Nature 2

[cbee]

Hi.  I recently purchased a Solana SX which will be arriving next Saturday.  Yeah!  

I am confused about how to use the Nature 2.  I have health issues therefore I want to use as little chemicals as possible.  I plan to shower before soaking and I am the primary user.  My 14 year old will probably use the spa but I'll tell him to shower first too.

Can someone share with me how can I use this system with as little chemicals as possible?  I do know I have to use a little chlorine.

Thanks so much.

[Spatech_tuo]

Hi.  I recently purchased a Solana SX which will be arriving next Saturday.  Yeah!  

I am confused about how to use the Nature 2.  I have health issues therefore I want to use as little chemicals as possible.  I plan to shower before soaking and I am the primary user.  My 14 year old will probably use the spa but I'll tell him to shower first too.

Can someone share with me how can I use this system with as little chemicals as possible?  I do know I have to use a little chlorine.

Thanks so much.

Everyone wants to use as little chemicals as possible so we all understand that but what you don't want to do is cause problems becuse you're avoiding use of what is really needed. There are many ways to go about this but I persoanlly would advice a very simple yet very effective appraoch. AFTER each use, add 1 tsp of chlorine per person and run the pumps for 5 minutes or so. Once per week shock the spa with MPS (2 to 3 TBS per 250 gallons) with the cover open for 10 minutes or so. That should do the trick. If it ever gets a little cloudy you can hit it harder with a little chlorine. The good news is the chlorine will sanitize but will also offgass very quickly so while you're using it after each use, you won't have much/any chlorine residual the next time you go in. If your spa gets no use for awhile (maybe 5 days) go out and give it a little chlorine boost as well.

[twok99]

I use a similar routine but shock with dichlor also.  I use 3 tbls spoon for a 485 tub and usually shock every other week unless there is a lot of use.  I've found that the MPS irritates my skin.

[drewstar]

Hi.  I recently purchased a Solana SX which will be arriving next Saturday.  Yeah!  

I am confused about how to use the Nature 2.  I have health issues therefore I want to use as little chemicals as possible.  I plan to shower before soaking and I am the primary user.  My 14 year old will probably use the spa but I'll tell him to shower first too.

Can someone share with me how can I use this system with as little chemicals as possible?  I do know I have to use a little chlorine.

Thanks so much.

Everyone wants to use as little chemicals as possible so we all understand that but what you don't want to do is cause problems becuse you're avoiding use of what is really needed. There are many ways to go about this but I persoanlly would advice a very simple yet very effective appraoch. AFTER each use, add 1 tsp of chlorine per person and run the pumps for 5 minutes or so. Once per week shock the spa with MPS (2 to 3 TBS per 250 gallons) with the cover open for 10 minutes or so. That should do the trick. If it ever gets a little cloudy you can hit it harder with a little chlorine. The good news is the chlorine will sanitize but will also offgass very quickly so while you're using it after each use, you won't have much/any chlorine residual the next time you go in. If your spa gets no use for awhile (maybe 5 days) go out and give it a little chlorine boost as well.

And this is different than a routine that someone without N2 would use?

The above is basicaly what I do, but I don't use a $30 N2 stick.  

The offical "N2" program calls for you to keep your dichlor at .5 ppm.
Is anyone using N2 and following thier routine to the letter and having acceptable results?  


 

[lskarp]

I am using the Vermonter method, and I have N2.  I have only had the spa for 2 months or so and I have not operated it without.  I like what I have going now with respect to clarity and feel of the water, so I am sticking with it for now.

[Bill_Stevenson]

For the best advice on water chemistry for your spa go to www.rhtubs.com and look for the Vermonter's water treatment program in the FAQs.  This will outline a very effective program that minimizes the chemicals while providing safe water.  With respect to Nature 2, it is definitely an effective way to minimize the amount of dichlor that would be needed for a given level of bacteria.  It does this by dissolving silver ions in the water, which then weaken the cell walls of the bacteria.  This facilitates the entry of the chlorine into the cells, thus killing them faster  thus, with the need for less dichlor.   Another improvement can be found by using ozone.

