Can't get Bromine above 0!

Romans5.8 · Sep 10, 2017

Hello!

I keep getting an error saying "my post contains curse words", though I can't seem to find any. So instead of my big long write up; I'm going to try to write this super simply, and then maybe fill in more information. This feels like an exercise I had in an undergraduate English class where I had to write instructions at a 6th grade reading level; avoiding any complicated words.

Tap water very high in CH/KH and pH (CH/KH off the charts on every test kit I've found, pH around 8.6-9.0)
Used 'Spa Down' for a couple of days on new spa. CH is 125, KH is 80. pH is 7.5
Added 2.5 ounces of Bromide Booster (per instructions). Added floater.
Added non-chlorine shock.

Next day; Bromine 0.0. Added 1 cup Chlorine Bleach.
Today: Bromine 0.0

...Help?

(I had a lot more information, but the forum seems to think my language is foul so I'm hoping I can fill in the blanks in posts below and figure out this intricacies of this language filter)

Romans5.8 · Sep 10, 2017

Some info to add;

The spa is covered; twice actually. It's on a covered porch and it has a cover that is installed when not in use. The most recent 0.0 reading came after adding the chlorine beach last night and putting the cover right on, then testing it this AM.

Lazerguppie · Sep 10, 2017

Did you use a bromine starter? If not, then it may take awhile for the bromine to show up. You can crush some tabs and put in the bottom of spa.

Romans5.8 · Sep 10, 2017

Lazerguppie said:
Did you use a bromine starter? If not, then it may take awhile for the bromine to show up. You can crush some tabs and put in the bottom of spa.

Yes. Per the instructions I used 2.5 oz. of the 5oz bottle included with the kit. And since then I've ended up adding the other 2.5oz. So in total, 5 ounces of a bromine starter in a 300 gallon spa. Still getting a zero reading regardless of test strip brand.

Today, the spa has cloudy water and a 'scummy' buildup on surfaces, like underneath the cover and the lid of the bromine floater. My assumption is that is just five days of water with no measurable level of santizer (and it has been used in that time). From what I'm reading, maybe a strong shot of bleach with the top off and bubbles on would be a good way to at least kill off some of this bacteria while I figure this out?

Lazerguppie · Sep 10, 2017

I would add the bleach and some crushed tabs as well. When I started up my pool with Br, it took awhile for the concentrations to increase. I used the starter, but had to add a lot more Br into the system as well. I have a high bather load, though.

JamesW · Sep 10, 2017

I wouldn't crush up tabs. You really don't want to handle tabs like that and tabs add a lot of dmh which isn't good.

You just need to add enough liquid chlorine to get past the demand.

You also need a good test kit, not test strips.

Romans5.8 · Sep 12, 2017

JamesW said:
I wouldn't crush up tabs. You really don't want to handle tabs like that and tabs add a lot of dmh which isn't good.

You just need to add enough liquid chlorine to get past the demand.

You also need a good test kit, not test strips.

Thanks!

Well, oops. I followed his advice and crushed some up and mixed it up into the pool. Is there a concern with the DMH?

I added a cup of liquid chlorine (6%) and predictably, the levels spiked. Though this time, they've stayed up! So far so good, and the slime/film is gone.