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Swilly1000 posted above about using a floating dispenser with chlorine in it and I know of no tablet form of chlorine that is being sold for hot tubs only bromine. If they could tell us the name of the chlorine they use I would be interested. Or even what the label says is in it.
I like spa marvel. I've tried it, and it seems to help. Makes the water feel really soft and it really helped my foaming issue.
I've been using Spa Marvel since day 1, which was only three months ago. Not trying to stir up controversy (lol) but here's Chris Wheatley's instructions for the product:SPA MARVEL QUICK AND EASY DIRECTIONSCleanse your tub (not necessary for a new tub)1. Remove Filters2. Pour the full bottle of CLEANSER in your tub3. Run your jets on high for 1-2 hours then allow to circulate for 23 hours.4. Drain and rinse thoroughly, clean the cover.5. Refill the tubSpa Marvel Startup1. Heat water to desired temp2. Prime pumps after turning on power(turn both pumps on high speed)3. Run pumps for 20 minutes4. Use test strips to test water5. Balance alkalinity to 150 (turn jets on for a few minutes after adding Alka Boost each time)6. Run pumps for 5 min7. Balance ph to 7.6 – 8.28. Fill floating dispenser with chlorine tablets and set to the first break in the threads (see image)9. Add Full bottle of Spa Marvel, Run pumps for 30 Min (Wait the 30 minutes before getting in)Weekly1. Make Sure floating dispenser always has chlorine tabs in it2. put 1 capfuls of shock (1cap/4-6 people) or at the end of each day used..3. use test strips provided to test water 1 time per week and balance alkalinity and ph if needed** Add Spa Marvel Water Treatment every three months.**RINSE YOUR FILTERS WEEKLY (not the mineral filter)**EVERY 8-10 WEEKS SOAK ONLY THE BLUE FILTERS IN A PLASTIC PAIL WITH THE FILTER CLEANER FOR 24 HOURS (DOING THIS YOU SHOULD GET 12 TO 18 MONTHS OUT OF YOUR FILTERS). NEVER SOAK THE GREY COLORED FILTER (THIS HAS TO BE REPLACED EVERY 6-8 MONTHS DEPENDING ON USAGE).**IGNORE THE CHLORINE or bromine LEVEL ON YOUR TEST STRIPS, THE SPA MARVEL REGULATES THE CHLORINE AS NECESSARY SO THE LEVEL SHOWING ON THE STRIPS WILL NEVER BE ACCURATE** IF YOU MUST WEAR CLOTHES IN THE TUB PLEASE WASH WITH MINIMAL AMOUNTS OF DETERGENT AND ALWAYS DO A SECOND RINSE, THE JETS ARE POWERFUL THEREFORE THEY PULL SOAP FROM THE CLOTHES AND IT’LL MAKE YOUR WATER FOAMY!!**IT’S SMART TO ONLY TEST YOUR WATER ONCE PER WEEK. ENVIRONMENT AND CONDITIONS CAN SLIGHTLY ALTER THE PH AND ALKALINITY BUT THIS CORRECTS ITSELF WHEN THE JETS ARE RUNNING. YOU DON’T WANT TO OVERDOSE YOUR WATER WITH CHEMICALS.
bud,That's a funny story, yet characterizing the way things really are as we absorb bits and pieces here and there. Appreciate your input just the same and I am absolutely confident your word of mouth variations are just what I'd get as I talk to more and more folks. Thanking the Lord this isn't life - threatening stuff LOL !!
For greater certainty, I don't follow those instructions vis a vis chlorine tablets. I was interested in trying it until I read all the advice here not to use them. I use dichlor after most soaks.I think I may oversanitized at some point because I had a high cyuranic reading (over 159) when I got my water tested two days ago. I read that the only way to rectify that is to dump the water but it's only three months old and I was hoping to get to six months before changing it. Should I be changing the water now?My ph was a little high at 8.4 and alkalinity was 158 so I added some ph decreaser. I don't think the test strips are distinct enough to give a good reading as to whether I've properly balanced the water. I'm always unsure because the colour changes in the scale are gradual and the strip is not always clear cut. I feel like it's bit more art vs science at home using test strips.