Hot Tub Forum
Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: Bama on October 23, 2006, 08:58:21 pm
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OK, there's a little bit of a slimy feel to the nook and crannies of the tub seats.
The test strips indicate that all levels of chemicals are in great shape.
So, if the water ALWAYS tests out ok, then where does the slime come from and is it a problem?
*The tub is only 2 weeks old and it's the original water fill in case that matters.
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Does Trixie wear lotion, make up, have hair with conditioner and/or other hair products? I honestly would think the slime would be attributed to these factors rather than *ahem* *romance*, but then again you could, I mean Trixie, could always try my method and see if that makes a difference or not. ;D
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Is it from Trixie's romance? ::)
What chems are you using? Slimy doesn't usually happen.
Do you keep all the jets on when shocking or dosing with dichlor? Do you leave all the jets on if your tub clears it's lines?
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Bama,
I followed along on the last Trixie post and laughed my butt off. Brooke your candor is appreciated and I would love for you to have a good long talk with my wife ;D
Back to the question, if "Trixie" is concerned with what the "yuks" could be in "her" tub she could try try a chlorine shock. Raise the chlorine level to about 10ppm and what ever it is will be dead and gone. The only draw back is "she" will have to wait a couple of days to use the tub. I think Brooke and Vinny hit the nail on the head when they mentioned lotions, hairsprays, make up etc.
Tell "Trixie" good luck
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Is this where that bottle of Enzyme stuff comes into play?
Naturally removes oil, lotion, and organics from spa water using nature's enzyme power.
Maybe clarifier?
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Could it also be that it is new-tub-syndrome, so that skin oils and the like are a factor? (They say that all kinds of crud gets released from our pores when we become regular tubbers). Also, it is generally a good idea just to keep your hair out of the tub so that conditioners and whatever are not introduced to the water. Now, just sitting there relaxing, that is a no brainer. But with other activites, perhaps, one might not be so careful....
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Does Trixie wear lotion, make up, have hair with conditioner and/or other hair products? I honestly would think the slime would be attributed to these factors rather than *ahem* *romance*, but then again you could, I mean Trixie, could always try my method and see if that makes a difference or not. ;D
Actually, Trixie showers before hot tubbing, shouldn't that remove all the skanky stuff, lotion, make-up, and hair conditioner?
I'm not sure if Trixie's man, Rod showers or not? Maybe, it's him?
Yes, your method...uh hmm? I've "heard" that is very effective. Thanks for the help, I'll pass that along to Trixie, but I have a feeling she is up to date on that. ;)
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Is it from Trixie's romance? ::)
What chems are you using? Slimy doesn't usually happen.
Do you keep all the jets on when shocking or dosing with dichlor? Do you leave all the jets on if your tub clears it's lines?
I don't think it is from Trixie's romance, but I'm not sure? That Trixie is piece of work! It would seem that all extra-bodily fluids would be dissolved? Why would it collect in just the curves and other nooks and crannies?
The chemicals used daily is Dichlor, I, Trixie uses 2 capfuls/ 650 gallons of water after the final soak of the day.
***The tub is used 3-4 times per day. Trixie is a busy girl!
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
Drewstar, you are a genious!!!!
That makes sense...possibly Trixie didn't get the shell as clean as it should have been prior to the initial filling? That would explain why the problem is just in the nooks and crannies!
Keeping the water's PH balance, chlorine levels, and everything else on that frickin' test strip has been a piece of cake!!
Thanks so much!
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
Drewstar, you are a genious!!!!
You know, I keep telling folks that, but no one listens. ;)
If it's annoying the hell out of you, try taking a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and wipping the area's that are slick.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are your friend.
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Could it also be that it is new-tub-syndrome, so that skin oils and the like are a factor? (They say that all kinds of crud gets released from our pores when we become regular tubbers). Also, it is generally a good idea just to keep your hair out of the tub so that conditioners and whatever are not introduced to the water. Now, just sitting there relaxing, that is a no brainer. But with other activites, perhaps, one might not be so careful....
Hair in the tub is unavoidable, so if hair conditioners are released in the tub, wouldn't the test strips indicate something's out of whack? That's the part that is confusing, test strips indicate all is well.
Since Trixie showers prior to tubbing, and doesn't use much hair conditioner in the first place, how much conditioner would be too much? Granted, Trixie has a lot of long hair, so there's probably more conditioner in her hair than she realizes. Do you know of a hair conditioner that doesn't have a heavy wax base or is tub friendly while still managing to untangle a lot of long hair?
Thanks for your help.
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
Drewstar, you are a genious!!!!
