Welcome! TFP is the best place for pool and spa care, I'm so glad I found this site!
I was recently given a 2008 Hot Springs Pulse tub and purchased a Saltron Mini drop in device to make it a salt tub as opposed to using all the chemicals.
Just to be clear, a Saltron Mini (which I have) does not replace "using all the chemicals". It is a Saltwater Chlorine Generator (SWCG). What this means is it uses electricity to take chloride ions in the water (added by salt) and turn them into hypochlorous acid, the primary sanitizer, which after it oxidizes waste ends up as chloride ions to begin the cycle again. So the ONLY difference a SWCG makes is it reduces or possibly eliminates the need to add chlorine manually, but doesn't change anything else. Pools with SWCGs usually can eliminate all manual chlorine addition, whereas spas generally lean towards using SWCG to maintain chlorine during periods of disuse but due to small amounts of water and high bather load often still require manual additions of chlorine after each use. For example, if you have one person soak for 15 minutes twice a week, the SWCG will handle all chlorine usage. But if you're like us and have 2-6 people soak for 2-8 hours at a go, manual chlorine addition is
mandatory, often in the middle of the a session and for sure after we get out (and maybe the next day too), after which the SWCG will maintain the chlorine levels between uses (which for us is often a week or so, depending on the weather and season).
This is a good starting point for learning how to take care of a chlorine sanitized hot tub:
How do I use Chlorine in my Spa (or pool)?
The really good news though, is that at TFP you
will be using the least amount of chemicals. When we first were looking at hot tubs, I found articles saying how you needed all sorts of chemicals. Like ten different ones! All spa specific and very expensive. "Conveniently" these places also sold or linked to a place that sold these chemicals. Stuff like pH minus, pH plus, alkalinity increaser, etc. Well, turns out if you understand the water chemistry a bit, you need very little, and most of the expensive spa chemicals are just common things sold with 200-400% markup. Here's what you NEED:
- Chlorine without CYA for manual additions (sodium hypochlorite). This can be purchased as unsented, no-additive household bleach (don't get Clorox brand, it all has additives now, but store brand like "Great Value" is usually good), or you can buy it as "liquid chlorinator" or "liquid shock" for pools/spas, just check the label has only sodium hypochlorite as the only active ingredient.
- Acid, to lower pH (and also TA), as nearly all water sources will have enough TA to cause pH rise with aeration. This can be muriatic acid, sold at any hardware/home improvement store, or dry acid (sodium bisulfate) usually sold as "pH minus" in pool/spa stores.
- You'll also need something to measure out things. I recommend a small plastic measuring cup with at least 1/2 oz divisions, plus a "gram scale" for dry chemicals. A set of plastic teaspoons/tablespoons can also be handy for small amounts of liquid chemicals.
- Poolmath, either the web version or the phone version. I recommend the phone version and paid upgrade for $10/year.
- A good test kit, which you've already ordered. I recommend the Speedstir as well, it makes the testing a lot easier.
And well, that's it. That's all you really
need. That said:
- Some CYA (cyunaric acid) is highly recommended. Can be added via dichlor, which is chlorine and CYA, or via straight CYA. If you already have dichlor, use that, otherwise I'd lean towards straight CYA.
- If you accidentally add too much acid and lower the TA too much so the pH is too low, you'll need something to raise the TA. Chances are really good you already have it, it's called baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).
- Some people swear by borates, which can be added via Borax, but I've personally tried both ways and didn't notice any differences so I don't use them anymore. YMMV.
There's a bit to learn, but it's not hard, and we are here to help, so don't hesitate with any questions!
Guess/test strips are almost impossible to do anything with... They just do not work for what you need...
