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						of Spa and Hot Tub Problem subjects, an alphabetized 
						Website Table of Contents, Spa and Hot Tub Equipment 
						Information, About Alan Biographic Material and a Spa 
						and Hot Tub Glossary. Use 
						the other links to access additional subject 
						information. More information about some new and unique 
						products, for Spas and Hot Tubs, can be found by visiting 
						The Website Store. 
						You'll never know what you'll find and that's always 
						fun. Be better prepared and avoid costly problems!
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										| Many spa water problems require a 
										different chemical approach. |  
						
										| The water 
										used to fill or top off a spa 
										can contain dissolved metals and unwanted 
										contaminants.  Usually, 
										after chlorine and pH control chemicals 
										are added, discoloration and staining 
										can follow, if the water contains iron, 
										copper or manganese.  Testing the 
										water, before it is added, will alert 
										you to the presence of a potential 
										problem.  A 
										MetalTrap Filter or 
										MetalTrap Dual-Cartridge Filter can help 
										you remove any dissolved metals and 
										sediments, avoiding staining and 
										discoloration problems.  If the underwater 
										surfaces have stains, a 
										MetalTrap Stain 
										Reversal Kit contains everything to 
										dissolve the stains, eliminate the 
										stain-causing metals from the water and 
										help prevent a recurrence.  
										TotalTrap - Pool 
										Refresh can be used to remove 
										dissolved heavy metals and phosphates, 
										by vacuuming to waste or filtration. |  
						
										|  |  
						
										| If you have a pool or spa water 
										testing need, we should have the 
										product.
 ► 
										
										Scroll down to read through some 
										Question & Answer information. 
										
										◄
 
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										| How to use 
								some of the less common pool chemicals? |  As the spa and 
								hot tub industry has matured, specialty chemical 
								products have evolved. There are specific 
								products - for specific problems!  Various 
								products make maintenance easier or more 
								effective and choosing the right product for the 
								task can help assure a better prospect of 
								success, as well as saving time and money. If 
								problems arise, refer to the
								Spa Problems 
								Page, as a source of problem-solving 
								information, broken down into various 
								categories.  Scroll down the page and click on the linked
								keywords,
								catch phrases 
								or images, in the archived answers below, to access additional information, on that topic or product. 
										
											
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								| ▼   
								 Helpful, 
								Problem-Solving Information, in a question and 
								answer format. 
								    
								▼ |  
											
											► 
						Enzyme Use Causing Foaming? 
						We have a 
						large swim spa, 1,950 gallons, new last summer. 3 of us 
						use it regularly, at least 4-5 times per week. We try 
						hard to keep the water clear and balanced, although it’s 
						still a learning curve. We recently decided to add an 
						enzyme product to help with summer lotions, self-tan, 
						etc. The addition of enzyme seems to create foam! We are 
						using it once a week, but each time I end up scooping 
						out foam. Later the spa seems to clear up, but I’m 
						wondering what is going on. I had the water tested last 
						week, made adjustments, but still got the foam. It is a 
						swim spa, with mineralizer filter, regular filter 
						system, and ozonator. We use small amount of chlorine 
						each use and shock with non-chlorine. 
											
											Lynnda,  
											5/26/2019
 Enzymes can help speed the 
											decomposition of organic wastes. To 
											help accomplish this, some enzyme 
											products contain wetting agents or 
											surfactants, added to help improve 
											their performance. These additives 
											can cause some foaming. The enzyme 
											products are based on proprietary 
											formulas and do not all contain the 
											same ingredients or the same 
											concentrations. If the foaming is 
											the only problem, I suggest 
											switching to another brand. A spa 
											professional might help you make a 
											better selection, if the 
											circumstances are explained. Adding 
											some spa anti-foam might help solve 
											or control the problem.  I hope 
											that this is helpful.
 
 Sincerely,
 
 Alan Schuster
 
 
											
											
											► Enzyme Spa 
					Sanitizer?
 Alan, I was wondering if you could 
					share some info on a spa sanitizer, that is an enzyme 
					powered sanitizer. It sounds too good to be true. Is there a 
					catch with this product? Thanks.
 
 Don S., 10/16/2020
 
 Enzymes are not sanitizers. All sanitizers must have an EPA 
					registration number. Look for it.  This product might help 
					reduce chl
  orine 
											requirements, but it is neither a 
											sanitizer or oxidizer. I like to be 
											able to measure a 
											sanitizer level. Free chlorine is 
											the active sanitizing form of 
											chlorine and the 
											recommended level is 1-3 PPM. 
											Very much higher levels can be 
											irritating. As a backup to chlorine 
											and to allow good results, while 
											maintain a lower chlorine level, you 
											might consider adding an EPA registered spa sanitizer and 
					disinfectant and will help you maintain a suitable free chlorine 
					level and maintain proper 
					sanitation. A salt 
											chlorine generator can do that, 
											while avoiding many of the issues, 
											associated with traditional chlorine 
											products.  To further improve the water quality, an 
					Ozone Generator will make a big improvement and 
					reduce chemical usage. It will provide oxidation and reduce 
					chlorine usage, even more.  I hope that this information 
					will prove helpful. 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster 10/17/2020
 
 
 ► Cyanuric 
					Acid In A Spa?
 