Both N2 and an ozonator offer subtle improvements, and reduce dichlor use somewhat.  Exaggerated claims for them are not credible, but they do help.

Regards,

Bill

[drewstar]

I am using the Vermonter method, and I have N2.  I have only had the spa for 2 months or so and I have not operated it without.  I like what I have going now with respect to clarity and feel of the water, so I am sticking with it for now.

Why? Do you think your water feels better than hot tub water without N2? No offense, but do you have anything to compare it to?

I'm sorry, but I think N2 is a rip off.

[Spatech_tuo]

And this is different than a routine that someone without N2 would use?

The above is basicaly what I do, but I don't use a $30 N2 stick.  

The offical "N2" program calls for you to keep your dichlor at .5 ppm.
Is anyone using N2 and following thier routine to the letter and having acceptable results?  


 

No real difference in the routine part with the exception being that the N2 will make the chlorine a little more effective by leaving a little less work for it to do and should lessen the occurances of the occasional cloudiness. I do agree that there is not a major difference between using it and not using it but it is worth it for many.

I see you state that you think N2 is a "rip off" but I think you need to clarify that. If you don't think it is worth the extra money then that's not a compeltely off-base statement. Some are willing to pay the extra $10 a month to have the extra protection (as do I) but you won't save that equivalent amount fo $$ in less chems used so it depends on your viewpoint as to it's worthiness. If you say you think it does nothing for your water then I think that is misinformed. Many people don't use it and the're not wrong for that choice. Many others do use it and like it; that's simply their choice.

[Vinny]

I'm sorry, but I think N2 is a rip off.

 

Drewstar ... You're starting to sound like me now!  We've been hanging out here together for too long! 8-)

Be careful you might turn into a techno nerd like me and prove that even ozone is a waste of money too ...

Actually I beginning to believe that the water makeup is responsible for things working or not. Bill is a Chemical Engineer, I believe, and I doubt that being an Engineer he would guess that something is or isn't working - he would want facts. For me and you it didn't work but for some maybe it does.

Of course some people taking placebos had it work the way Viagra did in other people...

[lskarp]

I am using the Vermonter method, and I have N2.  I have only had the spa for 2 months or so and I have not operated it without.  I like what I have going now with respect to clarity and feel of the water, so I am sticking with it for now.

Why? Do you think your water feels better than hot tub water without N2? No offense, but do you have anything to compare it to?

I'm sorry, but I think N2 is a rip off.

 

Bro, why so vindictive??  simple equation.  I have no experience otherwise + I like what I have now + It is $22 for 3 months in the scheme of $10,000+ for the spa = I will probably stick with it as I like what I have now.

This board is filled with people trying to use Muriatic Acid to boost Ph and other ways to save pennies at the possible expense of hundreds of dollars in damage to their investment in their spas.  

If it works for you, do it.  If not, you can say that you don't agree.  I am not a rep.  I am simply a satisfied customer.  

[Spatech_tuo]

I'm sorry, but I think N2 is a rip off.

 

Bill is a Chemical Engineer, I believe, and I doubt that being an Engineer he would guess that something is or isn't working - he would want facts. For me and you it didn't work but for some maybe it does.

I'm with you, if I can't see it or touch it I have trouble accepting it as fact. That is why I'm a huge propoent of ozone and why I have a good (not great) opinon of Nature 2.