You know, I keep telling folks that, but no one listens. ;)
If it's annoying the hell out of you, try taking a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and wipping the area's that are slick.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are your friend.
***I'm not worthy...I'm not worthy, of DREWSTAR THE GENIOUS!
Drewstar,
Yes, it is bugging the hell out of me, I mean Trixie! She is a clean freak!
Do you know where these magicial MR. Clean easers are sold, Trixie needs all the friends she can get?
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Is this where that bottle of Enzyme stuff comes into play?
Naturally removes oil, lotion, and organics from spa water using nature's enzyme power.
Maybe clarifier?
Is clarifier an enzyme, or are we talking two different products here?
Got some clarifier on hand, I could try that, but I'm so happy that my test strips indicate that the water is balanced, I'm darn near paranoid to introduce something new to the water. But, then I really want the slimy feeling to go away!
Will clarifier effect other readings on the test strip?
Thanks for helping.
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
Drewstar, you are a genious!!!!
You know, I keep telling folks that, but no one listens. ;)
If it's annoying the hell out of you, try taking a Mr. Clean Magic eraser and wipping the area's that are slick.
Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are your friend.
***I'm not worthy...I'm not worthy, of DREWSTAR THE GENIOUS!
Drewstar,
Yes, it is bugging the hell out of me, I mean Trixie! She is a clean freak!
Do you know where these magicial MR. Clean easers are sold, Trixie needs all the friends she can get?
Anywhere household cleaners are sold: Grocery stores, department stores come quickly to mind. Careful with them. They work great on pools and hot tubs, but can break apart with too much scrubbing.
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Is it from Trixie's romance? ::)
What chems are you using? Slimy doesn't usually happen.
Do you keep all the jets on when shocking or dosing with dichlor? Do you leave all the jets on if your tub clears it's lines?
Vinny, are you my long lost cousin from New Jersy???
Trixie pours 2 capfuls of Dichlor into a *Spiderman net, then she turns on all the jets and dips the net in and out of the water, (like dunking a tea bag) until all the dichlor has dissolved. The jets are left on for about 10 minutes. The last step is to dip a test strip in for testing.
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Is it from Trixie's romance? ::)
What chems are you using? Slimy doesn't usually happen.
Do you keep all the jets on when shocking or dosing with dichlor? Do you leave all the jets on if your tub clears it's lines?
Vinny, are you my long lost cousin from New Jersy???
Trixie pours 2 capfuls of Dichlor into a *Spiderman net, then she turns on all the jets and dips the net in and out of the water, (like dunking a tea bag) until all the dichlor has dissolved. The jets are left on for about 10 minutes. The last step is to dip a test strip in for testing.
Just toss the granules into the water with the jets on full. no need for fishnet stockings.
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I don't know about everyone else, but I have found test strips to be very unreliable. I bought the Lamotte electronic tester, mainly because I thought that I was not reading the test strips correctly, with these old eyes. At times, I have found that the test strips read everything is in order. I then have done a test with the meter and found that the PH and or Alk was out of wack. I still use the strips, mainly because I have so many of them, but follow it up with the meter, every once in a while, which I have found to be very reliable. Just my opinion.
Also, I think I read here or somewhere else, that the human body gives off about a half pint of fluid (perspiration, body oils, etc.) for every 30 minutes of soaking. So depending on how many people use the tub...it could be a lot of fluids being added to a very fertile breading tank. Showering helps the extra stuff that we put on our bodies, but the rest is just part of human nature. Slimy is never good. I would also shock and sanitize to get rid of it.
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When I just got my tub last year, I found it to be slimey from time to time. No Love juices, just slime. I went to the my local shop and told them and they said try a scum sponge. I threw it in the water and within a few days no more slime. Now I cant live without my sponge floating around the tub, it eliminates all the junk that floats in the water from my body and creams etc. etc.
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Hair in the tub is unavoidable, so if hair conditioners are released in the tub, wouldn't the test strips indicate something's out of whack? That's the part that is confusing, test strips indicate all is well.
Since Trixie showers prior to tubbing, and doesn't use much hair conditioner in the first place, how much conditioner would be too much? Granted, Trixie has a lot of long hair, so there's probably more conditioner in her hair than she realizes. Do you know of a hair conditioner that doesn't have a heavy wax base or is tub friendly while still managing to untangle a lot of long hair?
Thanks for your help.
I have no idea if enough conditioner is left to be a problem, assuming that youre not using the "leave in" type, or styling stuff, which I'm sure you have already washed out. I personally put my hair up in a big clip and try to keep it all out of the water. Sometimes I'm more successful than other times, and even when I do get my hair all wet, it has never casued a problem. I think that Drew is on to the right answer, and I'll give a second vote for how great Mr Clean is. As for the scum sponges, I tried that and really did not like it. Just got caught in the filter, and seemed not to add anything to my water quality. But it could be worth a try!
