Is this Dichlor? Is this Potassium Monopersulfate (MSP)?

wmathurin

Member
Jul 19, 2021
12
Longwood, Florida
I'm on the way home to start balancing the water in our new hotub ( installed on Tuesday). Read the sticky thread on how to go about it and determined I need Dichlor and bleach to get started. I stopped at the pool store and asked for Dichlor and non chlorine shock and this is what they gave me. I already have pool bleach at the house. Just wanted to confirm that these are the correct items.
 

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Left is MPS. Right is Dichlor.

You don't need MPS and I wouldn't use it.

MPS is an oxidizer and not a sanitizer.
Chlorine is both an oxidizer AND a sanitizer.
MPS breaksdown and adds sulfates to the water
Chlorine breaks down and adds chloride to the water
Sulfates, at high enough levels, cause crevice corrosion
Chloride, at SUPER HIGH levels, increases pitting corrosion
Most tub heaters are made of cheap steel or, if lucky, Incoloy (a high Cr/Ni content stainless steel)
Some people have skin allergies towards MPS
Almost no one has allergies to chlorine (those that think they do are often mistaken)
Chlorine creates chloramines which can be smelly and irritating
MPS typically only creates oxygen and nitrogen and it's oxides.

You absolutely must have a sanitizer in the water, that is non-negotiable. Oxidizers are important for destroying bather waste.

If chlorine does BOTH jobs, then why do you need MPS?

The sticky is a very old thread...we've updated our understanding here:

 
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Ok, will return the MPS. I just read the updated article you sent.

I think I am ready to start the Dichlor/Bleach method now.

One question about pool math, I already have my pool in the app, do I just add another pool and put it as fiberglass and 318 gallons to replicate the hot tub?
 
Just use dichlor, keep your free chlorine at the recommended levels. Once you get to 30 PPM of stabilizer which is ~30 PPM dichlor total added, switch to bleach/ liquid chlorine. Just a FYI, I don't know if anything has changed but years ago liquid chlorine/bleach would void your warranty.

If for some reason you feel the need to shock then use a slam level of chlorine. MPS will give you false readings of combined chlorine.
 
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Two more questions if I may:

1. How do I measure the Dichlor granules? By weight? What is 1ppm equal to in a measurement?

2. When can we start using the hot tub? Once I add my first batch of Dichlor and get some sanitation going and the chlorine ppm is testing between 2 and 6, is that okay? Do I need to balance out pH and TA first also?...My wife and kids are about to revolt 😆
 
By weight. Use a little electronic food scale.
Use pool math for amounts to add. With the dichlor to bleach method, you only add what you need for FC, CYA will come up over time...
Any pH between 7 and up to 8 is fine. If higher then lower.
Should be fine to soak.
 
I did things differently then weighing, I added 1 teaspoon full at a time until I found what 3 PPM (or more) equaled to. Once known, its just a matter of adding the appropriate amount. For larger measurements, i would use a tablespoon.

You can use the tub once you have the right amount of chlorine in it.

One thing to know. You're 3 PPM minimum is measured 20 minutes after you put the chlorine in. Run all the jets when dosing the tub to get the chlorine in every nook and cranny.
 

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For granules, the bulk density depends on how compacted the granules are.

Assuming a 100% packing, you get 1 oz volume = 2 oz weight.

For a loose packing, you get about 1 oz volume = 1 ounce weight.

1 oz by weight = 0.94 oz by volume.

1 oz by weight = 27.8 ml.

1 oz by weight = 1.88 Tablespoons.

BULK DENSITY: 56-60 lbs/ft3 (loose)

58 lb/cuft = 928 ounce weight /958 ounce volume

1 oz. by weight = 0.97 oz. by volume (Bulk Density).

Relative Density/Specific Gravity 1.95 g/mL @ 25 °C. (water=1):

68.78 ounces (weight) = 33.81 fl oz (fluid ounces).

1 oz weight = 0.5 oz volume.

The density of water is approximately 1.04 ounces (weight) per fluid ounce (volume).


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I use Leisure Time "Spa 56" Dichlor granules (99% active Dichlor) and have measured the density on several occasions. I just remeasured and confirmed the container of Spa 56 I am using is 1.35 oz. (weight) = 1 oz. (fluid). The container I have was purchased in July, 2023. I don't know if the various manufacturers of Dichlor have different granule particle sizes that can impact the density, so, you may consider measuring your own Dichlor to see how it compares.
 
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