How quickly should FC go down?

[da_guy2]

So my latest in a string of questions while getting to know my new hot tub.
BUT before I get started you guys ROCK!

So from everything I've been reading I felt like I seem to be needing to add a lot of chlorine to keep my FC up. So I decided to do a test last night. I top up to get an FC of 6. Then I ran it for 12 hours without anyone in and in the morning I tested and had a FC of just 1. So that's 5 PPM gone in 12 hours. This seems really high when I compare with people who say they only need to top up a couple of times a week. Is there something wrong? Any suggestions on how to cut this down?
P.S. Tub is only a little over a week old so I don't think its biofilm, PH was 7.5, TA is about 80, and CYA is somewhere in the 30 to 50 range (not exactly sure of CYA because I ran out of the test reagent and I'm still waiting for my order to come in. The estimate is based on how much dichlor I added at first and the crude measurements from the spare test strips I have)

 

[cowboycasey]

You probably have Ozone and maybe UV also, those 2 will eat away the chlorine and if you did not use Ahh-some when you first started up I would... they test each hot tub before it is packed away and saran wrapped and put into a nice hot warehouse and there is still water in the pipes... I imagine there is a bunch of funky stuff/biofilm growing in those pipes and the chlorine is killing a lot of it...

Amazon.com : Ahh-Some- Swimming Pool Clarifier Gel | Clears Cloudy & Hazy Water Helps Remove Pipe Build Up of Bio-Contaminants in Plumbing | Environmentally Friendly 6oz. : Swimming Pool Clarifiers : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Ahh-Some- Swimming Pool Clarifier Gel | Clears Cloudy & Hazy Water Helps Remove Pipe Build Up of Bio-Contaminants in Plumbing | Environmentally Friendly 6oz. : Swimming Pool Clarifiers : Garden & Outdoor

smile.amazon.com

 

[da_guy2]

It did come with an Ozone system. How much should that lower the chlorine? If they lower it by so much then why include it in the first place?

I may have to drain and refile but I'm not looking forward to doing that nor is anyone else who won't be able to use the tub for a few days while it warms up again. Also, I'm having a hard time finding Ahh-Some at the moment. Only places that seem to have it in stock are asking almost $100 for a 2 oz jar?!? If it really is biofilm I may just put it off a month or two and deal with more than average chlorine use.

 

[mknauss]

@Ahhsomeguy
Do you have dealers in Canada?

 

[Ahhsomeguy]

There are numerous dealers in Canada. I just shipped a few thousand containers to Elm Sales and Equipment in Mississauga, ON. their phone # is 905-670-5387. Another distributor who has inventory right now is AquiForm Distributors in Surrey, BC. Their phone # is 604-541-0500. These companies are distributors and can steer you to a stocking dealer. I do know that the price is higher in Canada but certainly not $100.00. Stay clear of that outfit. This new hot tub owner has biofilms for sure. I find it so amazing that with the hundreds, if not thousands of postings that are made on this forum from people who really know and understand the issue and tell people what to do to solve their problem that there are hot tub owners, primarily new ones, who can't imagine that their new tub has the slime layers in their plumbing. We have a few dealers that actually purge every single tub before delivery or at the customer's home upon delivery. However, most dealers won't take the time to do this drastically needed and necessary protocol. It is so easy and quick to do. There is a large number of hot tub owners who just can't wrap their head around it. Thank you to the experts in this forum who are trying to really help the cause.

 

[da_guy2]

So I decided to go though the documentation that came with the hot tub and I ended up finding a trial packet of ahh-some (thanks @Ahhsomeguy !). I couldn't remember why I didn't use it right away so I re read the documentation and they say to use it during "your first water change". They really should have been more clear that it should be used as soon as you get the tub not 2-3 month later when you're doing your first drain and refill.