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I thought when I looked through the bushes Trixie didn't have any hair. With the light reflecting off the snow I'm sure I'm right.
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I have a 4 and 7 year old. The Magic Eraser is a must around our house. I live in St.Albert, Alberta, Canada and it is getting cold at night. Me and the Mrs. like to soak at 103. My wife likes it hot. ;) I lower it to 101 when the kids are in.
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I personally put my hair up in a big clip and try to keep it all out of the water.
Yup, same here. Not just to protect the water but because I'm not real interested in developing a green tinge to my luvverly blonde locks :) Plus, hair in filters is just ICK!
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I personally put my hair up in a big clip and try to keep it all out of the water.
Yup, same here. Not just to protect the water but because I'm not real interested in developing a green tinge to my luvverly blonde locks :) Plus, hair in filters is just ICK!
I didn't know naturally blonde hair turned green with chlorine. ;)
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I personally put my hair up in a big clip and try to keep it all out of the water.
Yup, same here. Not just to protect the water but because I'm not real interested in developing a green tinge to my luvverly blonde locks :) Plus, hair in filters is just ICK!
I didn't know naturally blonde hair turned green with chlorine. ;)
;D One time I went to get my hair cut and the woman asked me, "Who did your highlights? Very nice!"
I said, "God"
Could be I'm mistaken about turning green, but would rather not risk it :)
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I don't know about everyone else, but I have found test strips to be very unreliable. I bought the Lamotte electronic tester, mainly because I thought that I was not reading the test strips correctly, with these old eyes. At times, I have found that the test strips read everything is in order. I then have done a test with the meter and found that the PH and or Alk was out of wack. I still use the strips, mainly because I have so many of them, but follow it up with the meter, every once in a while, which I have found to be very reliable. Just my opinion.
Also, I think I read here or somewhere else, that the human body gives off about a half pint of fluid (perspiration, body oils, etc.) for every 30 minutes of soaking. So depending on how many people use the tub...it could be a lot of fluids being added to a very fertile breading tank. Showering helps the extra stuff that we put on our bodies, but the rest is just part of human nature. Slimy is never good. I would also shock and sanitize to get rid of it.
Trixie like appliances, where do you get this meter?
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I thought when I looked through the bushes Trixie didn't have any hair. With the light reflecting off the snow I'm sure I'm right.
Trixie, has a lot of hair that she is thinking of cutting off, since it stays wet all the time from frequent tubbing!
Snow, are you kidding? There hasn't been snow here since 1992 and that was a freak snow storm that covered the southeast. It's 72 degrees here today.
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I personally put my hair up in a big clip and try to keep it all out of the water.
Yup, same here. Not just to protect the water but because I'm not real interested in developing a green tinge to my luvverly blonde locks :) Plus, hair in filters is just ICK!
What's up with the hot water protection? I thought the hotter the water, (with the exception of boiling water) the greater potential to grow bacteria? Is this wrong?
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Is it from Trixie's romance? ::)
What chems are you using? Slimy doesn't usually happen.
Do you keep all the jets on when shocking or dosing with dichlor? Do you leave all the jets on if your tub clears it's lines?
Vinny, are you my long lost cousin from New Jersy???
Trixie pours 2 capfuls of Dichlor into a *Spiderman net, then she turns on all the jets and dips the net in and out of the water, (like dunking a tea bag) until all the dichlor has dissolved. The jets are left on for about 10 minutes. The last step is to dip a test strip in for testing.
I'm about a foot taller than the movie version but I am Italian ... and I'm actually from NY originally too!
2 capfulls may not be enough with the use of 3-4 times a day, you have a big tub. Do you know what that equals to in teaspoons/tablespoons?
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I personally put my hair up in a big clip and try to keep it all out of the water.
Yup, same here. Not just to protect the water but because I'm not real interested in developing a green tinge to my luvverly blonde locks :) Plus, hair in filters is just ICK!
I didn't know naturally blonde hair turned green with chlorine. ;)
Very light blonde, natural or otherwise, it can (and will) turn green. That's a fact :)
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
Drewstar, you are a genious!!!!
That makes sense...possibly Trixie didn't get the shell as clean as it should have been prior to the initial filling? That would explain why the problem is just in the nooks and crannies!
Keeping the water's PH balance, chlorine levels, and everything else on that frickin' test strip has been a piece of cake!!
