Nature2 - New User Dumb Questions

[RickJS]

New spa filled and running on Monday (Costco/Strong PalmBeach) with Ozone .. As the spa is going to be mostly light use, probably 1 or 2 times a week at most... I wanted to try the Nature2 method. I think I understand the use of the cartridge and MPS; they are the sanitizer part of the equation. ... and Dichlor is the oxidizer. (i've been delving into the chem forum for the last couple of days)

In reading the Nature2 guide, it says to use Sodium dichloroisocyanurate dihydrate. However, the local supply place told me that Sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione was the same. So my non-educated mind says they both have the work dichlor in them... but i know there are experts on here that can confirm...

Also, I have the Nature2 test strips, but would like to use the more accurate tester.... is there one for MPS?

Thanks

Rick

[PaulR]

My understanding is both those chemical names refer to the same thing. It's chlorine bound up with cyanuric acid.

I believe Taylor does make a test specifically for MPS but offhand I don't have a reference, you'd be able to look it up on taylortechnologies.com.

--paulr

[RickJS]

Thanks Paul... yes, i found it... I had mistakenly just been searching using MPS.. but once i spelled it out, i found the Taylor..

K-1518 / Drop Chlorine FAS-DPD/Monopersulfate Test Kit

[chem geek]

There is a Dichlor without the dihydrate, but it is far less common since it is more of a fire hazard for transportation and storage. If what they have truly doesn't have the dihydrate, then you use 16% less of it by weight since it is more concentrated as it does not have the bound water in it.

[Hillbilly Hot Tub]

My understanding is both those chemical names refer to the same thing. It's chlorine bound up with cyanuric acid.

I believe Taylor does make a test specifically for MPS but offhand I don't have a reference, you'd be able to look it up on taylortechnologies.com.

--paulr

You have it backwards, Nature 2 and dichlor sanitize, MPS oxidizes, does not sanitize at all. If you are using the tub just on weekends, i would use the MPS at each use and at the end of the weekend add the dichlor. We find that if you use clarifier weekly it helps a lot with nature 2. Most our customers choose sea clear.

[chem geek]

Well, at hot spa temperatures (i.e. 104ºF), silver ion (as found in Nature2) plus MPS do kill pathogens quickly enough to pass EPA DIS/TSS-12 which is how Nature2 with MPS got approval only using Dichlor "as needed". So in this special case, silver ions + MPS are sanitizing in addition to being an oxidizer. This is not the case without silver ions (i.e. MPS by itself) nor at cooler temps such as in pools.

Chlorine (be it from Dichlor or bleach) is both a sanitizer and an oxidizer. MPS by itself is only an oxidizer (i.e. it doesn't kill pathogens quickly enough to be a sanitizer -- unless the temp is hot and silver ions are also present).

[RickJS]

thanks for the info.... i'm usually at 101 degrees.. so i'm guessing that is still hot enough to cause the sanitizing reaction?

Cheers

rick

[chem geek]

You should still be OK. It's not an all or nothing thing.