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How often do you change your water?


Susanj

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How often do you change your hot tub water? This is kind of a question like oil change in a car . If it doesn't get much use, do you still change it say after four or five months? Even if TDS is good. Or do you only need to change it when you're having trouble balancing the chemicals?

And on a related note , at what TDS reading would you make sure to change it ?  

 

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There is no reliable home test for total dissolved solids (TDS). In the lab, you would accurately measure a sample of water, evaporate all the water, and weigh the residue with an accurate lab scale. So where your water is at with TDS is really a guess anyway.

That being said, the rule of thumb usually given is when the TDS reaches 1500 ppm greater than the TDS ppm of a fresh fill.

Some advocate frequent water changes. Others not. On the trouble free pools forum I have read experienced pool and spa owners who keep their water properly balanced and sanitized at all times say they may change water perhaps once a year.

On the other hand, there was an article posted here by someone who advocates frequent changing of water which you might find interesting if you can find it.

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Test strips do not actually measure total dissolved solids. They only measure one or a few of the dissolved solids in the water, probably mainly calcium carbonate or sodium chloride. I'm not really sure which or how many. I suppose they could be used as a general guide. TDS meters measure the conductivity of the water. The problem with that is that different dissolved solids have different current carrying capacity.

The generally quoted guideline of 1500 ppm above initial ppm is probably meaningless. In a pool with a salt water chlorine generator, it is common to have 3200 - 3500 ppm of dissolved salt. That level of salt is not a problem. In fact, many people say the water feels better. So it appears to depend on which solids are dissolved in the water as to the problems caused.

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