Complete Newbie Preparing For Delivery

[donl1150]

A newbie is preparing for installation of very first tub. Have a Hot Spring Vanguard waiting to be delivered, once construction of the screen porch is ready for it. In the meantime, I have been studying my chemistry.

I bought a Taylor k-2006 kit and am learning how to use it. We have well water that I know is has fairly high iron content. I think I will have to add something just for that when we fill, but in the meantime, trying to learn how to take readings.....and then plan for what chemicals are needed on start-up.

Here are my first readings: CH 325; TA 430; pH 7.0

I know I have to get both of those down to in the 100 range. Would appreciate some thoughts of those more experienced than I. I think we are about 2 weeks away from the first fill.

Thanks

Don

[deld]

chemgeek suggested filters to remove CH from the water as the tub is filling

http://www.purewater...hosefilters.htm

http://www.purewater.../products/fc024

http://www.purewater...ening-cartridge

[donl1150]

Well, the electrician finally finished and we started up our first spa! Filled it up and used my Taylor test kit to see what we have. (We have well water.) Here are the results:

TA.....425

CH.....300

pH......7.0

Since what I have read told me I had to lower the TA, I gradually added TA Down with the jets on (to try to keep the pH level). Over several hours, I added 24 oz of Down and the readings became:

TA.....100

CH.....300

pH......7.6

The water color during all of this was slightly brown but seemed to be getting darker as it went along. Nonetheless, I figured a shock would clear that up. I did so and went to bed.

This morning the water was still very brown. My readings are now:

TA.....100

CH.....300

pH......7.4

FC......2

Could it be that our well water has high iron causing the problem? If so, how do we deal with that? Is a drain and start over the best thing?

Don

[tpthaler]

What is your iron content in ppm? Anything over .5 ppm can cause that type of discoloration. My well water has 560 hardness, and 8.5ppm iron (super ridiculous high). So high I have to dilute my sample with 50% distilled water and multiply by two to get a reading that isn't off the charts.

To solve .5ppm or less iron problems a simple hose end carbon filter at time of fill should work for you. But if you have levels that are higher than that, you get what you pay for and they only remove so much. For my home I use a 7% hydrogen peroxide mixture with a dosing pump followed by a large backwashing carbon filter. I spend $300 on carbon every 8 months to keep my water in check. Another common option (that I used to have but was a maintenance nightmare) was an inline chlorinator with a 130 gallon retention tank (chlorine takes time to oxidize iron out) followed by a greensand / hybrid backwashing filter.

If you have a water softener, you can possibly use that to remove 1-2ppm iron with a good iron out salt. Just try to get the kind that doesn't have a lot / or any additives. As many salts have phosphates which are very bad for your tub. And if you are using truly soft water, it won't have any calcium chloride (hardness) left and you will have to add it back in. I live in a cold weather climate so I can buy 50lb bags of "calcium hardness increaser" (aka snow melt). I buy the most expensive "pure grade" stuff and it's about $30 for 50 lbs from Ace Hardware.

On top of all this, I still have iron problems towards the end of my 8-12 month replacement regiment. So instead of dealing with that, I have 5x 105 gallon water storage tanks that I use to store up RO water (takes me about a week to fill them all). I end up using that to fill my tub, but then I have to add back calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise my ph and ta levels (as ro water alone is very dangerous for your spa as it's too pure). I have some of the worst well water in the country so what I have to do is overkill for most, but I figured out a way to still enjoy a hot tub living where I do.

[donl1150]

Wow, that is quite the process you go through to get your water balanced! I don't think mine is quite that bad though as after 3 days (and 2 filter washings), the water turned out crystal clear. I have been monitoring it daily making a few tweaks along the way and it is great right now. I took a sample to the spa store and they ran it through their electronic device. Apparently I still need a few more tweaks but they say I have NO copper, manganese or iron in the water. I don't know what my original metal content was as my test kit doesn't have that ability.

I will be getting one of those filters to use for top offs and when I need to drain/refill though. BTW when I first filled it, I used soft water and it turns out it was WAY too low in CH as well as slightly brown. I drained it and then filled with hard water and the CH was in range but the water was even browner. Maybe next fill I will try 50/50 hard/soft water through a pre filter. Thanks for the advice.

Don

Ps - I will be posting some photos of the tub once the sun finally comes out!

[donl1150]

The projectis finally done.....

http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/forum/index.php/topic,16774.0.html

and I am getting the hang of the chemical routine. So far, so good.

Dn