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After shock Test was done with 10ml sample ... Took two drops to make CC test turn clear.

K-2006 Tested TC (10ml sample) after adding second step get pink to show CC Takes two drops to clear .. Hmm, 1ppm CC wow. Do 25ml test takes 4-5 drops to clear CC so to be safe I assume 1.2ppm CC Go to pool calc and scared to not reach breakpoint, add 1 cup 2 TBsp Clorox ultra. Test, at 18ppm chlorine (CYA is 50) Leave cover off for six hours but starts raining (overcast all day, shocked a couple hours before sunset) Wait wait wait Test chlorine level now at 8 ppm Drop in five drops to check for CC and ... PINK AGAIN!! What did I do wrong??

Interesting! Was just reading where in Germany the recommends levels of ph is lower than most of the rest of the world. Been looking for why they have a lower rec than other places but haven't found anything so far.

You know, like back in the 1400's-1700's or whenever was before the figured out to use chlorine?

Thanks!

OK So the STABIL bottle measuring neck only hold 1oz - might be a little small. This Bettix Bottle from Freund Container works on same principle, holds 67oz bleach and measures out to 4 oz doses http://www.freundcontainer.com/images/art/32538-BETTIX-MEASURE-HDPE.pdf

I was looking for HDPE bottles to hold liquid bleach (Plastic #2, same thing bleach comes in from store, HDPE is considered OK for liquid bleach) Then as I was sitting in the tub I thought hmm, those STA-BIL bottles look like HDPE and sure enough I checked it out, they are. For those of you who've never used them they have a cool little tube where you squeeze it and it fills up a portion to dispense. So not only could you use it to hold an amount of bleach in, you would have a built-in dosing measurement -- no pouring into teaspoons, etc. Just squeeze out what you need and pour! See image of bottle here if you've never seen them:

Was looking at Spa Perfect on Amazon then though I'd search for spa enzymes. Up popped Orb-3 Spa Enzymes which has like 50+ reviews and 4.5/5 stars Seems to be same-more-or-less type thing as Spa Perfect Me being a big enzymatic cleaning action fan ... Orb-3 seems to be much more concentrated, 1 oz for 500 gallons .. and in addition to 1pt/1qt/1gal bottles you can get 55 gallon drums, in case you happen to have 450,000 gallon spa Looks like it might be cheaper in long run Anyone try it? I searched for other products from "great lakes bio systems" and they seem to be a pretty legit company with many products for pools, spas, and ponds.

So finally after getting home learned to do the TA and CHT tests. Repeated twice After being gone for ~ 7 days (neighbor came over every 48 hours to check chlorine) I came up with: pH 8.0 Did acid demand test - 1 drop lowered to 7.6 "+" - 2 drops lowered to 7.4 Calcium HT 110 Total Alk 90 So I figured adding 1.5 Tbsp ph reducer (.75 oz) to my 415 gallons. Also all these numbers people quote in oz - I can just do the standard .5oz=1Tbsp (3tsp) dry chemical? Does that conversion work? Right now water looks crystal clear Should I do anything further? OK at least as far as those numbers go (alk, calcium)? I read about people fighting TA-pH relation and read stickies about aeration/etc and think gack I should probably not do anything, numbers are fine. Comments? Probably need to learn and do free/combined chlorine tests next to see how that's looking. Then maybe a CYA to see how I'm doing on that after using dichlor. If one has 0 combined chlorine is shocking necessary? Spa store says "shock every week!" which seems like I don't know if they know whats best, or want me to buy more chlorine. Is combined chlorine be only test to see when a shock is needed?

Thank You! Sorry I took so long to say thanks, holidays happened and I've been away from home.

Okay so been reading about dichlor/bleach First fill let spa people sell me some stuff. Not because I felt need, but because I paid them to unpack & put spa on pad and their people seemed really nice and took their time and were careful and methodical. Good service == I'll spend a little extra cash. Though they did want to tell me to use nothing but dichlor, and oh, I shouldn't worry about CYA that will never be a problem. Yeah. So first fill I add the recommended amount of dichlor for 425 gallons, forget, something like 1 Tbsp and 2 tsp, whatever it was for initial shock. Went back next day and they re-analyze and they tell me my CYA level is 55 Now I'm like hmm. That shouldn't be enough dichlor to get CYA to 55 right??? I was thinking more like 5.5 Now I'm scared to add more dichlor but I don't think that's right. I do have a Taylor K-2006 on order to be here tomorrow. I should be safe to use more dichlor right? Until I get test kit in? I was thinking it would be more like 5-10Tbsp until I reached a good CYA level. Already got some bleach and some measuring spoons for use only with hot tub.

