Ecosmarte System

[apradman]

Guys, I just purchased a new hot tub and was told the ECOSMARTE system was the best. Does anyone have any info/feedback on this product with this application? How do you maintain the system and the water? I looked on their web site and asked them for info that I have not received yet, also looked at spare parts, what and how often are these plates replaced

Any feedback is very welcome info Thanks

[Nitro]

Let me save you from your future water troubles, don't believe it.

If you want to go the "LOW" Chlorine route, I'd go with Nature2, which uses Silver, as opposed to Copper. However, all of these so called "No Chlorine" systems still need Chlorine to be safe.

If you try one of these systems, expect to pay more money. Also, and this is very important, if there will be more then a couple people using the tub, these systems are not safe by themselves.

Bottom line: you're better off just using Chlorine or Bromine from the start, because you'll save yourself a lot of time, money and aggravation.

HERE is a post that describes a Chlorine method that I believe is the easiest, cheapest and safest. Some may argue Bromine is easier, but you can't switch from Bromine to Chlorine without changing your water. However, you can go from Chlorine to Bromine. IMO, you're better off starting with Chlorine, because if you don't like it, you can easily switch.

[Hillbilly Hot Tub]

Bleach is not for everyone...lets face it Nito, there are other good systems out there. You are so negative toward any thing but bleach.

Eco One has worked very well for several people for several years. Waters Edge used to offer them with there spas and the customers have been very happy. There has been one customer we know of that needs to replace her rods, the spa is 5 years old. The company is hard to get ahold of at times. Do not give up if it is a product you are interested in. Nature 2 is the same idea, but not the same minerals.

Here is the web site. As I said, we have talked to many happy customers. Some have had to use an all natural clarifer such as sea klear with it. It depends on what you want and works for you.

http://www.ecosmarteusa.com/how.html

[Nitro]

Bleach is not for everyone...lets face it Nito, there are other good systems out there.

Let's face it HHT, Hot Tubs are not for everyone.

You are so negative toward any thing but bleach.

I never said Bleach is for everyone. Did I? I only recommend it to people that are having trouble with other systems, and beginners. It's the easiest system to learn, and once you learn it, you can easily convert to other systems if wanted. The reason why I recommend it so much, is not because I think everyone should use it, it's because everyone should learn it.

Eco One has worked very well for several people for several years. Waters Edge used to offer them with there spas and the customers have been very happy. There has been one customer we know of that needs to replace her rods, the spa is 5 years old. The company is hard to get ahold of at times. Do not give up if it is a product you are interested in. Nature 2 is the same idea, but not the same minerals.

EcoSmarte, the so called "No-Chlorine" system, is misleading the public into thinking Chlorine is not used or needed, when in fact it is. Just look at their Website. It's a scam! I'm just pointing out the facts.

"LOW" Chlorine systems are fine if you have low bather loads, AND/OR know to use more Chlorine when needed. But, they are risky for everyone else. Or haven't you been reading this forum. Also, what you fail to mention, is that Bleach CAN be used with these mineral systems. As a matter of fact, I recommend using a mineral (Silver) system as a backup. But don't kid the public into thinking Mineral systems are safe to use without Chlorine. That's just plain false. Chlorine (Dichlor/Bleach) is by far the cheapest, easiest and safest method to use. I bet if you weren't sensitive to Chlorine, you'd be using it too.

Regarding Silver or Copper, I believe Silver is the better route. Copper can color your water, and stain your tub. Anyone considering Copper, should reconsider and use Silver. Unless you can tell us why Copper would be the better route.

[Mona_canada]

Guys, I just purchased a new hot tub and was told the ECOSMARTE system was the best. Does anyone have any info/feedback on this product with this application? How do you maintain the system and the water? I looked on their web site and asked them for info that I have not received yet, also looked at spare parts, what and how often are these plates replaced

Any feedback is very welcome info Thanks

I use EcoOne (just the once a month product) along with Synergy system (for spas) for my Sanitizer, after balancing my Alkalinity and pH. It helps keep the pH in check, the water smells fresh, I maintain a low chlorine reading, and don't get any "itchies".

My skin is sensitive to unbalanced water from doing a zillion water tests at our store, so I always need my water in check.

Hope that helps

[Hillbilly Hot Tub]

EcoSmart and Eco one are not the same things.

Nitro, I am not sensitive to bleach, I work in it everyday, I use it to clean my house ect. I will not use household bleach in my tub because I have issues with the PH rising. With the newer tubs with 24 hour ozone, circ pumps and many jets (I have 197) the PH rise is a pain to manage for me. I do not have time to test my water every day which you need to do with chlorine. Dichlor has the advantage of not effecting my PH, but the CYA raising is an issue and I warn customers of that.

