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Nealv9z

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Everything posted by Nealv9z

  1. Hi So I never updated my posts from my last attempt at using H2O2 as a sanitizer because frankly, I didn't think anyone cared to respond who could support my similar question "what am I doing wrong"? There seems to be no way that I can visualize where my spa can support the use of H2O2 and not have problems, specifically white mould. On my second attempt, it took about a month and white mould came back. I never allowed the H2O2 to go below 100 and I changed filters weekly. I suspect my hot tub cover was part of the issue as in the winter there are long periods where the cover stayed shut for weeks due to heavy rains (sun kills the bacteria that creates white mould), even though I did open it up occasionally to ensure H2O2 levels were consistently over 100. I had enough so I zapped the spa and switched to Bromide Salts. My body seems to be more tolerant of this chemical (no itchiness). As an aside, I thought I read somewhere that H2O2 and Chlorine can be mixed but not with Bromine. If you figure out how to make this work, I would really like to know because I preferred the H2O2 environment prior to the white floaties.
  2. I can only get 29% h202 here in Canada. I buy a 4 litre bottle from a local store and I store it in my garage bar refrigerator. I follow the advice given in the blog started by Bill Clarke (http://bilclarke.blogspot.ca/2008/05/switch-your-hot-tub-to-hydrogen.html) for initial fill and maintenance, added with additional information from one of the contributors who goes by the handle "King Kong". There is a lot of information there and you need to do a lot of reading in order to find the right nuggets for your situation. I try to keep the dilution at 100ppm or more (as indicated by the colour sticks) and I will usually top it up once it goes below that with about 150ml of h202. This seems to last me for at least a couple of weeks or more. I also add non-chlorine shock (quarter cup) and clarifier every 2 weeks. My usage of the tub is once daily, weather permitting, and I bathe only after a shower and I wear a bathing suit. I am the only one who uses the tub. Hope this is the information you were looking for.
  3. Oh, about the N2 filter, I think it needs Chlorine to be actvated and useful. It says it won't work with Bromine and I suspect it won't work with H2O2 either but I think I will ask the question anyway.
  4. Hi Bob A Just to give an update, since you asked, everything seems to be going well. As indicated in my previous post, maintaining a proper PH level is almost a daily regimen. The one time PH dropped real low, I checked the Alkalinity level and it was low. I brought the Alkalinity level back to around 90 and PH levels went high again. I expect you are more interested in the H2O2 situation more. Well, so far I have had no issues. No white mold, no cloudy water. I have added H2O2 about 3 times so far, since the initial shock making sure the H2O2 level stays over 100ppm. In total, I might have added about 500 ml. I have a 4L bottle of 29% and I think this will last me for a while. Very happy with the quality of the water and the feel of my skin after a session. Interesting point about the trees as I do have some hanging over the tub but the cover is normally on the tub when not in use. I don't see a lot of tree residue in the tub, almost none except for the occasional little piece of fir tree once in a while which gets picked up by my filter. Talking about filters, I have 2. I always keep an extra one clean and ready to swap in if I see yellowing of the one installed in the tub. I have swapped one out so far. Lastly, based on some other posts in a different blog (Bill Clarke - if you haven't read it, I strongly suggest you do so)), I also dump in about 1/4 cup of non-chlorine shock (Oxy-Sparkle) and the appropriate amount of Water Clarifier every 2 weeks. In summary, I am having a better success than my last attempt so far. My theory is, as long as my H2O2 maintains a level of around 100ppm (higher is not a bad thing), H2O2 is available to sanitize the tub. I also want to make sure my other chemical levels are where they should be (calcium hardness, alkalinity, ph level). PH drops low, I need to increase Alkalinity, PH is checked daily and adjusted. I check Calcium Hardness once a month. Also, every 2 weeks, I dump in the Oxy-Sparkle and Clarifier. I will update this entry again some time in the future as to whether things are still working with the above regimen.
  5. So, I am giving h2o2 another shot. It has been about 4 weeks and, as before, no issues. I am trying to be vigilant to see if the White Water Mold cones back again and to make sure the chemicals are properly adjusted. One issue I am having is that my ph level always goes high quite quickly. I adjust Alkalinity and it goes higher, as expected, but when I put enough ph down to lower the ph level to the correct range, jumps up again the next day. It is a challenge to maintain it at a proper level. Another thing I noticed is that when we are going through several bad days of rain and I don't use the tub during those days and keep the cover closed, h2o2 starts to dissipate more quickly so by the time I want to use it again (stops raining), it is very low. I think keeping the cover on for extended periods of time can cause issues. I will update eventually one way or the other on this final attempt. If this doesn't work, I am going to have to switch to Bromine.
  6. Hey mmaloof, would you please let me know how I can contact you. I am in Sooke but I would really like to know how you managed to use Hydrogen Peroxide without getting white mould (which is disgusting, take my word on that). It has been a while but I am starting to get itchy skin again which to me means I need to empty my tub and refill it as the CYA is building again. I would much rather stick with H2O2. When I used that regimen, I always kept the H2O2 around 100ppm which is even higher than recommendations. I must have been doing something wrong if it works for you. BTW, you can get the 29% H2O2 from Lifestyle Market also. They sell a 4 litre container.
