Hot tub foam and family member habits

[datadr93]

Despite my best efforts... and reasonable requests... family members are not in tune with 'Trouble Free' as I am.

Besides taking my grandchild into the tub slathered in baby lotion... now my wife is using these pod-looking fragrance bombs she found on Amazon... I'm getting a fluffy white foam when jets go on high. Water is crystal clear on low jets. At this point, I'm not finding a ring around tub... but then I'm also taking a walnut shell pad and wiping around the rim every time I get into the tub to prevent any rings. I also rinse off the filter weekly along with the AquaClarity treatment. I have a scum-ray that floats in the tub and I wash it weekly.

My question... are the anti-foam agents any harm to utilize when needed? I did use 1 capful from the 'gift package' we received when we purchased the tub.

 

[Mdragger88]

What is the product?
So we can look up the sds

 

[datadr93]

HTH Spa 86116 Defoamer

 

[Mdragger88]

That product is dimethicone & about 3/4 water .
Here’s the sds

https://images.thdstatic.com/catalog/pdfImages/ab/abb8d7d8-a3d7-4705-aabd-7229ad39ca93.pdf

Before resorting to using that you may try increasing your ch a little depending upon what it is right now. Some folks find they need up to 300ppm to reduce foaming.
Also, a little aqua clarity goes a long way.
I use a little over 1/2 the recommended amount.
Over use of defoamers can actually cause worse foaming and make the water weird so if you do use it be sparing.
Perhaps suggest your wife get a diffuser for near the tub if she wants to have smells.
I would lay off of the walnut pad - it sounds rough. A microfiber cloth would do the trick.

 

[datadr93]

The walnut shell pads were actually recommended by the jacuzzi regional rep for the shell material on our tub (met him in store) (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FVZ7BNI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1).

The pods came to my attention when we both got in tub and I saw her drop one in. Besides the 'WTF is that'... she hasn't used one since. If she want hydrotherapy... she can use her tub (and recently started using the AhhSome jetted tub cleaner... holy shazaam... the amount of crud that came out of the jets).

I've reduced down to 1/2 ounce for the maintenance dose on the AQ... already on top of that after first two treatments. Plus I used Borax after fill (at 50). Tub is coming on one month from purchase... and yes, I filled, purged, and then refilled when it was first setup.

Current CH sits at 150. With the SWG didn't want to bump up too much further. The only calcium comes from our well water.

I've only used the one capful of defoamer to date and it did significantly reduce the foaming... until next group of family entered tub. Luckily, this is the foam that dissipates rather quickly once high jets are turned off. Grandchild with baby lotion? Got to assume that ain't helping the foaming issue.

So to define sparingly... once a week? Once a month? I'm first year of the pool and was very disciplined with what I allowed added to pool (BBB/MA only). I'll be same with hot tub additives.

 

[Mdragger88]

Calculate your csi -
So long as it remains neutral or slightly negative your swg should be ok with ch a little higher.
I wouldn’t want to be dependent upon defoamer. Exhaust all other options before resorting to it.
In 6 years of tub ownership & countless kids,teens (girls covered in potions, hair conditioners), + my grimy husband’s dips I have never needed it & never had to dump the water because of it not cleaning up. Adequate/elevated fc and filtering has always worked. Even with the great sunless tanner debacle of 2022 We were all going to be so beautiful and glowing lol.

 

[datadr93]

I'm good with that... so far only used that one capful when it looked as if someone dumped a bottle of bubble bath in it... LOL. Went away immediately when turned off high jets... crystal clear in about 2 minutes.

CSI sits around -0.35 to -0.45 (currently -0.42) with CH at 150... will bump up to 200 when top-off again and see how that goes. FC maintains around 4 to 6 (currently at 5.5). After every nightly dip... add 1 or 2 plastic shot glass of chlorine depending how many of us soaked.

 

[Mdragger88]

Whenever I have “interesting” soakers I raise to 10ppm afterwards to help break down contaminants.
This may be folks with sunscreen on or the girls with their products, guests that use fabric softener etc. depending upon what i have going on i may also give the filter a rinse.