Bummed Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 2 week old tub, have the salt Levels at the correct range have my output set at the max (10) round the clock. still, chlorine levels drop to 0 after every 2 days. I’ve been using granular chlorine to bring levels back to 5 ppm, but the salt system doesn’t seem to be ramped up yet. ph is 7.2, alk 80, hardness 75 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castletonia Posted June 18, 2020 Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 Your calcium hardness is borderline high. You need to limit the use of granular chlorine. It contains CYA (cyanuric acid) which over time as it builds up could cause a chlorine lock. If you need to supplement with chlorine more than occasionally use regular bleach or liquid pool shock. most important question, have you had your phosphates tested? High phosphates are the issue probably 75% of the time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bummed Posted June 18, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2020 How do you have phosphate tested? Can’t find a test strip that includes it and what do I do if they are high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Could be biofilm in the pipes. You should purge with Ahh-Some spa purge. New tubs are notorious for gunk growing in the pipes because they wet-test them at the factory before storing and shipping with water still in the pipes. A biofilm will eat up chlorine as fast as you can make it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 On a two week old tub it shouldn't be phosphates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 20 minutes ago, Bummed said: 2 week old tub, have the salt Levels at the correct range What is your salt level? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bummed Posted June 19, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Salt was somewhere between 1750 ppm and the more concentrated box (want to say 1250?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castletonia Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Tap water can have phosphates. My store which is on city water has approximately 1,000 pbb phosphates. Lamotte makes phosphate test strips otherwise your dealer should be able to test phosphates. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 @castletonia what is the recommended salt level for those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castletonia Posted June 19, 2020 Report Share Posted June 19, 2020 Salt level should be between 1,500 - 2,000 ppm with 1,750 ppm being ideal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bummed Posted June 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 I tested my cyanuric acid and the levels are high, around 150 ppm any chance I could have a chlorine lock? Chlorine is still going undetectable after 1-2 days of adding the granules Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1984qp Posted June 20, 2020 Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Don't know about lock but I've aimed for 30-40ppm in mine. I've read around the forums and believe above those numbers causes issues so would say yes from my little knowledge. P.s. I have training wheels on still so don't take my word for it. @RDspaguy has helped me loads in my quest for balance and clean water 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 20, 2020 Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 At 150ppm, your chlorine is useless. Time to drain. Use dichlor until your chlorine reaches 30ppm then switch to liquid. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bummed Posted June 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Thanks. I’ve heard that regular old bleach is actually better than liquid chlorine meant for pools. Is this true? Or there a specific type of liquid chlorine I should be looking for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 20, 2020 Report Share Posted June 20, 2020 Not better, but perhaps cheaper. Both are sodium hypochlorite, just in different concentrations. Be careful not to buy bleach with other active ingredients, scents, detergents, etc. In most cases, liquid chlorine is 10-15%, bleach is 5-6%. It is on the label by law. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
castletonia Posted June 21, 2020 Report Share Posted June 21, 2020 CYA at 150 is really high, especially for a 2-3 week old hot tub. That is why I discourage dichlor use with my customers. I give my customers a gallon of liquid pool shock and recommend using 4oz on start up. Re-test after 24 hours and if there is less than 3-5ppm chlorine repeat the process. Do this daily until you have 3-5ppm chlorine. There is always a higher chlorine demand with a fresh fill and more so with a new hot tub. I would have your dealer also test for phosphates and remove if present in high amounts. When your water isn't ideal (high phosphates, high hardness, high CYA) you are pretty much destined for failure. Pool shock can be either 10% or 12.5% chlorine. Bleach will be 4-6%. They are the same chemical, just different strengths. If you use bleach avoid any that are scented or splash-less, basically, use regular bleach only. Also, keep in mind liquid chlorine can degrade and weaken over time. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadianSpaTech Posted June 26, 2020 Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 3 hours ago, TerrenceJill said: Hello! What a usual topic. I am a spa owner, and in the past, there were some problems with the new freshwater salt system in hot springs, so I understand you. https://byrossi.com/fix-a-leak-for-hot-tubs/ has changed my life forever. They have the most modern freshwater salt systems in that area. And 2 easy-to-replace filter cartridges for clean, refreshing spa water. It is the best choice for your business. Fix a leak changed your life forever? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RDspaguy Posted June 26, 2020 Report Share Posted June 26, 2020 It's certainly changed MY life! Hours upon hours of extra prep time to make repairs, burned out heaters, trashed circulation pumps. I love the stuff! It puts money in my pocket. 😁 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeseter Posted September 18, 2023 Report Share Posted September 18, 2023 Our freshwater system is giving us an error that says "inactive, no circulation" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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