I finally replaced my 30 year old hot tub and ended up with a tub that has no floating weir. I’ve noticed a scum line forms instantly with use (chemistry is good and purging was done twice with Ahhsome). This didn’t happen in my old tub that had a floating weir so I’m thinking the surface skimming is really inadequate. Is there anything that can be done to fix this issue? It’s an H2O hot tub.
No weir?
- Thread starter Treefaller
- Start date
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Do you have the water level correct? May just need a little adjustment to adequately skim while you’re in there.
Which kind of intake do you have? - I see some have a flat grate situation & some have a protruding circular grate thing.
If you did 2 Ahhsome purges is it possible that you used a bit too much?
The 2nd & all subsequent purges are to be 1/2 doses.
Even then sometimes you can have some residual for a little while after refilling. If you think that’s the case just continue to wipe it away (microfiber works well) & it should dissipate over time so long as you’re chlorinating properly & using enough fc to account for the bather loads.
FC/CYA Levels
Which kind of intake do you have? - I see some have a flat grate situation & some have a protruding circular grate thing.
If you did 2 Ahhsome purges is it possible that you used a bit too much?
The 2nd & all subsequent purges are to be 1/2 doses.
Even then sometimes you can have some residual for a little while after refilling. If you think that’s the case just continue to wipe it away (microfiber works well) & it should dissipate over time so long as you’re chlorinating properly & using enough fc to account for the bather loads.
FC/CYA Levels
Thanks for your reply. Yes, there is a dotted line showing where to fill it to and it’s just right. There is just a honeycomb grate and the filter sits behind it, exposed and about 2or 3 inches below the water line. I don’t think there’s any ahhsome left behind because I did a clean fill after using it and drained it again because it was sudsy.
The scum line appeared as soon as we were in the tub so I don’t think it’s a biofilm but more likely just skin cells and lotion etc. I scrubbed it the next day and it’s gone now but seems I’ll have to scrub it after each use which didn’t need to happen with our old tub.
I was thinking about adding enzymes but I’m Leary to add things that don’t even list the ingredients. Maybe a scum bug ? Or trying to use a taller filter that at least comes up to the top of the water?
The scum line appeared as soon as we were in the tub so I don’t think it’s a biofilm but more likely just skin cells and lotion etc. I scrubbed it the next day and it’s gone now but seems I’ll have to scrub it after each use which didn’t need to happen with our old tub.
I was thinking about adding enzymes but I’m Leary to add things that don’t even list the ingredients. Maybe a scum bug ? Or trying to use a taller filter that at least comes up to the top of the water?
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I float a scum bug when I’m using the spa & it does noticeably remove oil sheen when present.
It’s possible there was just alot lubricants & such from manufacturing & it will take some time to rid yourself of them.
Try to avoid lotions, makeup and such in the spa at all. Self tanner is the worst. You should ideally always shower before using the hot tub but I realize most people don’t. It’s essentially a big bathtub that you don’t change the water in very often
so the more you keep out the less overwhelmed the filter & sanitizer get. I also try to save my olay/caress type body washes for when I won’t be tubbing as they are a bit greasy. I wouldn’t change the filter to anything other than what is supposed to go in the spa - you may accidentally create an airlock situation.
You may want to purchase an extra filter so you can quickly change it to a fresh one every week/ couple weeks. Especially if its cold out & you need to clean the filters inside. Anything that doesn’t get broken down ends up in your filter so clean them more often if you need to.
I usually just rinse mine in between purges- occasionally i will use a degreaser or cleaner if there was unusual use like my kids friends or something.
The people who make Ahhsome also have a weekly additive- its called Aqua clarity. It’s like keeping a tiny dose of Ahhsome in the tub all the time that breaks down the gunk before it ever becomes biofilm. There’s a little more to it than that but you get the general idea.
Since using it my purges every 6-8 months are squeaky clean. My hubby gets greasy/dirty from his pipefitter job - no matter how hard he scrubs in the shower it doesn’t all come off so I like the help the Aqua clarity provides.
Keeping fc up is also imperative to oxidize bather waste. Be certain that your fc never falls below minimum for your cya.
FC/CYA Levels
JoeSelf
Gold Supporter
Get these they are on sale now. They work great.
ahhsome.com
ScumRays Twin Pack
Hot tub scum cleaner removes scum from the inside of your hot tub. It is a better option for hot tub lovers. This scum product has a variety of features
ahhsome.com
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I really want to try them but I fear they would get sucked into my skimmer basket & block the flow so I have just stuck with rola chem scum bugs which are some kinda foam. They last me like a year before they start to deteriorate.Get these they are on sale now. They work great.
ScumRays Twin Pack
Hot tub scum cleaner removes scum from the inside of your hot tub. It is a better option for hot tub lovers. This scum product has a variety of features
JoeSelf
Gold Supporter
They come with suction cups. I had them right next to the filter entrance and they never got sucked in. Figured more flow next to the entrance. I got two more for this year when I ordered my new AquaClarity.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I may give them a shot then! Never saw the suction cups when I was looking at them before. They r soo cute
JoeSelf
Gold Supporter
I use the "head" to scrub the tub once a week, kinda like brushing the walls. There is a sponge inside it.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,019
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Helpful info- my primary use for the scum bug is as a sponge to soak up water then squeeze it to rinse my feet before getting in the tub. The rays not looking “spongy” was another reason I never pulled the trigger.
JoeSelf
Gold Supporter