What Causes the Water to Foam?

[Steve]

In reading my hotspring manual last night it mentioned that ozone is the only way to oxidize foam or soap in the water. I tend to agree since the clarifier helped quite a bit but my water has steadily improved in clarity and I think a lot of this is due to the ozone running 24/7.

Shocking is the best way to oxidize organics out of the water by reaching breakpoint chlorination. Ozone will help but I would prefer to shock weekly and have the cover removed to prevent oxidizing into the bottom of the cover. I wouldn't want to rely strictly on O3 but it's not uncommon for the benefits of O3 to be a wee bit exaggerated. Not that HS is known to do this though...  

Steve

[Chad]

The water is VERY clean and nice.  The water DOES NOT foam when pump 1 or pump 2 is on separately - only when both pumps are on at the same time.  The foam dissipates within seconds of turning off the pumps.  The water is NOT NASTY.  The filters are clean.  The water did this from day 1.

SpaNE,

It's just bubbles that are created when the jets are on. No worries. Now if you have foam like suds that stay on top of the water after the jets are off for a awhile(like you would see when you add bubble bath to a bathtub), you have a foam issue.

[SpaNE]

SpaNE,

It's just bubbles that are created when the jets are on. No worries. Now if you have foam like suds that stay on top of the water after the jets are off for a awhile(like you would see when you add bubble bath to a bathtub), you have a foam issue.

Thanks - that is what I thought.  However what has me confused is that I only see the foam when both jets are on together.  Is this because of the additional agitation?

[Chad]

Thanks - that is what I thought.  However what has me confused is that I only see the foam when both jets are on together.
  Is this because of the additional agitation?

That would be my assumption as well. When I get finished soaking this morning, I'll do a little test in my tub to see if mine does the same thing. I'm pretty sure it does but I'll double check.

[windsurfdog]

Cl free = 3
Cl total = 1

Do you mean your combined chlorine is 1?  Total chlorine cannot be less than free chlorine.  If your combined chlorine is indeed 1, I would suggest a good shock--combined chlorine should be kept under .5.

[SpaNE]

Do you mean your combined chlorine is 1?  Total chlorine cannot be less than free chlorine.  If your combined chlorine is indeed 1, I would suggest a good shock--combined chlorine should be kept under .5.

The test strips I use (Smart Test Pool & Spa Test Strips, by Poolmaster Inc.) indicate the Ideal Range for free chlorine to be between 1 and 3, and total chlorine between 1 and 3.

[windsurfdog]

The test strips I use (Smart Test Pool & Spa Test Strips, by Poolmaster Inc.) indicate the Ideal Range for free chlorine to be between 1 and 3, and total chlorine between 1 and 3.

Here's some math for you to consider:

combined chlorine ppm = total chlorine ppm - free chlorine ppm

and, consequently,

total chlorine ppm = free chlorine ppm + combined chlorine ppm

I don't understand how your total chlorine ppm can be less than your free chlorine ppm when following the math above.

I would highly suggest that you get a Taylor Test Kit (2005) found here.  It comes with an EXCELLENT book on water chemistry.  If you decide not to get the kit, at least get the book by itself, also available at the url above.

[SpaNE]

combined chlorine ppm = total chlorine ppm - free chlorine ppm

I don't understand how your total chlorine ppm can be less than your free chlorine ppm when following the math above.

Reading and interpreting colors on a test strip is not easy or 100% accurate.  I just tested 10 minutes ago and it looks like my total is around 3 and my free is also at 3.

I'm satisfied that whatever "foaming" I was getting is the result of soap products on bathing suits/body oils -and water agitiation with both pumps on high.  The foam dissipates within seconds of turning off the jets.  I get zero foam with only one set of jets on.  The water is crystal clear and has no smell.

Time to go for a soak.  I'm done with this topic.

[drewstar]

....I'm satisfied that whatever "foaming" I was getting is the result of soap products on bathing suits/body oils -and water agitiation with both pumps on high.  The foam dissipates within seconds of turning off the jets. ....

And we've been trying to tell you that foaming as a result of soap products DO NOT dissipate within seconds of turning the off the jets.

But your'e fine.  

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