Leaving tub alone for 1st time.

[agh1890]

I am currently own an Artesian hot tub that went live in early January.  I am still working to figure out all the things I need to know but so far have had no real issues.  I have an ozonator, a circulation pump,  and and using natures2 and dicholor as my sanitation regiment.  Once a week I use MPS shock instead of Dichlor.  This seeme to work out and is what my deal told me to do.  Occasionally the water gets a little cloudy but I think this is because my chlorine levels crash to zero so I have been trying to keep it up a little higher.

Anyway we are going away for 4 days and I was wondering if there is anything I should do to the tub before i leave.  I was planning on turning the temp down to like 98.  Should I add a bunch of chlorine so they levels will stay up and my water will stay clear? 

This will be the 1st time we have even been apart for more than a day so any advice would be appreciated.   

[TwinCitiesHotSpring]

with silver ion and an ozonator 4 days is nothing...make sure you have a good chlorine level before you leave and it will be fine

[Chas]

Be aware: your tub WILL miss you.

[Flyonthewall]

and yes, turning it down is a good idea.  if you left it at 102 you can be assured that the heater would have run for at least a couple hours over the 4 days to maintain that number.  to raise it from 98 to 102 upon your return will not take a couple hours.  as an added benefit the cooler water will demand less chlorine.

[ndabunka]

This is like a guy who got a pet dog and has spent EVERY minute with it since the day it came home and is worried what will happen if he leaves the dog alone for 8 hours when he has to go back to work.  Don't worry about it!  I've gone 2 weeks without even bothering to check the tub.  Once it is in balance, it's pretty "idiot proof".  In my case, the chlorine will last about a week.  The water will be neutral for the next week.  no problems.

PS - I've only used MPS about 5 times in the many years I've owned it.  It's just not needed.

[Waterbug]

  If you ever anticipate being gone for a longer period of time, buy a chlorine float.  Get it ahead of time to allow yourself time to mess with  it and get it dialed in.  With a float, you can leave it for a month.

[d00nut]

  If you ever anticipate being gone for a longer period of time, buy a chlorine float.  Get it ahead of time to allow yourself time to mess with  it and get it dialed in.  With a float, you can leave it for a month.

Chlorine tablets will lower the pH dramatically.  A floater is best used only if it's bromine in my opinion

[Dr. Spa™ Ret.]

Chlorine tablets are tri-chlor....which as spa temperatures dissolve so quickly they're near impossible to control.

[Bonibelle]

I left my tub for 18 days and came home to  crystal clear water. I use the Bromine frog and I also lowered my temperature. Oh and I didn't miss my tub at all..   I was in Tuscany lol!

[wmccall]

I left my tub for 18 days and came home to  crystal clear water. I use the Bromine frog and I also lowered my temperature. Oh and I didn't miss my tub at all..   I was in Tuscany lol!

That's a good sign your neighbors aren't using your tub while your gone.

[Chas]

Floaters = evil.

If you use them, do so ONLY for short periods of time, such as a vacation or such.

Tri-chlor tabs eat spa covers, headrest pillows, and pump shaft seals.

"Bromine" tabs contain Chlorine (up to 45%) so they are NOT good for covered spas. Pure Bromine, such as "Brilliance" is chlorine-free, and works well. You do have to shock it once per week to make up for the lack of chlorine built in.

HTH