Perfect Pool and Spa Question and Answer Forum / Pool and Spa Chemistry / Pool and Spa Chemistry - Click Here

products for spa vs. products for pool - is there a difference?

fodderwing — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:55:50 GMT

My local spa and pool retailer sells Baqua products for both spa and pool. While looking for ways to save a little money on chemistry supplies for my spa I noticed that the ingredients on most of Baqua's spa products are identical to those on their pool products. Yet, you can purchase pool products at a much better per unit weight price.

When I asked about the difference between two seemingly identical chemical formulations, the retailer conveyed his product rep's assertion that pool products are formulated for cool water temperatures while spa products are formulated for warm water temperatures. After some discussion about that, neither my retailer nor I are convinced that the difference is really about chemistry at all but more about marketing. Even the CAS Registry numbers (when available) are identical and the CAS Registry is a scientific standard independent of any industry or manufacturer.

In the meantime, I have begun to use some of Baqua's "pool-formulated" chemicals (namely Sanitizer and Calcium Hardness Increaser) in my spa and the water quality is very good. Further, I have not had to change anything else about my chemical regimen to accommodate a different dynamic between spa water and pool product.

Can any of you substantiate or refute my suspicions?

Thanks, Earl Scales

Gainesville, FL

Musty smell in hot tub.

pobwi — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:40:39 GMT

HEEEEELP!

I have a roughly 2 year old hot tub that has a musty odor much of the time. We take very good care of it, but must confess that there may go a week or more when the tub isn't opened. Especially in winter.

I have been told that the musty smell is coming from the cover, and not the tub, or condition of the water. Was told to open it often, even if we don't intend to use it, and let the cover dry out. I have done that - just about every day. No change. Treating the water with chlorine helps, but I fear I'm only masking the smell with another.

I've also been told that the smell may be locked between the plastic lined styrofoam and the cover (the area that does not get a chance to dry out. This seems plausible. I have just taken the styrofoam pads out of the cover, and although they smell musty as well, the side that gets no air was in fact dry. Also should note that earlier this spring, we did replace the black plastic liner to the styrofoam, as it was starting to break down. At that time, we cleaned everything and allowed it to air dry. That didn't solve the problem either. I'm going to wash everything now with a chlorine solution and let it air dry again, but thought I'd throw my problem out there and see if I'm perhaps going down the wrong path.

I hope someout out there can provide me some direction. I would be eternally grateful.

Changing from Bromine to Chlorine

gstringemo — Thu, 24 May 2007 01:36:24 GMT

Hi

I have a jaccuzi (I think you guys call them hot tubs) which I have had for a year or so, and I have been using the chemicals bought from the supplier (bromine and ph reducer).

I am now having problems getting more supplies of bromine (southern Spain) and so was wondering if it would be sensible to change to using chorine which is more freely available.

Any comments or advice would be most appreciated

Pool test readings

Monique — Tue, 01 May 2007 13:40:27 GMT

May I have someone check my pool readings? if so, they are:

29,000 gallon pool

DE filter

FC 2.4

TC 2.4

pH 7.5

TA 200

CH 330

Cyanuric 105

If there is a better place for this type of help, please let me know?

Thank you for any help!

Chlorine to Bromine

NaplesPoolDork — Wed, 23 May 2007 09:00:01 GMT

How do I make the change from chlorine to Bromine? Anybody recommend it?

High PH, low TA, OK Chl,( help )Kokua)

Robert Williams — Fri, 11 May 2007 03:49:35 GMT

Aloha Pool Experts, test kit is up to date, is Hawaiian waters, naturally high in PH, how can I lower the numbers, afraid to tip the scale, shine on, R

sanitizer

bliljeberg — Wed, 02 May 2007 18:50:47 GMT

has anyone used a product called H30?? what exactly is it? of course the ad sounds like the perfect spa solution!

What is pool water balance?

PoolMan — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:56:51 GMT

Temperature + Total Alkalinity + pH + Calcium Hardness + Stabilizer Adjustment + TDS = Saturation Index

Simply put, proper Water Balance means keeping ALL chemicals in the right amounts. The following 6 factors affect water balance: Temperature, Total Alkalinity, PH, Calcium Hardness, Stabilizer and Saturation Index. It is possible to have Temperature, Total Alkalinity, pH, Calcium Hardness and Stabilizer in the proper (ideal) range and still have unbalanced water because the Saturation Index may be too high or low.

2 Goals of Water Balance:

Protect Swimmers from Irritating or Unsafe Water
Protect Equipment from Corrosion or Scaling

The Saturation Index (also referred to as the Langelier Index) is a major health indicator of your pool because it determines whether the water is damaging the pool surface and equipment.
Water that is UNDER-saturated (Low saturation index) is aggressive, hungry and corrosive. In this state the water may cause etching, pitting, dissolving and staining of walls, grouting and plumbing.
Water that is Saturated (Zero saturation index) is in equilibrium, balanced and neutral to pool surfaces and equipment. In this state the water has no effect on the pool or equipment.
Water that is OVER-saturated (High saturation index) is scale forming. In this state the water will deposit excess minerals on the pool and equipment in the form of scale.
Since Calcium is the most abundant mineral in pools, it is the most likely mineral to be dissolved by corrosive Under-saturated water. Calcium is also the most likely mineral to be deposited on pool equipment in the form of scale from Over-saturated water.
Water that is only slightly scale forming is recommended. Ideally a very thin residue of calcium should form on pool surfaces.
The best way to see the relationship between various factors and the Saturation Index is to move the Perfect Pool and Spa Software! sliders around and watch the Saturation Index change with each factor.
The Perfect range for the Saturation Index is 0 to 0.5 (slightly scaling).

Affect of individual factors on Saturation Index:

As Temperature Increases SI Increases
As Total Alkalinity Increases SI Increases
As pH Increases, SI Increases
As Calcium Hardness Increases, SI Increases
As Stabilizer Increases, SI Decreases
As Total Dissolved Solids Increase, SI Decreases

Perfect Pool and Spa Software! Users: Test water and input all results into the main screen. Follow recommendations for exact amounts, when and in what order.

How Chlorine Works

PoolMan — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 09:50:53 GMT

HOW CHLORINE WORKS:

Chlorine needs to be present in the pool at all times. It reacts instantly with waste products to sanitize and protect your pool water. The more waste you dump into your pool the more chlorine is needed. The amount of chlorine used by your pool or spa is referred to as "Chlorine Demand".

All chlorine types disassociate in water into hypochlorous acid [HOCl] and hydrochloric acid [HCl]. Hypochlorous acid is the active sanitizer. Also referred to as "Free Chlorine". Bromine chemistry is similar except hypobromous acid [HOBr] is the active sanitizer.

The filter eventually removes most of the solid chemical waste by products. Some of the by products are gasses and are released into the air. Notice that several of the by products from chemicals and waste remain in the pool and build up over time. The major portion of this build up is referred to as "Total Dissolved Solids" (TDS)

Perfect Pool and Spa Software! Users: Input test results into main screen. Follow directions as indicated.