newbiecanuck

@RDspaguyThanks for the reply. To 'run the pump', does that mean I turn the jets on while draining? How do I plug off the filter port?

We recently moved into a house with a hot tub in the basement. We would like to drain it, but aren't sure how? Please see the attached pic for the set up. The hose on the right comes from the bottom of the filter, passes by the white handle in the middle, then goes up to a tap. There is a black hose from the tap that goes to a floor drain. I turned the tap on and can hear water flowing very slowly, but not sure how it's going to fully drain with the tap up so high. I'm assuming it pumps somehow, but not sure what to do. Thoughts? Thanks!

Thanks so much @ratchett Very helpful!

We moved into a house recently that has a hot tub in the basement. This is our first time owning a hot tub and I had no idea what to do. The previous owner left some chemicals behind, so after a little research I bought some test strips (after a lot of research I realize this is a no no) and attempted to balance the water. We used the tub for about 6 weeks, water is clear, doesn't smell, filter has been rinsed and is very clean since it's indoors. The tub has a bromine floater and I've been shocking 1-2x/wk. All was well, although it was very difficult to tell with the test strips if the pH was correct (so maybe it was off?)...until last week when I got a nasty rash that just keeps spreading even though I haven't been in the hot tub since. I did notice not too long ago that there was some yucky stuff building up on the seam of inside of the cover so I just wiped it away with a Lysol wipe (bad idea?). So...I've read Nitro's decontamination method, figure that's the best place to start from here. Questions: 1. Do you leave the cover on or off while going through all the steps? 2. How often am I supposed to clean the inside of the cover? Can I just use regular cleaning products, or what do you recommend? How often should this be done? 3. I've read some posts that say 'brush the spa'? Is there a specific brush you need, or anything soft-ish will do? 4. I have a water softener. Some things I've read say to use the hard(er) water, pre-softener, to refill, others say a mix of softened and not. Thoughts? 5. Draining...because it's indoors, there is a hose connected underneath that goes into a drain. I have to assume this is going to my septic system. From what I've read, people who have this issue suggest cooling the water and draining it bit by bit over a week so it doesn't flood the septic. I assume this will begin a bacteria breeding process again and ruin my decontamination. Ideas? 6. Testing -- I have read here that the Taylor kits are the way to go. I can't find a 2006 bromine kit in Canada. Someone suggested a 2005 and doing some calculations. I found it on amazon for $158 which seems pretty steep given it isn't even what I need. Any other kits available in Canada that will do the job? I also have a saltwater pool and will need a kit for that, so if there is something that could do both that would be amazing! Sorry, a lot of questions. But I have read A LOT and still feel so lost. And I really don't want anyone else in my family to experience this nasty rash that I am dealing with. Thank you in advance!!