Author Topic: first fill -- spa chemicals -- treating acrylic (Read 6032 times)

spookyfoot · « **on:** July 30, 2004, 10:20:53 am »

alrighty -- the piper glen was delivered yesterday, but our electrician couldn't come out to do the final hook up. he's there now. so the hubby is going home at lunch to fill her up! woo hoo!

here's my question(s) -- we got this chlorine chemical starter kit that has some polymer spa gloss in it that is recommended to treat the shell of the spa before you fill it. why do you have to treat the shell of the spa with this stuff? if chlorine is so harsh on the shell should we consider using different start-up chemicals?

has anyone heard of Baquacil? is this a better way to go? i really kinda hate the idea of chlorine anyway. any thoughts?

Hot Tub Forum · « **on:** July 30, 2004, 10:20:53 am »

Chris_H · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2004, 10:28:20 am »

The spa gloss is just that, a gloss. It should be used after you drain and re-fill. It does not need to be used at your first filling. It makes the tub look shiny because after you drain the spa it doesn�t look so shiny.
Don�t worry about the chlorine affecting the shell. You can use BaquaSpa, but I would recommend using the Di-chlor at least for the first 4 months, and if you find it to be a hassle keeping the water clean, you can switch to the BaquaSpa. I recommend it primarily because that is what your local dealer recommended to you.
Chris H

spookyfoot · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2004, 12:14:43 pm »

thanks chris -- the simplest things seem overwhelming on this first go around.

Lori · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2004, 12:31:05 pm »

Ok, so this is from a seasoned veteran of 11 months

so take this fwiw!!!

Relax! The water maintenance will come to you. That is what I had to tell myself many times for me to believe it!!!

Give yourself some time to enjoy the fact that the tub is soon to be filled, soon to be heated, and soon to be enjoyed by you and your hubby!!!

spookyfoot · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2004, 12:39:32 pm »

so, how long does it take to heat up the water on first fill?

Snuggles · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2004, 01:34:46 pm »

Spooky it depends on a few factors such as how many gallons your tub contains, temperature of water, size of heater element, and if you're hooked up at 220v. My tub holds 370gls, and temp of water from hose was approximately 68 F, with a 220v hook-up. I never really timed it but I think I hit 100 F in about 4 hrs. Thinking back I think my manual had stated my heater is capable of 6-8 degrees per hour. Good luck and happy tubbing you will love it.

Brewman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2004, 02:08:02 pm »

We have just shy of 500 gallons of water, and last weekend we did our change. Water temp out of the tap was about 68 degrees, and heated to 98 in about 6 hours plus or minus. So I estimate 4 to 5 degrees per hour.
Brewman

spookyfoot · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2004, 05:18:08 pm »

we have 500 gallons and a 220 line and the water is probably 70 degrees coming out of the spigot. so, sometime around midnight we'll be soaking.

CalicoskiesNC · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2004, 06:22:03 pm »

I thought the spa gloss helped to prevent scale too? I used on initial fill. It only took maybe an hour. Its like car wax, wax on-wax off.

Good luck with your first fill and congrats on the tub!

wetone · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2004, 06:43:54 pm »

The piper glen heats about 6 degrees per hour.

Great choice in spa, happy tubin.

UnderTheStars · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2004, 07:27:42 pm »

Congrats Spooky! Good thing today's Friday (and tomorrow's Saturday) 'cause something tells me you will stay up late tonight waiting for that magic temp! You'll have to post another pic of your slab WITH tub!

spookyfoot · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2004, 09:16:46 pm »

does anyone know how to post a photo without having to follow a link. i have a website i can park some pics at.

spookyfoot · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2004, 10:04:30 pm »

here's a link to a quicktime slide show of Spa Day!

http://homepage.mac.com/brookhines/patio/iMovieTheater29.html

Chas · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2004, 11:19:40 pm »

Way Cool!

CalicoskiesNC · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2004, 10:27:03 am »

Spooky, I love it! Very nice tub and set up, congrats to you! And thx for the cool little movie, I really enjoyed seeing your set up.

Hot Tub Forum · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2004, 10:27:03 am »

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