denvertub Posted August 24, 2015 Report Share Posted August 24, 2015 I just discovered small flakes about the size of fish food circulating around in my tub after running the jets. I use nitro's bleach method and have done so successfully for many years now. The flakes are an off white color and I'm trying to figure out how to resolve the issue. There's no film whatsoever on the surface of the acrylic inside the tube and I assume the flakes built up on the internal plumbing and separated out into the water when I ran the tub. I just changed the water but the flakes are still present as the jets probably dislodged more after running the jets again. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted August 25, 2015 Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Collect some of these flakes and add some acid to them. If they fizz then they are likely to be calcium carbonate in which case check your pH, TA, CYA, CH, Borates, and temperature and use PoolMath to calculate the CSI. Usually with the Dichlor-then-bleach method it's negative and you wouldn't have calcium carbonate scaling or precipitation. Note that Nitro's write-up says to have the TA at 80 ppm but it should really be at 50 ppm and the use of 50 ppm Borates should not be optional. Running the jets would have the pH go up so measure the pH after such jets are run and when you see such flakes appear. If you haven't used Ahh-Some in a while, then you should use that just before your next water change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denvertub Posted August 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2015 Thanks chem geek. I'll measure csi tomorrow but in the mean time I have one follow up. If I determine the flakes to be calcium carbonate it would seem to me that it would be harmless for continued use of the tub. It appears to be substantially improved since changing the water. Do you think I should still flush and fill again or is it ok to let it go until the next water change (at which time I will take your advice and also use the Ahh-some product). Thanks again for the reply. Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 If the flakes are calcium carbonate then the risk is that you develop calcium carbonate scale on spa surfaces especially in the spa heater heat exchanger where it could damage the heater. If you keep your pH and TA lower, there should be less such flaking, if it's really calcium carbonate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denvertub Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 So I couldn't test the flakes because once I balanced the new water at 7.4 ph, 130 ca, and 50 TA the flakes completely disappeared. Looks like we should be good to go! Water is crystal!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denvertub Posted August 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 So I couldn't test the flakes because once I balanced the new water at 7.4 ph, 130 ca, 50 ta, and borates the flakes completely disappeared. Looks like we should be good to go! Water is crystal!!!!!!!!! Thanks again for the feedback chem geek!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted August 29, 2015 Report Share Posted August 29, 2015 Thanks for reporting back and glad the flakes are gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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