The sticky looks like one person’s experience, as opposed to an official blog style post like I used to learn the pool method. Is it the accepted method for sanitizer in a hot tub? With my pool I add chlorine every other day. Would this be typical with the hot tub as well or does the chlorine dissipate slower since the cover keeps UV out? I also don’t see anything about dealing with lotions and detergents, other than plan for more chlorine.
I am comfortable with balancing water after using pool math and a season of my pool (I have large amounts of the basics to adjust water chemistry in my area) but I’m trying to understand what a typical daily/weekly/monthly schedule might look like with this methodology.
This is what I do, others may vary, with my hot tub.
Purge with AhhSome, drain, wipe down, and refill. While it is refilling I clean all the parts (pillows, filters, weirs, my is a Bullfrog so my jet packs come out, etc)
At the onset I add DiChlor to add both FC and CYA. I do this on a daily basis, and test on a daily basis. I also add muriatic acid on a daily basis (after checking pH of course)
After +/- 3 doses of DiChlor my CYA is where it needs to be. I then switch over to bleach. I continue to do daily tests and additions of acid and bleach for an other 7-10 days.
After a total of about 10 days, my pH and TA have come into an equilibrium. I do not try and force TA to where I think it needs to be. I check pH on a daily basis and add acid (and CL if that test low) as necessary to bring it down. After about 10 days, it reaches a point where it is pretty stable. When that happens I have recently started adding Boric Acid.
Now the tub moves into "steady state" mode. I test pH and FC/CC every three days or so and add as necessary. If we are using the tub, I add 2 oz of Chlorine after we use it (two people for about 20-30 minutes)
On the weekend, I add just under an ounce of AquaClarity and I check CYA in addition to FC/CC
If we have a party, or abnormal usage, then I test and adjust accordingly.
As far as lotions and detergents, I keep them out of the tub, that is how I deal with them. We have dedicated hot tub bathing suits that are not washed that much. We also don't tend to use a lot of lotions etc. Small amounts, such as from deodorant, are not a big deal. We are also not getting into the hot tub if, for example, we are sweaty and dirty from yard work.
Again, this is what works for my tub and our usage patterns. I know I can "get away" with my tub sitting for 3-4 days without adding anything if nobody is using it. Your milage may vary, but you will get to know your tub. I also SLAM the tub from time to time, just to be sure.
