HS ACE Salt system used with OZONE generator???

[dunecritter]

I was curious as I've heard conflicting stories regarding the use of an Ozone generator in conjunction of the Ace Salt system? I do not use the ozone with my Ace system but I keep my level set at 4, (Option of 0-10, 10 producing more sanitizer) I was told I could re install the ozone in my tub alongside the salt and reduce my level to possibly 1 or 2? This would work the salt cell less and increase the life span possibly? but will this actually work and what might the dangers be? I'm not a water chemist in any way so I trust there are some very sharp water specialists that might help shed some light?

[Tman122]

Do you keep your water balanced correctly?

[dunecritter]

Yes, The test strips are generally perfect with the exception of the PH tends to creep up every couple weeks. The test strips I understand are only semi accurate but gives a close range. I know that my water is absolutely awesome after 4 months of normal use (102 degrees and two or three of us in it 4-5 times a week) I havn't added one chemical besides the original salt during the spa fill up and a very minor amount of PH down every few weeks. The Hardness is very low as I used the HS Vanishing act calcium filter after fill up. My Salt PPM is 1250-1500, Total Hardness is 25 range, Ph I keep under 7.8, Alk is usually 100-120, FCI and TBr are always 3-5 range without ever boosting the cell.
With that said...I know my water chemistry is doing well but my question is if I used the Ozone Generator in conjunction could I reduce the level on my cell voltage to extend the life of the cell and if it would cause water chemistry issues if I did this? I appreciate any and all opinions because I don't know and I wont pretend to know.

[Tman122]

I know Ozone generators can reduce the amount of chlorine/bromine needed to keep your tub sanitized during times of non use. But you still must sanitize. During use you will need the same level you have been using to keep your water satisfactory. O3 won't do anything to help sanitize when your bathing. You can go 4-5 even 6 or more months on the same water but. New water is always better, fresher, livelier and cleaner for a while.

[dunecritter]

Thx Tman, This makes perfect sense and in likes if I was to add the Ozone on it and drop my usage level the water would most likely go south by not producing enough sanitizers...My guess. It is sooo dang perfect right now I'm totally amazed...I've always hated adding chemicals and then having the underside of the cover and plastics tend to bleach out in color after a few years. But mostly the hassle. I have a large home with lots of things to maintain and seriously love how easy my water care has become with the salt...I sure hope it continues to amaze me. I have my fingers crossed!

[Tman122]

Keep in mind that a salt water generator is still producing chlorine or bromine and will likely not slow down the degradation of your cover and pillows. Just because your not adding it doesn't mean it's not there. It's being produced and introduced by the Ace system.

[chem geek]

And if you've never added/accumulated any Cyanuric Acid (CYA) in the water, say by using Dichlor, then the chlorine produced by the ACE system will not be moderated in its strength so will outgas faster and degrade the cover faster.  It's basically the same as if you started out adding bleach without adding any Dichlor (or other source of CYA).  You might consider getting your CYA level up to around 30 ppm or so by initially using Dichlor after a fresh refill (you can have ACE set lower or off during this manual dosing stage -- or you can add pure CYA though it takes a while to dissolve).  About once a month, you'd add about 5-6 ppm FC of Dichlor to replenish the roughly 5 ppm CYA that likely breaks down in that time.

[dunecritter]

Hmmm, Your answer Chem Geek is obviously an educated suggestion/answer and I honestly wish I knew enough about water chemistry to fully understand it! LOL. I need to study this some more and get a grasp on it....or just continue with what I'm doing because in my 24 years of hot tub ownership I've never been in a tub this clean and clear with 4 month old water still.. Thanks for everyones input and I guess I'm still after the answer to my question of running an Ozone generator with the ACE Salt system. Pro's and Con's???

[chem geek]

There is really no need for an ozonator in the ACE system because the ACE system not only generates chlorine but has boron-doped diamond electrodes that produce hydroxyl radicals.  The main way that ozone oxidizes bather waste is by breaking down into hydroxyl radicals and ozone itself is the disinfectant.  Since ACE produces chlorine for disinfection and hydroxyl radicals for oxidizing more bather waste, ozone is really superfluous.

As for not using CYA in the water, it has nothing to do with your water clarity.  It has to do with the chlorine in the spa being too strong because there is no CYA in the water to moderate its strength.  So if you do not care about the life of your hot tub cover of other spa components, then keep doing what you are doing.  I was only making a suggestion that would help your spa components last longer.

[dunecritter]

Excellent answer Chem Geek. Thank you. Please ..Let us not assume that I do not care about my spas cover and spa life here tho. I do and this is exactly why I'm on here asking this question...I've found that there are 10 right answers to a question from 10 different "professionals on water chemistry" because I'm not a water expert and altho what I'm doing is working as far as water clarity and freshness etc....( Visually, to the lack of any smell and the test strips) There's still room for improvement to have the perfect water in both water clarity and safe for the spa and components. This is important stuff and I'm starting to understand more and more with excellent instructions like what you have provided me. I have room for improvement obviously! My excellent water that tests perfect across the board on the test strips can still be improved! And that's important and very valuable knowledge. I am kinda boasting tho because in 24 years of owning hot tubs I have never had this clean and clear of water...

[rosewoodsteel]

Maybe the kids aren't peeing in it anymore.

[dunecritter]

That's just wrong rosewoodsteel!! Altho it might be accurate in many cases but not in mine...I've never had children in any of my hot tubs until recently as I finally had a son who is now almost 3....He's in it with us almost every time we are in it! He stands in front of the filter bay and plays with his monster trucks on the filter lid...He actually tells us he's gotta go and we haul him out to do his thing tho! LOL