dtherio

Since you are looking for specific information on apparently a specific device, you should have mentioned that in your initial post so people wouldn't waste their time trying to help you based on the lack of information in the initial post.

Hi, Not sure if it would work, there are auto-feeders for aquariums. You might be able to modify one of those to dump the bleach in on a daily basis.

Marquis Euphoria SA spa Hi, I am finally going to bite the bullet and get a cover lifter. Initially the Covermate III seemed to be the one to get. I have decided against it as I don't want the cover sitting so high when open (in part based on how my tub is facing). So, I have pretty much decided on the Covermate II with the under tub mount since the cover won't stick up as much and block the view. The Covermate III is the recommended lift for my spa, I have asked a couple of vendors if the Covermate II will work on my spa and no one will give me an answer other than to measure the corner (I guess they don't want responsibility if it doesn't fit - I think they should have a list of the popular spas the lifts fit on, my spa isn't, I don't believe, a rare unit!), yet they won't tell me where they want the measurements from. As this is my first spa and my first cover lifter I guess I assumed a bit more help while trying to make this purchase. Any thoughts? From what point to what point do I need to measure? Should the Covermate II work since the III is considered the standard lift for this tub? Thanks! Dale

That probably explains why I had the same yellow gunk along the water line of my tub. I also put that stuff in. Though the stuff I bought said it was for hot tubs/spas. I have since drained, cleaned and refilled my tub and the problem went away.

Roger, Thank you for the clarification.

I have a question regarding the "bonded rebar" comments. I realize this might sound stupid, what is the difference between rebar and bonded rebar? I had a new cement patio poured this past spring and they did of course install rebar in the patio. I also had a master electrician install the outside electrical panel (as well as replace my inside panel at the same time). Is there something else I should do from a safety perspective? i.e. install a ground stake and wire it to the panel? Thanks

Hi, My spa uses the Spa Frog system. Both Bromine and Mineral cartridges. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a reputable online dealer. To answer the suggestion of buying from my dealer, I got an unusual deal on my tub. It was new, but a few years old having been sitting in a warehouse of a dealer that stopped selling portable spas (they to built-in pools and spas). So they do not sell these items. I bought my initial order from the local service guy, however he doesn't have a store front so I can't drop by and pick them up. I am required to order them online from him. I also have to pay sales tax when buying from him (and he didn't have them all in stock at the time). Also wondering about reputable sources for filters. I have a Marquis Euphoria SA model. Thanks for any recommendations. Dale

Update on the chemical odor and massive bubbles. After taking a sample of my water to Leslie Pool for them to test, and buying the recommended drop water test kit (all levels seemed fine). It appears I might have been shocking too much. By only shocking once, maybe twice per week the chemical odor is gone. Also, the folks as Leslie Pool recommended adding "Spa Perfect" to the tub weekly (it is a liquid additive). That appears to have eliminated the bubbles and seems to make the water a bit more silky. So all seems well now. Thanks to everyone that made suggestions. This is an interesting learning experience Dale

Hi, I got my first ever tub this past April. The first full month having the tub my bill went up $20.00 - However I also started using the A/C a little. I am in the Dallas, Texas area. Over the summer I really don't think my bill has gone up much at all due to the tub. I have a better electric rate (30% less per kwh) than last summer, no roommate and my bills this summer are actually less than 1/2 what they were last year. Using the A/C a lot more this year as well. I ended up with a Marquis spa, the insulation appears to work great on this tub. It will be interesting to see what my bills are through the winter. Dale

Hello Hillbilly Thank you for the reply. The smell might not quite be chlorine, I just don't know how else to describe it It is a strong sharp odor. I did take a sample to the local Leslie's Pool today for testing. The said the pH was a little high (which I noticed from my last test after putting some pH up stuff in it), they also said the phosphate level was a little high. Everything else they said was in normal levels. I got the stuff to lower the pH and just put that in a few minutes ago. They also recommended something I think called Spa Clear which is supposed to lock in the bromine (I think that is what they said) and also make the water smoother. I have not put that in. I will wait until late tonight or tomorrow. They had another product to remove the phosphates, that was $32.00 for the smallest bottle they had. Since they said I would only need 2 oz of it, I couldn't see spending that money unless I have to (it was a 1/2 gallon jug). I also bought their drop test. They said it is the same thing as the Taylor kit with their name on it. It is the same kit they use in the store to test. The shock I am using is the Marquis brand shock. I put 2 full capfuls in at a time. This comes in a 2lb container. It is a non-chlorine shock.

