I am a new Jacuzzi J-385 spa owner (460 gal.), and I'm working through the process for keeping the water clean and safe. I use the TFP method for my IG pool, and I'm happy with the results, so I would like to use a similar method with my spa. This spa comes with the Jacuzzi ClearRay system, which includes UV and ozone, and I'm not sure how to use ClearRay within the TFP method. I've read through the spa sticky and many other posts in this forum, so I understand the basics, but my understanding is the ClearRay system destroys FC, so I'm not sure how to test and dose the chlorine if it always reads low because of the ClearRay. I read a couple posts that got into it a little bit, but I'm still not clear on the best way to incorporate it.
I have a few basic questions for the experts here. I received a lot of good advice on my IG pool from the TFP forums a couple years ago, so I'm hoping for the same for my spa.
1. Is there any downside to using the ClearRay? I can disconnect it, but it came with the spa, and it seems like it can help keep things clean if used properly, so I'd like to make use of it if possible. I know the bulb is a yearly expense, but I'm ok with that if ClearRay is helpful.
2. What should I be shooting for as far as a FC level? I'm building up the CYA to 30 using dichlor right now, and I keep raising FC to around 5 as recommended, but it's dropping because of the ClearRay. Should I be dosing differently, or do I actually need to add more chlorine because the ClearRay is destroying it? The spa manual says FC will be around 0.5 - 1.0 when using ClearRay, and it claims you can use a lot less chlorine.
3. How long should I be running the ClearRay? It's set to 8 hours a day from the factory, but the store that sold me the spa recommends 24/7. It seems like I won't be able to keep any residual FC if I run it 24/7.
4. Is MPS or non-chlorine shock a good idea for this situation? Is that the best way to do some of the oxidizing if I can't maintain high residual chlorine? If so, what dose, and how to measure the levels in the water? I have the TF Pro test kit for my pool, but I don't know how to measure levels of MPS using that kit.
5. I was thinking to use the ClearRay on a 8 hour/day schedule, raise FC up to 5 every day, regardless of where it falls to. Then, after each spa use, bring FC back to 5 and add MPS as well. Does that seem reasonable, or is there a better chemical schedule to use with ClearRay?
6. The spa also came with the Frog @ease floater with smartchlor and mineral cartridges. Is there any use for this in the TFP method, or should I just not use it?
Thanks in advance for any help!
I have a few basic questions for the experts here. I received a lot of good advice on my IG pool from the TFP forums a couple years ago, so I'm hoping for the same for my spa.
1. Is there any downside to using the ClearRay? I can disconnect it, but it came with the spa, and it seems like it can help keep things clean if used properly, so I'd like to make use of it if possible. I know the bulb is a yearly expense, but I'm ok with that if ClearRay is helpful.
2. What should I be shooting for as far as a FC level? I'm building up the CYA to 30 using dichlor right now, and I keep raising FC to around 5 as recommended, but it's dropping because of the ClearRay. Should I be dosing differently, or do I actually need to add more chlorine because the ClearRay is destroying it? The spa manual says FC will be around 0.5 - 1.0 when using ClearRay, and it claims you can use a lot less chlorine.
3. How long should I be running the ClearRay? It's set to 8 hours a day from the factory, but the store that sold me the spa recommends 24/7. It seems like I won't be able to keep any residual FC if I run it 24/7.
4. Is MPS or non-chlorine shock a good idea for this situation? Is that the best way to do some of the oxidizing if I can't maintain high residual chlorine? If so, what dose, and how to measure the levels in the water? I have the TF Pro test kit for my pool, but I don't know how to measure levels of MPS using that kit.
5. I was thinking to use the ClearRay on a 8 hour/day schedule, raise FC up to 5 every day, regardless of where it falls to. Then, after each spa use, bring FC back to 5 and add MPS as well. Does that seem reasonable, or is there a better chemical schedule to use with ClearRay?
6. The spa also came with the Frog @ease floater with smartchlor and mineral cartridges. Is there any use for this in the TFP method, or should I just not use it?
Thanks in advance for any help!