Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Revlis on June 14, 2005, 03:13:56 pm
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I'm using the built in feeder in my Cameo for my Bromine tablets...
I'm up to five bromine tablets now, and even if I don't use the tub, I can't keep it above even 1ppm bromine.
Any advice? That feeder doesn't seem to get much water to go through it.... seems to all go OVER it. Shouldn't 5 tablets be enough?
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Like I mentioned in FLTUB's post, I don't know the SD built in system, but my understanding is that when you fill a bromine tub, you have to add sodium bromide to establish a reserve. Does your system require that?
What setting you have the feeder at?
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The feeder itself might be plugged. It doesn't matter so much the number of pucks in the feeder but rather the setting it's at... Maybe check that. ???
As Soakin mentioned, if you haven't established a good bromine level with sodium bromide, you're in an uphill battle to get a good reading. When was the last time you shocked and what product are you using?
Steve
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It will take some trial and error to get things going right with the feeder. Pucks are slow dissolving and are excellent at maintaining a bromine level. As mentioned above, some sodium bromide may help, or better yet some bromine concentrate.
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I recommend using the bromine floater to help you maintain more of a constant level of bromine. You will need to use a Bromine Concentrate to get the bromine level up to the recommended levels.
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...some sodium bromide may help, or better yet some bromine concentrate.
What is the difference between the two?
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Sodium bromide is a liquid that contains bromine salts. These salts require activation by a catalyst whereas a bromine concentrate combines both products and gives an immediate bromine residual in one product. The quantities required are much less in a concentrate form also.
Steve
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Do you have an ozonator?
Ozone is a fantastic catalyst to activate your bromine (shock does the job as well) ... I've never used Sodium bromide nor bromine concentrate to acheive a good bromine level.
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I have the activator in there, I have a CD ozonator, but don't have the "floater" you guys are talking about.
I use the built in one on the Sundance Cameo. I'm using the "spa specialties" I think it's called. If I shock, it gets up to 3 to 5ppm... but then with the tabs in there it goes down to 0 or 1ppm very quickly it seems, even if I haven't used it.
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A few questions: Are your pH, Alkalinity, and hardness where they are supposed to be? What is in your shock and how much are you using? What is the setting on the feeder? Are the pucks eroding in the feeder? (They should over time.) If not, as Steve suggested, make sure the feeder isn't plugged. (Water needs to be able to wash through and pick up bromine.)
The other possibility is an infection in the tub. The fact that your levels drop quickly makes me think that the bromine is getting used up trying to fight off an invader. Super-sanitizing (I prefer dichlor, but the the suggestions re: sodium bromide/bromine concentrate make sense, too -- see FLTUB's similar thread) until you are able to maintain a good residual is the next thing to do after checking the feeder.
Good luck!
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I dont' think the built in dispenser is adjustable. I have the Optima, which is a very similar spa, and it doesn't look adjustable, nor is it mentioned in the owners manual.
Brewman
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That is correct, it is not adjustable. I have the Sundance Majesta and it is the same. I believe all Sundance's have the same bromine feeder but I could be wrong.
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A few questions: Are your pH, Alkalinity, and hardness where they are supposed to be? What is in your shock and how much are you using? What is the setting on the feeder? Are the pucks eroding in the feeder? (They should over time.) If not, as Steve suggested, make sure the feeder isn't plugged. (Water needs to be able to wash through and pick up bromine.)
The other possibility is an infection in the tub. The fact that your levels drop quickly makes me think that the bromine is getting used up trying to fight off an invader. Super-sanitizing (I prefer dichlor, but the the suggestions re: sodium bromide/bromine concentrate make sense, too -- see FLTUB's similar thread) until you are able to maintain a good residual is the next thing to do after checking the feeder.
Good luck!
I think I really need to get a better measure of the water. Those test strips are tough to read.
My hardness is about 150ppm, alk and PH are steady in the ideal range. I don't remember off hand the exact chems I'm using for shock. I'll look that up. The tabs do indeed erode over time.
The Cameo doesn't have a setting for the feeder. It's just a small container over which water runs on it's way to the filter. It's built into the "floating dam" that let's only the top inch of water or so get into the filter compartment.
Even though my bromine ppm is seemingly always low... the weekly shock, ozone etc. keeps the water clear.
I'm only on my first fill of the tub so far. The first filter got extremely dirty extremely fast.... after two weeks I replaced with new ones.... the new ones have been staying very clean.
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Even though my bromine ppm is seemingly always low... the weekly shock, ozone etc. keeps the water clear.
Revlis, it sounds like you got things under control.
A bromine level of 0.5 - 1.0ppm is accepted by many as adequate in a tub with ozone. I keep my level around 0.5ppm (jumping up with weekly shocking) and I've never had a problem... except one time when the ozonator wasn't working.
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Ok.. thanks empolgation.
Do you run your ozone 24/7? Mine cycles on 4 times a day.
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Revlis,
Are your filter cycles increased to run to 1 1/2 hours 4
times a day, in additional to the 24 hour ozonation? Or
are they as the spa comes from the factory, set for 4
times a day, 30 minutes each. I would beef uo the filter
cycles. I have found that the cycle settings have alot to
do with the bromine that is being drawn into the system.
hottubber... ;D
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Ok.. thanks empolgation.
Do you run your ozone 24/7? Mine cycles on 4 times a day.
Nope, my ozone runs only during set filter cycles... right now that's set to 2 times a day 2 hours each.
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Time to read the manual!! (again)
My tub cycles on 4 times a day, and I set it to the max time for each cycle. Not sure the ozone is on 24/7. Where is the setting for that? ???