From the years I've been in the business I strongly feel Nature 2 helps though I know it's NOT a huge difference. To many they'll happily take the extra help for the $10 a month. For those who choose not to use N2 I don't try to convince them it's a make or break item (though if they say it's a ripoff I tend to respond that the term 'rip off" is not accurate). Now on ozone, I am a huge believer just based on the thousands of people's homes I've been to and dealt with their spa issues. So many times I've dealt with people who've had water issues only to have me find their ozone system was inoperable for one reason or another (bad/backward check valve, unplugged unit, pinched hose (too many times), bad injector, etc.). A good friend just got a used spa from a dealer and I finally got out his way and found they put in a new cheapo UV unit in and the check valve was backward (thus no bubbles) so I quickly gave him a good CD unit I had and he is having soooo much better luck using the same routine (I've seen that same scenario more times than I can remember). He called me 2 weeks later to talk about it as he can't believe how much clearer his water is and he hasn't changed a thing otherwise.

[cbee]

The spa I got is small and I was told with a spa this size putting in the ozone ($200 more) wasn't necessary.  I'm hoping that is the case and that the Nature 2 does help.

Thanks for your comments.

[SpaGirlAZ]

cbee,
I apologize, but I am another one who's not a fan of this chemical route. Nature 2 requires you to add a certain amount of MPS (potassium peroxymonosulfate - which is a non-chlorine shock) every time Before you use your tub, as well as use Dichlor (Chlorine) at startup and once in a while for clarity. The Silver Ions are not even activated without adding the MPS. So, it's not a solution to adding as little chemicals as possible. I agree with spatech tuo's Chlorine route. Chlorine burns off easy and only takes 1 tsp. per person when you get out, and a little shock once every week or two. However, if you are still wanting to do N2, make sure you're adding the MPS, or the stick wont even be working. Go to www.nature2.com for the directions if you'd like. Best of luck withy our new Spa!
-SpaGirlAZ

[Vinny]

I'm sorry, but I think N2 is a rip off.

 

Bill is a Chemical Engineer, I believe, and I doubt that being an Engineer he would guess that something is or isn't working - he would want facts. For me and you it didn't work but for some maybe it does.

I'm with you, if I can't see it or touch it I have trouble accepting it as fact. That is why I'm a huge propoent of ozone and why I have a good (not great) opinon of Nature 2.

From the years I've been in the business I strongly feel Nature 2 helps though I know it's NOT a huge difference. To many they'll happily take the extra help for the $10 a month. For those who choose not to use N2 I don't try to convince them it's a make or break item (though if they say it's a ripoff I tend to respond that the term 'rip off" is not accurate). Now on ozone, I am a huge believer just based on the thousands of people's homes I've been to and dealt with their spa issues. So many times I've dealt with people who've had water issues only to have me find their ozone system was inoperable for one reason or another (bad/backward check valve, unplugged unit, pinched hose (too many times), bad injector, etc.). A good friend just got a used spa from a dealer and I finally got out his way and found they put in a new cheapo UV unit in and the check valve was backward (thus no bubbles) so I quickly gave him a good CD unit I had and he is having soooo much better luck using the same routine (I've seen that same scenario more times than I can remember). He called me 2 weeks later to talk about it as he can't believe how much clearer his water is and he hasn't changed a thing otherwise.

I need hard proof myself.

Now this might be the difference when I did my ozonator test - I have a UV type (I believe a Del) and maybe that's the difference in water clarity but I don't know. I used the same amount of dichlor as I had used previously (1 teaspoon per person) and I didn't see any difference. Stuart suggested to me to only add 1/2 teaspoon because of the ozone and it didn't keep the tub clear for me.

I did put in N2 but my water still needed the routine that I use (dichlor every other day) to keep the water clear. I had my ozonator on for 8 hours a day at 12 hout intervals and yet without the dichlor, it didn't do anything IMO.

Owning a tub now for a year I see things in my tub and go HUH? I had chlorine lock that was persistant and it seems that this is very uncommon. So I think it's really the makeup of the source water that determines how the water will behave at that particular fill.

[Spatech_tuo]

Now this might be the difference when I did my ozonator test - I have a UV type (I believe a Del) and maybe that's the difference in water clarity but I don't know.

I don't think most of the cheap-o UV types add enough to make it worth it but a good cd type will add a lot more ozone and you will be sold on it IMO.