Spa chemicals

[JenF75]

Hi, our new (and first) hot tub is being installed tomorrow. We have the option of using chlorine or bromine and I'm not sure what's best for us. As an aside, we use the TFP method for our salt water pool and I have the TF-100 kit for testing. Any recommendations on what we should go with??

 

[mknauss]

As you have the test kit, chlorine would seem to be the easiest.

See the Pinned article on using Chlorine in a Hot Tub in this forum.

How do I use Chlorine in my Spa or Hot Tub?

If you have a question about any information within this Sticky, please start a new thread for yourself where you will receive very quick responses to your specific questions. Thank you! Introduction There are two main things to consider when maintaining your hot tub water, Water Balance and...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Newdude]

Hey Jen !! Seeing how you already know the one method, I’d stick with it, just in a smaller scale. Gallons and lbs become 1/2 cups and teaspoons. The Bromine method works too, but as with anything else, adds new problems. For one, the MPS used with Bromine messes with some TF-100 tests rendering them useless.

Your call if you want to learn a new method or not

 

[mknauss]

Be sure to do an Ahhsome purge when you get your tub. Prior to using it.

 

[JenF75]

Hey Jen !! Seeing how you already know the one method, I’d stick with it, just in a smaller scale. Gallons and lbs become 1/2 cups and teaspoons. The Bromine method works too, but as with anything else, adds new problems. For one, the MPS used with Bromine messes with some TF-100 tests rendering them useless.

Your call if you want to learn a new method or not

I would prefer not to learn a new method, if there's no real advantage to bromine. So it's settled, I'll just stick with chlorine! Thanks for your input!

 

[Newdude]

You could option 3 also...... get a saltron mini and have a salt tub. The people per gallons is off the charts in a hot tub so it won’t perform any miracles, you’ll basically need to SLAM after use, but it will chug along and keep the FC going between uses. It’s especially nice when several days or a week goes by without using the tub. The saltron mini will dose for you once you get the settings right.

 

[JenF75]

Be sure to do an Ahhsome purge when you get your tub. Prior to using it.

Uuughhh, I have been reading about AhhSome and the advantages of using it when setting up a new tub. The problem is, where I live, in Canada, it's flipping cold and we have a lot of snow. Emptying and refilling the hot tub, and cleaning it out in between (which is what I read you have to do when using AhhSome, until you don't get the "scum", if that's what it's called, out) won't be very feasible. Just running the hose for the water to dump in an area where it will be safe (because it's going to cause a big ice problem) is an issue at this time of year.

I was hoping to get away with not using it on this first fill, and then in 3 mths time when I need to change out the water, and the weather is warmer, I could do it then. I know this is probably not ideal, but any big disadvantages I should be aware of if I do it this way??

 

[Newdude]

Most folks have no clue so at worst it’s ‘normal’. Plan on doing it for your peace of mind as soon as it’s feasible

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Don’t you have a sewer drain nearby? If you’re careful, you can run the submersible pump hose back into your house and just use a sink or shower drain. Just get a very low HP submersible pump, like a pool cover pump (~ 1/6 HP) and keep an eye on the drain. You can wash down the tub as it is draining.

Then just shovel all that snow into the hot tub for calcium free fill water ... just don’t use the “yellow snow” ...

 

[JenF75]

Don’t you have a sewer drain nearby? If you’re careful, you can run the submersible pump hose back into your house and just use a sink or shower drain. Just get a very low HP submersible pump, like a pool cover pump (~ 1/6 HP) and keep an eye on the drain. You can wash down the tub as it is draining.

Then just shovel all that snow into the hot tub for calcium free fill water ... just don’t use the “yellow snow” ...

LOL, we have a dog, yellow patches are plentiful at this time of year!!

The closest sewer drain is actually pretty far from the hot tub, but you're right, we could drain it in the kitchen sink. That would mean leaving the patio door cracked open for the hose while it drains (not sure how long this would take). Doable for sure, just not very efficient I guess. If I MUST do the AhhSome now, I can....I was just really hoping to put it off until the temps are above freezing here.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Me when I see the results of Ahh-some Purges :

As the @Newdude said, you wouldn’t be any worse off than 99% of the people that buy tubs and NEVER purge them. However, brain-bleach doesn’t exist and I can not un-see what I have seen over the years so, for me, I’d crack open the patio door and stuff some towels around it to make the purge happen.

But that’s just me being me ... you do you and we’ll be here to help if you need us ..

 

[Ahhsomeguy]

You can wait to do the purge based on what I am hearing. Get through the cold spell and then purge the tub as soon as you can safely drain and refill. It is true that your brand new tub will have a build-up of who knows what in the plumbing but if you maintain a normal sanitizer level youmwill be ok. You will see floaters looking like little bubbles with brownish film clinging to the foam bubbles and perhaps taking root in the filter well. So, use and enjoy the new hot tub for the next few months and then complete the purge.

 

[JenF75]

Thanks for your input everyone....much appreciated!

 

[JenF75]

My hot tub was delivered today and with it came a starter pack of chemicals. I had requested chlorine, but I think they sent bromine. It's called FS Fusion by Aqua Master and the description is "....dissolves to provide effective bromine disinfection..." The ingredients are: available chlorine (present as sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione) 52.7% and Sodium bromide 14.85%.

My question is, instead of wasting these chemicals, can I just use them and then easily switch to chlorine when I'm out? Or does switching involve a process? Also, is the pool math app accurate for hot tubs? For type of pool, would I just enter fiberglass??

 

[Texas Splash]

Basically no. Chlorine and Bromine are two different animals. But then I guess as opposed to a pool, you could just empty the tub and start over (with a flush). Speaking of that ..... I would recommend you look at two things before adding the water:
1 - Checkout out spa/nut tub sticky's HERE. The top two listed are related to what you are asking.
2 - We highly encourage new tub owners perform an Ahh-Some treatment/purge. Even though it's new, tubs come lined with protective products that need to be removed. It makes a big difference.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Hot Tub Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[JenF75]

Basically no. Chlorine and Bromine are two different animals. But then I guess as opposed to a pool, you could just empty the tub and start over (with a flush). Speaking of that ..... I would recommend you look at two things before adding the water:
1 - Checkout out spa/nut tub sticky's HERE. The top two listed are related to what you are asking.
2 - We highly encourage new tub owners perform an Ahh-Some treatment/purge. Even though it's new, tubs come lined with protective products that need to be removed. It makes a big difference.

Let us know if you have more questions.

Hot Tub Basics - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks for your reply. I guess I'll just buy some bleach and stick with the chlorine!!

Also, is the pool math app accurate for hot tubs? Under pool type, do I choose fibreglass? (I think it's acrylic)

 

[Newdude]

Also, is the pool math app accurate for hot tubs? Under pool type, do I choose fibreglass? (I think it's acrylic

Change the gallons in pool math accordingly and it will red doses ounces instead of gallons.

set it to fiberglass just because you have to pick something. The normal long term tracking of CSI matters much less with fiberglass/vinyl and even less in a hot tub.

 

[JenF75]

Is it possible that my FC is 1.5 but my CC is 2 in my hot tub??

 

[Mdragger88]

Yes - fc + cc = total chlorine
U have Organics - take it to shock level FC/CYA Levels

 

[JenF75]

Ok. I assume I use the non-SWG pool chart for hot tubs (I use chlorine in my tub)?