dean.whu

Hello, thank you for your reply. However, I am finding that even with having just used the bleach, that I just cannot keep the TA up at a reasonable level. It plummets, the PH level rises, and I am using a load of the Alka-rise. Is there anything else I can do that avoids a water change right now? Thanks...

Hello all, I really appreciate this forum and where it has got me so far but I am starting to have issues that I know I am only keeping in check with a lot of chemicals and need to understand how to break this vicious cycle. Background: Bought a new house and inherited a 350 gallon Beachcomber only about 18 months old. Was surprised how good the condition was and also surprised that when going through the decontamination process and using Ahh-Some how little biofilm buildup there was. It does seem that the previous owner was looking after it very well. Anyway after the water change and the above I was surprised at how nearly perfect the numbers were initially. I wasn't quite sure how the Bromine Total was correct so soon, (I switched from a chlorine setup to a 3-part bromine). I didn't understand without adding bromide salts how the bromine level has been fine. I presume just from the Brominating pucks? For the first few weeks everything seemed good, I was shocking with Spa Boss Spa-Shock that I got at the hot tub store, and then switched to bleach. Ultimately I wanted to use Bromide salts and Borates as well, but have not been able to find a reliable source for this in Canada, or at least maybe 100% understand which product I am looking for. Now in the past month my TA crashes and my PH goes above 8. It takes a good few hours and a lot of Alka-Rise (I have nearly finished the container), then PH-reducer to get everything back in sync. Throughout this I never have any issues bit the Total Bromine., except I do feel that the pucks are getting used up quicker that I would expect, maybe the floater is too open and causing an issue? This scenario is happening once a week and I just cant seem to keep TA up. One other thing to add is that I have been using it up until more recently about twice a day because I work from home and I have back issues. Shocking I suppose 3 times a week because of the increased bather load. So my questions: 1) Do you think the only way out off this is another decontamination and water change? I was hoping to avoid this as the water is clear, the filter appears to be working well, and there is no nasty smell. However, over the last couple of weeks there is definitely more foaming when the blowers are on full, but I don't really use the blowers that much at all. 2) Any ideas where I can get the Sodium Bromide from in Canada? Also the Borates, and do you think this will help control my PH? 3) Instead of using the SpaBoss branded Alka-rise can I switch to just using Baking Soda? I have read this and other forums t death but I cannot quite find out how to get this under control. Any help is greatly appreciated. Kind regards, Dean

Hi Jakeman, thanks for your reply. Amazon.ca is awful and if it does carry something it is 3 times the cost of .com. Added to that you get taxed here by customs on top of the cost of shipping etc so it becomes quite a job sourcing everything. I am from the UK and am really surprised by the lack of online purchasing here. I think I am over researching and just need to make a choice, problem is you read that chlorine can irritate more than bromine then you read vice-versa and you go into a tailspin trying to choose! I suppose I will just toss a coin then switch later if I have any trouble... Any further input from anybody re the K-1004 would be appreciated Thanks

Hi Jakeman, thanks for your reply. Amazon.ca is awful and if it does carry something it is 3 times the cost of .com. Added to that you get taxed here by customs on top of the cost of shipping etc so it becomes quite a job sourcing everything. I am from the UK and am really surprised by the lack of online purchasing here. I think I am over researching and just need to make a choice, problem is you read that chlorine can irritate more than bromine then you read vice-versa and you go into a tailspin trying to choose! I suppose I will just toss a coin then switch later if I have any trouble... Any further input from anybody re the K-1004 would be appreciated Thanks

Thanks for your added info. I have a question about the testing kit. They are expensive and difficult to acquire here in Canada. The only distributor say they only sell them to businesses not residential and are pushing the K-1004 kit on me saying that is all I need. Obviously it is a quarter of the price, would that kit suffice? Kind regards, Dean

Hi, I appreciate your swift response. Do you use a 2-step or 3-step approach? I wondered if you could let me know some of the names of the products you use? There are so many out there and you seem happy with yours. I just want to buy some stuff and get in the thing. Also was wondering which test kit you used? Thanks again, Dean

Hello, I have read extensively on this site and elsewhere as to how to look after a hot tub, however, I have some remaining questions. I will be using the hot tub on a daily basis and it is a used beachcomber 2 years old that came with my house purchase. Because I will be using it mostly daily I can't work out which is the best method for me. I was leaning toward a bromine system initially, but have now read cholrine might be better for somebody who will use it as often as me, is that true? Questions below, and thank you in advance for any input. Kind regards, Dean If using at minimum every 2 days but most likely every day would you suggest a 2-step bromine only and not 3? But maybe I have read that for more frequent use chlorine is easier, is that correct? If you think 2 is the way ahead in my case, how often would I be oxidising after use? presumably this will be dependant on my bromine level etc? For that high a use would you recommend an ozonator and if so what are the disadvantages or possible concerns of using one Am keen to use the Borax, is this sensible in a 2 step system, is it sensible in a 2 step system with an ozonator? Whats the best product for cleaning the filter with this sort of system and how often should i do it? I plan on using ahh-some prior to draining the used hot tub. What should I use to clean it, just bleach and water?