Oh ok. Next time you fill your tub check the Calcium Hardness (CH) using the Test Kit, and only raise it to 100-150 ppm. Chlorine smell? Interesting! I wouldn't think a Bromine tub would smell like Chlorine, unless it ran out of Bromine reserve, and is now a Chlorine tub. Which brings back the old question. Are you sure you have Bromine reserve in it? i.e. the cartridge is not empty? I believe the cartridge is still good. It was installed less than 3 weeks ago. Also, when I changed the setting on the cartridge from 2 to 4 the level in the tub was higher the next day (per the test strips). I would think that would indicate a still good cartridge. Not sure if there is a way to confirm that the cartridge is empty or not. Dale

Hi Nitro, You can't check bromine reserve (that I know of). All you can do is shock, and measure Bromine level. If you have Bromine level, then you have some reserve in it. First, it doesn't appear you have very soft water, because your hardness is on the high side. I'm not sure why you say you have soft water. I put the hardness up stuff in the tub to make it not soft. Going to do that this afternoon. There is an Ozonator built into the tub. Based on other posts here, it appears to be working properly. It doesn't smell like fish, just a strong chlorine type smell. Yes!, see above about Baking Soda. I'm not sure where you can get both of them together. You might try searching the net. Here is one place that sells the Taylor kit. Thank you! I will check out that link.

Hello, You really need a good drop test kit, such as the Taylor K-2106 (for Bromine). Otherwise, it's difficult to get precise readings using guess (I mean test) strips. I'm not the bromine expert per se, but my guess is the odor will not "dissipate" without a good shock. Are you sure you have bromine reserve in it? When did you shock last? FYI, you can shock with regular old Clorox bleach. Like I said the odor is because your sanitizer level is too low. That means you need to turn up the bromine cartridge level and/or shock more. Thank you for the pointers. I will check on getting a drop tester. I shocked Saturday night using 2 capfuls of shock (the guy at the pool store told me each capful is good for 200 gallons, my tub is 400 gallons). I went ahead and put 2 more capfuls in last night. This morning it still has the odor. How do I check for the bromine reserve amount? The levels show in the 'ideal' range using the test strips. I will go test it again and see what the strip shows. Using the test strips (which of course only show a set of colors) my results are: 250ppm - hardness 5ppm - bromine 40ppm - total alkalinity 6.8 pH From what the color chart shows, after shocking again last night, the hardness is good (we do have very soft water here), bromine is high , total alkalinity is low and pH is low. At this point I think I need do the following: Set the bromine cartridge back down to either 2 or 3 where it was. I set it to 4 last night based on the recommendation that it may be too low. Increase the alkalinity, then test again to see how that affects the pH. And look into getting a drop test kit. Any suggestions on a good place to get one? I am also in need of a cover lifter, would be cool if I could get a decent price on both from the same place. Thanks! Dale

Hi, The water where I am is typically pretty soft. I have added the hardness up stuff I got from Leslie Pool Supply. I will post the ranges I have in the morning - will test it again. I left the cover off most of the day hoping some of the odor would dissipate - it didn't. I am using the test strips to check chemistry. All of my numbers show up in their ideal range. The tub is a Marquis SA Euphoria and holds 400 gallons of water. The bromine cartridges are replaced monthly, I will replace the mineral cartridge this month (run through the build in Spa Frog system). I would have loved to use the tub tonight, unfortunately the odor was still too strong. Thanks for your comments. The numbers will be posted in the morning. Are there recommendations for a better test system without going crazy on the upfront and ongoing costs to use it? Dale

Hello, Yes, the water was changed about 4 weeks ago.