Nature2 and MPS recipe

[Tobias Funke]

First-time poster, long-time reader/follower.

I’ve read all the posts on Nature2 and MPS in this and other forums. These helped me enormously to figure out what worked best in my situation. Thanks to all the people who post here! There’s debate on the effectiveness/usefulness of the Nature2 setup, but in my case, I had very few options as I am very sensitive to chlorine. Thankfully, I found a method that works well. I thought I would give back to this community my recipe for tub maintenance. I hope it helps others who need/want to avoid chlorine as much as possible and are having trouble figuring out Nature2 and MPS. That said, this is only what works for me given my setup and usage. This will not necessarily work for you!

HOT TUB MAINTENANCE - LOW CHLORINE RECIPE - NATURE2/MPS/OZONE

Start up procedure:

1. Fill spa (1000 L) with water using hose filter and install clean tub filter
2. Add 2 cups Borax (50ppm) gradually, 1/2 cup at a time, run jets for 20 mins each 1/2 cup dose
3. Once water reaches 80 F, balance total alkalinity between 80 to 120
4. Wait a while and balance ph 7.2 to 7.8
5. Install a new Nature2 stick
6. Add 2.5 tbsp of dichlor to activate Nature2 and run jets for 20 mins
7. Add 2 tbsp of MPS shock, run jets for 20 mins
8. Wait until chlorine levels dissipate before use (~48 hrs)

Each use (40 min soak, 2 people, almost daily):

1. Test water with test strips/kit, if you like, to make sure nothing is totally out of balance
2. Add 1 tbsp of MPS shock before and 1 tbsp MPS after each soak, run jets for 20 mins. Note: if not used daily, dose with 1 tbsp MPS and 1 tbsp dichlor about every 3-5 days

Weekly shock and disinfect (every Sunday, depending on use):

1. Check and rinse filter
2. Thoroughly test water (Taylor K-2106 kit), adjust as needed
3. Add 4 tbsp MPS, run jets for 20 min
4. Add 2.5 tbsp dichlor, or 250ml (1 cup) bleach, run jets for 20 min. Wait for chlorine to dissipate before use (~24 hrs).

Monthly (1st of the month):

1. Install clean filter
2. Follow weekly procedure
3. Clean dirty filter and soak for 24h in 1/2 jug vinegar, 4 tbsp TSP and 1 tbsp dishwasher detergent

Every 4 months (April 1, August 1, December 1):

1. Run spa with pipe cleaner, without filter, no aeration, cover off for 1 hour
2. Drain tub
3. Wipe down with vinegar
4. Follow start-up procedure

Yearly (December 1):

1. Replace ozone generator check valve
2. Dispose of both filters and start new set of filters

 

[duganderson]

Thank you for posting. Awesome this is working for you.

I tried a very similar approach and it worked for a while but then I started having difficulties (itchiness at times, foaming, unclear water, high chlorine demand, etc.). I'm guessing my problems were due to buildup of biofilm in the pipes due to lack of chlorine for much of the time AND CYA buildup due to weekly dichlor additions (dichlor adds both chlorine & CYA) which leads to reductions of the effectiveness of chlorine when CYA goes over 30-50.

If your plan, however, is working for you, I'm not trying to convince you to do something else. Just trying to give readers an additional perspective on the Nature2/MPS/Dichor plan. Currently, I use Nature2, maintain low chlorine levels (1-3 ppm) using a Smarter Spa chlorine generator and use Aqua Clarity weekly. I also add some bleach after longer soaks or multiple person soaks. Aqua Clarity or Awesome for purge. This has been working GREAT for me.

Take care and thanks for posting!

 

[Bperry]

Thank you for posting. Awesome this is working for you.

I tried a very similar approach and it worked for a while but then I started having difficulties (itchiness at times, foaming, unclear water, high chlorine demand, etc.). I'm guessing my problems were due to buildup of biofilm in the pipes due to lack of chlorine for much of the time AND CYA buildup due to weekly dichlor additions (dichlor adds both chlorine & CYA) which leads to reductions of the effectiveness of chlorine when CYA goes over 30-50.

