New Owner Chemical Frustration

[4mybabys]

I am new to hot tub ownership. I read Understanding Hot Water Chemistry as a starting point for trying to determine how I wanted to go about balancing water chemistry. I've spoken with the local hot tub specialists and they each contradict the other. I'm getting a sense this is based on what line of products they carry.

I started looking at mineral systems and called a couple of companies for clarification. My understanding is, when you first fill the tub you do an initial chemical treatment to balance the water. Part of that process removes metals from the water to limit corrosion and staining. If these chemicals neutralize the metals in some way how are mineral cartridges effective? Why would you reintroduce what you have removed into water that is chemically treated to neutralize that mineral? Am I missing something or are these mineral systems an ineffective marketing ploy?

I have also, looked into the natural enzyme options and chemicals appear to be a necessary part of those systems, as well. Are the enzymes really doing anything? Does the introduction of chemicals harm them and their effectiveness? Again, am I missing some understanding or is this an ineffective marketing ploy?

Can someone offer guidance on a way to effectively and safely manage the water with the least amount of chemicals? I am no trying to avoid the chlorine smell or dry skin, I simply am a person who likes to limit chemical exposure as much as possible and find myself in a position of needing an aquatic therapy solution which dictates a need for, at least some, chemical exposure.

[The Wizard of Spas]

Its an easy thing to get tripped up on but first- Congrats on your new tub.

Copper and Iron are the minerals that cause staining and corrosion.  Mineral cartridges, such as Nature II or Spa Frog, use silver (and an extremely low amount at that) as the active ingredient.  Thus- Mineral removers (aka sequestering agents) are designed to detect and surround copper and iron so that they are picked up by your filter and can be removed once your filters are cleaned.

Additionally- Mineral systems have something else besides the mineral stick that sanitizes.  Nature II, for instance, uses the stick as what I deem the "passive" sanitizer (when your water is sitting there w/o being used).  Then there is an "active" sanitizer, which would be Potassium Peroxymonopersulfate (MPS, or Spa Shock).  That is used when you get in the water and contaminants such as dead skin cells, sweat, lotions, etc. are introduced from your body.

Regardless- A sanitizer is only 1/3 of the equation.  pH and Alkalinity are just as important.  High pH/alkalinity cause metals to be pulled from their sources (how your heater corrodes and how your jets fail) whereas low pH/alkalinity cause metals to deposit (staining and scaling).  Additionally- imbalance of pH/alkalinity cause whatever sanitizer you are using to not work at its best capacity.

Chlorine, Bromine and Mineral Sticks are the 3 most common sanitizers on the market.  Really all 3 are fine- I've used all 3 and sell all 3 and I don't care either way.  There are pros and cons to all 3 so I just advise on that and let my clients make the final decision.  Lots of people push Spa Frog/Nature II as it is the most expensive and they can get you on the come-back.  I dont really care.

Just be sure to test your water regularly and keep things in balance at all times.  The first fill (4 months) are always the worst.  Once you get into a routine you become predictable.  Thus your water becomes predictable.  Thus your treatment becomes predictable.  Thus your headaches go away.

Make sense?  Hope this helps.  Good luck moving forward.

[edit: syntax correction]

[Tman122]

I find balanced water and chlorine after soaks and/or a small amount 2-3 days idle time to be the easiest. rotate filters, change water as needed or 4 months. Your sanitizer choice can also effect your balance procedure/routine. Different sanitizers push PH/ALK different. IMO Adding a supplment (minerals, enzymes, O3) can lengthen the time between chlorine additions. But you will have to try it with and without to make the call in your situation. If you use the tub a lot, your supplement is doing nothing. Your chlorine is killing the nasties.

Follow the wizards advice, relax, enjoy the soak.

[4mybabys]

Thank you both! The clarification on the metals was very helpful. Before posting I had called both companies you mentioned to ask for that clarification on their mineral sanitation products.  Both companies could not answer that question.

I appreciate your feedback.