Mikvah

[CrystalSun]

A Mikvah is used by Jewish people as a ritual bath. I’d say that it’s similar to a hot tub. It’s interesting to me that on a forum with so many members a search for “Mikvah” didn’t bring up more that 2 results.

I have one and would like to hear the experts advice on the best way to maintain.

A Mikvah has some halachas -Jewish laws- which differentiate them from a hot tub and the use is different.

1. Filter can not be ON while it’s being used
2. It’s usually larger than a hot tub - ranging from 1K to 2.5K gallons
3. It’s not being used to soak in it. People usually spend between 1-10 minutes inside
4. It’s indoors

Picture in my avatar
Has anyone heard of it before?

 

[ajw22]

Yes, I am familiar with Mikvahs although never questioned their water chemistry.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

I know of it and know some of the rules of it. Many may be using indoor "Spools" for this purpose. You might do a search on "indoor spas" or "indoor spools" or "indoor pools" if you're looking for examples.

Maddie

 

[Pv2]

interesting, thank you. I enjoy learning new things.

 

[kimkats]

Interesting! Can it be used as a soaking tub/spa at other times?

To me if the filter can be on when it is not in use then it should be maintained the same as any other spa or small pool.

 

[wireform]

@CrystalSun
I'm not sure this can be easily equated to a spa. This at times has extremely high bather load for hours on end with no turbulence of water have it filter or jets. Have never seen one with a floor drain circulation and not convinced it would be halachagly acceptable. One needs to figure out to have it chemically balanced prior to its onset usage as there's no adding anything into the water until the filters can get turned back on. Not sure how that's calculated and how they're kept sanitary all those hours and under what guide lines. I've seen many which some are gorgeous and some aren't as well kept. I believe it hinders on the lack of education and negligence.

 

[CrystalSun]

Interesting! Can it be used as a soaking tub/spa at other times?

To me if the filter can be on when it is not in use then it should be maintained the same as any other spa or small pool.

You can soak in it as long as you’d like to although typically people don’t spend more than 10 minutes inside.

The filter can be ON. What you said would be true if there are only a few users but a Mikvah with high bather load there’s a demand for adding sanitizer while filter is OFF or you have to start with crazy high level of sanitizer so it doesn’t drop to zero while in use so that’s why I brought it up here to see if there are others with ideas how to maintain it sanitary without actually having someone manually adding sanitizer a few times every day

 

[CrystalSun]

@CrystalSun
I'm not sure this can be easily equated to a spa. This at times has extremely high bather load for hours on end with no turbulence of water have it filter or jets. Have never seen one with a floor drain circulation and not convinced it would be halachagly acceptable. One needs to figure out to have it chemically balanced prior to its onset usage as there's no adding anything into the water until the filters can get turned back on. Not sure how that's calculated and how they're kept sanitary all those hours and under what guide lines. I've seen many which some are gorgeous and some aren't as well kept. I believe it hinders on the lack of education and negligence.

It’s definitely not equal to a spa. Was just the best example I was able to think of.

Another thing that differentiates it from a spa is that due to the high bather load the water needs to be balanced/adjusted every day and if it’s being done manually and you wait at least half an hour between adjustments you can end up spending your entire day balancing the water.

Again. That’s exactly why I brought it up to get ideas from the experts

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Aren't the women showered and inspected prior to entering the water? That should help with sanitation enormously.

Keeping about 20-30ppm of CYA in the water, and perhaps spending a day doing frequent tests you might be able to figure out how much liquid chlorine to add between users. A couple of tablespoons or so, I dunno?

Maddie

 

[Divin Dave]

EDIT - oops.... posted to wrong thread!

 

[CrystalSun]

Aren't the women showered and inspected prior to entering the water? That should help with sanitation enormously.

Keeping about 20-30ppm of CYA in the water, and perhaps spending a day doing frequent tests you might be able to figure out how much liquid chlorine to add between users. A couple of tablespoons or so, I dunno?

Maddie

You are right and that's why a woman's mikvah is much easier to maintain. The issue is with a mikvah men use

What would the CYA help in an indoor mikvah?

 

[ajw22]

What would the CYA help in an indoor mikvah?

Can you first explain how the water chemistry is maintained in the Mikvah now and what chemicals are used?