sjt2900

Before we came to the hospital, I dumped in 2 TBS of chlorine. That was the night before last. I'm going to have the level checked tonight, but it could be a week before I can get it drained. I'm hoping to be able to use it in a month or so, so I need to know what to do with it in the mean time. We're in the midwest, so it does get pretty cold here.

We found out this week that DH must have surgery tomorrow. The spa was schduled to be emptied this weekend to change the water for the first time. Now, I know it won't be used for probably at least a month. Can someone tell me what to do?

Well, I guess I'll keep shocking weekly then. Thanks.

Sorry I wasn't more specific. I'm talking about a 500 gallon spa. I really thought it meant outside temperature, although it doesn't specify. So are you saying it's not outside temp, but temp of the spa? We have been keeping our spa temp at 102, so I guess I would continue shocking weekly. But if it means outside temp, here in the midwest, the highs have only been in the low 60's, so that would make a difference. Or would it? I"m confused.

My bottle of Natures Way Spa Shock says it should be used every other week when the temperature is below 85 degrees. Is that correct? We've been shocking once a week.

How soon after adding dichlor, clarifier or mps is it ok to use the tub?

very good price buy it. Make sure the ozone they put on is the high output. We bought the Chelsee last month and love it! Some people here complained about the jets being too harsh, but we've learned you just have to adjust them. The beauty is you can get to jets to be very soft and gentle or as strong and sharp as you want. We found this out by playing with everything. The book is not too helpful in explaining which valve is for which seat or how turning the jets or valves can change water flow. You just have to figure it out as you go. We're still learning things. Good luck! I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

As far as I know our chlorine levels have been in the safe zone each time it was used. And, we do shock once a week with MPS. I've been hesitant to switch to bromine because of reading that it still contains chlorine. I have been very careful of our chemistry levels. The spa was last used two nights ago. After using we used 1 TBS SaniChlor. Yesterday morning I shocked with 2 TBS of MPS. Last night the chlorine was very high so we didn't use it. Maybe we should drain and start over to see what would happen.

I can't answer your question, but that's exactly what's happening to my husband. We've had our spa since mid July and his "bites" are mainly around his knees. The dealer said he might be allergic to chlorine and we should maybe switch to bromine. I'm also waiting to hear from the experts on this forum before we do anything. Good luck!

DH took a water sample to the dealer and they said all levels were perfect. They said he's probably allergic to the chlorine and we might want to switch to bromine. Which if we do I know we have to drain the spa. Thoughts?

I've been reading posts all day and have come to the conclusion that after 1 month of using the spa DH has developed hot tub rash. I'm wondering if we should drain and start over. I'm fine, but he has what looks like mosquito bites on his arms and legs and they itch like crazy. He does have more sensitive skin than I do. We use dichlor and MPS to shock and sanitize. The spa holds 468 gallons. If you think we should refill, here are some questions I have. After we got the spa we couldn't get the PH down so the dealer told us to use Muratic Acid. We used about 16 oz and the PH is still a bit high. If we refill, should we still use the acid, or just buy a lot of PH down? We have extremely hard water, but we do have an outside faucet hooked up to a water softener. Should we use that to fill the tub? I've also read about using a prefilter when filling the spa. What exactly is this and do we need to use one? When we first filled we noticed a ring around the tub, so we added one 8 oz bottle o metal control. The ring disappeared. Should we use the metal control again on the refill? I'm also wondering if we should use the Nature 2 to help with the chlorine. Also, he shouldn't get back in the tub until his rash has disappeared and we get the water under control, right? Please advise. I should also say it's been very hot here, so we've kept the heater turned down. The water has been around 99 or 100 degrees when we use it.

Hilllbilly, I checked out the aquacheck site and couldn't find a calculator. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place? I also have a couple more questons. When I get the PH, AK and such to where it should be, how often should I be checking it? If we use it daily, should I check it daily with the stick and once a week with the test kit? I've about people talking about their chemistry days, so is this a once a week thing? Also I forgot to tell you we have an ozonater, not sure if it changes any of your information. And the spa does have a 24 hour pump. It's the Sundance Chelsee. Also, is this stick something I should have? I've also read about a frog that is said to be the same thing as the stick. Do I need this? Sorry for so many questions, but I really want to learn how to take proper care of this tub.

Yep! We have good ole Illinois River Water and it's hard as a rock. We are using OxyShock or SaniChlor both in crystal form for after soak. Is this right? Also any ideas of how much PH down to use? I really appreciate the help you're giving! And I don't know what a mineral stick is, so pretty sure we're not using one.

