OK someone school me on Cleanwater blue

[Spatini]

As a new comer and a very research driven type of guy I'm trying to figure out all the chems needed, and have come across Clearwater Blue which is a lot like Rainforest Blue that Dr. Spa sells at RHtubs, any way a link to clearwater blue is
    http://www.spadepot.com/shop/Cleanwater-Blue-Pro-Supplies-Kit-P438C67.aspx
 now if this stuff works  why not use it ? or Nature 2 , seems like technology has to come up with new and easier ways to keep water clean and safe , I did note that you still shock with mps or dichlor in Rainforest and Clearwater and use those ocassionaly , which would seem to sanitze and not have to smell so bad and be so corrosive to covers and the like .I'm sure the thoughts and comments of those more in the know will help us that are only starting to learn.

[Vanguard]

That appears to be a private label.  I've not heard of the brand before.  A lot of places get their chems private labeled.  If that is the case, really no telling who they buy it from.  Copper in spas is not common.  It is a pretty good algaecide on the pool side.  Just don't see a lot of it with spas.  It is probably just fine.

[windsurfdog]

KISS...not with the lips but with simplicity!  Dichlor/bromine are tried and true...I would venture to say 99% of the users on this board are either dichlor or bromine users, some with N2 supplementing, some not...some shocking primarily with MPS, some with dichlor...and each would feel their routine is not difficult at all.  Except if there were an allergic reaction to dichlor or bromine, I feel that looking beyond them at other sanitizing methods is futile.  Stick with the tried and true and enjoy your nice, clean tub! 8-)

[Micah]

Copper has been used in pools and spa for some time.  I saw a copper ionization system used over 10 years ago with great success.  Copper can be added to the water by a machine or by a liquid.  Clearwater Blue is just a liquid version of nature 2.   Adding 0.5 ppm of copper to the water is the same as adding 50 nature 2 cartridges to your spa.  It will work very well and you will find it cheaper than replacing nature 2 cartridges every 4 months.  Be sure not to over dose your copper.  O.D. copper leads to stains on the spa, jets, and even green hair.  (in extreme cases)  

Dont let the "followers" scare you out of trying something new.  In ten years most people will have gotten away from chloring and bromine.  You can either switch then and be a follower, or try something now and be on the cutting edge of technology.

[Spatini]

Dont let the "followers" scare you out of trying something new.  In ten years most people will have gotten away from chloring and bromine.  You can either switch then and be a follower, or try something now and be on the cutting edge of technology.[/quote]
 
not scared to try something new , and for me its all new , I know the tried and true way , I just dont care for the smell of chlorine or bromine if I can safely avoid it I will, Of all the tubs I wet tested all but one was either bromine or chlorine,after which I could smell it until I got home and showered it off  , it also irritated my eyes somewhat, the one tub that I immediatley noticed no smell and the water seemed ( softer or more silky ?? ) was a nature2 tub at a hot springs dealer. So I just wondered If any one had tried the clearwater blue with much the same success, as it seemed to be less expensive than N2 and can be used with chlorine or bromine, N2 is only compatible with chlorine  ,What about  the Rainforest Blue that RHTUBS sells, are rainforest and clearwater the same only labeled differntly as maybe Van suggests ?

[windsurfdog]

Spatini,

The chlorine/bromine smell and eye irritation was more likely due to a tub in need of water maintenance than the use of either.  If chloromines build up to a point of needing a shock, both symptoms will occur.  Also, if a tub is "over medicated" with either, both symptoms will occur.  With a properly maintained tub (and it really is very easy to do), chances are you will notice nothing but clear, clean water.

And please count me as a "follower" with whatever overtones that includes.  If it ain't broke, don't fix it... 8-)

[windsurfdog]

Tiniman,

Also found this and thought you might be interested:

Clearwater Blue Quick Start Guide

Easier to use?  Still have to add MPS after each soak.  Plus, if you introduce too much Clearwater Blue into the tub, you have to partially drain and replace.  With dichlor, just leave the cover open to the sun.

Looks like occasional dichlor use is still suggested with this system.  Could it be that they use dichlor at startup to disinfect the fill water...hmmmm...  Plus starting up the tub looks a LOT more involved than dichlor use.  For me to startup after a fill, 3 tsp. dichlor while it's heating and that's it.  

I seriously doubt that it will be less expensive considering all of the other Clearwater products suggested for use.

Give it a shot and let us know. 8-)

[Spatini]

never said I was determined to use either of the Blues , just trying to garner a little more info ,
 Now I'm am also looking at [glow]Nature 2[/glow] and the [glow]SpaFrog[/glow] options, what are your opions on these?

