MPS will only stay in the tub for few hours to a day max.

Hope that makes sense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the concern was about the testing interference since MPS shows up as CC (and sometimes as FC when its very high) in the chlorine test. There is an interference remover here from Taylor, but some people have tried it and not found it to be particularly helpful. As Nitro noted, the MPS doesn't stick around very long if there are things to oxidize.

Since the MPS is being used to supplement the chlorine, if you still go by the rule of measurable FC by the next time you soak, then you're still in good shape since it's most likely chlorine being measured at that point as any MPS that may still be around would likely show up as CC, if at all. Also, MPS at hot spa temperatures is a decent sanitizer -- better than metal ions alone though not as good as chlorine -- so measuring FC even if it were partly from the MPS would still be OK.

Richard

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...
Chem Geek can explain this in more detail.

Total Chlorine = Combined Chlorine + Free Chlorine. FC is what needs to be consistently above zero, and what we are most interested in. If FC gets too low for too long we will have serious problems.

However, if CC (spent chlorine) get's too high (above 1ppm), it starts to give off bad odors etc. This happens when not enough Chlorine is used. Therefore we want to keep CC < 1ppm, by using plenty chlorine.

MPS helps Chlorine oxidize waste, and therefore helps keep CC low. The issue is, once you add MPS, the CC reading is no longer valid. Keep in mind though, MPS will only stay in the tub for few hours to a day max.

Hope that makes sense.

Nitro,

I'm going away for about a 5 week vacation. I hesitate draining my spa as I don't want the seals to dry our and develop leaks. I have a Sundance Spa with an ozone generator and I use N2 with MPS shock weekly and add a small amount after each use. l also add dichlor in small amounts weekly to keep FC above 1. Given this routine, I am thinking that I should be able to shock the spa good before I go and have the neighbor kid add about a tbs of dichlor each week to keep the spa fresh while I am gone. Do you think this will be sufficient or do you have additional directions that I might need to follow to avoid a mirky mess when I return for vacation

Thanks,

John

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Nitro,

I'm going away for about a 5 week vacation. I hesitate draining my spa as I don't want the seals to dry our and develop leaks. I have a Sundance Spa with an ozone generator and I use N2 with MPS shock weekly and add a small amount after each use. l also add dichlor in small amounts weekly to keep FC above 1. Given this routine, I am thinking that I should be able to shock the spa good before I go and have the neighbor kid add about a tbs of dichlor each week to keep the spa fresh while I am gone. Do you think this will be sufficient or do you have additional directions that I might need to follow to avoid a mirky mess when I return for vacation

Thanks,

John

After double checking with Chem Geek, the Silver/Copper Ions in the Nature2 system should be enough to keep any runaway bacteria at bay. However, if it were me, I'd still have someone add either MPS or Chlorine to the tub once a week, just to be on the safe side. Also, give it a good shock (12 ppm) with Chlorine before you go, and after you get back.

If you use Dichlor, just remember it will add CYA to your tub. You don't want to be adding a lot of Dichlor, if you already have CYA built up. You may want to use bleach instead. However, I don't know how old the water is, how much CYA is in there already, when you're due for the next water change etc. All those will be determining factors.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...