NewB@Spa

I added ~ 6oz this morning and will test this afternoon. Going to stop by the pool store and pickup a drop kit (for now). I will test and then get in the habit of throwing in 2 oz after soak.

You all have been a Godsend! When you state "unstabilized" you mean 6% Clorox (unscented) that I can buy at the grocery store right? This morning, in hopes of moving the FC dial I threw ~6 oz of 6% bleach in while spa was in filter cycle (I hope I didn't screw up). I plan to rinse filter tomorrow (although weather is calling for snow in Northeast). I will "test" again this afternoon (damned strips). I am going to get either a Taylor drop kit or Lamotte ColorQ7 (I am leaning towards that) colormeter. I am starting vacation next Wed (8+ days), is there any precautions I should take to make sure my FC (if I ever get it to rise) doesn't plummet again?

I am in a similar "boat" - My tub (brand new) and started with Dichlor (at dealers recommendation), now (they say because of my MSP once a week) that my CYA (of 60) isn't accurate so I am not sure where I am. I know draining (now in the 20s/30s) is a remote option. I keep reading (damned strips) a 0 (or very near) FC. Anything I can do?

Nitro - I am leaning towards your method of maintenance when I refill (not certain when I will do that). I have had my new tub approx 2 months and I am now having issues with getting FC up. Water tested yesterday @ dealer was FC 0, TC 17, TA 90, CH 300, CYA 60 (although they said my MPS - EZ Spa could be making that inaccurate). So to get back on point here - if/when I do decontaminate/refill in your explanation of calculating CD you state to get FC to 10ppm - how do you do that? How much dichlor in a ~400 gal tub will that take? Of course that comes after balancing (PH, TA, CH) right? Also what type of tester do you recommend? I am leaning towards a ColorQ 7 (electronic), but everyone seems to use Taylor...

So what is my next step to recovery? My inclination is to drain and start new, but the weather is really turning for the worse (cold) right now and I would rather wait until it warms a bit.

Had my water tested - CYA is @60ppm PH was a little low 7.2, I raised it today and gave it a shot of dichlor. Also my dealer has me on a once a week EZ Spa regimen, so I am not certain what that is doing. After I drain I am contemplating Nitro's method

Thanks, not sure what my CYA levels are. Using damned test strips...going to dealer on the way home from work and have them test a sample for CYA. So lets say my CYA is over 30, but under the 100-150 range. What is the amount of whatever chemical;Dichlor, MPS (Never used/don't have). Everything I get from my strips is that my FC is next to nil and TC is high, maybe a high as 10

For what it is worth - I am a NewB - a cover lifter is an excellent choice, it is just more convenient. Mine was @ 150 when I bout it with my tub. I wouldn't pay much more than that.

Has anyone used these electronic testers? The whole chemistry and guessing colors is making my head spin right now. Maybe I am the type of person that needs to see numbers. Any input would be appreciated.

How would you recommend I proceed with superchlorinating? Also still confused with the FC and TC? I thought I needed to superchlorinate because my FC is 0. Do you mean TC to drop to an acceptable level?

Thank you for your response - is there any way to avoid the decon method right now? Can I shock or superchlorinate?

I am fairly new to the Spa ownership experience and I am totally confused. I suppose I should start off by describing my setup; 450 gal 5-6 person tub w/ozonator. I set the tub up in lat Oct using what my dealer provided; EZ Spa OM, Dichlor and other chems (PH Up, Alk increaser, Hardness increaser). For the first month or so I was ok with adding chlorine 1-2x per week and EZ Spa 1x per week. However now I have had my first bout with folliculitus and I don't like it. Took sample to dealer and he said that my FC was 0 - I guess I am misjudging my chlorine demand. I have read some instructions here from Nitro that seem to be on target for getting back on track (or do I need to dump and re-fill?). One of the directions has reference to a link, but I can't find any link. Obviously the tub got pretty heavy use the first month - BTW I luv it! Now it is mostly just me, 2 - 3x per week for 1/2 hour or so. The test strips are really not doing the trick for me - getting confused between TC and FC. Anyone have a suggestion/recommendation for any electronic tester? I am a person that is more comfortable with seeing exact numbers... Nitro - after startup you recommend switching to 6% unscented bleach - is that correct? Need help - Thanks