Thanks so much!
wow....Trixie's got slippery waxy buildup in her nooks and crannies!! :o :o Normally I recommend a topical cream for issues like that, but uh... ::)
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I'd think that if there was a significant amount of oils and such in the water to make the shell slippery, then I'd think you're water clarity would be off, or at the very least see some oil slicks or rainbowing on the water surface? It could just be a well waxed shell, or the factory finish.
Drewstar, you are a genious!!!!
That makes sense...possibly Trixie didn't get the shell as clean as it should have been prior to the initial filling? That would explain why the problem is just in the nooks and crannies!
Keeping the water's PH balance, chlorine levels, and everything else on that frickin' test strip has been a piece of cake!!
Thanks so much!
wow....Trixie's got slippery waxy buildup in her nooks and crannies!! :o :o Normally I recommend a topical cream for issues like that, but uh... ::)
Tattoo Lady,
Yes you are right! My mama taught me not to play with children who had slimy nooks and crannies! ;D ;D
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Yep, naturally blonde hair will defintely turn green.
And the best incubation temp for a lot of bacteria is about room teperature up to a little over 100. That is why tubs get gross without sanitation and you should not leave your leftovers out of the fridge.
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Is it from Trixie's romance? ::)
What chems are you using? Slimy doesn't usually happen.
Do you keep all the jets on when shocking or dosing with dichlor? Do you leave all the jets on if your tub clears it's lines?
Vinny, are you my long lost cousin from New Jersy???
Trixie pours 2 capfuls of Dichlor into a *Spiderman net, then she turns on all the jets and dips the net in and out of the water, (like dunking a tea bag) until all the dichlor has dissolved. The jets are left on for about 10 minutes. The last step is to dip a test strip in for testing.
I'm about a foot taller than the movie version but I am Italian ... and I'm actually from NY originally too!
2 capfulls may not be enough with the use of 3-4 times a day, you have a big tub. Do you know what that equals to in teaspoons/tablespoons?
Yo, Vinny.......how ya doin'?
One capful equals one tablespoon. I suppose that would have been nice to know earlier, huh?
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Yep, naturally blonde hair will defintely turn green.
And the best incubation temp for a lot of bacteria is about room teperature up to a little over 100. That is why tubs get gross without sanitation and you should not leave your leftovers out of the fridge.
Anne,
Maybe, you are on to something with this water temp thing... Our weather is very mild, so I don't especially enjoy the water hotter than 98 degrees. But, if I understand you correctly, under 100 degrees is not a good thing. What do you mean without sanitation? Isn't dichlor sanitizing the tub? Should I be doing something differently if I'm to keep my water temp down?
OR, were you saying I should keep my left overs in the spa? ;D
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I said earlier in this post that my test strip indicated all was in balance. Well, it was until today.
Today, my test strip reading indicated that all was well except for, "very high alkalinity".
So, is this bad? Should I risk lowering the PH to get the alkalinity lowered?
Or, is there a product that lowers alkalinity only?
Maybe, this is contributing to the film in the nooks and crannies?
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bama,
I think anne was just making the point that hot tubs are prime breeding grounds for bacteria. Dichlor is your, uhhh trixie's, sanitizer and it sounds like you are doing the right things. No special routine for under 100 degrees. 2 tablespoons sounds like a lot of dichlor but as vinny pointed out you have a big tub and a lot of use. As long as you are monitoring your free chlorine (FC) level you should be good sanitizer wise.
You should definitely get your alk under control. I am not sure what you need to lower alk only, I know you can use sodium bisulfate (Spa Down) to lower both alk and ph and then raise ph only with soda ash.
You can check out the various chemicals at Doc's site:
[link]http://www.rhtubs.com/store/phbalanc.htm[/link]
I didn't see anywhere that you mentioned your shock routine. You could do a dichlor or MPS shock whichever you are using, that should put to bed any questions about normal people borne organics. I think that was suggested before.
If this all fails and the slime still bugs you a water change and shell cleaning might be in order.
And never put left overs in the tub, leave them on the counter and sprinkle 2 tablespoons of dichlor over them daily, they'll keep forever.
Steve
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What he said. :)
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My capful is 2 teaspoons....A tablespoon is 3 teaspoons.....Check your own capful for the right amount
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Just wondering if the slimy feeling could be from the high alkalinity? :-/
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Just wondering if the slimy feeling could be from the high alkalinity? :-/
I sort of wondered that too, but I think it would have to be pretty high.
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Problem of high alkalinity and slime are under control!
What I did...
I bought a nylon scrub mit at K-mart, I scrubbed the nooks and cranies, shocked the water, and then added a bit of fresh water. That cleaned the tub and brought down the alkalinity, as well. All readings are in line now.
Thanks so much to all of you for your help!