If your plan, however, is working for you, I'm not trying to convince you to do something else. Just trying to give readers an additional perspective on the Nature2/MPS/Dichor plan. Currently, I use Nature2, maintain low chlorine levels (1-3 ppm) using a Smarter Spa chlorine generator and use Aqua Clarity weekly. I also add some bleach after longer soaks or multiple person soaks. Aqua Clarity or Awesome for purge. This has been working GREAT for me.

Take care and thanks for posting!

The procedure requires draining the tub every 4 months so CYA buildup may not be a problem.

I also used to think I was sensitive to chlorine, but it turns out I’m just sensitive to unsanitary water. I wonder if most people who think they are sensitive to chlorine are also just sensitive to poorly chlorinated water with excess CC buildup. Would be curious to know if the OP has tried the TFP process in the past or not.

 

[duganderson]

The procedure requires draining the tub every 4 months so CYA buildup may not be a problem.

I also used to think I was sensitive to chlorine, but it turns out I’m just sensitive to unsanitary water. I wonder if most people who think they are sensitive to chlorine are also just sensitive to poorly chlorinated water with excess CC buildup. Would be curious to know if the OP has tried the TFP process in the past or not.

Based on my calculations, CYA would be WAY over 200 in 4 months including dissipation of CYA over time.

Based on what I've read and experienced, I agree that sensitivity is more likely due to unsanitary water than reasonable chlorine levels. I'm sensitive to unsanitary water but not chlorine levels that are well above the 1-3 PPM range that I keep my tub at.

 

[duganderson]

By the way.......I love your Tobias Funke login name. I LOVE that character on Arrested Development. You don't happen to be the actor that plays that role?

 

[dan1333]

A new start! Spelled a little differently, of course...

 

[A.O.]

WOW sounds complicated and a project!! There are so much simpler ways...
Go here How do I use Chlorine in my Spa (or pool)? or just to the top of this section.

 

[Mdragger88]

Many people also find mps irritating. More so than proper sanitary levels of chlorine based on the FC/CYA Levels.
Using it can also skew cc testing if the proper interference regeant isn’t used.
Mps is weird- it’s not listed in PoolMath so it’s basically a guess of how much to use & you can’t test it’s levels. That makes it a no go for me.
It’s supposed to get rid of cc’s but it prevents u from seeing if u have any right after use. It is also only an oxidizer & not a sanitizer. Chlorine is both.
I am unsettled by the large amounts of dichlor based on your spa volume Even though you are trying to avoid chlorine & skin irritation
It is acidic & will tank your ph (bad for equipment & skin) along with increasing your cya at a rapid rate. I agree with A.O. this plan seems complicated & a recipe for soaks with under sanitized water as cya builds.
If you wish to use 3-5 ppm of fc just keep your cya around 20ppm & dose/shock w/ bleach - easy peasy. U can still use the magic sticks if u want to continue to buy them.

 

[A.O.]

Many people also find mps irritating. More so than proper sanitary levels of chlorine based on the FC/CYA Levels.
Using it can also skew cc testing if the proper interference regeant isn’t used.
Mps is weird- it’s not listed in PoolMath so it’s basically a guess of how much to use & you can’t test it’s levels. That makes it a no go for me.
It’s supposed to get rid of cc’s but it prevents u from seeing if u have any right after use. It is also only an oxidizer & not a sanitizer. Chlorine is both.
I am unsettled by the large amounts of dichlor based on your spa volume Even though you are trying to avoid chlorine & skin irritation
It is acidic & will tank your ph (bad for equipment & skin) along with increasing your cya at a rapid rate. I agree with A.O. this plan seems complicated & a recipe for soaks with under sanitized water as cya builds.
If you wish to use 3-5 ppm of fc just keep your cya around 20ppm & dose/shock w/ bleach - easy peasy. U can still use the magic sticks if u want to continue to buy them.

Bingo!