I'm in panic mode!

[wmccall]

You can rinse it down if you like or towel it off.  But you really don't have to do anything except fill it back up.

Tony's right, your tub is just over chem'd, but probably still clean. I wipe mine down with Clorox wipes when refilling in the summer, but you should be able to drain, rinse the filters, and refill.

[svspa]

cappykat,

I am sure everything will work out.

You can get spa chems on the web from Dr. Spa.

http://www.rhtubs.com/store/directory.htm

I have ordered from them and the service was excellent, free shipping too.

Hey Doc, can I get some commissions here, of my total <10 posts 2 have been directing people to your store.



Steve

[TubbinSoon, now we be tubbin]

For PH up and down, I think it was Vermonter who mentioned that baking soda and white vinegar (acetic acid) are really much cheaper and mild enough for spas. I checked one day last week when the color of the Ph was not quite right and I dropped a little bit of soda in and ooppps, wrong color real strong. So I dropped a drop of vinegar and yes!!!! That was what it needed to get to the right PH. Lots cheaper than branded chemicals.

[cappykat]

Tubbin...very interesting.  I like the idea of milder chems.  I'll keep this in mind.  Thanks.

[Bonibelle]

Hi Cappy, I'm so sorry you had such a bad experience with balancing your spa.  I'm sure that once you get it  straightened out everything will be fine. And after this, you will be an expert and probably help the rest of us get up and running. I have to tell you,  although I have a pool and haven't had any big problems with balancing a large volume of water, I am seriously very nervous about keeping the hot tub right. I know to a degree it must be a trial and error process but I think I may need a refresher course in chemistry. :-/

[Mendocino101]

Keep it simple and keep it regular and it should be no more than 10 minutes a week tops. If you use a floater or something like the frog remember to shock weekly and adjust ph......rinse your filters at least once a month, if you have extra use add a some di chlor even if you are using bromine ...it will be fine and will off set the extra bather load and remember adjust in small doses ....NEVER IN POUNDS......just ask the Cat......

[stuart]

Cappy,
Sorry that I didn't get involved in this earlier...It's been an interesting week.

First off, my answer to major water quality issues is always just drain and refill.

Sorry that you went through this however it's a great learning experience.

Second, this isn't rocket science and although I understand that it can be a bit intimidating at first just remember less with more frequency is always better.

Finally, don't go to Loews and get things to clean the spa. Go to your dealer and get the advice and chemicals that are made for it.

BTW, I cheat when I drain my spa....I'm not a fan of waiting on the gravity drains and don't always have a pump so I just keep a 20 ft length of pool vac hose with me. I turn the jets on and hold it up to a jet until it fills then press my hand over the end and drag that end out of the spa and let it siphon. I usually clamp a set of vise grips on the end in the spa to hold it in the water. It works great and you can also use it as a vacuum. Don't forget to shut the breaker off before the water gets below filter level!

If you run into issues like this and I'm not on the forum just email me. The  forum has taken a path of non spa related banter lately (although it is fun if you have time) and I don't always have the time to delve through it to get to the important stuff so I haven't been on much.

[orlandoguy]

Cappy,

Invest 20 bucks and buy one of the battery operated pumps and run it with the drain going like you just did.  It's as simple as turning it on and oputting it in the water.  You'll be empty in under 2 hours max.  Also, if you get hit with a hurricane, it will come in handy.

[cappykat]

Thanks, Stuart and Orlandoguy.  There were batteries in the $35 pump I bought, so I replaced them and tried again--it worked like a champ.  It doesn't empty every bit of water but it's good enough.

I'm guilty of the banter.  When I first started on the forum I was only interested in gathering information.  I was on a mission then, plus I didn't "know" anyone.  I understand what you're saying.  I'm sure there are newbies who are like I was in the beginning...just want solid information.  Gotta have some fun too!

Thanks for the advice.  I have certainly learned my lesson.

[cappykat]

Do I have to learn EVERY lesson in a week??  I just went out to check to see how the re-fill was going.  I walk out the door and what do I see... but water coming out of the drain spigot!!  It probably would have been filled up by now.  It only took 30 minutes the first time.

Good grief!!  I'm normally have it together better than this!  

[East_TX_Spa]

Hang in there cappykat!  Being the worldly spa professional that I am, from time to time I forget to put the cap on or leave the hose in too long.  It happens to the best of us.

Now back to serious spa talk.  It is life or death, after all.  No more jacking around.

Terminator

[stuart]

Hey guys, don't take me wrong....The banter is fun but I can't get through it all to get to the real heart of stuff lately.

That's just me and my schedule, not putting anyone down.

I love the humor ETS has brought to the board but this time of year I can't even get the time to watch a football game. I rarely take a day off, everyone wants to be in their spa right now and we have almost 100 spas in stock. That's all on my shoulders. When the service techs, salespeople and managers all go home I still have to juggle all of the balls...next month should slow down.

I can tell you that Chas, Mendo, JMcD and other owners are in the same boat with me right now and you don't see them around much.

BTW, I'm still in the market for a good...no, I mean Great service tech.

[East_TX_Spa]

It wasn't directed at you Stuart.

I realize this is a spa forum and people come here to get answers that will hopefully help them make informed decisions.  I try to do what I can to help while having some fun, too.

I'm very fortunate in the fact that all I have to do is sell spas.  I don't have to fix them, deliver them, order supplies, do payroll.  I work alone at my store and have a lot of free time in between spa sales.  Sold a Sumatran, Vista, and Grandee yesterday and a Prodigy this morning so I'm busy, but I have time to do the fun stuff as well!

Terminator

[NE-Phil]

...I just went out to check to see how the re-fill was going.  I walk out the door and what do I see... but water coming out of the drain spigot!!  It probably would have been filled up by now.  It only took 30 minutes the first time.

Been there - done that. At the very first fill. I was going to speed things along just before my dealer came out to set the spa up. Well, lo and behold, Marquis opens all the shutoff valves for delivery and I didn't know that.  :O I made it a point to wait 40 minutes before checking the water level and found it half filled with water draining down the decking.
But I know about the valves now and will never make that mistake again!

Phil

[cappykat]

HAAA!!  I can laugh about all this today.  We've all be newbies!