Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: drober30 on June 20, 2005, 09:07:51 pm

Title: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: drober30 on June 20, 2005, 09:07:51 pm
Ok.... I know I will get it down and understand it but it sure does take some of the fun away.

Everything I have read to try and educate myself on water chemistry tells me how my hot tub is full of bacteria and germs from sweat, oils, and hair products ect... Ok, so I'm not germaphobic so I can get past that knowing I just need the right balance and all is good!

So why the difficulty? Why can we put a man on the moon and then bring him back but I have to distinguish between several shades of red to figure out my water chemistry.

I wish there was a digital machine that either said "hey your good way to go"!  Or "nice try but you need to add some increaser".
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Ruby on June 20, 2005, 09:25:41 pm
Or how about sensors built right into the tub connected to a chemical panel that has a digital readout telling me what my levels are and how much of whatever i need too add.
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Haynes on June 20, 2005, 09:32:59 pm
Quote
Or how about sensors built right into the tub connected to a chemical panel that has a digital readout telling me what my levels are and how much of whatever i need too add.



That would be SWEET!!!
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Brewman on June 21, 2005, 08:20:03 am
You can buy digital Ph meters, they are commonly used by home beer and wine makers.  I don't have one, though.  These are available now for around $60 and up, for a model accurate enough for spa use.  
Is it the test strips or the liquid tests that are frustrating you?  I find the test strips annoying, and like the liquid tests much more.
Brewman
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Rayman on June 21, 2005, 09:46:24 am
I use the liquid and still find it confusing when looking at the colours, do you hold it to the light, to the ground, put a white background on it, jump on one foot while shaking the tube, wait 30 seconds and look away quickly, walk door to door around the block and ask others for their opinion??
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: bulmer4nc on June 21, 2005, 09:54:52 am
Quote
I use the liquid and still find it confusing when looking at the colours, do you hold it to the light, to the ground, put a white background on it, jump on one foot while shaking the tube, wait 30 seconds and look away quickly, walk door to door around the block and ask others for their opinion??


Our kit came with a white card that I place behind it and I hold it up to a light.  I think the important thing is that you do the same thing every time.  As long as you are consistant and can manage your water based on the readings you get then you should be good to go.  If jumping on one foot and shaking the tube works for you then go for it.   ;)
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Brewman on June 21, 2005, 09:57:04 am
If I recall, the instructions on my kit says to use in sunlight, against a light background.  The darker it is, the more difficult it is to distinguish colors.  Check out the instructions with your test kit, they probably recommend the correct way to view the vial.
Brewman
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: drober30 on June 21, 2005, 10:36:06 am
Quote
You can buy digital Ph meters, they are commonly used by home beer and wine makers.  I don't have one, though.  These are available now for around $60 and up, for a model accurate enough for spa use.  
 Is it the test strips or the liquid tests that are frustrating you?  I find the test strips annoying, and like the liquid tests much more.
 Brewman


I just bought a Taylor test kit. Only used it once but way better than test strips.

Even with the Taylor kit I find the colors hard to call.

I do like the way you add the drops to calculate how far off your water is.

I would spend extra for an electronic meter if it makes things easier and helps me protect my spa which I spent allot on.

I have only seen the PH meter. What about the rest of test?
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Brewman on June 21, 2005, 12:24:14 pm
Well, there's always those tests that my dealer does.
They put my spa water in several little foil sealed vials, and place the vials in some sort of reader, which sends  a water analysis to their printer.  
I suspect that even if this system is available to us average Joes, it's gotta be on the spendy side.
Brewman
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: wmccall on June 21, 2005, 12:43:08 pm
Quote
You can buy digital Ph meters, they are commonly used by home beer and wine makers.   Brewman



I bought one for around $30 and found it to be pretty temperature sensitive. It worked good if I got water from the spa and let it set a couple of hours. Kind of takes the instant part of it away though.
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: drober30 on June 21, 2005, 12:43:30 pm
Quote
Well, there's always those tests that my dealer does.
They put my spa water in several little foil sealed vials, and place the vials in some sort of reader, which sends  a water analysis to their printer.  
 I suspect that even if this system is available to us average Joes, it's gotta be on the spendy side.
Brewman


Wow... my dealer has a pretty big testing station but no print out or analysis. They compare colors too.
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Brewman on June 21, 2005, 01:39:14 pm
Maybe it's the type of chemicals they sell.  Both places I go to sell Baqua and Brilliance (same company), so maybe the Baqua Company supplies them the test machinery.  I never thought to ask.  But the printout is nice- in addition to the various test results, it adds how much Ph or Alk to add to bring the water in balance, very handy for untreated tap water.
Brewman
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: drewstar on June 21, 2005, 01:45:43 pm
The place I used to go would do a free water test and provide a print out.  

I watched one day and noticed they were just dunking a large test strip in there. I was a bit dispointed, as i had imagined they had some super nifty specto analysis doo hickey.  :(

the print out would detail exactly what i needed to add to my water....And of course with my cynical nature,  I also thought to myself, "bah, this is just some scam to sell me cleaners and chemicals I don't really need."   ;)


When bringing water in to be tested, is there one method, or equipment that is better than others?  What should I look for?
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: drober30 on June 21, 2005, 02:45:20 pm
Quote
The place I used to go would do a free water test and provide a print out.  

 I watched one day and noticed they were just dunking a large test strip in there. I was a bit dispointed, as i had imagined they had some super nifty specto analysis doo hickey.  :(

When bringing water in to be tested, is there one method, or equipment that is better than others?  What should I look for?


Look for an employee with great color perception and test strips that are not expired! ;D lol
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: JJ on June 21, 2005, 03:31:04 pm
While we are dreaming about the ultimate automated tub, how about one that continually tests the water AND adds the chemicals to keep in balance.  Also remote control with a motorized lifter so you can sanitize, run the tub, and raise/lower the cover from inside!

I'm basically lazy :-[
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: drewstar on June 21, 2005, 03:36:22 pm
Quote
While we are dreaming about the ultimate automated tub, how about one that continually tests the water AND adds the chemicals to keep in balance.  Also remote control with a motorized lifter so you can sanitize, run the tub, and raise/lower the cover from inside!

I'm basically lazy :-[



You know with all the fancy doo-dads they try to come up with to make thier tubs uniqe, a motorized cover actually appeals to me.; Remote control activated so in the middle of febuary it lifts off and on for me.  oh....an knocks the snow off and shovels a path for me.

 ::)
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: bulmer4nc on June 21, 2005, 04:17:44 pm
Quote


You know with all the fancy doo-dads they try to come up with to make thier tubs uniqe, a motorized cover actually appeals to me.; Remote control activated so in the middle of febuary it lifts off and on for me.  oh....an knocks the snow off and shovels a path for me.

  ::)


And somehow had a cold beer waiting if it saw you coming.  :)
Title: Re: Water testing takes some of the fun away!
Post by: Backpains on June 21, 2005, 05:08:40 pm
oh don't forget it has to have they jets that absolutely know right where the achey pains are and make it all better.  ;) and one that serves beverages to us hehehehehe!


Just a little Backpains humor.

P.S. Glad you all are inthralled in my quips and humorous lines of gaff (and you all thought I didn't know big words!!!!  ;D )