moonlight

Thanks, ChemGeek. I'm slowly absorbing all this info.

Thanks, ChemGeek, I'll check them out. I'm wondering, though, about the info given to me by the Nature2 people. 0.4-0.6 ppm is less than 1 ppm. According to you and Nitro, one should never let the FC get below 1 ppm. I know that Nature2 is supposed to do a great job of helping sanitize. However, I'm a little worried about these numbers. Any thoughts? I may end up trying to follow Nitro's chlorine/bleach method. Can't use Nat2 then, can I?

Thanks. It's not so much the expense if it works well and is easy to use. I was hoping not to have a little chemistry set up going on. But I'll do what it takes to enjoy the luxury of soaking every night. I do have a little drop kit that the dealer gave me with my spa. Works for chlorine but not for the fraction amounts we are talking about. Also, it only measures up to 5 ppm and super sanitizing is supposed to measure 10 or 12ppm. So I think I need something different. Thanks for your suggestions, Elbyron. I'll check them out.

I've been using Nat2 with MPS2 for a few months in my new spa. My eyes have been very irritated even after regular (weekly) shocking with dichlor and even draining and refilling the spa. Believing I might me allergic to MPS2, I stopped using it and switched to dichlor for a week. My eye irritation completely cleared up. To make sure, I went back to using MPS2 one time and got the irritation back. So, now I want to use Nat2 and dichlor on a regular basis (which the Nat2 instructions say you can do). However, the Nat2 instructions are unclear about how to test for chlorine and what the reading should be. I called them and they said I would need to maintain the chlorine at only 0.4 - 0.6 ppm. They said I should use test strips for chlorine but did not recommend a particular brand. So my question is, what test strips are the most accurate for testing such a low amount of chlorine? Also, I've seen a digital readerby AquaChek. What about that? I have used AquaChek test strips for mps2, TA and ph and found them to be very difficult to read and unreliable. So, I'm a little skeptical about a digital reader made by the same company. The Nat2 test strips (for mps2, TA and ph) are MUCH better and seem reliable. So that I don't go out and buy the wrong thing again I'd love some advice on what to get. I know, Nitro, you recommend the Taylor K 2006. Gee, it is so expensive and do I really need all that professional level testing? I'd love to follow your method but I'm so not chemistry oriented. I just have a 200 gal. spa. 1 person soaks every night for 20 minutes. Occasionally joined by a second for the same amount of time. No parties, etc. Just want to keep it simple. Thanks.

So, what do you do when you want to empty and refill your tub? My tub's instructions say to let the chlorine level get to 1ppm and then it can be used on landscaping. Would you agree with this? For the health of the tub and the plants?

I've read that many people are allergic to MPS 2. I am using Nature 2 and following the recipe exactly - using MPS2 before and after soaking. I've only had my hot tub for about 2.5 months and have gradually felt my eyes itching. I super sanitize the spa weekly with dichlor per the instructions. It is also spring and all the trees around my house are emitting tons of pollen into the air so I don't know if my allergies are to the trees or possibly to the MPS2. I only have itchy irritated eyes and sometimes a slight dry cough. I thought I should switch to dichlor before and after soaks (Nature 2 instructions say you can substitute a smaller amount -1/3 - for the MPS2 if you want to). I soak every night for about 20 minutes. My husband joins me about 2 times a week but he doesn't seem to have the same problem. Should I try the dichlor for a while and see? Is there a reason I shouldn't? Thanks for any help.

Anyone have any suggestions for a simple outdoor shower? We would like to install one - preferably with warm water. Our spa is a ways from the house so we will have to run pipes. Love the spa experience but the showering before and after is a bit of a drag. Sometimes I wonder how necessary it is, especially beforehand. Any thoughts on that and how much cleaner it maintains the spa?

Why do you shower before and after your soaks? Ummmm, well before, just to rinse off and try to keep the spa as clean as possible. After, because I don't want the chemicals on my skin.

We're looking into some kind of outdoor shower to install near the hot tub. It would be great if it had heated water. Showering before and after soaking is a bit of a drawback to the experience. Somehow, it feels like it would make it simpler if the shower were right by the hot tub. Would love to hear other thoughts or recommendations on getting a simple outdoor shower or a simple water heater to install outside?

THANKS for all the help. Way more than I got from the pool place or from calling Nat2.

Yes, we just drained it this morning. My husband just said t he FC level was way way low - hardly registering on our tester kit. Yes, we'll give it a good shock. Thanks for the reassuring feedback. We have only had our spa for about a month and a half. We were having to sanitize more and more often and also had scum (which Nature2 says you aren't supposed to have). We felt maybe we should just start over with the water. We were a little concerned we possibly hadn't balanced properly to begin with. All the info on this forum has been very helpful but has gotten me a little concerned as well about doing things properly. I guess that is a good thing.

The manual says to let the chlorine level come down to 1ppm before draining onto landscaping. I just waited a week without use and without adding any MPS or dichlor (I'm using Nat2) without checking each day. Now I'm reading alot of topics here and am learning about contamination which can occur. Did I wait too long? Do I need to dissinfect before refilling? Want to get it right this time. Thanks

We researched spas for years and were very impressed with Bullfrog. We've only had it a few months but all our dealings with the company and dealer have been great. The options of the jetpack is such a great feature.

My husband and I researched spas for several years before we settled on a Bullfrog spa. We LOVE it and think it is a really quality spa. Pricey but hopefully worth it. You may not have a dealer near you but check them out on the internet. Good luck.

A scumball is safe to use with N2. I use 2Tbs of Enzme treatment once a week with my N2/Low Chlorine recipe and it solves any scum issue. Ken Thanks. So much to learn.