curls

btw, we started with 3/4 (maybe 7/8ths) of a package of the sodium bromide (99% strength granular stuff). Then shocked/activated with 3/4c 6% bleach as per your instructions in the main Bromine For Beginners thread.

We are using bromine tabs in the floater. I filled it up (5 tabs if I remember correctly) and have it set to about 4-4.5 according to the directions. It says 3.5-4 for our size of tub but since it was a bit low yesterday I opened it up a tad to 4-4.5ish. I'll monitor it tonight and re-adjust accordingly. Noted about the post-soak bleach. We'll stick with "shocking sundays" from here on out and not use an oxidizer throughout the week. Thanks a LOT for the information, it's greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks folks. We are using 6% household bleach as our shock / oxidizer. Last night my wife and two small kids were in the hot tub (290 gallon) for about 10 minutes but we didn't put in any bleach afterwards as we had to run to a dinner function. I checked the bromine last night around 11pm and it was low (1-2ppm range). yes, we are using guess-strips and yes a K-2106 is on order!!. I would guess that it's normal for the bromine levels to be low after using the tub but not shocking it with 1 TBSP bleach? My wife and I then used the tub last night at midnight for about 20-25 minutes and I put in 1.5 TBSP of 6% bleach afterwards. I didn't get to check the levels this morning but will check after work. Are we on the right track? I also will FULLY balance the water in about a week once the K-2106 kit arrives. That should help keep things a little more consistent too shouldn't it...

I have read Waterbear's "Bromine for Beginners" post and have got what I need to do the water balancing and chemistry using that knowledge. However, I have some questions I'm hoping someone can help us with: 1. Once we initially set up the tub, balance the water, add the sodium bromide, and shock... do we need to leave the cover OFF until the bromine levels drop below 10ppm? The reason I ask is that I was planning to fill the tub with 102*F water straight from our tankless water heater, as heating with natural gas is MUCH cheaper than with electricity. I'd hate to have the majority of the heat escape while the shock is working its magic, but I'd also hate to destroy our new hot tub cover! 2. How often to shock? Weekly? After each use? We have a 290 gallon tub (Freeflow Passport). Initially I can see us using the tub for 1 person-hour per day (probably 2 ppl @ 20-30 minutes/day @ the same time). Higher usage when friends come over to see the new toy. 3. How MUCH bleach to shock in step 2 above? Same as the initial fill, or, less? 4. Cover off, or cover on, after Step 3? 5. Would using a non-chlorine shock (MPS-based) still require leaving the cover off? In Ottawa, Ontario, it will be getting COLD this winter and I'd hate to have to leave the cover off for any more time than is required to soak in the hot tub. The heat loss will be significant!. Thanks for answering any or all of the questions, it's greatly appreciated!

Noted. I've done some searching locally and the spas that are for sale in the classifieds/Kijiji/Craigslist are all extremely expensive, extremely overpriced, or both. The only <$5K spas are ones with known problems such as broken pumps, etc... and that is swaying us towards something new w/ warranty over something where I might be buying someone else's problems to their delight, know what I mean? Both lines of Freeflow have removable sides, it's just there's no colour selection in their Sport line - it's the same as the inside of the tub. The Premier line has synthetic wood sides and available in 4 colours, all obviously removable panels there as well. No need for a sauna as our gym memberships have them included, and, a sauna room in the basement is roughed-in and scheduled for about 5-7 years from now -- a hot tub is higher priority on the list right now. Thanks for the insight though. We'll keep an eye on on the used market locally as well as take a bit longer to drop a wad of cash on this before truly doing our research. Cheers!

My wife and I are on a budget and have been keying-in on the Freeflow brand of tubs as a good starter tub. We want something in the 4-6 person range as we don't have the room (or need) for a 7.5'x7.5' tub on our deck. Initially we thought the Azure/Accent (same tub different colour options and one comes w/ synthetic wood siding vs rotationally-moulded siding matching the tub). This is a 3-4 seater with lounger, 80"x62"x32" in size. Prices including delivery and all kinds of accessories and cover lift, etc, are $3600 CAD / $4100 CAD (13% taxes included) respectively. So the siding is a $500 option, basically. Now I am thinking that the Passport tub might be a slightly better option in our situation. It's a bit larger (corner tub, 75"x75" with slightly 'cut' corner). It has a nicer lounger w/ molded-in armrests (a feature we thought was really nice on a Hydropool tub we tried yesterday), and can easily accomodate one more adult than the Azure/Accent. I haven't got a quote on this one but would figure it's about $4300 CAD with all taxes and all accessories included (cover, 110V GFCI cord, cover lifter, chemicals, delivery, etc...). What else in the $4300 ALL-IN range should we look at or is that just a really, really good price for an entry-level spa that probably can't be touched by any other line? Also, what would another line of spas have that the basic Freeflow spas don't, for not much more money? Built-in headrests? Better (or just bigger?) pumps? Opinions and insight are MUCH appreciated here, thanks everyone! Eric & Crystal