GO ZAGS

How long does it take to do the daily test? 5 minutes? 10? more?

Thanks for the replies. I am fairly sure it's the bromine that caused my reaction (eczema) as I drained my tub and didn't use any mps and my eczema remained. I have done a similar dump and refill with only removing or changing one thing each time so that I could narrow it down. When I changed from bromine to chlorine - bingo - eczema gone within a week. I used regular bleach as my shock before and it seemed to keep the bromine levels up but after a while - my tub was really foamy when using the jets and it wasn't too much calcium and I cleaned my filter, etc. I figured I had used too much bleach because the water felt soapy. Should I use regular bleach as my source of chlorine instead of the granules? I have done some reading on the dichlor/bleach methods and again - I don't want to test my water daily so that method is not for me. Just being honest here.

Hi all - long story short - narrowed down that I was somehow allergic to Bromine so have switched to chlorine. I purchased some GLB granules and have no allergic problems. My question is relating to shocking. I have Renew - is that for Bromine tubs only? Or will that work with Chlorine? If so - will it add bromine to my tub - and counteract my need to get away from the bromine due to my allergy? We use our tub about 4-5 times per week with usually two bathers. How much of the GLB should I be putting in? I have been putting in about a Tablespoon every other day but the chlorine levels go to zero very fast (24 hours). I do not have the time or energy to buy a Taylor test kit and test daily, etc. I just want to use test strips. Thanks in advance for your help!

Should I then begin to add some more calcium back until my test strip shows it is in the correct range?

Thank you for your replies Paul - went in the tub last night after not using Renew for several days and I'm itchy again. Does anyone else know if it could be the sulfates?

OK - filter has done it's job albeit tons of calcium caking the filter. I also used Leisure Time's Spa Defender which does this for those that aren't familiar with the product: Prevent mineral buildup from occurring, and extend the life of your spa plumbing and equipment! Prevents scale formation, and aids in the removal of existing scale. Now when I test the water with a test strip - says my calcium is too low. How can that be? Is the Defender absolutely counter-productive to keeping the right level of calcium? Should I never use it once I get the calcium level correct?

How long until the MPS dissipates? Or do I have to drain and refill?

OK - maybe it is the MPS - I did start using Leisure Time's Renew a while after I got my tub so perhaps it's that. I am on a Bromine system and just bought a jug of bleach to use as a shock instead of buying more Renew. I can use bleach with Bromine as an effective shock, yes?

I know there are other posts about being "itchy" but every case is different. We just got our tub on Feb. 1st and I was completely and totally fine the first 8 weeks or so. Then I developed a rash under my arms, on my biceps, legs, abdomen and back. They are tiny bumps and itch badly. Lotion does help. I know it's the tub because when I lay off for 3 days or so - the rash goes away. Then it comes roaring back when I take a soak. My doctor said it could be allergies? Even though I was fine the first two months I asked my doc. He said it's possible. I can't think of any chemical that I added around that time that would have caused the itch. Any thoughts?

I went a little crazy with my first round of chemical purchases. I went with the Leisure Time brand. I bought their calcium booster as I need it in my area. I also bought their pH Balance product. I waited to use the PH Balance until I got my TA and pH dialed in perfectly. I go to dump the bottle in and the water turns from crystal clear to instant cloudy. Now my water is still cloudy after several days and there is a chalky white residue all over. I tested the water and my TA and pH levels are way down and my calcium level also reads down? I figured that would be too high (given the white residue). The product container reads: "Due to pH Balance's unique buffering capacity, it is not necessary to adjust the calcium (hardness) level in your spa". OK - hindsight is 20/20 but that wasn't clear to me. Why didn't they just say "Don't use in conjunction with Calcium Booster"?! I read online from a Google search that it is definitely from the pH Balance product I used and that my filter would eventually clean it out. Well, it hasn't and with a very recent water change - I'm not excited about doing it again. Any thoughts on how I can get the cloudiness out of my water? Is my calcium level off the charts high now? Thanks in advance for your help!

Can I use the lithium hypochlorite shock then with my bromine or should I not use that any more?

I think I messed up - I acquired some chemicals from a friend and had been going along with excellent bromine levels when I shocked it last night with what I think is a chlorinated shock instead of non-chlorinated. Is that what I did? Is Lithium Hypochlorite a chlorine? Is that why my leisure time test strips are measuring my chlorine levels as zero? What do I do to fix? Add sodium bromide? Help