[Water Boy]

Spatini, there are lots of users on this forum that use the Nature 2 and seem to be very happy with it. Lots of our customers use it as well. You use it for 4 months and put in a new one. You use some MPS shock after each use and put in some Dichlor once per week and it seems to work very good.

[Micah]

Spatini,

The chlorine/bromine smell and eye irritation was more likely due to a tub in need of water maintenance   [glow]If it ain't broke, don't fix it...[/glow] 8-)

"Cancer risk among people using chlorinated water is 93% higher than those whose water does not contain chlorine." - U.S. Council of Environmental Quality

"Studies indicate that suspect chemicals can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin during bathing. Ironically, even the chlorine widely used to disinfect water produces carcinogens." - U.S. News & World Report

Does that sound like it might be "BROKE"?

[Spatech_tuo]

You use some MPS shock after each use and put in some Dichlor once per week and it seems to work very good.

Many of us who suppliment with N2 (myself included) would advice you to put in the dichlor after each use and use the MPS to shock once per week.

[Water Boy]

Many of us who suppliment with N2 (myself included) would advice you to put in the dichlor after each use and use the MPS to shock once per week.

Spatech, just curious as you probably know more about N2 then I do since I have only been using it for about a year. It says in the directions for a Low Chlorine routine to use the MPS after each use and to only use dichlor when needed; ex.cloudy water, foaming, or stinky water. I have been telling people to use it once per week though.

But you said that you do the opposite by using dichlor after each use and the MPS once per week. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of using the N2? I thought the main reason people wanted to use the N2 was for a non chlorine/bromine alternative. Not doubting you, just curious.

[Spatech_tuo]

Spatech, just curious as you probably know more about N2 then I do since I have only been using it for about a year. It says in the directions for a Low Chlorine routine to use the MPS after each use and to only use dichlor when needed; ex.cloudy water, foaming, or stinky water. I have been telling people to use it once per week though.

But you said that you do the opposite by using dichlor after each use and the MPS once per week. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of using the N2? I thought the main reason people wanted to use the N2 was for a non chlorine/bromine alternative. Not doubting you, just curious.

1) I use that approach because the MPS/use approach just falls flat.

2) Chlorine is just too effective to put on the sideline. You can lessen that dichlor per/use amount but you would be wise to not eliminate it.

3) Anyone who falls for the idea that N2 will allow you to go sanitizer free is kidding themselves. the sad thing is when it comes from a dealer who either does it not knowingly (until they find out better) or because it placates a consumer who has that false "chlorine is bad" impression and yearns for some chlorine/bromine free nirvana.

4) While N2 will lesson the amount of dichlor used a little (not nearly enough to pay for itself) its main effect is to make it easier to care for your water. You can go a little longer in between doses without running into cloudy water issues. If that is worth $10/month to someone then it’s a nice SUPPLIMENT to a dichlor routine IMHO. I've dealt with many spa owners frustrated with water care and once you've been through the ringer you typically don't mind that added amount because it does help. Can you go without it and still have good results? Absolutely but it does help.

Dichlor is my best friend for life. Ozone is a very good buddy I wouldn’t be without. N2 is an excellent friend to have around.

[Water Boy]

Thanks for the response Spatech!! I wasn’t saying your way was wrong, I was just curious. Again I am just following what the directions read that come in the box where it says to use MPS after each use and the dichlor as needed. I have never once sold the N2 as a chemical free alternative, as you still have to use MPS and dichlor with it. It is just an alternative to use less chlorine. Even on Doc's website it says right under N2 that is cuts chemical use by 80-90%

I am curious what you feel the Nature 2 does for you since you add chlorine to it daily. Does it really provide an added benefit when adding that much chlorine anyways? You must keep your chlorine pretty high in your spa. It does say in the directions as an alternative to MPS you can substitute dichlor for MPS, so that must be the routine that you follow.

Again, not coming at you, just picking your brain apart, that’s all! I did take offense to your "not knowingly" statement though.

[Lars]

"Cancer risk among people using chlorinated water is 93% higher than those whose water does not contain chlorine." - U.S. Council of Environmental Quality

"Studies indicate that suspect chemicals can be inhaled and absorbed through the skin during bathing. Ironically, even the chlorine widely used to disinfect water produces carcinogens." - U.S. News & World Report

Does that sound like it might be "BROKE"?

Er, no.

Sounds like most people prefer to take their chances with cancer in 40 years rather than dying of typhoid today.