If spa calls for 15amp circuit that's all you need. They've already accounted for "headroom" so to speak. You don't need to throw it on a 20 amp dedicated breaker. A 15 amp breaker with nothing else on it but tub would be fine.If your house has 100amp service from electric utility chances are any breakers you have that are 30/40 are dedicated 240v circuits for oven, water heater, electric heat, dryer, etc and can't be used for 110v hot tub.

Yes. Around $36-38 on Amazon. The generic "cal spas" version on their "dealer direct" site goes for $3,199

Oh here we go, found proper line drawings and image of 30. Looks like at least 12 are listed as "adjustable" so that means, assuming they're actually worth using, you could shut down say 6-10 of the "adjustable" ones. I'm guessing. So you'd be left with the little pump powering 20-24 jets. I'm just guessing the "small" jets are just in an open position. Plus I see they list a diverter valve. Notice no "foot" jets on 30 jet model in lounge lol

Ah, that's marketing. All the photos and line drawings show an image of the one with the optional 10-jet upgrade and 5hp motor. Try looking for an image of 30 jet model and you're not going to find it lol. For $1700 I'll be happy if it can keep the water hot and make noise when the motor is turned on. Anything more will be a bonus. Not trying to fool myself into any great expectations Can't see this thing selling for $3900 or $3100 (cal spas "dealer direct" website version)

lol not really. I'm just hoping I'll either be pleasantly surprised (doubt it) or that with them all open and none closed they will be so weak as to not hurt but at the least make the water stir around a little for effect. I'm going to try to find the most reputable dealer in the area, see if they work on cal spas/coleman, call cal spas and get a list of people they work with in area. Then if they seem nice and not jerks, ask them for quote to come out and help set up (maybe build pad), and try to establish some history where if I need warranty (get a factory dud) there's some relationship in place. Original plan with new house was to go with the local company that's been in business for a while rather than try to "save" money. Still part of the plan for new house whenever that happens.

Also yes in my research prior I had acquainted myself with ongoing costs so I'm somewhat cognizant or things like recurring costs for chems, electricity, filters, replacement covers every 4-5 years, etc. (if this thing even lasts five years) Not trying to be cheap. I didn't jump on it as a "that's all I can afford" thing - just a that for the current house situation spending more didn't make sense. I don't want to get a $5000 premium respray paint job on a 1998 Ford with 150000 miles on it. Really no plan to spend any money but I saw it and said gee that seems cheap enough to add some pleasure to my life for the next year or two.

And yes I realize it's pretty low power ... though generally unless I'm in a high end hot tub I tend to not run jets very much and soak. That and my current house built in 1908 doesn't have tons of power and i didn't want to spring for a new electric panel and power drop.

Hi Everybody! Checking to get opinions. I've looked at hot tubs before. Given my budget and costs I had at some point came to the conclusion I was better off getting a small, high quality unit over a big, cheaper unit. That is pay for build quality and quality of jets. I went around and tried things and realized some cheap jets felt like getting hit with a garden hose (not fun). Well I had set that in the back of my mind and went about tending to priorities of saving to build a new house rather than put money into existing one. Anyway I was going along and found this pop up on one of those black friday when a deal comes up you can get it if you buy it in the next 15 seconds type things and bought a Coleman Rotomold. I know it's cheap, and I know it's made by Cal Spas which is, um, also cheap. But basically I paid $1,699 including shipping. At it's retail price I would have said heck no it would be silly to not spend an extra $2k on a better maker. So what do you think, is this a fair buy for $1699? http://www.homedepot.com/p/Coleman-Spas-6-Person-30-Jet-Lounger-Spa-with-Easy-Plug-N-Play-and-LED-Waterfalls-CO-R730L-A-C/204356592#.Up6wLcTa_U0 Or should I run, not walk, to cancel ASAP?