Draining Our Tub For The First Time On Saturday...

[roromissd]

So, we hoped our water would last 4 months, but it's gotten sudsy despite being careful and we can't shake the musty smell , yuck. It's not nice to get out and have your skin smell like must or mildew. We went by the tech support's suggestions to use a 1/4 scoop( 2 1/2 tsp.) of clorinating granules to shock and then we just used it after each use as well for a couple of days and then back to MPS. We've kept a close eye on chemistry, but to no avail. Still smells. So, after seeing our waterbill didn't go up from the original fill(despite the idea that we don't really want to waste water), we're going to start over. Also, we've had a build up of film at the water line. So, oh well.

Hey, good news about our power usage! Our bill came today and we can't see any difference in our bill between this year's usage and last year at this time. Now, actually we were using more power last year at this time due to heavy heater usage. It's not a perfect way to tell, but we're happy with the results. The PUD told us the average cost of hot tub usage per month is about $10-20 per month. We feel like we've got a well insulated tub and it's not going to cost more than we expected.

Hey, also,the dealer we bought from gave us $75 in store credit for referring my parents to them and they gave us and extra$25 in credit for filling out a survey. Then they've had a sale on their products and we got more for the money! So, we stocked up!

One thing we got was a couple of scumbugs which just float around in t he tub and absorb lotion and soap and "scum" and then you just rinse it out. A great little product!

So, that's that! We love our tub!

Anne

[Roger]

( 2 1/2 tsp.) of clorinating granules to shock and then we just used it after each use as well for a couple of days and then back to MPS. Anne

2 1/2 tsp is not a shock. In order to achieve the desired results from your shock you must achieve a PPM level of Chlorine of 10. Depending on the sie of your tub it is most likely 5-7 times your daily dose. But 3-4 months between water hanges is fine. There is nothing like fresh water.

[Nitro]

2.5 tsp will only bring a 350 gal tub to ~5 ppm FC. Not enough to shock. You would need 2 Tbs to be effective. Also, assuming you've only been using Dichlor to sanitize your tub, you probably have a build up of CYA in your tub, that is seriously impeding your sanitizer. Hence the reason for the smell.

A new tub should be refilled after the first month. Then you should get 3-4 months from your water, depending on bather load. However, you should never smell a musty odor. That's a sign of poor sanitation. You may want to consider the Dichlor/Bleach method in order to keep your CYA in check.

[roromissd]

2.5 tsp will only bring a 350 gal tub to ~5 ppm FC. Not enough to shock. You would need 2 Tbs to be effective. Also, assuming you've only been using Dichlor to sanitize your tub, you probably have a build up of CYA in your tub, that is seriously impeding your sanitizer. Hence the reason for the smell.

A new tub should be refilled after the first month. Then you should get 3-4 months from your water, depending on bather load. However, you should never smell a musty odor. That's a sign of poor sanitation. You may want to consider the Dichlor/Bleach method in order to keep your CYA in check.

I'm sorry, the scoop we use is 5 tsp. and they told us to use a 1/2 scoop of MPS after each use and a 1/4 scoop a dichlor once a week. So, that would actually be 1 1/4 tsp, wouldn't it? Anyway, regardless, it's not working very well, is it?

So, they told us to use 1/2 scoop of dichlor to get rid of the smell and clean the filter, which I did. And then told us we could use 1/4 scoop of dichlor as needed instead of MPS. We've been doing that instead.

We were told one container of chlorinating granules would last us about a year, well, we're more than halfway through it already. I hope when we refill and start over that we don't get into this again. And I think we'll be chlorinating more frequently that suggested. But now that I know what you guys have told me, I'll be doing things differently.

Oh, hey, can ph being off be part of the reason for the smell? I forgot to test one week as I usually did weekly, and so went about a week and a half between testing. The alk and ph was off. I got it all balanced out and that was right after the smell started.