 Alan, awesome website. I just bought 
					the ColorQ Digital Water Analyzer and love it, as I'm 
					colorblind. I've never tested Cyanuric Acid before, and with 
					the ColorQ, I received a reading of "LOW" which means it is 
					too low for the ColorQ to register it (and according to 
					LaMotte, it is accurate +/- 10 when it is between 0-80). 
					Here's my question: If my ColorQ says there is no Cyanuric 
					Acid, and I have a hot-tub with a cover on all the time, do 
					I care? Should I somehow get the Cyanuric Acid up? If so, 
					how? Thank you for your awesome website! Regards.
 
 Joseph F., 9/25/2018
 
 Glad to hear the you are happy with the 
					ColorQ Digital Water 
					Analyzer. You do not need to have any cyanuric acid present. 
					A zero reading is expected, in a freshly filled spa or one 
					that has not been using dichlor. If you are using bromine, 
					none is being contributed by the chemicals and none is 
					required. I hope that this has resolved the matter. Enjoy 
					the hot water experience and thank you for the purchase of 
					the ColorQ.
 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 9/25/2018
 
											
											
											► Enzymes In 
					A Spa?
 Can enzyme products be used to help 
					deal with oily accumulations around the water line? Thanks.
 
 C. M., Naples, FL, 12/19/2010
 
 The removal of oily residues is one of the main uses of 
					Enzyme products. Enzymes help to digest or decompose these 
					organic deposits and help to prevent them from forming 
					"soaps." The formation of these "soaps" will add to the foam 
					problem. Regular additions are a good maintenance practice. 
					Enjoy the spa.
 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 12/19/2010
 
 
 ► Spa Water 
					Clarifiers?
 
 My spa water gets cloudy on occasion. 
					It doesn't seem to be the water chemistry or the bromine 
					level, as all tests seem to be within balance. Is this a 
					filtering problem? Thank you for allowing the questions to 
					be asked.
 
 Joshua, Hicksville, NY, 2/27/2013
 
 It certainly could be a filter problem, but it is difficult 
					to say for sure. It could be bather waste products, debris 
					and byproducts. Adding 
											an enzyme treatment can help 
											decompose the waste products and 
											help improve the water clarity. The 
											regular, periodic addition of a spa 
											formula clarifier can help improve 
											the filter efficiency and help 
											eliminate the spa water clarity 
											problem.  I hope that the 
					information helps to clear things up.
 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 2/27/2013
 
 
											
											
											► Benefits Of 
					Enzyme Use?
 My local spa dealer has been touting 
					the benefits of using enzymes in spas. Exactly, what do they 
					do? It is worth doing?
 
 Leon H. Spartenburg, SC, 3/21/2012
 
 Enzymes can do many beneficial things for your spa. Enzymes 
					can help digest or biodegrade oily residues, bather wastes, 
					cosmetic residues and organic byproducts. In turn, this can 
					improve the appearance of the waterline area and the water 
					clarity. And there
  's more. The oily residues can harbor 
					bacteria and impede sanitation, cause an increase in foaming 
					and require more frequent water replacement. Enzymes can 
					help remove organic deposits from the filter cartridge and 
					lead to better filter efficiency. If fact, the more the spa 
					is actually used, the more likely it is that an enzyme will 
					be of significant benefit. Enzymes work very well in spas 
					and hot tubs because the warm water helps to speed up the 
					degradation process. The end products of the process are 
					harmless inerts and there are no residues to buildup. Yes, 
					it is worth using! However, if it is being touted as a spa 
											sanitizer, that is another matter.  
											Sanitizers must be registered, with 
											the EPA, and enzymes are not 
											registered.  While it can help 
											improve spa water quality, 
											sanitizing should be left to 
											products such as
											
											salt chlorine generators, 
											chlorine and bromine.  I hope that I have been helpful. Enjoy 
					the spa experience. 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 3/21/2012
 
 
 ► Waxing A 
					Spa?
 
 Can I use auto wax on my spa?
 
 Nameless, 2/23/2011
 
 I have no idea what is in an auto wax and, whether or not, 
					it is suitable for use on a spa. I suggest that you use a 
					product especially formulated for use in a spa. Check with 
					the spa manufacturer, as to care recommendations. Good luck.
 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 2/23/2011
 
 
 ► Spa 
					Fragrances?
 
 I see products that are used to add a 
					fragrance to the spa. Are they safe? Can I use cosmetic bath 
					products? Thank you.
 
 Joanne F., Arlington, VA, 4/9/2007
 
 The spa fragrance items that are specifically formulated for 
					use in the spa environment are safe to use. These products 
					are not similar, in terms of their ingredients, to bath 
					products. Spa water is not changed after each use. Bath 
					water is. Do not use any cosmetic bath products in your spa. 
					To do so might result in cloudy water, loss of sanitizer and 
					oily residues. I hope that I have been helpful.
 
 Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 4/9/2007
 
									
						
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													 | 
													
													
													Shipping is FREE* . . . within 
													the Continental U.S.A $9.99 
													handling charge will apply 
													to Continental U.S. Orders, 
													under $75.00.  Orders 
													outside of the Continental 
													U.S. may require some 
													additional charge, based on 
													quantity and destination.
 Most products can be 
													shipped World-Wide.  International 
													and orders outside of 
													Continental U.S. - see 
													comments on the ordering 
													pages.
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