Hi, I am a newbie and I am using the 3 step bromine with bleach plan as outlined on this forum.
This is the second time that after about 6 weeks of new water my water turns cloudy. The first time I thought it was because I let my bromine level drop too low and I never could get the water to clear up so I just emptied and started over.
This time I have been more careful and it has been 6 weeks since that change and the water has been good until a few days ago. I noticed it started foaming more and then turned cloudy.
I tested it after it turned cloudy:
ph 6.8
alk 20
bromine 10
temp 103
(I've got to get a new calcium test so I don't have that reading...I'm on city water and it is usually less than 100 for the calcium)
I added baking soda to bring up the ph & alk.
now the readings are:
ph 8.2
alk 90
Then I shocked with bleach which made the bromine (or chlorine?) go higher than my test will test for (more than bromine 10/chlorine 5)
I just now increased my filter cylce to 2 four hour sessions instead of 2 two hour sessions.
What are some of the causes of cloudy water or can someone give a possible specific reason based on my situation?
I know the ph & alk were really low. I usually find I need to add baking soda once or twice a week when I test. I am not able to test but every 3 or 4 which is one of the reasons I went with the bromine/bleach method originally. The hot tub is typically used 5 times a week for about 45-60 min. each time. I usually put 1 1/2 c. of bleach every other time it is used. The tub is 425 gals with an ozonator. I plan on changing the water every 2 or 3 months but would like to make it past 6 weeks before needing to change. Once a week I have to siphon out dirt/leaves and top off with fresh water because it is low.
Thanks for any help,
Linda
This is the second time that after about 6 weeks of new water my water turns cloudy. The first time I thought it was because I let my bromine level drop too low and I never could get the water to clear up so I just emptied and started over.
This time I have been more careful and it has been 6 weeks since that change and the water has been good until a few days ago. I noticed it started foaming more and then turned cloudy.
I tested it after it turned cloudy:
ph 6.8
alk 20
bromine 10
temp 103
(I've got to get a new calcium test so I don't have that reading...I'm on city water and it is usually less than 100 for the calcium)
I added baking soda to bring up the ph & alk.
now the readings are:
ph 8.2
alk 90
Then I shocked with bleach which made the bromine (or chlorine?) go higher than my test will test for (more than bromine 10/chlorine 5)
I just now increased my filter cylce to 2 four hour sessions instead of 2 two hour sessions.
What are some of the causes of cloudy water or can someone give a possible specific reason based on my situation?
I know the ph & alk were really low. I usually find I need to add baking soda once or twice a week when I test. I am not able to test but every 3 or 4 which is one of the reasons I went with the bromine/bleach method originally. The hot tub is typically used 5 times a week for about 45-60 min. each time. I usually put 1 1/2 c. of bleach every other time it is used. The tub is 425 gals with an ozonator. I plan on changing the water every 2 or 3 months but would like to make it past 6 weeks before needing to change. Once a week I have to siphon out dirt/leaves and top off with fresh water because it is low.
Thanks for any help,
Linda