Getting started without a test kit

[nlitch]

I ordered a spa and it looks like its going to arrive more quickly than I anticipated (today). Most of the water chemistry stuff I need is available nearby, but being in Canada, there is a bit of a wait time to get my hands on my Taylor Test Kit. Admittedly, I dropped the ball and was a little slow on ordering it while trying to figure out which system to use etc. So i'll be running a two or three step bromine system.

It may take 7-10 days for my test kit to arrive. Given I have everything else I need for my Bromine system, is there any way to safely get my spa up and running prior to the kit being here?

 

[RDspaguy]

You really need to know your ph asap. Start with your sodium bromide and shock with mps or chlorine to activate it. But you will have trouble if you don't get it balanced PDQ.
Have you read the sticky on bromine? Does your spa have ozone?

 

[nlitch]

Thanks. I have read the sticky (the original post, maybe not the whole thread). Also, it does have an ozonator (which I might not use as i've read negative things about sodium brodmide and ozonators). Ya I know all the water balancing is critical and want it to be safe for everyone obviously. Just disappointing I wasn't prepared earlier so wondering if I could get by with some cheapo test strips for a short period or something like that.

Probably just worth waiting.

 

[RDspaguy]

Test strips are fairly reliable until you make them unreliable by opening the package. Any moisture, even steam from your spa, high humidity, wet fingers, and such can throw off your readings. The test strips being essentially used by testing the moisture in the container. Walmart sells a brand (hth I believe) that are individually cellophane wrapped, so a bit more reliable. They are good for a quick check, but if anything is out you should retest with a taylor kit.
I am a big fan of ozone for what it is meant to do, which is to burn off organic contaminants including chlorine, chloramines, and (to a lesser degree) bromine and bromides. I am not sure what you read or what you expect from ozone, but I won't own a spa without an ozonator. And I have owned many being a used spa rebuilder on the side for 25 years.

 

[Mdragger88]

While you wait for your kit you could/should do an ahhsome purge. Here’s a little reading about biofilms in new spas

Why clean a new Tub with Ahhsome?

Hi Folks I’m curious about the notion of biofilm existing in a brand new manufactured spa. I’d think that biofilm could only be created if a spa had water in the tub, as opposed to a new tub of assembled brand new parts. Certainly I could understand there being gunk in a new tub such as...

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[nlitch]

While you wait for your kit you could/should do an ahhsome purge. Here’s a little reading about biofilms in new spas

Why clean a new Tub with Ahhsome?

Hi Folks I’m curious about the notion of biofilm existing in a brand new manufactured spa. I’d think that biofilm could only be created if a spa had water in the tub, as opposed to a new tub of assembled brand new parts. Certainly I could understand there being gunk in a new tub such as...

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks - I have some on order and think it will arrive before the test kit (it is also a little difficult to get in Canada). I do intend to use it to purge the factory gunk out of the tub.

 

[nlitch]

Test strips are fairly reliable until you make them unreliable by opening the package. Any moisture, even steam from your spa, high humidity, wet fingers, and such can throw off your readings. The test strips being essentially used by testing the moisture in the container. Walmart sells a brand (hth I believe) that are individually cellophane wrapped, so a bit more reliable. They are good for a quick check, but if anything is out you should retest with a taylor kit.
I am a big fan of ozone for what it is meant to do, which is to burn off organic contaminants including chlorine, chloramines, and (to a lesser degree) bromine and bromides. I am not sure what you read or what you expect from ozone, but I won't own a spa without an ozonator. And I have owned many being a used spa rebuilder on the side for 25 years.

Thanks again. I was kind of excited about the ozonator. You might not be aware if you are in the states, but Canada has banned sodium bromide in use with salt water systems and ozonators. I'm not a scientist so am not totally sure of the science behind it, but I guess some studies show the combination produces Bromates (could be a little off here). Anyhow the risk is relatively low, but I have young kids who will be in the spa and probably harder for them to avoid "drinking" the water here and there.

So all that may just result in me turning the ozonator off. Over all, sounds like I am waiting for the test kit to arrive before turning this thing on unfortunately!