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Eric
Site Admin
Joined: 01 Dec 2003
Posts: 2486
Location: California |
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 Spa Maintenance |
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This is more like a blog than a forum thread. I want to document the maintenance on my spa so that I don't forget anything.
I had the spa dr ( http://www.thespadoctor.i8.com 916-791-3020 )look at our spa because the pumps seemed to be on all the time. Part of the problem was that FC was set to 9 and 2C. That means the filtering went on 9 for 9 hours at a time twice daily (18 hours total). We changed it to FC 1 and C 1. This means it filters for 90 minutes twice daily or 3 hours total per day.
Jeromy said there is some corrosion near the heater and it will probably need to be replaced soon. Also, the water was out of whack. The alkalinity was high (about 200ppm) but the pH was low. The chlorine was also too high. He explained that the tester strips aren't as accurate as the drop kits. Jeromy didn't have anything in his truck for me to help lower the alkalinity.
I went to Spa & Pool Emporium at 6848 Five Star Blvd in Rocklin to see about lowering the alkalinity. Once I explained that we've had the spa for 18 months without draining it they said the best thing to do is drain it. They also said that the tap water in Antelope has high alkalinity.
Sure enough the test showed high alkalinity even after draining and refilling the spa. I purchased the drop kit from Dr Spa and used it to test the water once the spa was filled:
ALKALINITY TEST - HIGH
16 Drops ==> 160ppm
Per the testing guidelines 120-150ppm is ideal for vinyl, painted or fiberglass so we're on the high side. The guidelines say if the reading is more than desired then acid is usually needed.
pH TEST - LOW
The color showed between 7.2 and 7.4 but it was closer to 7.2.
CHLORINE TEST - HIGH
The initial color was between 1.5 and 2.0 but closer to 2.0. After 2 minutes there was no significant change with the color.
The Bromine color was between 3.4 and 4.5 but closer to 4.5.
TEST CONCLUSIONS
Alkalinity is high as confirmed by the strip test.
pH is low as confirmed by the strip test.
Chlorine is high but this is not confirmed by the strip test.
*The high chlorine reading makes sense. It is accepted that the drops are more accurate than the strips. I've had the strips read low on chlorine in the past even after putting so much chlorine in the spa that it hurt my eyes and made them water.
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Check out my video for the 9th chip trick contest: http://www.21ace.com/video-pictures/albums/userpics/10002/Eric-9th-Chip-Contest.wmv |
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| Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:06 am |
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