Well, anyway thanks for the info. We'll be draining and starting over and hopefully we can do better the second time around.

Anne

[Roger]

2.5 tsp will only bring a 350 gal tub to ~5 ppm FC. Not enough to shock. You would need 2 Tbs to be effective. Also, assuming you've only been using Dichlor to sanitize your tub, you probably have a build up of CYA in your tub, that is seriously impeding your sanitizer. Hence the reason for the smell.

A new tub should be refilled after the first month. Then you should get 3-4 months from your water, depending on bather load. However, you should never smell a musty odor. That's a sign of poor sanitation. You may want to consider the Dichlor/Bleach method in order to keep your CYA in check.

I'm sorry, the scoop we use is 5 tsp. and they told us to use a 1/2 scoop of MPS after each use and a 1/4 scoop a dichlor once a week. So, that would actually be 1 1/4 tsp, wouldn't it? Anyway, regardless, it's not working very well, is it?

So, they told us to use 1/2 scoop of dichlor to get rid of the smell and clean the filter, which I did. And then told us we could use 1/4 scoop of dichlor as needed instead of MPS. We've been doing that instead.

We were told one container of chlorinating granules would last us about a year, well, we're more than halfway through it already. I hope when we refill and start over that we don't get into this again. And I think we'll be chlorinating more frequently that suggested. But now that I know what you guys have told me, I'll be doing things differently.

Oh, hey, can ph being off be part of the reason for the smell? I forgot to test one week as I usually did weekly, and so went about a week and a half between testing. The alk and ph was off. I got it all balanced out and that was right after the smell started.

Well, anyway thanks for the info. We'll be draining and starting over and hopefully we can do better the second time around.

Anne

Heres something for you to try Anne. When you first fill your tub throw 3 TBLS (Tablespoons) of dichlor in and let it heat. When you feel like it, take a soak. When you are done soaking put 1/2 tsp (teaspoon) per person in and test your chlorine 1/2 hour later to see where that gets you. You may need more or less depending on your results but you need 3-5 PPM after your soak. Now you can balance your water with up or down whatever it takes but if you make any adjustments wait a day inbetween making another adjustment. If you soak don't forget to sanitize with dichlor to achieve that 3-5 PPM level. Every 3rd or 4th soak use MPS at about 2 ozs. after your soak and make sure to stir the water up good for 10 minutes, do the same when you add dichlor, stir the water good after you add it.

Now, when you have about 10-12..... 2 person soaks under your belt, bring your PPM of chlorine up to 10 PPM or better with about 6 times what your daily addition turns out to be. I used to actualy use both dichlor and MPS to shock at about 3 times the daily amount or 2 TBLS and 1 oz of MPS. Stir the water good and let it rest for a day. Then back to your additions after your soak. Drain every 3-4 months and your water will be clean and clear when you drain.

Of course if you add people or have a party you may have to prematurely shock or add extra dichlor.

I'm not saying this is the only way to do it but any of my customers who ask me I steer them this way and it always works.

Treat sanitation as a completely different deal as water balance and the 2 will come together. You will learn that what you add to sanitize effects your water balance and you will learn how it effects your water balance. After a while you will know, because of your sanitation routine that your PH is low or high after a certain time frame and needs to be raised or lowered depending on your water.

Most likely raised as dichlor contributes to lowering your PH and MPS has the same effect.

[Flyonthewall]

sounds like your salesperson got caught up in the little to no chlorine pitch. follow what roger says and you'll do fine. make sure to clean your filter once a month as well. if you want to try less chlorine you might try a silver cartridge that aids the chlorine in keeping the water fresh.

[Sailing_Faith]

Anne,

Glad you are still enjoying your tub, I know we are (we got ours about 5 -6 weeks before you). I have not had to change the water yet, and I am not really sure why. I have not even checked the PH lately, just been dumping in half a cup of diclor once a week and 1 lid full of non-chlorine 'sanitizer' each night after I get out.

I will pay attention and if my water starts to smell musty I will dump it... was wondering how I would know it was time...

Thanks, and again ... Glad to hear you are enjoying yours too! (I have soaked nearly every night since the fist week in August.)

[roromissd]

Heres something for you to try Anne. When you first fill your tub throw 3 TBLS (Tablespoons) of dichlor in and let it heat. When you feel like it, take a soak. When you are done soaking put 1/2 tsp (teaspoon) per person in and test your chlorine 1/2 hour later to see where that gets you. You may need more or less depending on your results but you need 3-5 PPM after your soak. Now you can balance your water with up or down whatever it takes but if you make any adjustments wait a day inbetween making another adjustment. If you soak don't forget to sanitize with dichlor to achieve that 3-5 PPM level. Every 3rd or 4th soak use MPS at about 2 ozs. after your soak and make sure to stir the water up good for 10 minutes, do the same when you add dichlor, stir the water good after you add it.

Now, when you have about 10-12..... 2 person soaks under your belt, bring your PPM of chlorine up to 10 PPM or better with about 6 times what your daily addition turns out to be. I used to actualy use both dichlor and MPS to shock at about 3 times the daily amount or 2 TBLS and 1 oz of MPS. Stir the water good and let it rest for a day. Then back to your additions after your soak. Drain every 3-4 months and your water will be clean and clear when you drain.

Of course if you add people or have a party you may have to prematurely shock or add extra dichlor.

I'm not saying this is the only way to do it but any of my customers who ask me I steer them this way and it always works.

Treat sanitation as a completely different deal as water balance and the 2 will come together. You will learn that what you add to sanitize effects your water balance and you will learn how it effects your water balance. After a while you will know, because of your sanitation routine that your PH is low or high after a certain time frame and needs to be raised or lowered depending on your water.

Most likely raised as dichlor contributes to lowering your PH and MPS has the same effect.

Thank you! I think we'll try this way. And it still sounds like if the 1/2 tsp per person per use per soak turns out to be the magic number, we will still be using very little chlorine. A larger amount here or there for a "shock" isn't bad. I'll print out your instructions and tape them above our chemical box. You know, even when we use chlorine, we don't have the heavy smell from it, not what I expected. I read the back of the chlorine container this evening after our soak and went with the superchlorination route which was 2tsp per 100 gallons of water=6 tsps. We're just trying to get by until Saturday when we dump. And then we'll follow the start up directions and the chemical recipe they outline to startup.

Then we will do what you said and test to see how much chlorine is right. I so appreciate all your info, Roger, Nitro, and Flyonthewall! It's such a help. We just want our tub to last long and be healthy and because of our daily use, the low chlorine use just isn't working. I'm sure it works for some.

Sailing Faith, sounds like you love the hottub lifestyle too! My parents bought a Jetsetter and love theirs'. They have triple the filtration as we do and I think it helps a lot. That's one thing that may not be as good in the Limelight, but the filter definitely picks up a lot of stuff and we clean it every other week. Hey, Gurus, what do you have to say about having a spare filter so you can clean one and set it aside and use the other and then alternate each cleaning? Is this important?

Well, we still feel our tub is low maintenance and there's nothing like the feeling of getting out all relaxed and sleeping well!! Totally worth it!!!

Anne

[Roger]

Hey, Gurus, what do you have to say about having a spare filter so you can clean one and set it aside and use the other and then alternate each cleaning? Is this important?

Well, we still feel our tub is low maintenance and there's nothing like the feeling of getting out all relaxed and sleeping well!! Totally worth it!!!

Anne

I forgot all about filter cleaning. I am glad it was mentioned. Every other week a good rinse with the hose and a good soak with filter cleaner and rinse at a water change. Yes 2 filters is a good idea. Put the new one in at your water change and soak your old one in filter cleaner and rinse and store. If you want you can even change more often.