Yep! We have good ole Illinois River Water and it's hard as a rock. We are using OxyShock or SaniChlor both in crystal form for after soak. Is this right? Also any ideas of how much PH down to use? I really appreciate the help you're giving!

Forgot to add the spa is being used by two people, just about every night.

Ok, the spa holds 468 gallons of water. When we first filled it we added 8 oz. of metal control as recommended along with the other recommended chemicals. Using the sticks the ph was way off the charts, so the dealer told us to add muratic acid until it came within a recognized level. We ended up adding about 16 oz. of muratic acid. Now these are the results of the first Taylor k-2006 test. (if I did it right) Free chlorine: 4.2 Combined chlorine: 0.4 PH: 7.9--2 drops of the acid demand reagent brought it to 7.5 Total Alkalinity: 180 Calcium Hardness: 450 Cyanuric Acid: 48 Saturation Index: 1.1 According to the "Water balance calculator" I should be worried about scale? When I used the Aquachek stick the levels showed: PH: 7.8 Free Chlorine: 3 TA: 180 Stabilizer: 100 From what I can tell from the sticks it seems ok to use the spa, but I really would like input from the experts. Also the DVD that came with the chemicals says that after it's used, add 1 TBS of OxySchock or 1 Tea of SaniChlor per 500 gallons. Are there any recommendations as to which we should use?

We've had our spa for 3 weeks and on the advice of this forum I ordered the Taylor K-2006. I've been reading the book and already have a question. The book says to wait one complete filtration cycle after chemical treatment to test water. How do I know what a complete filtration cycle is? I'm hoping to start the chemical analysis tonight if it's not raining and I know I'll have more questions after that, but wanted to ask about the filtration cycle first. I'll be back with the results when I get them.

I won't get mine until next month. I'm really curious. It will have a full month of spa use on it.

When I get the PH to where I want it, should I use some of that PH Stabilizer I've read about?

Do you keep your chemicals outside close to the spa? In the house? I was wondering if we could keep the dry chemicals in a cabinet next to the spa and the liquids (at least in the winter we're in the Midwest) in the house? Also thought it would be nice to be able to keep towels close to the spa. This is our first, so everythings new to us.

Also just how long does it take to get the chemicals right? I followed the initial filling instructions last night, but everything is off the charts today. PH way too high, chlorine is 0, alkalinity is very high. The only thing that looked right was the cyanuric acid. Whatever that is. We can't use the spa until the chemicals are right, right? DS is really going to be upset if he has to go home tonight before he can get in the spa. Dealer told DH to put a shot glass full of muratic acid in to take care of AK and PH. But now we have a ring around the spa just at the waterline. What's that? When does the fun begin? I'm sure once we figure these chemicals out we'll have some fun, but this is more complicated than I thought. Poor DS has to leave without even getting wet.

Also just how long does it take to get the chemicals right? I followed the initial filling instructions last night, but everything is off the charts today. PH way too high, chlorine is 0, alkalinity is very high. The only thing that looked right was the cyanuric acid. Whatever that is. We can't use the spa until the chemicals are right, right? DS is really going to be upset if he has to go home tonight before he can get in the spa.

Well, we couldn't get the chemicals right before we pooped out last night, so we're trying again today. Now we're getting an F1 code meaning there's an air lock. The dealer thinks it's because the jets were turned on before the spa was full and said to shut off power and then turn back on. We tried this and it didn't work. The only time we get the F1 code is when the waterfall is off. When it's on, it's just fine. Suggestions?

Actualy rubber duckies breed bacteria. And the novelty wears off. Now a floating drink holder will always be usefull!! I love my rubber duckie. Unfortunately, he seems to have been hatched with a tiny pin hole in his chest. So he almost immediately beak dives as soon as he is released into the water but we still love "bob". Funny you should ask. Just heard tonight it's bad luck if the rubber duckie is not the first thing in the spa, so sent DS to find rubber duckie. He ended up going to four stores and calling a couple others before he finally found it. Except "it" was a package of sixteen. So, we figure our spa is the luckiest ever! When it's light out tomorrow, I'll take a photo of our ducks. We think they're fantastic! Ducks rule!!!

Leave the "showercaps" prefilters on untill they get real dirty. Then replace them or don't your call. They will help to keep your water clear. Thanks Roger! I called the place we purchased the spa and they said the shower caps filter hair and other stuff. So, they were left on. DS turned on the jets before the spa was full and water went flying and got DH soaked. It was hysterical! Water flew everywhere. Now we have the top on while it heats up. It's 9:50PM and the temperature is 74. Everyone's determined to get in before the night is over. We'll see!