Hot Tub Forum
Brand Specific Forums => Bullfrog Spas => Topic started by: Thisismyname on October 30, 2017, 07:21:20 pm
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Just got my Bullfrog A8 set up and looking for some chemical advice.
I used to use Baquaspa or something similar on my old Caldera but looking for something different.
I've seen these mineral sticks like the Nature2. Which one fits in the BF filters? Are they recommended?
Would that plus some shock cover my basic chemical needs?
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I seem to recall reading that the mineral sticks are too tall for our filters and would need to be trimmed to fit?
I've had great luck with my tub after switching to a simple bromine floater. I have a neighbor that uses the frog with the sticks and I don't see his water being any more or less easily maintained than mine at this point. Just more money for the frog setup...
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HotSpring has an excellent section detailing everything you need to know (See pages 53-61).
Here is the link: https://www.hotspring.com/sites/default/files/hot-spring_spas_owners_manual_2008.pdf
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You don't need to put the mineral stick in the filter. Just put it in the filter compartment area. Fyi, they have oem mineral sticks that fit. They just introduced them at the industry trade show and should be available to order soon.
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Available to order where soon?
You don't need to put the mineral stick in the filter. Just put it in the filter compartment area. Fyi, they have oem mineral sticks that fit. They just introduced them at the industry trade show and should be available to order soon.
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You don't need to put the mineral stick in the filter. Just put it in the filter compartment area. Fyi, they have oem mineral sticks that fit. They just introduced them at the industry trade show and should be available to order soon.
Will this work with the X series tubs as well?
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So I just got a filter frog mineral stick...
https://www.frogproducts.com/product/filter-frog/
It doesnt fit in a filter so i just put it in the filter compartment area.
Do I need to keep using chlorine....or can I just stick with MPS shock now with the mineral?
Bought some of this....
https://www.spadepot.com/Oxy-Spa-Non-chlorine-MPS-Shock-2lbs-P77?gclid=Cj0KCQjwyvXPBRD-ARIsAIeQeoFSi6A2Ja8xpjZ76gUTlZxOc4ow7aqz67BIqsgQ0m7_F9ePgdZNhxUaAipAEALw_wcB
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Still need to use chlorine with that frog system
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You should refer to the HotSpring manual I linked above. It will explain in great detail everything you need to know about maintaining your water chemistry.
You can shock with the product you purchased. You will need to utilize twice the amount compared with shocking with Dichlor.
As you now know, the filter cartridge basket was specifically designed not to accommodate the Nature2 standard cartridge. As mentioned earlier, there will be available one tailored to their cartridge design.
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You should refer to the HotSpring manual I linked above. It will explain in great detail everything you need to know about maintaining your water chemistry.
You can shock with the product you purchased. You will need to utilize twice the amount compared with shocking with Dichlor.
As you now know, the filter cartridge basket was specifically designed not to accommodate the Nature2 standard cartridge. As mentioned earlier, there will be available one tailored to their cartridge design.
Read through it...good info but still doesn't solve my question.
It states use either DiChlor OR MPS. Seems that if I only use MPS then I have no sanitizer??
But what about with the Frog stick? What is that really doing?
I don't want to sit in a chemical bath if I dont have to.
I know everyone has opinions on what to do but there should at least be guidelines.....
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You should refer to the HotSpring manual I linked above. It will explain in great detail everything you need to know about maintaining your water chemistry.
You can shock with the product you purchased. You will need to utilize twice the amount compared with shocking with Dichlor.
As you now know, the filter cartridge basket was specifically designed not to accommodate the Nature2 standard cartridge. As mentioned earlier, there will be available one tailored to their cartridge design.
Read through it...good info but still doesn't solve my question.
It states use either DiChlor OR MPS. Seems that if I only use MPS then I have no sanitizer??
But what about with the Frog stick? What is that really doing?
I don't want to sit in a chemical bath if I dont have to.
I know everyone has opinions on what to do but there should at least be guidelines.....
