Great video. Very frustrating that the actual ClearWater kit instructions misses the 2nd step about total alkalinity so we had to search online and eventually found this video to explain about how total alkalinity is adjusted BEFORE you sort out pH
Incredibly useful video. Thanks so much! I'm a complete beginner and first set up my Lay-Z-Spa Miami yesterday. I used the ClearWater starter kit, but I rushed it. Added the shock treatment at 6am, then tinkered with the alkalinity and PH through the day before getting in at around 4pm. Everything was in the "okay" range on the test strips, but within an hour the water had turned green and cloudy and within 2 hours slime had formed in bottom of the tub and in the filter! My guess is I didn't give the chlorine enough time to kill all the bacteria, alge, and other organic compounds in the water. I live in a very rural area and our water comes straight off the moors, is very alkaline, and I imagine contains a high level of alge. I've drained the tub, washed it out, changed the filter, and followed your video to the letter. Just added the first shock treatment at about 6:30 this morning and I'll leave it until tomorrow before testing and starting the process with the Alkalinity and PH. Is there anything else you could recommend in order to prevent this slime problem happening again? TIA
Not come across something like this happening so quickly. I'd definitely recommend ensuring you shock the water properly, and maybe even add a bit more than the instructions for your tub recommend. Make sure any issues are not coming from the people using the tub. Make up, sun cream and other stuff that comes off the body can discolour the water while you're still sat in it! Make sure everyone has a shower before getting in.
@@SailingAquilaThanks mate. Bit of an update. Got home from work and test the water. The chlorine is in the max range, so I put the air jets on for about half an hour with the lid off and it's not made much difference. The tub is only filled to the minimum line so I'm gonna top it up to the maximum line to dilute the chlorine. After I switched the airjets off, the water had gone slightly cloudy but nothing like it was yesterday. I'm guessing there was some of the water from yesterday still in the pump that's mixed in with the new water. What's your advice, or do you have a video on clear water's algicide and cleanser. Do they work/are they worth the money?
Your videos have been so helpful. Had my new hot tub just over a week and have been really struggling with levels so I am learning! Can you tell me, does total hardness matter? I am in a soft water area and my test strip always says it’s low. Shall I add calcium or is it ok to leave?
Hi Adam. Great video. I have a question that I hope you can answer. I use my hot tub every other weekend and I find that the ph has always dropped really low each time I test before using. TA is always fine. Do you know what could be causing this? Cheers Carl.
I’ve done what you said but can you give me some idea of the number of grams needed to increase the alkalinity of my soft water? I put in about 26 grams of pH+ so far and it’s on the low side of okay. But the actual pH is now 8.4. How many grams to take the pH down to safe levels?
When you first set it up and do the chemical shock do you have to leave the bubbles running for the whole 24 hours?? Seems a bit excessive to leave it running that long
Hi Adam quite desperate daughter interfering n I ended up putting the red one in first straight into the pool filter. I tested it and it was on red. So I put chlorine in it but mixed it up in the jug and poured it in 3hours later. HELP! It’s new I literally just put it up tonight!
The ph+ and ph- sort of cancel each other out from the ph perspective, so no issues there. Just try to get it right on your test strips. However, you need to keep an eye on the total alkalinity to make sure that doesn't get too high from adding lots of ph+. Again check with the test strips. Aside from the above, I've not come across issues from adding too much of the chemicals in total. It's only adding too much of one type that can create issues.
Hi good informative video, I have just bought a hot tub so I am trying to get used to using chemicals. I have shocked it now, unfortunately I didn't do this at the beginning, but after one day it is still a bit slimy, will I shock it again?
Lay Z Spa recommend 24 hours. I think this is being a little over cautious. I'd say minimum 2 hours before checking the impact with a test strip, ideally with the bubbles and/or jets going for some of that to mix it really well. I'd still recommend setting up on one day with the view to use it the following day, that way it'll probably have been over 24 hours before you use it.
Hi Adam, just filled up our first spa. . Might sound a stupid question but how long do you wait before relying on the reading on the dip strip. It seems to get darker the longer you leave it, thanks
It’s certainly worth a ‘mini shock’ perhaps half the amount if the reading has dropped to zero. As a general tip, it’s possible that someone using the tub didn’t shower before going in or maybe even peed in there as is shouldn’t drop to zero after a single use if it was normal previously.
Once set up, test regularly. Always test the day after you use it and it will likely need chlorine adding. If not being used, still good to check every 2-3 days and use a float or ChemConnect to add small amounts of chlorine to keep it cleans.
Got our first hot tub (lazy spa Vegas) so new to all this & are heating it up at the moment we have set it to 40 is that right or can we add the chemicals in before it reaches that temperature?
Keep adding more PH+ and it will eventually rise. It does require quite a lot of it sometimes. You can purchase Total Alkalinity Plus products too. It's not included in the Starter Kit, and is available separately.
Hi Adam , Hot tub novice . Brought a Clearspa . It holds 800ltrs - confused over the ‘ shock ‘ how much should I use ? And heating it up to 20 is that enough ? And jets running while adding and the over night just the filter ???
There should be instructions for how much chlorine to use with your hot tub, but three teaspoons should do it. 20 is minimum to add chemicals. Run jets for a few minutes to mix. Then you can leave filter or heater on for two hours then turn everything off.
@@SailingAquila The instructions don’t from what I’ve seen mention how much - so I really appreciate you replying . Sorry I am a proper panic 🤣 so run jets then heater or filer on over night - as you suggest 24 hours until use and checking levels ? Also have a float and tablets should I put that in after shocking and getting the PH right ?
Use jets when adding chlorine shock, then leave filter or heater on for a couple of hours. Then you can either turn off heater/filter or leaven them running overnight for chlorine to do it’s stuff. Check levels again after 24 hours. Once chemical levels right, they should remain fairly stable until first use if within a day or so. Then start using tablets in float or ChemConnect to maintain.
