Leaving Spa unattended for 2 weeks?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
D

dennislaughlin

Member
Oct 27, 2019
24
Lowell, Arkansas
I have a 360 gal hot tub that I keep balanced using the TFP method. I use LC and PoolMath. I’m going out of town for 2 weeks. I’ve noticed this thing eats LC like nobody’s business so if I SLAM it before I leave, I’ll be out of FC in 3ish days. I’d rather not come back to a big nasty mess.

Perhaps of note, I keep it at 100° (but will certainly drop the temperature while away). It has an ozone generator. Also it is covered when not in use. I do not have a pool service or anyone else available to pour LC in while I am gone.

Any suggestions? I don’t necessarily want to drain it because then I have to worry about winterizing it.
 
Hey DL !!
dennislaughlin said:
. I’ve noticed this thing eats LC like nobody’s business so if I SLAM it before I leave, I’ll be out of FC in 3ish days
Click to expand...
How old is the current water ? Usually this is a sign that it’s time to drain. If it eats a lot of FC even with new water it makes you a prime candidate for an Ahhsome purge when you drain next. If you’ve never done it, it may take a few rounds to loosen the biofilm / gunk in the plumbing.
 
Did you actually purge with Ahhsome or just go crazy with chlorine ? It can take several Ahhsome purges to get all the gunk that’s built up. Mine sat for several years as well and took 2 or 3 just to start expelling gunk. Then 8 or so more to finally blow clean.

Either way, plan on purging it yearly when that 3rd or so drain time hits and even if the FC demand remains higher, at least you can sleep like a baby that the pipes are clean.
 
A SWCG means you are able to leave almost indefinitely and it’ll be good when you get back. I’ve got the Saltron Mini and my hot tub is one thing I won’t have to worry about when we take our next vacation.

How many ppm of FC does the tub go through each day?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mdragger88
Newdude said:
Did you actually purge with Ahhsome or just go crazy with chlorine ? It can take several Ahhsome purges to get all the gunk that’s built up. Mine sat for several years as well and took 2 or 3 just to start expelling gunk. Then 8 or so more to finally blow clean.

Either way, plan on purging it yearly when that 3rd or so drain time hits and even if the FC demand remains higher, at least you can sleep like a baby that the pipes are clean.
Click to expand...
I haven’t yet done the Ahhsome yet. Didn’t know about it until you mentioned it. I will do that though.
 
dennislaughlin said:
haven’t yet done the Ahhsome yet. Didn’t know about it until you mentioned it
Click to expand...
*exactly* why I asked. When I didn’t know purging was a thing long before TFP, I too ‘cleaned my system’ after the tub sat for several years. 3ppm of chlorine ??? Pffffffft. I went 350 to 1 and dumped a gallon in and let it run all day. Nothing came out and I patted my self on the back that the job was done. Shortly thereafter I leaned about purging and gobs and gobs of gunk came out. Order up the appropriate Ahhsome for spas. It’s $35-ish and we will walk you through it when it comes. :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mdragger88
Newdude said:
*exactly* why I asked. When I didn’t know purging was a thing long before TFP, I too ‘cleaned my system’ after the tub sat for several years. 3ppm of chlorine ??? Pffffffft. I went 350 to 1 and dumped a gallon in and let it run all day. Nothing came out and I patted my self on the back that the job was done. Shortly thereafter I leaned about purging and gobs and gobs of gunk came out. Order up the appropriate Ahhsome for spas. It’s $35-ish and we will walk you through it when it comes. :)
Click to expand...

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a very seldom used jetted garden tub in my master bath. Would Ahhsome work for this too? It of course is emptied out completely after each use but it could go a year between uses. I do the same, I run a cup of bleach through it once in a blue moon.
 
PoolGate said:
Not to hijack the thread, but I have a very seldom used jetted garden tub in my master bath. Would Ahhsome work for this too? It of course is emptied out completely after each use but it could go a year between uses. I do the same, I run a cup of bleach through it once in a blue moon.
Click to expand...
Yes - it’s for both! - u just use a smaller amount for the jetted tub.
You’ll be amazed & horrified with what gets knocked loose.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PoolGate and Newdude

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
dennislaughlin said:
I have a 360 gal hot tub that I keep balanced using the TFP method. I use LC and PoolMath. I’m going out of town for 2 weeks. I’ve noticed this thing eats LC like nobody’s business so if I SLAM it before I leave, I’ll be out of FC in 3ish days. I’d rather not come back to a big nasty mess.