Not to throw a wrench in it or anything but MPS requires a larger quantity to shock than dichlor. The added quantity will also add to your TDS (total dissolved solids) quicker. TDS is what makes your water sluggish and not as bright.
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Which Spa Frog: The stand-alone mineral stick that works ala Nature 2? Or is it the in-line *or* floating Spa Frog that is Blue and Yellow?
This will be better, more pleasant that a biguianide system like Baqua Spa. I can walk you through either- MPS (Spa Shock or Potassium Peroxymonopersulfate) is an oxidizer: Clears away the clutter. The mineral stick is approx. 1% silver- A great, safe, product that will help keep the water clean when nobody is in the tub. What comes off your body is generally knocked out by the MPS- And that is very soft on your skin and doesn't have an odor. Then you have the Di-Chlor: You shouldn't have to use more than an ounce or so per week. You are required to have an EPA-registered sanitizer (Bromine, Chlorine, or Biguianide) that can kill and sanitize algae, bacteria, etc.
In all- You're always going to have a chemical in your spa. But Nature 2/Spa Frog is possibly the most popular type of sanitization system on the market. I am pretty confident you'll prefer this once you get used to it.
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Which Spa Frog: The stand-alone mineral stick that works ala Nature 2? Or is it the in-line *or* floating Spa Frog that is Blue and Yellow?
This will be better, more pleasant that a biguianide system like Baqua Spa. I can walk you through either- MPS (Spa Shock or Potassium Peroxymonopersulfate) is an oxidizer: Clears away the clutter. The mineral stick is approx. 1% silver- A great, safe, product that will help keep the water clean when nobody is in the tub. What comes off your body is generally knocked out by the MPS- And that is very soft on your skin and doesn't have an odor. Then you have the Di-Chlor: You shouldn't have to use more than an ounce or so per week. You are required to have an EPA-registered sanitizer (Bromine, Chlorine, or Biguianide) that can kill and sanitize algae, bacteria, etc.
In all- You're always going to have a chemical in your spa. But Nature 2/Spa Frog is possibly the most popular type of sanitization system on the market. I am pretty confident you'll prefer this once you get used to it.
This is the Filter Frog I got..
https://www.frogproducts.com/product/filter-frog/
I have the built in ozonator.
Have some chlorine from the dealer....Says one step sanitizer and oxidizer.
Plus some MPS shock.
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So yeah- You're in with possibly the largest subgroup of sanitizer users for hot tubs. You need both MPS and Di-Chlor but in all, it's a three pronged attack: Mineralizer (active ingredient- silver- is less than 1%), MPS (Oxidizer, softest on you skin, and the main "go-to" for usage) and Di-Chlor (an EPA-registered sanitizer). Even with 3 parts to this, you're still waaaay out ahead of a biguianide system and you wont be swimming in chemicals.
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Here's the program (540 gallon tub):
1.08 teaspoons of Dichlor before you go in the tub;
3.24 teaspoons of Dichlor once a week to shock the spa. If you want to use MPS instead of Dichlor to shock the water, 6.5 teaspoons. MPS is an oxidizer, not a sanitizer.
Be certain to leave the cover open for a minimum of 20 minutes. Bullfrog has no warranty on the headrest pillows other than stating they will be in good condition when you receive the hot tub.
Drain and replace the water and silver ion cartridge every four months.
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Here's the program (540 gallon tub):
1.08 teaspoons of Dichlor before you go in the tub;
3.24 teaspoons of Dichlor once a week to shock the spa. If you want to use MPS instead of Dichlor to shock the water, 6.5 teaspoons. MPS is an oxidizer, not a sanitizer.
Be certain to leave the cover open for a minimum of 20 minutes. Bullfrog has no warranty on the headrest pillows other than stating they will be in good condition when you receive the hot tub.
Drain and replace the water and silver ion cartridge every four months.
I've advocate something similar except I say add 1 teaspoon per occupant AFTER exiting the spa (rather than before entering). That way it does its job and dissipates so that you don't have that chlorine smell when you're in it. I also tell them if they don't go in for an extended period to shock with chlorine in between. All this plus of course shocking weekly, test strips, filter cleaning ...
