New User with a (not) a New Spa

[Big_Box]

Hello and thanks for keeping such a great wealth of info.

I was recently gifted a 1996 Sundance Corum spa. The original owners kept it inside its whole life, and probably haven't operated it in at least 10 years. Its in nearly perfect condition and barely had any spider webs inside the cover. Its been moved to my patio, and will have the electricity hooked up soon.

I've started reading and will need to reread the information here, but had a few questions while I'm digesting everything.

At this point, I think I want to go with a bromide system. We have a well with a softener for our house supply. I'm debating on adding a SWG, if it will benefit the water quality. Is the SWG worth it on a 20 year old system?

There is an ozone generator installed (factory, I believe). How do I know its working? I plan on filling it after the electrical is hooked up and test out the pumps, heater and blower. Everything seems straight forward to test out except the ozone generator.

After I verify everything is working, I plan on cleaning/ sanitizing it. I've read on the qualities of Ahhsome, and plan on using that when needed. Is there anything else recommended to clean out anything remaining from the previous owners use?

Is the Taylor K2106 still the go to test kit for bromide systems? I know the benefits of not using a test strip system, and won't be using them.


If I left any info out that may help, please let me know. Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[Jimrahbe]

bb.

Welcome to TFP... A great place to find the answers to all your "Suburban" Spa questions...

I bought a 10 year old spa about 6 months ago... I also bought a simple over the side SWCG.. So far it has been working great... I have no Ozone or UV, just the chlorine generated by the SWCG.

I went salt water because my pool is saltwater and I find that both the pool and spa very easy to maintain..

Since the SWCG was less than $200 I figured it was worth a shot... Use the Ahh-some a couple of times before you start using the spa... you will understand why the first time you use it..

Here are a couple of pics of my set up..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Big_Box]

Thank for the welcome and the info, Jim.

Today is electrification day! I've been delivered a 2106 test kit, some ahhsome and a did a lot more reading over the last week. The electrician is coming today to install the service and make the final connections.

My thoughts are after everything electrical is connected I was going to fill the spa to verify the pumps, blower and heater works properly. I was then going to superchlorinate (100ppm chlorine) to kill off any lingering bugs in the plumbing. SHould I bring it up to temperature and balance the water before I superchlorinate, or just after I know its functional?

Also, for something like this, should I just estimate the ppm levels? The manufacturer says its a 240 gallon spa. I started a spreadsheet to calculate my own numbers, but didn't include the percent levels in the bleach. I'll need to redo it properly. Is the FC level calculator on the Pool Math page (PoolMath) what i'm looking for?

After I superchlorinate for a few hours, i'm going to drain it and use the ahhsome as directed.

If anyone's interested/ following, i'll update as I go!

 

[Jimrahbe]

bb,

I would go with Ahh-Some first... Do it once, and if disgusted by the brown mess that comes out... eww!!! ..then do it again.

Then if you want, do the super-chlorinate..

I use pool math link at the top of this page.. I set the gallons at the very top and then skip to the bottom and then use the "Effects of chemicals" section to determine what chemicals will do what..

Thanks,

Jim R.

- - - Updated - - -

Drain between Ahh-Some treatments...

 

[Big_Box]

Well, everything is up and running. I tested out the jets, blower and heater. All appear to be operational. its been running an hour or so and up about 18 degrees. The water out of the hose was slightly green/brown from the well water. Now, its a lot more like nasty lake water.... Ill upload pics soon

As it was filling

After running for a little bit

 

[Arobbert]

It might be worth adding a filter to your fill source.

 

[Big_Box]

It might be worth adding a filter to your fill source.

I plan on adding an iron filter and new softener this summer. This water bypasses the current water softener, but it will be replumbed to not bypass the iron filter. Once the spa was filled, it was just slightly off clear. It may have not even been noticeable if the tub wasn't white. You can see some of the water in the first pic. The second pic is after a lot of junk let go from the pipes.

ETA: I'm thinking this fill just knocked a lot of junk loose and i'm going to drain it after dinner, refill it and then use the ahhsome. I'll get a picture of it filled if there is still light

 

[Big_Box]

I drained the spa last night thinking that I could get rid of a bunch of the soup and start over. It took way longer than I expected, and I had to quit draining it when there was about an inch left in the footwell. There was almost no flow and I needed to refill it and go to bed.

This morning before work I checked on it and the soup was back, but not as thick.

Should I use ahhsome when I get home tonight or drain it again?

I'd like to get it as clean as possible, but don't want to waste time or money if draining it will do nearly the same as adding cleaners and chemicals. At this point, I've only added water, great and circulation.

 

[Arobbert]

You should continue with ahh-some until the water is clear. You can do a partial fill to save water and time. Fill to a point the jets are covered and the intake will not suck air.

 

[Big_Box]

Anyone got a recommendation for speeding up the draining of a spa? I have a drain valve to garden hose adaptor and im thinking that the size reduction and just using gravity is slower than it needs to be.

I found a sump pump being recommended from a quick search, and that may be my only option at this point

 

[Alwayswantedapool]

I just did a drain on my hot tub and would agree, that was really slow going. Using the sump pump is the only idea I know of to speed up the process.

 

[Arobbert]

Got this unit for $50. It makes quick work of it. Get 1 1/4" tubing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0170M5OM4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[bproosow]

On my Hot Spring spa, there were two different drain points. I believe the main one had to be pulled out to start draining. You would take the cap off and a little bit would drain out, and the other drain was just to drain the plumbing. Check to see if you have two drains, or if you can pull one out (literally if you're facing the opening, you would pull it straight towards your face).