Machaon

I cannot use the hottub. The only thing that I haven't tried is purified water, without chemicals, but that would be too much expense and effort to dump every three days and refill. And..... I don't know if even purified water would work. I won't discuss the reasons why I'm not able to use the hottub, or chemicals, because few people would understand, if any. There are always those that don't, or can't, understand, who tend to react thru ridicule. I'll only say that, I benefit greatly, GREATLY by avoiding chemicals and other such irritants. I've lived through adversity, and survived quite well, but still must follow certain rules. But, of course, this is not the right forum for that type of discussion. I revisited this thread to thank all those well meaning people who attempted to find a solution to my hottub problem. I really miss being able to use the hottub, but that's life. I wish that every forum had friendly, helpful members, like those here. It must be the general nature of huttub/pool people! Regards to all.............. thanks.

Great advice. Thanks! I wish I could do it. I am not wary of chemicals, I just can't use most chemicals. I grew up using swimming pools, which were made safe for swimming because of Chlorine. I've also logged hundreds of hours in spas, using either bromine or chlorine. Unfortunately, for me, I can't use either anymore. That is why I started this topic, trying to find a way to enjoy my spa, again, without having to add chemicals. I miss my weekend soaks. I am convinced, because of the excellent input from this forum, that my use of my spa is a no-go. So....... I lose this battle, but I've won at other times. I've discovered a way to protect my place from termites, without using chemicals. I've created a technique, called "Upside Down Sinus Flooding" that could cure chronic sinus infections, in some cases. I've developed a process, or series of steps, that will reduce chronically high blood pressure, down to very, VERY healthy levels, using a minimal dose of medication, plus other cures of difficult, chronic health problems, but I haven't found a way to use a spa without chemicals. You win some, you lose some. Thanks for taking the time to address this issue and propose solutions. Regards, and have a nice weekend!

There is nothing I would like more than to be able to use my spa, but instead, I will not be able to enjoy the rewards of the effort and money that I spent on the spa and the ionizer, etc., But...... I'll forgive the small defeats as long as I do well on bigger, more important challenges. A lot worse! Obviously the chemicals that are used in spas and pools are very well tolerated because countless millions use spas and pools everyday without any problems. I'm certainly not one of those that are against the chemicals used in spas and pools, and I would never warn most people not to use spas or pools because of the chemicals. Spa-on my friend! Thanks for your feedback.

I have city water, and there is chlorine and other chemicals in the water, which, believe it or not, explains some things to me. For instance, even without chemicals I can't use the spa! It's amazing that, sometimes, the most obvious escapes us. I fully agree with your comments about other possible sources of problems. I appreciate the advice. I guess I am lucky that I haven't caught anything from the spa. Unfortunately I can't use the spa, chemicals or not. It took quite an effort to install the "in-line" ionizer. There wasn't any room inside the pump area, so I had to bring the piping outside of the spa. Amazingly it didn't leak! All for naught! I liked that idea and I was thinking of trying it. Thanks for your efforts! Actually..... before I drained the spa, the surface was looking less appetizing. OTOH, I learned a lot from posting my original question about, if I would be able to use an Ionizer without chemicals. For me, this thread helped me quite a bit. Thanks! The "rule" was that I couldn't use "harsh chemicals". I don't make the rules. So I came to this forum, in the hope of finding some other options. What I found was a group of concerned people who were willing to provide good information and suggestions. Nice forum! You didn't miss anything. The discussion really didn't come up. I agree. I've given up on the idea of being able to use the spa. The input, ideas and knowledge that were shared on this thread assisted me in making my decision. We have drained the spa and have used it for storage. We have placed all of our hurricane supplies in the spa. It really works great, for that, and it freed up a lot of other space. It makes for a nice looking piece of furniture. Thanks to all for the great input, suggestions and information. I appreciate you all taking the time to respond to my questions and trying to help me find a solution to my difficult challenge. Sometimes problems get resolved, less than desired.

I will update this thread if, and when, I reach positive milestones, but will also update if things don't go too well. Every time I get an itch, I jump a little, fearing another stupid skin infection. So far, so good. It's a small spa, less than 200 gallons, so a weekly, or biweekly, dump and refill is definitely a reasonable option. Regards...... have a nice weekend!

After today, you can't make that statement again! I am looking for feedback from others who might have successfully avoided chemicals in their spa or pool, by using an Ionizer. Thanks for "suggesting" that a weekly drain and fill might work. I'm hoping that it will be safe to use for two weeks. Today is day 6. I used the spa today for about an hour. The water is clear and looks great. I am getting a little more foaming at the surface during the running of the jets. The foaming disappears within about an hour after the jets are turned off, leaving clear, great looking water. Does that increased foaming indicate bacteria, or other nasty organisms, or is it just a reaction to my body oils and dead skin? I have no choice. It's either use the spa without chemicals, or not be able to use it recreationally. Thanks for your feedback. I am here to learn, and hopefully the feedback will help me to remain chemical free.

Hmmmm!? You just reminded me that there is a hose coming out of the spa that is supposed to attach to an ozonator. I thought that the Ionizer took the place of the ozonator. Thanks for the idea. I will look into "ozonators", what they are and what they do. I thought that, maybe, the Ionizer was the answer to all my prayers. I already had a bad run-in with some nasty bacteria. I bought some magic-spa type of stuff via the Internet. It was supposed to keep the water totally safe. It didn't. I got nasty, painful blotches on my arms and back, where-ever my body touched the surface of the water and spa wall. It took a round of antibiotics to get rid of it. I don't want to go through that again. That's why I'm trying to get some information from others who have also used an Ionizer, especially if they found a way of doing it WITHOUT using any chemicals. Thanks for your feedback and your warnings/cautions. Perhaps because it is just my wife and I who are using the spa, we can keep nasty organisms from entering the water? Thanks!

Why didn't I think of that? It's just me and my wife and, potentially some bacteria and other organisms to keep us company. I am using the Guinea Pig method of testing. Yesterday, I didn't take a shower after using the spa. Today, I did. So far, so good. I can't use chemicals in the spa. I am really hoping that I can get two weeks out of the spa before I have to dump and refill. Thanks for your input!

I use a copper/silver ionizer to keep my pool safe from bacteria or any other harmful organisms. It has now been six days since I filled the SPA with water. I use only the ionizer. I use absolutely no chemicals and I don't plan to use any chemicals. The water is pristine, no slime and no clouding. So far so good. It has only been six days. I have read that a spa, using only an ionizer, must be shocked once a week, which means using harsh chemicals in my spa, which I refuse to do. If I have to, once a week, I will dump the water, clean the spa, and then refill the spa, rather than use chemicals. But, I would rather not have to dump and refill that often. Surely there are many others who use spa/pool ionizers. What has been your experience? How often do you have to either shock your spa, or dump and refill?