 

[Ahhsomeguy]

Da_guy2 : Some manufacturers recommend a plumbing flush on the first water change. Some don't even discuss a flush. Your particular manufacturer, Nordic, is a company that actually incorporates our flush product as a benefit to their new customers. That company is not trying to hide the fact that biofilm can be an issue going forward. Not a big deal as long as you do a plumbing colonoscopy periodically. Nordic instructs people to use this product soon after the purchase and to alert their customers that a product like the one they included with your hot tub at no cost to you, should be used in the future to address bio-fouling issues, should they arise. Nordic manufactures a fantastic quality hot tub and their people understand these types of issues. You made a great choice in choosing that particular hot tub brand. If you have any questions please contact one of our Ahh-Some customer service personnel.. We are here to help!

 

[da_guy2]

So I went ahead and ahh-somed it. I was going to put it off a month or two but figured I might as well get it over with. I was half worried I was going to add the ahh-some and nothing would happen then I'd be kicking myself for wasting my time and money. But nope, I got a green ring! Not quite as much as I've seen from other tubs but there was certainly something in there. Now I'll have to wait till it's warmed up and everything's back in balance to see if my FC is a little more stable.

 

[Ahhsomeguy]

Da_guy2: You did the right thing and your water quality and maintenance will be rewarded for it. Thanks for the update.

 

[Roaddogmm]

Good call, I struggled with chlorine demand for nearly 3 months on my new hot tub before I finally purged with Ahhsome, and haven't had an issue in the 2 months since.

It is particularly maddening when you are trying to get a salt water system up and running!

 

[wayner]

There are numerous dealers in Canada. I just shipped a few thousand containers to Elm Sales and Equipment in Mississauga, ON. their phone # is 905-670-5387. Another distributor who has inventory right now is AquiForm Distributors in Surrey, BC. Their phone # is 604-541-0500. These companies are distributors and can steer you to a stocking dealer. I do know that the price is higher in Canada but certainly not $100.00. Stay clear of that outfit. This new hot tub owner has biofilms for sure. I find it so amazing that with the hundreds, if not thousands of postings that are made on this forum from people who really know and understand the issue and tell people what to do to solve their problem that there are hot tub owners, primarily new ones, who can't imagine that their new tub has the slime layers in their plumbing. We have a few dealers that actually purge every single tub before delivery or at the customer's home upon delivery. However, most dealers won't take the time to do this drastically needed and necessary protocol. It is so easy and quick to do. There is a large number of hot tub owners who just can't wrap their head around it. Thank you to the experts in this forum who are trying to really help the cause.

@Ahhsomeguy - Both Elm and AquiForm appear to be wholesalesrs. Would you happen to know if they sell to the public?

Pool Supplies Canada has Ahh-Some listed on their web page for $46 but they are out of stock. On Amazon Canada it is listed for $81.07. The US Amazon site does ship to Canada - they have it for US$20 + $6 for shipping. So that is C$36 all in which seems better than Canadian pricing.

For some reason pool and spa supplies are WAY more expensive in Canada. The Test Refill kits are a good example.

 

[da_guy2]

@Ahhsomeguy - Both Elm and AquiForm appear to be wholesalesrs. Would you happen to know if they sell to the public?

Pool Supplies Canada has Ahh-Some listed on their web page for $46 but they are out of stock. On Amazon Canada it is listed for $81.07. The US Amazon site does ship to Canada - they have it for US$20 + $6 for shipping. So that is C$36 all in which seems better than Canadian pricing.

For some reason pool and spa supplies are WAY more expensive in Canada. The Test Refill kits are a good example.

I ended up getting it here https://thehottubsuperstore.com/product/ahhsome-6-ounce-spa-bio-cleaner/
They also sell the 2 oz size but it's only 30% more $ for 300% more product so 6 oz seems like the no-brainer size to get.

 

[jester4]

I bought mine from beachcomber hot tubs london. With shipping to me was about 60 all in

edit - just checked your link. That price seems decent, mine was the 2oz size. Next order will be from them, thanks!