new hot tub owner- a few chemical quesitons...

[Jim H]

Getting a hot tub from Costco next week- assumed maintaining was the same as my pool but reading the sticky there seems to be a few differences. I have a few questions about possible alternatives:
1) are there any issues with using liquid muriatic acid in a hot tob instead of dry acid? This is what I use for my pool and don't want to have to buy a separate acid for hot tub.
2) Rather than buying dichlor to raise the CYA and then switching to liquid bleach, can I simply start with bleach and just add the CYA separately since I already have it for my pool? Would I just dump it right in the hot tub. With the pool you put it in the skimmer but since I assume I'll need a lot less for the hot tub I just throw it in the water?

Thanks!

 

[jseyfert3]

There are no issues with using muriatic acid, in fact it's preferred.

CYA can be added separately. I'm not sure on just throwing it in there, I imagine like a pool you don't want to do that. My guess is spas recommend dichlor cause it's easy to get in small quantities and dissolves fast.

 

[Tstjohn14]

I add my cya seperately. I do the same as in the pool...in a nylon (or sock), hanging over the edge but not touching the side, in front of a jet running on high. Squeeze as needed to help dissolve.

 

[Jim H]

I add my cya seperately. I do the same as in the pool...in a nylon (or sock), hanging over the edge but not touching the side, in front of a jet running on high. Squeeze as needed to help dissolve.

ok maybe a dumb question...how do you have the sock hanging over the edge but not touching the side of the hot tub?

 

[Tstjohn14]

I tie the top of it around the headrest, leaving the bottom portion with the cya in the water. Alternatively, you can tie the top around a pool pole, broom handle, ect..., resting the pole on the top of the spa so the filled portion of the sock hangs in the water.

 

[Jim H]

Thanks all

 

[Acuity]

For those of you doing this, are you doing this in small doses (managing pH along the way) or trying to go from 0-30 CYA in one treatment and then lowering pH after?

 

[Tstjohn14]

Personally, after a drain, purge and refill, I first add metal magic while still filling(well water with iron). After it is completely full I adjust alkalinity by adding acid to bring the ph down to 7.2 the all jets and blowers on until it raises to 8.0. I keep repeating that until the alkalinity is at 50 and the ph is back up to 7.4. I will then add all of the cya to bring it to 30...measured per pool math. It only takes a few minutes to dissolve in the warm turbulent water if you squeeze it often. After that I add liquid chlorine to 10. I personally then add 50ppm of borates. Seems to keep my ph at a solid 7.4 to 7.6 even with use by two people 3 to 4 times a week for 1 to 2 hours per soak with everything on high. I usually only have to add a total of 2 to 3 ounces of acid per water change every 4 or so months. Just as a side note..I do keep the CL between 4 and 7...pretty much 2 oz every other day if the tub is unused, if it is used 2 to 4 ounces immediately after soaking and 2 ounces the following day. Also, call us gross, but we do not shower before our soaks, it is just not at all convenient! Hope this helps!

 

[Jim H]

I have another question: can I use liquid stabilizer instead of dry CYA? It's not cost effective for a large pool but I imagine a gallon of the stuff will go a long way for the hot tub and be a lot easier to add.

 

[Certified106]

Personally, after a drain, purge and refill, I first add metal magic while still filling(well water with iron). After it is completely full I adjust alkalinity by adding acid to bring the ph down to 7.2 the all jets and blowers on until it raises to 8.0. I keep repeating that until the alkalinity is at 50 and the ph is back up to 7.4. I will then add all of the cya to bring it to 30...measured per pool math. It only takes a few minutes to dissolve in the warm turbulent water if you squeeze it often. After that I add liquid chlorine to 10. I personally then add 50ppm of borates. Seems to keep my ph at a solid 7.4 to 7.6 even with use by two people 3 to 4 times a week for 1 to 2 hours per soak with everything on high. I usually only have to add a total of 2 to 3 ounces of acid per water change every 4 or so months. Just as a side note..I do keep the CL between 4 and 7...pretty much 2 oz every other day if the tub is unused, if it is used 2 to 4 ounces immediately after soaking and 2 ounces the following day. Also, call us gross, but we do not shower before our soaks, it is just not at all convenient! Hope this helps!

Extremely helpful write-up! Thanks so much this is exactly what I will be doing tomorrow except for I don't have CYA. I may try to find some today

 

[mknauss]

I have another question: can I use liquid stabilizer instead of dry CYA? It's not cost effective for a large pool but I imagine a gallon of the stuff will go a long way for the hot tub and be a lot easier to add.

You can. But, liquid CYA tends to separate in the bottle. So be sure you vigorously shake the bottle.