Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Tonyf on October 26, 2007, 07:27:51 pm
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Our Spa was delivered two days ago. We had the water tested at the dealers and made the appropriate adjustements including adding the granular chlorine and E-Z Spa OM.
The dealer said it is not necessary to add anything for the next six days. ON the seventh day, begin the weekly maintenance of 2 1/2 oz E-Z spa and 1 oz granular chlorine.
I just tested the spa and the chlorine level is low. On another thread at this forum, it was suggested to add dichlor after each use.
Is day dichlor necessary or does the E-Z Spa OM take care of this for the week?
Tony
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I don't know what EZ Spa OM is but once PH, Alkalinity and Calcium are OK all you need is either chlorine (in the form of dichlor) or bromine. Every so often some clarifier may need to be added to the water ... but that's it.
Some people use Nature 2 or the Spa frog (basically the same thing) and what they do is add silver which helps chlorine or bromine (only the frog) do its job. Ozone is another one of those things that help chlorine do its job - you can't only use ozone or ozone and Nature 2.
Most of us who use dichlor use it after we soak or add chlorine every day or 2 to keep bacteria down if we don't soak. We use 2 or 3 teaspoons (3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon = 1/3 oz), the 1 oz of chlorine is a shock dose and the reading will be extremely high ... high enough you need to stay out of the tub acording to health guidlnes. Example: I have a 400 gallon tub 3 teaspoons = approx 4.5 PPM x 3 = 13.5 PPM of chlorine.
Some of us add non chlorine shock before and after using the spa and shock weekly with chlorine. The only problem with this IMO is that you are not killing bacteria with the non chlorine shock and your TDS may go through the roof.
Some of the products out there are money enhancing products for the manufacturers and dealers.
IMO, lose the EZ spa and just use chlorine or bromine and non chlorine shock.
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Vinny--this is the same stuff, EZ spa OM, etc., that I used at the start...it does not register the same way other products do and he will not get a correct FC, etc., unless he follows the info on their web site. I did not have problems with the product, but was annoyed that I couldn't actually get a FC reading that wasn't off the charts. So I followed your advice and changed to your routine with great success. Thanks.
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Correction:
1 TBS = 1/2 an ounce.
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Cyn,
I thought it sounded vaguely familiar.
Chad,
I ALWAYS get that wrong ... I keep thinking it's 3 & 3 and it's 3 & 2! Mental block.
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What is the highest level of FC that is still safe for entering the tub?
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What is the highest level of FC that is still safe for entering the tub?
According to the spa world, 5ppm. However, if you do not have sensitive skin, you can soak higher. The highest I've taken a plunge in is 10ppm with no irratation at all. I try not to soak higher than the suggested ppm as much as possible but in some cases I just couldn't wait. :-[
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According to the spa world, 5ppm. However, if you do not have sensitive skin, you can soak higher. The highest I've taken a plunge in is 10ppm with no irratation at all. I try not to soak higher than the suggested ppm as much as possible but in some cases I just couldn't wait. :-[
10ppm without losing the first layer of skin? :o So, at 5ppm it is OK if you are impatiently waiting for your shock levels to drop. Thanks!!
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Talked with the dealer again today and they davisedd that the E-Z Spa helps maintain all the levels and reduces the need for adding a lot of chemicals. They did recommend 1 tsp chlorine after use. Still not sure of what is in E-Z Spa dn what it does.
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Tony--we used the E-Z Spa system for about 4 months with good, clear water results, but you can not use the usual Taylor kit drops system to measure your chlorine levels. And you can't use the strips to measure the FC either. Go to their web site: https://secure.newlead.net/apiwater.com/index.html and read about their instructions for measuring the chlorine. My biggest problem with the system was that the chlorine levels were always off the charts, both FC and TC. I was told when I e-mailed them that this was OK. The system seemed so easy with the weekly only dosages, but certainly putting in a small amount of dichlor after every soak is no big deal either and I feel better on the 'regular dichlor and MPS' system knowing I can always see what level my chlorine is at. Good luck!! Let me know if I can help...
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I'm assuming that the EZ spa stuff is an enhanced shock from the sounds of things. The reason for the sky high FC readings is b/c of the mps in it. Sounds like a pain in the butt for daily post soak dosing as you would never be able to tell what you are bringing your FC to. I'd switch to a straight dichlor and a buffered mps for shocking purposes. It's much more user friendly.
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Cyn: Thanks for the link
Appreciate everyone replies. I will switch over the the other sytem as suggested.
Tony
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I'm assuming that the EZ spa stuff is an enhanced shock from the sounds of things. The reason for the sky high FC readings is b/c of the mps in it. Sounds like a pain in the butt for daily post soak dosing as you would never be able to tell what you are bringing your FC to. I'd switch to a straight dichlor and a buffered mps for shocking purposes. It's much more user friendly.
EZ Spa is an oxidizer that somehow locks chlorine up for a week at a time. It also stabilizes pH so there must be buffers in it along with clarifiers. There is a dichlor that EZ Spa calls Boost that you also add once per week. Info is hard to come by on their site so it is hard to tell how they "lock in" chlorine but I don't think there is any magic here. As with anything else, if you are paying a premium for a product you have to decide on the value.
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EZ Spa is an oxidizer that somehow locks chlorine up for a week at a time. It also stabilizes pH so there must be buffers in it along with clarifiers. There is a dichlor that EZ Spa calls Boost that you also add once per week. Info is hard to come by on their site so it is hard to tell how they "lock in" chlorine but I don't think there is any magic here. As with anything else, if you are paying a premium for a product you have to decide on the value.
