Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: tvaughan on February 15, 2005, 03:22:46 pm

Title: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: tvaughan on February 15, 2005, 03:22:46 pm: Help,
I just drained and refilled my tub. There are now White flakes everywhere. They seem to be coming out of the bottem drain. I have used a shop vac and tried to suck everything from the bottem drain. I've drained and refilled three times so far today and am now draining once more.

There were no flakes before the drain. The water quality was fine before the drain. I was jut changeing the water today because the temp was up to 50 and thought it would be a good time. Now I'm getting sorta pissed and flustered.

Has this happend to anyone else and what could it be???

Thanks.. An answer soon would be much appreciated..
-Tom-
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: wmccall on February 15, 2005, 03:28:42 pm: A previous thread

http://www.whatsthebest-hottub.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-hottub;action=display;num=1102083489;start=0
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: Steve on February 15, 2005, 04:55:28 pm: As that thread mentions, superchlorinating is the key! White flakes is often an algae and killing it with chlorine in large amounts is the short answer. Remember to remove your cover and let it run for an hour or so when doing this.

The other possibility is calcium but that should have shown up on the walls of the spa after draining.

Anyone missing a white cat in your area? ??? ;)

Steve
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: tvaughan on February 15, 2005, 05:24:57 pm: Quote
As that thread mentions, superchlorinating is the key! White flakes is often an algae and killing it with chlorine in large amounts is the short answer. Remember to remove your cover and let it run for an hour or so when doing this.

The other possibility is calcium but that should have shown up on the walls of the spa after draining.

Anyone missing a white cat in your area? ??? ;)

Steve

Well, I've drained it again. I noticed that the flakes were in the bottom drain. This is also used for the circ pump. I used the shop vac and blowed the crap out of it and also the stand pipe for the circ filter. That blowed lots of flakes out. I did that several times. I'm filling it again now and I'm not seeing any flakes yet. :o

I'll super clorinate as soon as it's filled. It's just stange. I've had the tub 5 months. This is the 3rd time I've drained and filled the tub. There have been no problems other than lots of foam the first two weeks. I did the chas method for the foam and haven't had a problem since.

Thanks.. for the info..:)
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: spahappy on February 15, 2005, 06:38:34 pm: I've heard of Chas's law but what is Chas's method?

Is there a Chas manual yet? ;D
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: stuart on February 15, 2005, 08:30:19 pm: Hey! Same thing here....White flakes everywhere....?!

No wait...It's just snowing outside! ;)

Go to the link recommended above and read through it....It will help correct the situation
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: tvaughan on February 15, 2005, 10:32:49 pm: Ok.. it's done. That last draining and blowing out with the shop vac seemed to do the trick. It's 104f now and looking good, no flakes so far.

I bet my water bill is going to be a doozy next time though :'( Four refills on a Grandee in one day.
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: wmccall on February 16, 2005, 07:55:21 am: Quote

I bet my water bill is going to be a doozy next time though :'( Four refills on a Grandee in one day.

I went to the web site for my city's water company and if I read the material right I'm paying $7 for 5000 gallons of water.
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: r100rs on February 18, 2005, 11:27:05 am: Quote

Anyone missing a white cat in your area? ??? ;)

Steve

I found it - and look what the dog was doing

(http://img39.exs.cx/img39/8193/scan00012ru.th.jpg) (http://img39.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img39&image=scan00012ru.jpg)
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: Steve on February 18, 2005, 12:04:18 pm: LMAO!! ;D Yep...that sure looks like it! ;D

Steve
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: stuart on February 18, 2005, 12:41:36 pm: So after it has run a few days have you seen anymore flakes? (In the spa ;))
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: hottubber on February 18, 2005, 03:57:55 pm: Have you tried the product called Swirl Away? I use it periodically, it is supposed to break free the deposits that sit in the plumbing. I like it alot.
Be careful, if you are using BaquaSpa, you cannot use it.
The next time you refill your spa, add 8 ounces of Metal-x, that will help keep the minerals in suspension.
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: stuart on February 18, 2005, 05:29:55 pm: Quote
Have you tried the product called Swirl Away? I use it periodically, it is supposed to break free the deposits that sit in the plumbing. I like it alot.
Be careful, if you are using BaquaSpa, you cannot use it.
The next time you refill your spa, add 8 ounces of Metal-x, that will help keep the minerals in suspension.

You know, that's a good point...We do that with any customer that has a water mold issue and I did not put that step in on the other post for cleaning. It works well if you can't seem to get the flakes out..
Title: Re: HELP New Refill White Flakes Everywhere
Post by: tvaughan on February 18, 2005, 07:57:35 pm: Quote
So after it has run a few days have you seen anymore flakes? (In the spa ;))

So far so good no flakes yet. I'll use the swirl away next refill.