I'm a newbie who just installed a small (200 gallon) hot tub. I read the sticky here about bromine systems and decided to go with a 3 step bromine system with a floater. I'm attempting to set up my spa for the first time today. Please excuse if I'm asking this in the wrong place.
Background info: I'm using 4-in-1 bromine test strips, not a test kit, so my measurements are imperfect, but my initial hardness from the tap seems to be around 100, alkalinity is 120, and pH is 7.8. I added 2 oz. calcium chloride to increase hardness and 1 oz sodium bisulfate, pH decreaser. I followed that with 1 oz sodium bromide booster and 1.5 oz MPS shock. These amounts are my best estimates based on my owner's manual and product instructions.
Testing the water six hours later, it looks like my bromine level is now over 20. So, my first question involves this sentence from the sticky:
"2) Shock with your preferred oxidizer (chlorine or MPS) and turn on the ozone if you are using it. Your bromine levels should now be above 10 ppm. Wait until they drop below 10 ppm before entering spa."
How long does it generally take for the levels to drop below 10 ppm? My spa does not have an ozone system. Also I don't yet have a lot of confidence in my testing system, and I don't want to get in the water before it is safe to do so.
My second question would be, is there anything obvious here that I'm missing? I have my bromine floater ready to go with three tablets, but have not put it into the spa yet.
Any help or advice is much appreciated.
Background info: I'm using 4-in-1 bromine test strips, not a test kit, so my measurements are imperfect, but my initial hardness from the tap seems to be around 100, alkalinity is 120, and pH is 7.8. I added 2 oz. calcium chloride to increase hardness and 1 oz sodium bisulfate, pH decreaser. I followed that with 1 oz sodium bromide booster and 1.5 oz MPS shock. These amounts are my best estimates based on my owner's manual and product instructions.
Testing the water six hours later, it looks like my bromine level is now over 20. So, my first question involves this sentence from the sticky:
"2) Shock with your preferred oxidizer (chlorine or MPS) and turn on the ozone if you are using it. Your bromine levels should now be above 10 ppm. Wait until they drop below 10 ppm before entering spa."
How long does it generally take for the levels to drop below 10 ppm? My spa does not have an ozone system. Also I don't yet have a lot of confidence in my testing system, and I don't want to get in the water before it is safe to do so.
My second question would be, is there anything obvious here that I'm missing? I have my bromine floater ready to go with three tablets, but have not put it into the spa yet.
Any help or advice is much appreciated.