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There are other issues in a spa; it's not just a "little pool." Bather load per gallon is much higher in a spa than in a pool, for one thing; organic contaminants are thus much higher. Also the jet action tends to cause rising pH. I started using muriatic in my spa, too, after some time when I...

Bleach (chlorine) is a stronger oxidizer than MPS, and it's cheaper too. You CAN use the MPS, but the bleach might do a better job at clearing up the water. I don't think you really need the scale inhibitor. Enzyme treatments are good in a hot tub, tho. Spa Perfect is one such; there are other...

Why do you have CYA at all? Do you not keep the spa covered when not in use? (unless shocking, of course. . .) pH is high, yes, and the TA is low (common problem in spas). Do try to lower the pH a bit. If you're using dry acid, try switching to muriatic (diluted). What is in the "scale...

Someone here told me this. . . I had that exact question. ;) Spa Perfect is formulated for use with a higher level of organic contaminants. Using a tiny dose of Pool Perfect in your spa won't work as well as using the recommended dose of Spa Perfect. There are other, less expensive enzyme...

Yes, my spa sits on pea gravel. It works. Make sure you level it properly. :) We did ours ourselves; $150 worth of gravel from Wal-Mart. (I think it was more weight than my truck is supposed to carry!) It's back-breaking work! Have you seen the spa pads? Those look pretty cool, tho i don't have...

You don't NEED an ozonator; there are pros and cons. There are others here who know more about them, but my impression is that it's not really worth it. Bromine is often recommended (instead of chlorine) as a sanitizer for hot tubs. Don't know if you're familiar with chlorine chemistry, but if...

Thanks, Jason! Yes, I do realize that a small measurement error can make a big difference when one is dealing with a spa rather than a pool. When you dilute the acid with water, does it stay mixed, or does one have to swirl or shake the container before dispensing? I assume it would it be fine...

Jason, you use muriatic acid in a spa? I've been told NOT to do that, that it's too "strong" for a spa. I don't entirely understand that, b/c if you dilute it substantially before adding it, it seems to me that there wouldn't be a problem. I would really prefer to use muriatic instead of the dry...

It occured to me that you will be using VERY small amounts of bleach to chlorinate such a small tub. Mine is 500 gallons and I use 10 oz of bleach--to SHOCK! That means your shock amount would be around 3-5 oz. Not really a measurement problem there, but for normal levels you might have trouble...

Yes, that's correct. If you start with chlorine, tho, you can go to bromine w/o draining. So starting w/chlorine is a good idea; it's easy to go to bromine if you don't like the chlorine. The other way is problematic. Baking soda is good for RAISING alk, but lowering it is more complicated! My...

Sorry I didn't chime in sooner; I just noticed your post! Hope this reply isn't too late to be any help. What did you mean by "poofing"? Don't know what you're talking about there, unless you mean it "poofs" out of existence. The scum line (or waterline ring) is caused by accumulated organics...

You might want to consider changing the water. Sounds like it's gotten a bit yucky even tho it hasn't been used much. Usually spa water should be replaced at least every three months. If you decide not the change the water at this time: you need a good test kit so that you can test the water...

Hot Spring spas are good. I bought mine second-hand, it's nearly 20 years old, and it still works. I would choose a portable hot-tub over an in-ground spa b/c they're more comfortable, with shaped seats, etc. The filter system on my hot tub is a pain, but from what I've heard, that's been...

Uncover the spa when shocking?? Evan, I'd never heard that before! Really!! I actually have ended up uncovering it the day after shocking to let the sun burn off some of the bromine, but I honestly had never seen the instruction to uncover. When I shock it, it's usually at night just after we've...

I'm using a 3-step system. Upon refilling, I added a packet of 100% sodium bromide to establish the bromine reserve, then shocked with bleach to activate the bromine. No problems there--just had to give it a day for the bromine to drop to an appropriate level for use. I placed tablets in the...

I had difficulty on my first fill with the bromine going too high. I am now on my second fill and still having the same issues. I suppose I could bite the bullet and invest in a better floater, or I could try modifying my current dispenser. This has been so frustrating I am thinking about...

I hadn't replied sooner b/c I'm not one of those super-experienced knowledgeable folks. I *think* the bromine tabs can lose their potency over time. Maybe you've already gotten your question answered from another source! If you haven't already, I'd suggest buying a small container of bromine...

Yes, the presence of a bromide reserve was what I intended to imply. I think I'm really getting this now! :-D Thx, Jules

If I've shocked a bromine spa with chlorine, is the reading I get (say 12-24 hrs later) a bromine level, or chlorine? Thx, Jules

So adding 10 ppm chlorine produces a 20-ppm rise in the bromine (hypobromous acid)? The chlorine oxidizes the sodium bromide, that much was already clear to me. . . Bromine really does behave differently from chlorine! Now I have a much better handle on it, and I can stop testing the spa every...

Ok, thanks! That does help. I am still baffled, tho, on why my bromine goes SO high when I shock. . . like over 20. I tried shocking with ultra bleach for a change last weekend. I used 10 oz which was based on the amounts you gave, adjusted for a 500 gallon spa. The next test I ran, some hours...

Now that looks awesome :shock: If I didn't already have a pool and a spa, I'd want one. My reservation is, what about the temperatures? A good temp for a spa is way too hot for swimming (IMO). I wonder if there's some provision for keeping the swim portion cooler than the lounging part. . ...

Evan, after re-reading your "primer," I find I am more confused than ever. Is the "bromine reserve" a different animal from the "total bromine" reading which is obtained from the test? In step 2 (after balancing the water in step 1), the 30-ppm bromine reserve is established. Then in step 3...

I had another thought. My sampling method may have been problematic. I've been taking my samples from the "quiet" spa without having had any jets running for a while. It circulates somewhat for the heating, but I think I may have been getting non-representative samples. Now I've started taking...

There aren't any in our area. :lol: Yes, we moved it two months ago, and it worked out fine. The electrical work turned out to cost much more than the movers; a lot of wire and conduits had to be put in. Thx, Jules

That's not what a certifiable cheapskate wants to hear. :lol: Thx, Jules

Thanks for the reply! That's an interesting idea, washing the filters in the dishwasher. I'd heard of using dishwasher detergent to clean them, but not in the dishwasher itself. I'll have to see if my filters will both fit. . . Probably I will just go with cleaning the filters at each...

Yes, there are about 4 settings. I've been keeping it on the lowest.

My spa uses two filters and they are quite large, 8.5" diameter by 10.5" height. I have a set of filters I recently bought and the filters that were in it when I bought it (don't know how old they are). What is your spa's gallonage, and how often do you clean the filters? My spa is almost 20...

No, I don't have an infinitely adjustable dispenser. . . just a duck. :)