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I'm a few months in with my first hot tub and have already switched from the original chemicals I started with. I have a Marquis with a built in spa frog system so started with the bromine cartridge. At startup, this is what went into the tub1. Starter pack of bromide to create a reserve bank2. Some calcium3. Bromine cartridge4. Mineral cartridge5. I needed to adjust PH and Alkalinity so used some Al up6. Muriatic acid - to lower PH which kept climbing above 8.0 on me7. Non-chlorine based shock This worked for a bit but my levels were all over the place even with my AL and PH in line. I couldn't get the bromine levels to stay consistent which is a common issue with the spa frog based on reviews I've seen.So I drained my tub (did a purge first). And now I use chlorine which is added daily after I use the tub. Here is what I am now using1. Dichlor (chlorine) - I am using this until my stabilizer gets to about 30-40ppm. After that, I will switch to standard household bleach. I add about a tsp after I use the tub and it has kept my levels perfect. I don't know how much bleach is needed yet but the stuff I bought is about 8%.2. Calcium - apparently you need some in the water so I added it.3. Baking soda - I used this to get my alkalinity in line to about 50ppm4. Muriatic acid - I haven't needed it as my PH has been very stable at about 7.4 but I still have it on hand in case my PH rises.Since switching, maintenance has been much easier. And by that I mean consistent. When I get into the tub at night, the water has minimal smell due to most of the chlorine from the previous day being used up. My Al and PH have been very consistent so haven't had to do anything there. My only concern will be in the colder/snowier months or when I travel where I can't add chlorine each day. I stopped by my dealer this past weekend and picked up a spa frog chlorine cartridge which I will use when needed. It should get me through those times without messing up my normal routine too much.This is a great read that takes you through details on using chlorine.https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/9670-How-do-I-use-Chlorine-in-my-Spa-(or-pool)I know there are a lot of non chlorine based options on the market. Some are EPA approved and others are not. At the end of the day, you will know if something is not working when you are dealing with nasties in your water if you start breaking out in rashes. For me, using a well known and approved sanitizer is the choice I made.
mpkelley20, I'm sure you are really careful, but as a reminder to everyone, using Muriatic Acid to replace dry acid is fine if you put it in your spa carefully. It's easy to hurt yourself or your spa if you don't know what you are doing, otherwise, stick with Sodium Bisulfate.
Quote from: d00nut on November 30, 2016, 11:43:27 pmmpkelley20, I'm sure you are really careful, but as a reminder to everyone, using Muriatic Acid to replace dry acid is fine if you put it in your spa carefully. It's easy to hurt yourself or your spa if you don't know what you are doing, otherwise, stick with Sodium Bisulfate.Awesome point! I wish I was as careful with adding chlorine to my pool and spa as I am with MA. I would have saved several pairs of pants and shorts from bleach spots! Actually have a question...one of the reasons I never used Sodium Bisulfate in my pool was because it leaves sulfates behind. Based on what I read, over time, these build up and could possibly cause hard to plaster (if you have any in your pool) or salt water generator. Does this cause an issue in a hot tub as well or does it not matter as long as you are changing your water every 3 months or so?
I did go to the dealer last night and had an introduction to chemicals. They start-up kit that'll be providing includes only the:Dichlor MPS Non-Chlorine Test Strips - (Chlorine, Alkalinity, pH and Total Hardness)I asked about the initial fill and he said that the water is fresh until after you initially go in, then that's when you start adding chemicals.Next, he suggested the baking soda if the pH is too low. He said he's never experienced where the pH was too high. Maybe he mixed up and meant the alkalinity up for the baking soda.Other than the products above he didn't suggest anything else. I told him I bought the Taylor K-2006 and it didn't sound like he was familiar. It sounds like he provided some very basic procedures. It looks like I will need to do some homework since I don't understand how much of each product to add, except for the above. I'm assuming the Taylor handbook might give me an indication. It sounds like I need to get me some Calcium.
= Sounds like your dealer is really up on things. Dichlor good, shock good, test strips good. I am surprised their kit doesn't contain more products. I would get a PH/ALK increaser or just use baking soda like mentioned. You also might ask them if they will give you a Jacuzzi brand or Nature 2 mineral cartridge to go in your filter, (similar to spa frog) if they even sell them or stock them? Calcium is good to add but I wouldn't worry about it yet, I would also get a product called Defender by Leisure time. I will say try not to stress over the chemicals!
Did he mention anything about calcium?