mak

Thanks, Chem Geek.

Regarding the chlorine levels, I have contributed to the smell because I'm usually up around 5ppm at soak time. I haven't gotten good enough with maintenance to have it around 1ppm at soak time. Are there organics that are not oxidized? If so, what are they? Do they present a health concern? If it's just a matter of replacing water when it is dull-looking, I'll just wait till then. Right now I am happy that I can maintain a sparkling tub without adding the crap the dealer sold me when I got the tub -- bleach is all I need. (Aside from a little pH Down every two weeks or so.)

I am a new member, although I have been learning from this site since I bought my spa in the spring. I have been using the dichlor/bleach method and have been able to maintain a sparkling tub, thanks to the expert advice on this site, so I want to thank all of you. I am, however, considering a switch to 3-step bromine, mostly because my wife complains about the smell of our chlorine tub. The question I have was posed in this thread, so I am resurrecting it. Waterbear, what is the non-oxidizable matter you refer to? And why should I be concerned about it? The only things I can think of that build up are salts and minerals. Do they affect the ability of sanitizers and oxidizers? Sure, feces, urine, and sweat sound disgusting, but they are oxidizable and are kept at bay with normal treatment. So what happens that requires the changing of the water?