alternative to hot tub chemicals

[happymama]

We bought a house last year that has a hot tub. We've had so many house projects since we moved in, we haven't had time to get the hot tub up and running yet...but we're almost ready now, and pretty clueless about the whole thing. We doubt we'll use it very often, so do we need to treat the water if we're going to just use it for, say, one day, and then drain it? Or, better yet, is there a safe alternative to the standard chemicals used?

Thanks for any insight!

Paula

[rainbrain]

I posted a similar question here a few weeks ago, and I have learned so much about hot tubs.

You have to treat the water. You have to keep water in the tub. Once it has been filled, the pipes wll never fully drain, and the acryiic will dry out and get cracks unless you keep water in it. So filling it up for a soak and then empying it is not wise. Plus 350-550 gallons of water for one soak is a tad wasteful, eh?

Most people with spas change the water 2-3 times a year!

I also wanted a chemical free spa. I don't want chlorine or bromine. I found an enzyme system on the web, which is 100% natural, but it did nothing, and I wouldn't recomend it if you find it. My spa got really slimy from it actually.

What we ended up with is the nature 2 system. It is a filter that slips into your exsisting filter, and it works great!!! It is the most natural thing I could find, and I obsessed on this for weeks. You do have to add monopersulfate, which is basically a dried form of salt and hydrogen peroxide. It is a chemical, but it isn't chlorine.

I also have an ozonator, which is pricey, but is also chemical free.
http://www.nature2.com/spas.asp

[happymama]

Thanks for the great info! I checked out the link to the nature2 website, and it sounds like what we're looking for. And they have a few dealers in our town. I'd love to get it all figured out for some fall soaks!

I'll have to go back and read your post. I had searched for hot tubs before I posted, and didn't come up with anything. I think there was a technical problem. Oh well.

Thanks again!

Paula

[rainbrain]

Paula,
Actually I posted the question, but got no replies
I did so much research on this, it is amazing. Have fun!!

[RidentMama]

I don't know how interested you'd be in this, but my aunt and uncle keep their hot tub "fresh" by putting hydrogen peroxide in it. One major side effect though: it actually rejuvenates you, so you become more awake and feel "more alive" after soaking. Not exactly a good way to just sit back and relax.

[Arduinna]

It's fine to drain jacuzzis ( I don't know about wooden hottubs) and store them without water, provided they arne't uncovered and in direct sun. We stored ours for months without water in our garage when we moved and had no cracking problems.

If you want to be virtually chemicle free, I'd investigate and ozonator.

[happymama]

Thanks for the tips, Renee and Arduinna! I will look into the ozonator. How spendy is spendy (for the ozonator?) We just really don't think we're going to use the tub that much, and don't want to pour money into it (even if we had any $). We just would like to be able to run it seasonally, maybe fall and spring, with minimum chemicals. It hasn't had water in it for the past year at least - since we moved in. It's a big plastic tub, in our deck. Is this the kind that cracks? Thanks again!

Paula

[rainbrain]

Our ozonator was around 300. You still need to use chemicals though. Just less! It's better than chlorine though!

Our spa is 10 years old and has lots and lots of hairline cracks. I had a guy come out and he told me it was from sitting with no water on and off through the years, He said acrylic needs moisture to stay in good shape, or it dries out and cracks. On the other hand, lots of people have outdor seasonal spas without cracks too.
:

Renee, how do they do the hydogen peroxide?? Just add as needed? Do they put anything else in? I'm intrigued by this.