white particles in the hot tub

[archer636]

A few months ago I installed a new ozone generator. Since then there are heavy, white particles (size of kosher salt) at the bottom of the spa. I thought it would be gone by now but there is no reduction. Calcium level is 70ppm. Any ideas how to fix?

 

[mknauss]

When was the last time you did a full Ahhhsome flush?

 

[mknauss]

I assume this is a stand alone spa, hard to tell from your signature?

 

[archer636]

6 weeks ago. I made sure to vacuum all the white stuff from the bottom

 

[Shirker]

Pictures? What are the texture of the particles? Rough, smooth? Do they flake or crumble easily or are they hard? Dissolve in acid?

 

[archer636]

does not crumble easily. Fizzles and dissolves in acid

 

[Shirker]

This is a fiberglass spa? Not plaster?

 

[RDspaguy]

I assume this is a stand alone spa, hard to tell from your signature?

Is this an inground spa or a "portable"? Did you have to cut any pipes or was the mazzie valve already installed?
Are they flakes or granules?

 

[archer636]

fiber glass portable spa. I'd say flakes with some thickness. Didn't cut any pipes- there was an old ozone generator already. just replaced it

 

[Shirker]

Could it be calcium scale from inside the old ozone cell that was disturbed during the swap? Have you had high calcium in the past?

 

[archer636]

Could it be calcium scale from inside the old ozone cell that was disturbed during the swap? Have you had high calcium in the past?

old cell is gone so not sure how it would get in?
high calcium has not been an issue before. The current calcium level is very low, which makes me think something is solidifying all the water calcium.
also the pH has been on the high side lately.

 

[RDspaguy]

A spa ozone generator does not get wet. Air is drawn past UV radiation, a bulb or arc generator, and drawn into the water via a mazzie valve (venturi). I would think it is scale from inside your pipes or heater. Have you ever done a purge?

 

[archer636]

A spa ozone generator does not get wet. Air is drawn past UV radiation, a bulb or arc generator, and drawn into the water via a mazzie valve (venturi). I would think it is scale from inside your pipes or heater. Have you ever done a purge?

I used a whirpool cleaner product a year or two ago (had to remove the filter and all that). Did not see any scaling come loose

 

[RDspaguy]

You can get alot of scale in a year or two, and it accumulates fastest on the heater. I would suggest you try Ahhsome.
@dlleno , @ajw22 any thoughts?

 

[dlleno]

hmm. the introduction of ozone might be a coincidence or it might be important. it does sound like scale, but in any case I agree with RD and others -- I think you should do an ahh-some purge

 

[RDspaguy]

What would ozone have to do with it?

 

[dlleno]

Im scratching my head but just noticing the time coincidence. If the flakes appeared coincident with the ozone then that could be a clue that the residue isnt purely scale.

 

[archer636]

thanks all. Is Ahh-some effective for calcium scale? (assuming that's what I am dealing with here)

 

[dlleno]

if you are certain this is calcium scale (acid dissolving it, is strong evidence, I admit) then I think I would attack this a little differently. Since Scale responds to low pH you may need to do some more research on eliminating scale build-up without damaging your equipment. Lets have the scale elimination experts chime in: You could also kill two angry birds with one process here, and dose with ahh-some AND whatever preparation the calcium experts recommend.

 

[mknauss]

thanks all. Is Ahh-some effective for calcium scale? (assuming that's what I am dealing with here)

In Post #4 you said you did an Ahhsome purge 6 weeks ago. So this scale showed up after that?