Day two of adding chemicals to spa and looking for feedback

raleighmoyher

Member
May 24, 2024
9
Sacramento, CA, USA
Hello,

I have a master spa that can with my home. Yesterday I did an Ahh-some treamtnet, drained and cleaned the whole spa. Filled up then started testing. Here is what I’ve done so far (scroll to the bottom if you just want my question)

Spa volume is unknown at this point. I’m guessing 400 gallons, but waiting to hear back from spa master, since my model number information has been rubbed away

Day 1 (yesterday):
*Calcium test: 50ppm; action taken = added 6.1 oz of calcium increaser and ran Jets for 10 min
*Total alkalinity test = 60ppm; action taken = did nothing
*PH test = 7.5; action taken = did nothing
*Tested CYA, but it was obviously zero
*Did NOT test for chlorine. Action taken = I added 10 ppm Dicholor (1 oz)

Day 2 (today)

*Calcium test: 160ppm; action taken = nothing
*Total alkalinity test = 80ppm; action taken = added 0.9oz baking soda and ran jets for 10 min
*PH test = 7.8; action taken = did nothing
*Tested CYA, but the Tayler 2006C doesn’t really record less than 30 CYA, so not sure why I did that.
*Tested for FC for the first time. I’m using a Tayler 2006-C FAS-DPD test. I had to add like 9 little dippers of the R-0870 before it even started to show a bit of pink. Adding a single drop of the R-0871 immediately sent it back to clear (using the 10ml test). I’m assuming I have NO Free Chlorine. Is this possible after add 10pm dichlor yesterday? Action taken = added 1.2 oz dichlor (which apparently is around 13-14ppm)

Question:
Is is possible for you to lose all your Free chlorine in one day after a drain a fill if you just have the spa lid closed? For what it’s worth, my test is not yet at 100F as I have an issue with my filter needing to be replaced and that is keeping my pumps from running at the moment due a “low flow error”

Bonus quetsion: the people at Leslie’s talked me out of Muriatic acid for lowering PH. I haven’t needed to use their alternavite (dry acid), but I’ve also read in some other spots that dry acid is in fact not a bid deal for spas even though they add sulfites (whereas MA doesn’t add sulfites). Is there any truth to that?

Added a photo of the tub for good measure

Thanks!
 

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Just took more measurements:
PH = 7.0
TA = 60ppm
FC = 12.5
CH = did not check
CYA = didn’t check (assuming I’m around 20 from my first two adds of dichlor)

Since it seems like all I can do is wait on the FC to drop to an acceptable level and my pH is a bit low I’m going to open the tub cover and aerate for about 15 min and check pH again.
 
Check this morning and I have
FC = 4.5ppm
CC = 1.0ppM

Added another 5.5ppm dichlor. Which should
Put me around the 30ish CYA range

Is it concerning that I’m losing so much FC over night? Water looks pretty clear, but maybe a it cloudy. I’m wondering if I do have some stuff that’s getting killed off by the chlorine so I’m turning this into a slam procedure essentially. I’ll drive back around noon from work to check a full suite a measurements.

Would love if if anyone could give me some guidance. This is all really new for me and I’ve tried my best to read all the pool school articles.
 
Update: I got home over lunch and I’m reading 5.5ppm FC, and 0.5ppm CC. I added another 0.5oz dichlor (7ppm).

I noticed some funk in the surface which seems to be maybe a white Algeo or white mold? I’m not wondering if there was too much biomass in the system and I need to do another drain and purge with more ahh some. Any input is greatly appreciated these photos were before I added the dichlor this afternoon IMG_9197.jpegIMG_9200.jpeg
 
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