Perhaps of note, I keep it at 100° (but will certainly drop the temperature while away). It has an ozone generator. Also it is covered when not in use. I do not have a pool service or anyone else available to pour LC in while I am gone.

Any suggestions? I don’t necessarily want to drain it because then I have to worry about winterizing it.
Click to expand...
Definitely do the Ahhsome purge(s) as mentioned by others- also can u turn the ozone off?
 
PoolGate said:
but I have a very seldom used jetted garden tub in my master bath. Would Ahhsome work for this too?
Click to expand...
Oh yeah. We moved an inherited a whirlpool tub with an unknown history. With several purges it blew clean and after I saw first hand how much gunk came out of my hot tub, I knew wholeheartedly that there was no gunk to get in the whirlpool tub.

Bathtubs are arguably worse than hot tubs for water sitting in the pipes for an extended time going stagnant. The hot tub when active at least cycles the water a few hours a day. The bathtub can sit for a week or a month. I’d purge it and know for sure as ignorance is bliss, but once you know gunk grows in the plumbing, you can’t unknow it. :ROFLMAO:

And as with any first time purge, it may take a couple of cycles to break down the biofilms and start to expel it. The bathtub is easy to drain but you can still do multiple purges on the original water by adding half the dose on the subsequent purges. I ran 6 or so on my whirlpool and when they all came out clean I stopped. We rarely use it and a year later it’s probably time to try again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mdragger88
Newdude said:
Oh yeah. We moved an inherited a whirlpool tub with an unknown history. With several purges it blew clean and after I saw first hand how much gunk came out of my hot tub, I knew wholeheartedly that there was no gunk to get in the whirlpool tub.

Bathtubs are arguably worse than hot tubs for water sitting in the pipes for an extended time going stagnant. The hot tub when active at least cycles the water a few hours a day. The bathtub can sit for a week or a month. I’d purge it and know for sure as ignorance is bliss, but once you know gunk grows in the plumbing, you can’t unknow it. :ROFLMAO:

And as with any first time purge, it may take a couple of cycles to break down the biofilms and start to expel it. The bathtub is easy to drain but you can still do multiple purges on the original water by adding half the dose on the subsequent purges. I ran 6 or so on my whirlpool and when they all came out clean I stopped. We rarely use it and a year later it’s probably time to try again.
Click to expand...

Can you link to what I should get? Best value for money and all. It looks fairly expensive.
 
PoolGate said:
Can you link to what I should get? Best value for money and all. It looks fairly expensive
Click to expand...
Holy COW!!!! Quick search came up $119 likely from resellers. Page 2 had the reasonable one. (y) I got my 6 purges in my whirlpool and still have half or so left. It only needs a teaspoon for fresh water or a half teaspoon for repeated purges on the same water.
 
Newdude said:
Holy COW!!!! Quick search came up $119 likely from resellers. Page 2 had the reasonable one. (y) I got my 6 purges in my whirlpool and still have half or so left. It only needs a teaspoon for fresh water or a half teaspoon for repeated purges on the same water.
Click to expand...
Is this the same thing?

 
Newdude said:
No there are many applications and they all have their specific product. You very may well find the Spas and Hot tubs version cheaper if you explore, but I’ve always found it in the $30s
Click to expand...

I bought the one you listed thanks! I am going to try it in my dishwasher as well it has a ton of gunk in it. I wonder if this is a similar product to one called "MS70" for use on coins? It basically removes all organic matter.
 
PoolGate said:
I bought the one you listed thanks! I am going to try it in my dishwasher as well it has a ton of gunk in it. I wonder if this is a similar product to one called "MS70" for use on coins? It basically removes all organic matter.
Click to expand...
I don't think I'd try the Spa and Tub cleaner in my dishwasher or washing machine. In the tub they foam up a LOT. Foam is not something you want in a dishwasher or hot tub.

@Ahhsomeguy could clarify.
 

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply