Hello Seattle Soaker: Thank you for using the Ahh-Some Hot Tub Plumbing Cleaner on your hot tub. What you just did is going to make your ongoing maintenance so much easier. All that gunk and bio-contaminants that you purged from your relatively new hot tub is quite normal. Remember, sanitizers are used up and dissipate rapidly trying to penetrate into the bio-buildup. They try and try but just can't get the job done. Sanitizers are great at oxidizing and killing "planktonic" or free-floating specks that break loose from the biofilm matrix. You need sanitizer in a hot tub, ABSOLUTELY. You also need to purge your hot tub on a regular basis, usually every 4-6 months based on gallonage and amount of use. We recommend tubs 450 gallons or more, every 6 months. Less than 450 gallons, every 4-5 months. Small tubs, let's say 250 gallons or less that get daily use, we recommend every 3 months. It is AMAZING that many dealers and manufacturers are hesitant to educate their customers about this beneficial maintenance protocol. Apparently, they fear that sales would go down. We see the opposite occurring. The dealers who actually purge brand new tubs at the time of delivery and who tell their customers to purge on a regular basis are selling more hot tubs. Happy customers talk. However, this information falls on deaf ears with most dealers. They are petrified that you'll see this gunk. We are glad that this forum is a catalyst for getting the word out and helping hot tub owners around the globe. We also recommend that every new hot tub owner procure the "TFP" test kit. Test strips that are usually included with the hot tub are grossly inadequate. What is important is that you Test, Sanitize and Purge. Do this regularly and you'll be thrilled with the results.
Thanks, Ahh-Some Guy. I just posted the following on the Ahh-Some website contact form. I am looking for advice, as I have already done 4 purges, each time cleaning filters, any gunk, refilling, balancing, heating up. Also, is there a link to which test kit is best for a hot tub (as opposed to the swimming pool group.) Thanks, Daniel
"I thought I was keeping my 3 year old, barely used Sundance Chelsee hot tub clean with using shock 30 minutes before use, and then counting on the silver cartridge, UV light, and filter. Even after a water change, filter cleaning, creamy white flakes would float around. Reading on the internet I came across references to pipe and tubing cleaning, and my local spa store sold me two small tubs of Ahh-Some. I read your website, watched you tube videos, and treated my tub. First time ran jets and aeration for about 1 hour, produced a lot of grime. I thought that was it, refilled, heated, treated, but more white flakes. Next day, same thing, this time with ½ cup of chlorine granules, more Ahh-Some, ran jets for about 3 hours, cleaned filters each time. Greatly improved, and for the first time I could see some of the transparent tubing was no longer opaque when looking at what is visible from the front of the underside.
Did a third treatment yesterday, ¾ cup chlorine, about 5 tsp Ahh-Some for the 400 gallon tub, ran for 3 hours. Better yet, but still producing some flakes and yellow scum when refilled and jets running (and yes, I rinsed carefully, cleaned sides as tub drained, shop-vac, etc.) I can see small persistent areas of biofilm in a few areas of the visible tubing.
So, my question is: Any other tricks? Do I just treat again for the 5th Ahh-Some treatment, or give it a break and treat in a month or two?
Thanks for any advice you can give."