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So would this be any different if I didn't have the mineral stick?
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No.
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No.
Ok....then why get the mineral stick if I use the same chemicals with or without it?
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FreshWaterAg+ silver ion purifier introduces silver ions into the spa water, inhibiting bacteria growth. When combined with MPS, or chlorine,
oxidizes particulates in the spa water.
It is important to follow the recommended application and maintenance programs outlined for each product’s use.
If the spa is being used over an extended period of time, such as a whole afternoon or evening, additional sanitizer will be needed.
A weekly “shock treatment” is required.
The shock treatment quickly destroys any remaining contaminants while revitalizing the silver ion cartridge, allowing the silver ions to continue to
be released into the water. Without this weekly shock treatment, the silver ion cartridge may stop releasing silver ions into the water.
To weekly “shock treat” your spa you may use either MPS or sodium dichlor. It will require much less sodium dichlor to administer the shock
treatment than MPS (one teaspoon of sodium dichlor has oxidizing capabilities comparable to two tablespoons of MPS). Sodium dichlor may be a
more appropriate weekly shock for those users that experience heavy bather load conditions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: MPS is an oxidizer, not a sanitizer
SILVER IONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Question: How are the silver ions actually added to the water?
Answer: The silver ion cartridge contains ceramic beads that are infused with silver. By placing the cartridge in the circulation pump filter
standpipe, it is subjected to the continuous flow of water created by the pump’s 24 hour circulation. The flowing water, through a chemical
erosion process, carries with it the silver ions necessary to add a sanitizing residual to the spa water.
Question: What happens if I do not add the weekly shock treatment?
Answer: The contaminants in the water may coat the silver ion cartridge’s ceramic beads, blocking the silver ions’ release into the water. When
this occurs, there will be no residual of silver ions present in the water, eliminating them from the sanitizing process.
Question: How often should the FreshWaterAg+ silver ion purifier cartridge be replaced?
Answer: The cartridge must be replaced every four months. Please refer to the instructions provided with each FreshWaterAg+ silver ion purifier
cartridge.
Question: Can I use the FreshWater
® III ozone system in addition to the silver ion system?
Answer: Yes. In fact, it is preferred! The use of the FreshWater III ozone system will enhance the performance of the silver ions and may
substantially reduce the need for supplemental chemical treatments when the spa is not in use.
Question: Why can’t I use bromine or biguanides instead of MPS or chlorine?
Answer: Bromine and biguanides will chemically react with the sanitizing action of the silver ions. This will eliminate their beneficial sanitizing effect.
DOS AND DON’TS • DO check your MPS or dichlor chemical level prior to each use.
• DO shock the spa weekly (use either MPS or sodium dichlor).
• DO change the FreshWaterAg+ silver ion purifier every four months.
• DO test Total Alkalinity and pH weekly.
• DO use MPS for spas only, such as Hot Spring® MPS chlorine-free oxidizer.
• DO store all chemicals in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry place.
• DON’T use bromine, sodium bromide or biguanides. These are an active sanitizer and will combine with the silver ions to inactivate them.
• DON’T use a water clarifier. Clarifiers will cause the spa water to become cloudy.
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Here's the program (540 gallon tub):
1.08 teaspoons of Dichlor before you go in the tub;
3.24 teaspoons of Dichlor once a week to shock the spa. If you want to use MPS instead of Dichlor to shock the water, 6.5 teaspoons. MPS is an oxidizer, not a sanitizer.
Be certain to leave the cover open for a minimum of 20 minutes. Bullfrog has no warranty on the headrest pillows other than stating they will be in good condition when you receive the hot tub.
Drain and replace the water and silver ion cartridge every four months.
Teaspoons?...you sure it's not tablespoons? Just checking
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Teaspoons.
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One teaspoon looks to raise the Chlorine level 1.3 ppm in an A8.