txpita

I know this sounds crazy but my 2010 Hot Springs Vanguard's water level is increasing without us adding any extra water! The water line in the tub is a good inch higher than it was when I filled it 3 months ago. The cover is in good shape and the water quality is clear, clean, and balanced.

After draining my tub today, I found (what I now know is) a weir retainer pin in the filter compartment. My dealer told me over the phone that he thought I needed a weir key. The issue is--my skimmer door will not move on it's own. I can open or close it, but it stays in one place. Both of these parts cost less than a dollar online and if I knew what part(s) I needed and where/ how to install them; I could avoid paying a $40.00 travel fee to install a few dollars worth of parts that should take 10 minutes to install. Any experts out there? Thank you very much for your time.

I am sorry it has taken me so long to thank you for your time and information. I checked this site the following a.m. (with dichlor in hand—on the way to the tub) and for some reason I got an error message when trying to log back on the site for several days afterwards. Thanks again for your help. I started tub ownership angry and confused because my local dealer is a jerk. The tub was delivered 2 weeks before it was installed and the dealer was not here for my first filling. Long story short—I started with my starter kit and a call to customer service at Hot Springs corp. office who told me to read my owner’s manual. To answer your questions…I am using dichlor… when I “shock” I put the chlorine in the filter compartment with the jet pump on high for 20-30 mins until the free chlorine reads between 3-5 (combined chlorine?)…YES I do check MPS before soaking and add more if needed…I test free chlorine, ph and alkalinity using a aquachek meter (hubby is color blind—this seemed like a good solution) and use aquachek strip to test MPS…I have no clue what my CYA level is (all my strips only have three pads). As for chlorine—I discovered after reading your post—I am clueless here too. My HS owner’s manual/maintenance guide says to use 1 ½ TEASPOON of concentrated granules per 250 gallons. However, N2/FreshWater silver ion’s manual says to use 1.5 TABLESPOONS of dichlor per 250 gallons. I had been following my HS Guide/manual (2 ¼ Teaspoons for 400 gal) of dichlor once a week--until I read your post and re-read the N2 instructions. For the past 3 weeks I have been using been using N2 instructions re: shock 1.5 Tablespoons per 250 gal and have not had any problems. UNTIL TODAY…once again…I balanced and “shocked” the tub on Thurs…used the tub Fri and Sat…left the tub closed (unused) on Sunday and Monday…and today the water looks just like it did when I first wrote this post…as I type the tub is getting “shocked” again. I am following the Low-Chlorine Recipe from N2 and HS manual to the letter (with the exception of knowing how much dichlor to use—N2 1.5 Tablespoons or HS 1.5 Teaspoons) and it is not working with any consistency. MUCH like my golf swing …but that’s another story. The bottom line is—I have the brains, desire, time and money to maintain this hot tub--but I am clearly missing a major piece of the puzzle. As always—thank you so much for your time—knowledge—and attention.

I have a HS Vanguard apx 9 months old. I use Nature2 silver ion cartridge, MPS after every use (often daily) and shock w/chlorine weekly. I do have to watch the PH because it tends to go low on me. Last week after raising the PH and chlorine shock the tub set untouched for 2 or 3 days. When I opened the cover, my tub had cloudy, dirty green water. I used MPS shock, 2 oz of clarifier…and a small amount of defoamer to cut the dirty foam/bubbles. The next day the water was clear but it is still greenish and has stayed green for the past few days. Now what? FYI tub refilled apx. 7 weeks ago—water temp 103—PH 7.5 and alk 81 Thanks for your help.

Thank YOU....this is exactly the help/information that I needed.

Hi...I am real new to forums and a brand new spa owner...thank you in advance for any help/advice. I bought a HS Vanguard three months ago. I STRONGLY dislike my local dealer and will not step foot in his store again. That being said--I am pretty much on my own and have been ordering chemicals online. I am using the Fresh Water spa care kit that came with my tub and for the most part I am happy with that. My fear is that (considering I have NO clue what I am doing) I might use the wrong product and cause tub/warrantee issues. With that thought in mind, I ordered a Nature2 "kit" from Spa Depot. The bulk of this kit is under the brand name Spa Choice and does not have any of the ingredients listed on label. I was hoping to match the ingredients and have some peace of mind that I am useing the correct items. Should I just go for it and hope my Spa Depot kit is the same as my Fresh Water spa kit?