Just filled my spa last night and took a sample of water to the spa store (not where I purchased it since it is 90 miles away). I have fought water with a greenish tint for some time and wanted to compare my numbers I was getting with theirs. Plus it was time to change the water. My shell is white with grey and tan flecks (Sahara). When my tub is freshly filled (no chems added) my water is a very nice shade of blue. I've been using a Taylor Test kit that I've had for a couple of years that I store in the house and also use on my pool. I'm not sure of the shelf life of the reagents so I wanted to verify my results. This is before any chemicals have been added.
Mine Theirs
PH 7.6 7.5
Chlor 0.5 0.0
Calcium 200 233
Akalinity 170 163
TDS(I have no test) 50
So I'm happy with the numbers especially for a fresh fill. Alkalinity might be a little high but I'll wait and see what it is going to do.
They also tested for metals and this was their results (I don't have anything to test metals with):
Copper 0
Iron 0
I check my water daily and add dichlor to keep levels up to at least 3 ppm (usually add 1 TBSP. daily), hose filters weekly, add dichlor after use, check ph and alkalinity and make adjustments when necessary, add Spa Defender and GLB Enzyme (alternate weeks on them), shock with 3 TBSP. dichlor weekly, change water after 3 months. I did add a bottle of Metal Gon (to sequester metals) with my previous fill up and wonder if I even needed it or if it perhaps gave me problems-possibly giving my water the greenish tint. I only added it because it was with the start up chemicals my dealer gave me and he told me to use it. He did not test my water. I don't think I will add it this time. Is there any reason that I should?