Thanks for the info Tony. Is there anything you don't know about the spa industry? 8-)
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Thanks for the info Tony. Is there anything you don't know about the spa industry? 8-)
I really don't profess to know anything. :o
I just checked their web site. I do get concerned, though, when the ingredients aren't listed. I think you hit the nail on the head with it being a sort of enhanced shock because I think it includes some chlorine and with the ozidizer giving false free chlorine levels.
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You have taught me so much that every once in awhile I feel the need to give you a shot out. :)
Gotta go, it's first pitch. I got my rally cap on. GO ROCKIES!!!!!!
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Gotta go, it's first pitch. I got my rally cap on. GO ROCKIES!!!!!!
Well, the Rockies made it interesting but the Red Sox will be tough to beat. Can't count the Rockies out....but....they certainly are up against the wall. I'll be watching FOX from 4 this afternoon till the wee hours of the morning.
GO SOX!!!
GO PATS!!!
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Well, the Rockies made it interesting but the Red Sox will be tough to beat. Can't count the Rockies out....but....they certainly are up against the wall. I'll be watching FOX from 4 this afternoon till the wee hours of the morning.
GO SOX!!!
GO PATS!!!
Yeah, I thought they had something going there in the seventh but they just couldn't keep it going. :( I think it's fair to say that the SOX are going to win their 2nd WS in 4 years. I have nothing against Boston's organization, just a few players. I hope you guys can complete the triple crown this year. How's your hockey team?
These are the days I wish I had a TV by the spa....
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How's your hockey team?
Bruins have a way to go. Ownership just doesn't seem to have the same commitment as the other sports. Celtics should be interesting this year after being down for so long.
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So can someone please cover the advantages and disadvantages of using MPS and Dichlor versus using only dichlor?
I want to keep things as simple as possible. So if I can get by with a dichlor only regimen (after every use plus a weekly shock), that would be ideal. That's one less chemical level to test for, one less chemical to buy, and one less chemical to know how much to add. Of course, I am also using the Nature 2 Cardtridge and Ozone.
PS...My spa was delivered yesterday, filled this morning, and being wired as we speak. I plan to get the chemical levels straight over lunch and be soaking this evening!
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So can someone please cover the advantages and disadvantages of using MPS and Dichlor versus using only dichlor?
I want to keep things as simple as possible. So if I can get by with a dichlor only regimen (after every use plus a weekly shock), that would be ideal. That's one less chemical level to test for, one less chemical to buy, and one less chemical to know how much to add. Of course, I am also using the Nature 2 Cardtridge and Ozone.
PS...My spa was delivered yesterday, filled this morning, and being wired as we speak. I plan to get the chemical levels straight over lunch and be soaking this evening!
Congrats on your new spa.
As far as MPS vs dichlor, I assume you are referring only to shocking the spa and that you are adding dichlor after soaking. MPS is an oxidizer only and a very good, complete one. It works best as a regular maintenance product vs a fixing your water product. MPS added on a regular basis, such as weekly, will oxidize (vaporize) organics as they appear and will work to prevent the formation of chloramines (combined chlorine) which is what used up chlorine becomes. If you dose incorrectly MPS will oxidize what it can or remain until it has something to oxidize.
Chlorine is an oxidizer and a sanitizer. You should shock with chlorine when your combined chlorine level reaches .2 ppm. You must reach breakpoint chlorination which is ten times your CC level. Chlorine does a much better job at removing chloramines. If you dose incorrectly and do not reach breakpoint chlorination, then you haven't shocked.
You should keep your cover off for about twenty minutes shocking either way. Chlorine gives the added superchlorination on a regular basis which will prevent any bugs from getting a hold but you will not be able to use your spa for about a day after shocking. MPS gives you the convenience of using your spa shortly after shocking and allows your free chlorine to last longer because your dosing chlorine doesn't get spent oxidizing. If your water goes bad, shocking with chlorine will bring it back better than with MPS. Last, shocking with dichlor chlorine will add CYA while shocking with MPS will add TDS (don't you love all these initials...MPS, TDS, CYA, CC, pH, TA). You can shock either way...each has its advantages and disadvantages. FWIW, I have done this all ways and right now prefer MPS.
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OK...So I just filled the tub for the first time and added the startup chemicals, waited about 15 minutes with the jets running and sampled.
1. ph looks to be about 7. Might want to bring that up just hair.
2. Chlorine level was 3ppm. That's good.
3. Calcium level was only about 50. This should be much higher. Added some calcium boost.
My questions are:
1. After adding chemicals, how long should I let my pumps run?
2. How long should I let the water sit before resampling and retesting?
Once I get my initial water chemistry right, I think it should be easy to maintain. I just need to get everything lined out.
PS...The directions on the nature 2 say to wait until you have the water chemistry balanced to install. Is this what you do?
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I let mine run 5 to 10 minutes when adding chemicals. When adjusting calcium levels, I've been told to error on the side of caution. Another words, use the lowest amount that is considered acceptable. I balanced my water before adding N2, I think you really just need to make sure that you have chlorine in the tub to activate it. If it helps, my dealer gave me this advice when shocking weekly....if you have a purple reading for your chlorine, shock with mps. If you don't, you can use chlorine for your shock. I have found that I prefer shocking with mps. It seems to make the water feel and look great and I can get in sooner. Good Luck on your first soak. As long as your PH and chlorine levels are ok, soak away. You can always adjust the rest later. If you are retesting for chlorine, you can test in 15 minutes. I think there are a couple things that say to wait a little longer. Just read the back of the bottles and you should be ok. BTW, if you need to raise your alkalinity, just use baking soda from the store. It's alot cheaper than paying for "alkalinity increaser". Depending on how much you need, it may slightly increase your ph.