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

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!

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

Thank you! That is exactly the info I was looking for.

Our first hot tub has been set in place within our new screened porch and we are now awaiting the electrician. Later this week it should be ready for its first fill and our hot tubbing will begin! I have been reading all of the stickies and posts getting prepared for the necessary routine water maintenance procedures. I have the Taylor testing kit ready to go and think I have a pretty good sense of the procedures, target levels to shoot for, etc. What I don't have is an understanding of the TIMING of all of the procedures. By that I mean, how much time is needed for each? When you add the chemical to make one change, how long does it take and how long do you wait to then move on to make the next adjustment? Lastly, once everything is ready and you enjoy your soak, then when you get out, do you simply add the necessary chemical and then you are ready again for the next soak? Would appreciate the advice of those more experienced than I. Thanks Don

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