Hello everyone,
I’m a newbie when it comes to dosing! I’ve had my cold plunge for about 4 months now and recently switched to using chemicals. I started with a spa kit from Leslie’s Supply (LPS near me). Initially, I used ozone, peroxide, and UV for sanitizing. I used ozone because I already had it for disinfecting fruits and vegetables, and the UV sterilizer was built into the chiller I bought for the plunge. The heat exchanger is titanium. I chose peroxide because it was the first thing I bought at Leslie’s when I purchased a manual vacuum there.
The spa kit I’m using includes dichlor, potassium peroxymonosulfate, Spa Perfect, and Spa Stain and Scale Control. I've only used the dichlor , fresh and clear, and spa perfect.
After lurking and reading around, I think I’d like to transition to the dichlor/bleach method and ditch the rest and go with the method here.
I have some experience with reef tanks, and I understand that small tubs can be quite finicky due to their size and the large bioload per gallon. A minor chemical change can have a significant impact. In the reef hobby, for example, a small fish dying in a nano tank is more detrimental than in a large tank, which can better handle the bioload. It’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges, but I see a similar analogy with a big pool and a few people versus a small spa with the same number of people using it.
The reason for the switch is: 1. I read the info on this forum!!! 2. to reduce electrical costs. I shut off the machine for a few days up to a week, and with the UV off, there is no sterilization. The peroxide also seems expensive. Additionally, I think the indoor lights always being on and the UV light sterilization might have contributed to the peroxide being used up more quickly. I will keep using ozone but will only rely on it after I gain some proficiency with the chemicals. Also, the chiller has filtration in the form of a 2.5 x 5 cartridge pleated filter.
My first question: Since I have already used the fresh and clear. I have since learned that this affects the FAS-DPD TC test. Should I then use the OTO test for TC and compare that result with the FC test to get CC. Or get the pricey interference remover for the fas-dpd? How long does the fresh n clear last in solution? Should I just dump the water and start from the beginning?
Looking forward to learning from all of you!
I’m a newbie when it comes to dosing! I’ve had my cold plunge for about 4 months now and recently switched to using chemicals. I started with a spa kit from Leslie’s Supply (LPS near me). Initially, I used ozone, peroxide, and UV for sanitizing. I used ozone because I already had it for disinfecting fruits and vegetables, and the UV sterilizer was built into the chiller I bought for the plunge. The heat exchanger is titanium. I chose peroxide because it was the first thing I bought at Leslie’s when I purchased a manual vacuum there.
The spa kit I’m using includes dichlor, potassium peroxymonosulfate, Spa Perfect, and Spa Stain and Scale Control. I've only used the dichlor , fresh and clear, and spa perfect.
After lurking and reading around, I think I’d like to transition to the dichlor/bleach method and ditch the rest and go with the method here.
I have some experience with reef tanks, and I understand that small tubs can be quite finicky due to their size and the large bioload per gallon. A minor chemical change can have a significant impact. In the reef hobby, for example, a small fish dying in a nano tank is more detrimental than in a large tank, which can better handle the bioload. It’s a bit like comparing apples to oranges, but I see a similar analogy with a big pool and a few people versus a small spa with the same number of people using it.
The reason for the switch is: 1. I read the info on this forum!!! 2. to reduce electrical costs. I shut off the machine for a few days up to a week, and with the UV off, there is no sterilization. The peroxide also seems expensive. Additionally, I think the indoor lights always being on and the UV light sterilization might have contributed to the peroxide being used up more quickly. I will keep using ozone but will only rely on it after I gain some proficiency with the chemicals. Also, the chiller has filtration in the form of a 2.5 x 5 cartridge pleated filter.
My first question: Since I have already used the fresh and clear. I have since learned that this affects the FAS-DPD TC test. Should I then use the OTO test for TC and compare that result with the FC test to get CC. Or get the pricey interference remover for the fas-dpd? How long does the fresh n clear last in solution? Should I just dump the water and start from the beginning?
Looking forward to learning from all of you!
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Are you referring to the Fresh & Clear powder like at Leslies? If so, that shouldn't interfere with any testing when using the FAS-DPD (powder & drops) for FC testing. Let me know if I misunderstood. The link below and our 