My comment was not ment mean, Just everytime someone has a simple question, you give the bleach speech. It is not the best system for a new owner with no chemical knowledge. I have way to many customers that say "I say you can use bleach online, so I did" and we are repairing major damage that has been done to the tub because they did not follow steps and maintain, just dumped bleach in the tub.

As a side note, in the winter I use Nature 2 because it is less drying to my skin, although more costly. I use the low chlorine recipe with dichlor and about 3 1/2 months in my CYA is getting high, Have to dump at 4 months anyway. In the summer I use Brillance pure bromine (no chlorine in it so no smell) this is very easy to maintain and very cost effective, even less than dichlor or what it would cost me personally to use bleach since we use the tub nightly.

[chem geek]

Also, see my post here and here. There are ways of managing the pH issues, but just blindly using the Dichlor-then-bleach method, especially if using bleach for shocking to a high level, can lead to problems, most notably scaling, unless one uses mitigation techniques as described below.

I would say that if anyone wants to use the Dichlor-then-bleach method, they should seriously consider adding 50 ppm Borates (from ProTeam Gentle Spa, for example) as well as have a low TA target (down to 50 ppm, if necessary). It makes the pH much more stable, not only over days from aeration, but even with the daily swings from chlorine bleach addition and consumption.

As you point out with Dichlor, you need to watch the CYA level and possibly do more frequent drain/refill or use MPS to supplement oxidation of bather waste.

Richard

[Nitro]

HHT,

I thought I read somewhere you mentioned being sensitive to Chlorine/Bromine. My mistake.

I don't want to get into another bleach debate, but I have to correct the record. The only time I recommend Dichlor/Bleach is when someone is having problems with their current system, or to a beginner. Also, I never tell anyone to blindly use bleach, without knowing their situation. I direct them to my detailed thread on how to do it correctly.

Also, I have to disagree with you about not being the best system for a beginner. The Dichlor/Bleach system should be taught to EVERY new tub owner. Anyone that learns to use the Dichlor/Bleach method has a far less chance of having water problems. If they don't like having to add bleach every few days, they can easily switch to Nature2 or Bromine. But they will be better off knowing the bleach method.

A friend of mine has been using Bleach for 4 months, with NO BORATES, and I haven't got a call from him about his tub (meaning he hasn't had any problems). That's saying a lot because this guy is not very bright. He was calling me every week when he was trying to use Bromine and then Clear Blue (copper based). Finally they stopped using the tub when his wife got a rash. After decontaminating, and teaching him the Dichlor/Bleach method, my phone is quiet.

pH rise is a non-issue if borates are added to the tub. I've added a TOTAL of 1 oz Dry Acid in the last 3 months (since my last water change). I added it a week ago, when my pH finally creeped up to 8.0. My TA was a little on the high side (~65ppm) though. I should have had it lower from the start. I don't test my water everyday either. I add bleach every 3-4 days.

The bottom line is, you seem to be overestimating the difficulty of the Dichlor/Bleach method, or underestimating the intelligence of the average tub owner. If someone doesn't have the capability to learn the Dichlor/Bleach method, they don't have the capability to maintain a hot tub. This method may not be right for everyone, but we should present it as an option.

[Hillbilly Hot Tub]

This all started when a poor guy asked about Eco Smart, not even about chlorine....

I don't under estimated my customers intelligence, If they want bleach, then we will show them how to do it correctly, unless it is a new tub under warranty, which I can not suggest it because my tub manufacturer would void the warranty, I won't take that chance.

It works great for some, but not everyone is looking for chlorine systems.

[Nitro]

This all started when a poor guy asked about Eco Smart, not even about chlorine....

His dealer said EcoSmart is the best, which is far from the truth. That tells me he wasn't given all the options, which is a shame. I don't want him (like many) to be mislead into thinking you can maintain water without a santizer such as Chlorine/Bromine. EcoSmart seems to try to convince people otherwise. Nature2, OTOH, is more truthful in their advertising, which is one reason I recommended it instead. That and the fact that copper can cause problems.

I don't under estimated my customers intelligence, If they want bleach, then we will show them how to do it correctly,

Feel free to print out and my post describing the Bleach method to your customers.

unless it is a new tub under warranty, which I can not suggest it because my tub manufacturer would void the warranty, I won't take that chance.

That I can understand.

It works great for some, but not everyone is looking for chlorine systems.

True, but everyone should at least be given the option.