chemical questions

[Russ]

Well, we have had the spa a month now and I have some questions.
1.      Can any of the following chemicals or additives be added at the same time?
Enhanced shock
Sanitizer
Ph decreaser/increaser
T/A increaser
Scale/stain remover
Sea Klear – water clarifier
   
1a.   If not at the same time, what is the minimum amount of time you should wait to add the next chemical to avoid cloudy water?

2. Which is most important? In other words, if all of them are needed, which do you start with?

I know I will have more questions … Trust me.
By the way… WE LOVE OUR SPA!
Thanks in advance folks!

[tonyp]

I was told that DiChlor would keep the Stain and Scale from working as well so I add the it the day after I shock with DiChlor

[Russ]

thanks Tony.

Anybody else?   come on, don't be bashful.

[nicker]

you know what that is a good question.   I don't shock with Dichlor, I use MPS. So I usually add the stain and scale and then add the MPS about 5 minutes later.  So far no problems.   I think the biggest thing in the case of PH/ALK and so on is one can some what effect the other so that is why it is good to add them some time apart and re-test in between (but correct me if I am wrong on that).

[stabone]

With PH and Alk, there is an easy rule to remember for all you hot tub owners'.  If both PH and Alk are low, add Alk increaser only, test the water an hour later. If  Alk is still low add more Alk increaser. Once you get Alk in balance (80 to 120 ppm). Then add PH increaser if needed.  If you add both at same time you will get extreme bounce in PH.  Alk is a buffer for PH. Always get it in balance, before adjusting PH.  
 PH down will lower both PH and Alk.  If PH is fine, but Alk is high (which is not very common) but can happen, add decreaser, test to make sure Alk is balanced, then you may have to add PH up.
 If both PH and Alk are high add PH down.  To lower both.  
   
 

[Russ]

How about this question...please?  

1a.   If not at the same time, what is the minimum amount of time you should wait to add the next chemical to avoid cloudy water?

[chargerfan]

Russ-
To answer your question. You should be able to add all of those products at the same time however; I found that using that Sea klear product with an ozone acutally will make your water cloudy.

I normally add my chemicals all at the same time and leave the first jet pump on for a bit to let it mix up. But like I said before I had a problem with cloudy water and when I talked with my dealer about it he told me not to use the water clarifier since I had an ozone and sure enough that solved the problem.

hope that helps

[Russ]

thanks Chargerfan. Welcome to the site.
And sorry bout your team this year. Thought they would go farther.

[bulmer4nc]

I found that using that Sea klear product with an ozone acutally will make your water cloudy.

I'd have to disagree with this statement.  I've tried several clarifiers and the SeaKlear product is the only one that seems to work well without causing any foam.  Any time we use it, the water clears right up and becomes very clear.  And... we have an ozonator.