Hot Tub chemical questions

[meanwhile]

We have our first Hot Tub and have only had it for five weeks. We are using the Baqua chemicals since one son has allergies to the chlorine type chemicals. The Hot Tub place told us, at first, that with Baqua we would only have to use 3 chemicals total. After we had the Tub however, they added more and we now have at least 7 types of "stuff" to add from time to time.

Anyone use Baqua and can you give me suggestions and tips? We want to use as little chemicals as possible.

This past weekend, week five of the Tub, the water was a bit cloudy and had a stale odor. We had not used the Tub for 9 days and at first they said to just open the top and air it out. Later they started saying add this and add that......and it was a lot of chemicals.

We might just dump all the water out and start over? We have well water and no water bill and so the cost of the water is not an issue.

Is there any way to just not use any chemicals? Vinegar? Salt?

Any suggestions at all will be appreciated. Thank you very much.

[halfpint]

We had used Baqua in our tub for the first few years, and I noticed I always had head congestion after using the tub. So last year we switched to using the Nature2 with a little chlorine, and I did much better. Unfortunately our electronics went out after 4 months of using it and we haven't replaced them yet, but I didn't have the head congestion problems that I had with the Baqua. I can't handle chlorine well either, but with the smaller amounts with this system it doesn't seem to bother me.

Here is a web page the compares some of the differences in spa sanitizers:
http://www.rhtubs.com/store/proNcon.htm

Dawn

[Kirk]

I don't own a hot tub but I saw the movie and you have to pour some kind of energy drink into the control panel,

[Nevada]

The fact is that bacteria gets into the water and needs to be dealt with. Chlorine is inexpensive and easy to get, but some hot tub owners complain that it doesn't last very long. Evidently you've got your own reasons for not liking it too.

A lot of hot tub owners use bromine instead, since it's supposed to last longer on a hot environment. You might look at bromine and see if you get along with it any better.

[meanwhile]

Thank you for the chart. I did not realize there were so many options.

Kirk - hahaha! I saw that movie too and I thought it was one of the worst movies ever! My kids (boys) liked it though.

Anyone else with ideas? Thank you.

[chickenmommy]

My experience with the baqua was brown lumps of something floating on the top that stained bathing suits. Nasty. So we switched to the chlorine type chemicals and were much happier, but not totally satisfied because it took so darn much because the heat kills the chlorine rapidly. We have since shipped it (a five person top of the line Jacuzzi brand) up to my step son and his family in Indiana. They use the chlorine method. I would have tried to switch to something different if I had kept it. I would look into the bromine if I still had mine. (boy do I miss it on those cold days!)

[mossywyatt]

I use no chemical in mine I change the water every 10 to 14 days in the summer and every 14 to 21 days in the winter. I do shower before and after going in and the last week I don't put my head under the water. I do have 120,000 btu wood stove to heat the water so it does not take long to heat up. I am on a well also but it is not free to pump 450 gallons of water
wyatt

[GoldenCityMuse]

I've heard about ozone treatment. Don't know i fit will work for you.

[Sonshine]

Originally Posted by Nevada

The fact is that bacteria gets into the water and needs to be dealt with. Chlorine is inexpensive and easy to get, but some hot tub owners complain that it doesn't last very long. Evidently you've got your own reasons for not liking it too.

A lot of hot tub owners use bromine instead, since it's supposed to last longer on a hot environment. You might look at bromine and see if you get along with it any better.

That's what we use. Bromine doesn't see to be as harsh on the skin and bathing suits as the chlorine either.