New To Hot Tubs..few Questions

[Jwolf]

Hey everyone,

we just purchased our jacuzzi j-425, and it will be here in 3 to 5 weeks. I've been reading on here to figure out all of the water chemistry stuff, which can be confusing. Anyway, I have a few questions:

1) When filling with water, do you heat it to temperature before adding chemicals, or add chemicals then heat? Also, does keeping it at a slightly lower temperature while not using say 95 instead of the 104 we'll use it at, affect chemicals, and if so, which do I plan for?

2) I think I am going to go with the dichlor bleach method, but was wondering, my dealer (the great escape for those in this area) is including some starter chemicals. Will those chemicals work to start out with, or will I need to start fresh for the d/b method?

3) Where is a good place to get good spa chemicals..whether it be online or a store?

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. Without this forum, I'd be lost

[chem geek]

1) You can start to add some chemicals like chlorine right away so that the water doesn't go bad. The rest of the chemicals can be added at any time -- your choice. Some may dissolve more quickly in warmer water, but most of what you would add dissolves pretty quickly even in cooler water.

2) What did your dealer give you? If one chemical is Dichlor you can certainly use that to start with and in fact are supposed to for Dichlor-then-bleach since you need to build up a CYA level before switching to bleach. If he gave you some acid (probably dry acid), you can use that to lower the TA by adding acid with aeration at low pH.

3) It depends on whether you are interested in price or convenience of seeing the product in your hands before deciding to buy it. Usually online is cheaper, but you don't get the same level of service (not that this is that great at some spa stores, but there are good ones out there as well).

[Jwolf]

1) You can start to add some chemicals like chlorine right away so that the water doesn't go bad. The rest of the chemicals can be added at any time -- your choice. Some may dissolve more quickly in warmer water, but most of what you would add dissolves pretty quickly even in cooler water.

2) What did your dealer give you? If one chemical is Dichlor you can certainly use that to start with and in fact are supposed to for Dichlor-then-bleach since you need to build up a CYA level before switching to bleach. If he gave you some acid (probably dry acid), you can use that to lower the TA by adding acid with aeration at low pH.

3) It depends on whether you are interested in price or convenience of seeing the product in your hands before deciding to buy it. Usually online is cheaper, but you don't get the same level of service (not that this is that great at some spa stores, but there are good ones out there as well).

Thank you chem geek! I will wait and see what the dealer gives us in regards to chemicals, and then we will go from there