  7. Hey, arobbert, what chlorine dispensing system are you using? May make things a little simpler for me also.
  8. Thanks for your advice arobbert. I have switched to low chlorine regimen also. I bought a mineral filter called Nature2 which helps sanitize the pool in conjunction with a low chlorine treatment of .5 to 1ppm. My initial issue of itchiness with horrible reddish skin from scratching so far has not returned. To rid the WWM, I super chlorinated my tub at a very high level (as suggested by a water expert in my neighbourhood - he had a calculation as to the amount per volume of water) for 24 hours. Burnt off all the WWM. You could see the little black charred specks in tub. Emptied tub, cleaned it out and refilled and cleaned filter. This WWM procedure worked because my tub was not that far gone in regards to the WWM issue (had not gone on for that long a time), as I understand it. Problem solved as far as WWM. Now running with low chlorine and Nature2 mineral filter and procedure recommended by Nature2 filter documentation (basically shocking with MPS prior and post bathing and maintaining close to .5 chlorine level or slightly above. Water is crystal clear and not irritating. I will reserve compete judgement on this combination until a few months have passed but it looks promising.
  9. Alright, it has been over a month since I tried this experiment. I am not sure how other HP users are able to have their tub working on HP but it didn't work for me (mpurcell, you were correct in your assessment of HP). It was great for 2 weeks but then it started to smell like bath water that had been sitting in a bath tub too long. I had been dumping HP in on a regular basis based on HP readings (over 50ppm) on my strips but quite quickly, it started to eat up HP very quickly after the 2 weeks. Obviously a problem. Then, white filmy stuff started to float on the water's surface which I found out later was White Water Mold. Egad, now I had to go through superchlorination and draining my hot tub a few times. It is finally clear and I am back to Chlorine and a balanced tub. I gave it a try and I don't regret the experience. I now know it is not for me. My next experiment is to install a Nature2 mineral filter. I realize you still need Chlorine with it but as I understand it, I would need a lower level of Chlorine with this installed into my filter. I also purchased a TDS meter (total dissolved solids) to verify if the mineral filter really works once I start using it. Upwards and onwards in my little lab called a hot tub😁.
  10. Actually, mpurcell, I was not especially looking for agreement but I was looking for people who actually tried it and either failed or succeeded. My initial query was "has anyone used it instead of Chlorine or Bromine". From what I surmised from your response, you did neither, as it seems you never tried it. I have been doing a lot of reading on the use of hydrogen peroxide in a hot tub. There are a lot of naysayers and misinformation out there. I try to acquire scientific information from reputable sources. There seems to be enough information out there supporting the fact that h2o2 does disinfect that is why it is used in wounds, for example. David Suzuki, a rather welll known science broadcaster and phd, has the following to say about h202: "Hydrogen peroxide is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H2O2). Unlike chlorine bleach, it breaks down into oxygen and water and is kind to the environment. For most applications, hydrogen peroxide should be diluted to a three per cent concentration, which is how it is usually sold in pharmacies. Store hydrogen peroxide in a dark bottle out of direct sunlight. On their own, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are each strong germ killers. Used in combination, they're even better!" His is not the only article I read, you may also wish to read the Wikipaedia page on h2o2 which also states: It is used as an oxidizer, bleaching agent and disinfectant. So, since you gave a negative view of it (I do not know you by reputation but I have no reason to doubt your sincerity) and I see contrary advice from some pretty reputable sources, I decided to try it and, so far, I am very happy. No itching, clear water, residual levels of h2o2 are staying at acceptable levels (meaning it can still do its job) and a kinder treatment of my envitonment. This being said, it has only been a week so the jury is still out for me but it looks really promising. The only issue I am having is that I need to adjust ph levels down frequently even though my alkalinity level is wiithin an acceptable range. I will update this thread with my progress eventually as testing continues.
  11. Thanks mpurcell for your input. While I have read that Hydrogen Peroxide is not approved as a hot tub sanitizer, I have also read scientific documentation that does actually indicate that Hydrogen Peroxide is a natural disinfectant. I measured CYA, CC and free chlorines in my hot tub as well as all the other chemicals (ph, alkalinity, hardness) and all were within specs. I guess I am determined to attempt this avenue which will be a combination of Hydrogen Peroxide with non-chlorine shock. My initial challenge will be to find the H202 and the test strips. I found the test strips at indigo.com so now on to the main ingredient. The good thing about trying it this way is that I can switch to Bromine quite easily if it doesn't work since H202 can coexist with Bromine.
  12. Hi, I am defnitely a newbie and seriously confused and conflicted. I have a fairly new Beachcomber hot tub. The tub is not my issue (so far), it is the chemical balancing act requirred to enjoy this fairly expensive hobby. Initially, I was given an expensive set of Chlorine based products, with other chemicals to control water balancing, so I could enjoy my hot tub which for me is also almost a necessity having major arthritis issues. I am, in fact, not enjoying my hot tub due to the reaction I am getting from the chemicals in my tub. In my efforts to properly balance my hot tub water, I purchased a Taylor testing kit that measures everything In my water. Initially my problems were due to high Combine Chlorine issues but I persisted and reduced those levels to an acceptable level. However, my skin irritation issues still persisted. I have had this tub for 8 months, I have emptied and refilled it at least 4 times. I talked to a water specialist on the phone today and he told my issue was not CC but was in fact CYA. He indicated that Chlorine products, by make up, introduce CYA into the water amd they never go away. They are probably the cause of my severe skin itchiness and redness. He suggested I switch to Bromine. I read up on Bromine and I see that it may also cause similar issues. However, I see some people recommend 35% Hydrogen Peroxide. Is this s good solution to my concerns? If yes, does anyone use this instead of Chlorine or Bromine and if yes, where can I buy it and how do I use it. I live on Vancouver Island.
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