WaterNet Online

New user here-

We did not use our hot tub for 2 years (long story). The tub was drained and winterized and covered with a tarp. Once or twice during the period, we uncovered it and found some really nasty stuff growing in the low spots. Well, now we are settled in a new house and ready to set up the hot tub again. The dealer had us fill the tub and shock the snot out of it with chlorine and drain. He said to do this twice and fill a third time before switching back to bromine before use. Yesterday, we filled for the first time and it was pretty gross, but most of the floaters were trapped in the filter. I cleaned the filter and we're ready to fill again. My question is this - the water felt very greasy, is that the growth? Will I need a de-greaser? I should mention that my new house is on a well that is treated with a water conditioner and softener.

Thanks.

What ppm = shock the snot?
Did the dealer tell you how much chlorine to add? Our resident chemistry expert suggests 200ppm of chlorine. This equates to approx 0.5 gallons of liquid chlorine for a 400 gallon spa. I am pretty sure if you shocked to this degree and repeated the process a couple of times you'd get rid of any greasy matter. Ross Townsend

Do NOT fill your spa (or pool) with well water if you can avoid it. Use municipal water. In addition, do NOT use softened water (water that has been run through a softener) - it will feel greasy or slimy. Softened water has no hardness. Water with no hardness is aggressive and will dissolve the metal components in your system.

Ross was right to decontaminate a spa or a pool you need to put 200+ ppm of chlorine in the water. That would be about 1 gallon of liquid pool chlorine per 500 gallons of water. Then run the pump and filter for 24 hours. Drain, clean the filter, refill and you are good to go. Do not go in until the chlorine or bromine level is below 5.0 ppm.

Bob