Small brown dots

[Chad]

I've noticed these small brown dots on my spa's shell. They can be found in and out of the water. The ones in the water rub off pretty easy with my hand. The ones outside are more stubborn. This is my 4th or 5th fill and is the first time I've seen these before.  I'm not doing/using anything different this time around. My only guess is that it's from the ozonator. Has anyone had or heard of this before and what is it?

Thanks,

Chad

[IlliniFan]

Chad,
For what ever it is worth, I had those too, right before I got the hot tub dermatitis.  My dealer thought it was possible that it was an algae.  I majorly shocked and they disappeared.  Mine kind of looked like rust spots.

[Chad]

Chad,
For what ever it is worth, I had those too, right before I got the hot tub dermatitis.  My dealer thought it was possible that it was an algae.  I majorly shocked and they disappeared.  Mine kind of looked like rust spots.

Thanks for the heads up Illinifan. Your rust spot comparison is right on. Hopefully it's not to late as I've soaked with the spots a few times now.

[Gomboman]

Tileman, are you still experimenting with less or no dichlor after every use? Maybe you can shock and go back to your old routine. Let us know how it goes...........

[In Canada eh]

I've noticed these small brown dots on my spa's shell.

Chad,

   Sounds like black algae,  I have had it in our pool.  I asked a question about it here to all the pool/spa dealers.  The best way to get rid of it is to scrub the area where you see it really well, supposedly black algae can attach itself right into the shell.  Then raise your chlorine level for a while to help kill it off.  There are algicides available for pools that may work also although I'm not sure about using them in a hot tub.  If your near a water change maybe you could circulate an algicide though your tub overnight just before draining it.

                              Good luck and Happy Holidays

[wmccall]

Its a rare flesh eating bacteria that only attacks the feet.  Once the brown dots show up its too late the damage is done.

[Chas]

BILL !!!!


 8-)

[wmccall]

BILL !!!!


 8-)

Good morning Chas, your up early.

[Chad]

Chad,

   Sounds like black algae,  I have had it in our pool.  I asked a question about it here to all the pool/spa dealers.  The best way to get rid of it is to scrub the area where you see it really well, supposedly black algae can attach itself right into the shell.  Then raise your chlorine level for a while to help kill it off.  There are algicides available for pools that may work also although I'm not sure about using them in a hot tub.  If your near a water change maybe you could circulate an algicide though your tub overnight just before draining it.

                              Good luck and Happy Holidays

Ok, so no one thinks it's just from my ozonator. Sounds like I need to be taking this a little more serious.

Thanks for all the advice.

Chad

PS- I forgot to mention that there is some major spotting on the underside of my cover as well. I'm going to take a few pictures for you guys....

[Chas]

Dichlor Shock, with the lid closed. If you can, give it a scrub first to open the surface of the stuff up a bit.

After the shock, you should rinse the filter.


 8-)

[Chad]

This is a shot of the ones on my cover. They look alot different than the ones on my shell.


This is a shot of some dots outside the water on the shell.


This is on the seat directly above the ozone port.

[Chad]

Dichlor Shock, with the lid closed. If you can, give it a scrub first to open the surface of the stuff up a bit.

After the shock, you should rinse the filter.


 8-)

Thanks Chas. I just finished doing everything you recommended.
A couple of things I noticed during these procedures-
1) The spots inside the water are more stubborn than I thought.
2) The closer to the ozone port, the more spots.
3) The spots are only on horizontal surfaces and not any vertical.
4) My water is balanced, crystal clear, odor free, and doesn't have an abnormal chlorine demand.

Is it possible that it's just some sort of metal deposit coming from the ozonator?
But then how would the spots get on the shell up out of the water? Sorry, I'm just thinkin out loud.

[Cyn]

Tileman, are you still experimenting with less or no dichlor after every use? Maybe you can shock and go back to your old routine. Let us know how it goes...........

Chad...were you experimenting still with your level of dichlor?  Doing anything different?

[Chad]

No. I've been doing everything the same. Like I said, there's no abnormal chlorine demand, my water's chem levels are very stable, and I haven't had any issues with water clarity or odor. That's why I think it might be from the ozonator. I guess I'll give it a day or two and see what happens. If more start to appear after this 12ppm FC shock, I'll be disconnecting my ozonator.

[Vinny]

It's either black algea or mold. Without sunlight I don't know if algea will grow.

I believe one of the byproducts of MPS is phosphates which algea LOVE.

Also with your not using chlorine the spots may be the results of it - something decided to grow.