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Bularae

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  1. Thanks. Yeah, I had to actually flush it when I got it cuz it was shipped with Antifreeze in the lines, but even still, I suspect(ed) that it's more about the initial fill. Plus my water here is terrible. I actually finally got everything within acceptable ranges as of yesterday. We'll see if I can maintain it. If our weather would stabilize enough to give me a few days of sunshine, I'd definitely consider draining and refilling cuz as it stands I've spent about $200 on chemicals and only had the thing about 25 days!! Yikes!! But I think I'm pretty good now with Bromine floater and tabs, Granules for shocking and then all the other stuff I got when I bought the Leisure Time startup kit.
  2. HI there! Well, I didn't get the kit till Monday and didn't get to using it and dealing with it until yesterday and today. After yesterday I printed out your Bromine protocol and took it to Home Depot, bought bromine tabs and a floater, Bleach and Baking soda. I used the last of my Reserve from LT yesterday as my Bromine readings were 0 and when I added Renew it was 0 this morning and I'm about out of that also (that's basically two bottles of their stuff gone in two uses/weeks). So that's why I decided to go with the tabs and floater and when I refill I'll get Sodium Bromide from Home Depot. Anyway, I've just followed all your instructions, added bleach and got 10+ readings on Bromine, ran the jets for 20 mins and am about to let it sit for the day and test tonight before hopefully using it. My Ph is still a little high--looks like it's pink right between 7.8 and 8.0 and in your protocol you say with Bromine that's acceptable, is that correct? If I do need to lower Ph, what exactly is "acid powder" in OTC form? That's the only thing I'm missing from your great instructions. Also, I'm curious your opinion/expertise/advice on the benefits of getting a spa stick for next time I fill as my water has so many minerals and stuff in it? Do they work? Is it worth it? Will it make my water feel better and be easier to balance and maintain? Thanks!! Here's a bear hug... ((((Waterbear)))))
  3. First. you are using what is known as two step bromine. It is normal for the bromine to be high after shocking. That is what shocking is. Two step bromine works better if you have an ozonator since the bromine levels stay more constant. Three step bromine will provide more constant bromine levels without an ozonator (and with one too, which is why I prefer it. It is much less work than two step bromine. TA is not affected by shocking and pH can read high when it is not because of chemical interference to the test. Strips are easy but not reliable. The produce readings like you are seeing that are bogus. IF your TA goes up and then drops with bromine level it is a bogus reading from the strip. pH WILL do that from chemical interference but TA should not. People buy strips because they seem easy (just dip and read) and they seem inexpensive but the reality is that they are not easy,do not have the resolution to provide meaning test results, and end up costing more in the long run and taking more time since they give undependable readings and make it more difficult to balance the water. Thanks. Yes, the tub has an Ozonator. I ordered a Taylor test kit today. My gut feeling has been that the Ph reading is innacurate, as I have definitely seen the TA change and be stable. The kit should be here on Friday so I'll report back. Thanks again for your guys' support. I really appreciate it!! My local spa store people suck so I'm really on my own here!
  4. Thanks! Actually after I did initial Bromine (Reserve & Renew) it was 10+ but then after I used it the next day the Bromine went to nothing and still is. I inquired to Leisure Time and they said that is normal for the Bromine, TA and Ph to be high after shock and it settles down afer a day or two, which everything did except Ph. I don't really understand why the strips are sold and so popular if they don't work.
  5. I've got a new tub and from the get-go last week when I added Leisure Time's Renew & Reserve system, I can't get the Ph down. It was high with just plain water and I have done a full program, added the stuff to bring Calcium up and finally TA came into ideal range after a few days of low bromine readings, but the Ph hasn't budged from the bright pink end of the stick. I have used almost a whole bottle of Spa Down for lowering Ph, and done it by dissolving it in filtered water first (recommended to dissolve it first). Can anyone help me with how I can lower Ph when TA is right-on? I'm not really grasping how TA can be fine but Ph off the charts cuz until now I thought Ph was a measure of Alkalinity vs. Acidic. Thanks
  6. I just got my tub and am trying to come up with a similar solution. I'm thinking to go buy two cheap rubber-backed bathroom rugs at Walmart and just take them out with me and bring them back in to dry overnight. They have enough nap that the ice should be below the pile for the most part, and I figure one will be for the top step, the second for the ground (in your case deck). I'm curious, with 10° temps are you having any issues with 104° tub temp being warm enough?
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