I had a Endless Pool SwimSpa installed last year (1200 gal).
I live in Chicago and keep the Spa running year round.
I spent the last year learning how to adjust chemical levels.
As stated earlier in this post, Adjust the PH and alkalinity FIRST, then work on the sanitizer.
I originally used chlorine as a sanitizer, it was a constant battle to keep the level proper. When I drained the tub I replaced the chlorine with bromine, it works MUCH better. I keep my tub at 95 degrees. If I think I will use it I turn the temp up to 101. It takes about 1 hour, per degree, to increase. The hot temps are a problem for the chlorine to deal with, not the bromine.

I would empty the tub and start over.
Have boxes of baking soda and a gal of muratic acid on hand to adjust the ph balance.The products advertised and sold as SPA products for PH balancing will put you in the poor house.
Go with small changes. Buy a jug of bromide tablets (1"), a tablet floater, and a jug of shock. Adjust the sanitizer levels after the PH is set.
Once your dialed in on the PH and the level of bromide to have the dispenser allow, your good to go. keep the floating dispenser filled and check the levels with the strips every few days or once a week.
My tub's ledge is level with my deck. I love going out on the deck at night in the dead of winter and climbing into the 101 degree tub,and gazing at the stars or planes landing at O'hare. Some snow coming down is nice too.

You guys have made me feel a lot better about never having had a hot tub.

I guess I'll have to figure out some other way to convince the babes to take their clothes off when they come over.

Your Langelier Saturation Index is off.

Go to Amazon and buy yuck hot tub cleaner

Never owned a hot tub but have known several people that have. Based on everything I have heard about them the best thing to do is tear it out and be done with it.

100% agree to drain and refill and start from scratch. You do not want the contagion associated with someone else’s hot tub water and bioslime.

I’m a hot tub owner and since owning one I simply do not use public hot tubs any more.

quote:

Bought a new house with a hot tub. Now what?

Hookers & blow!

When I bought my house it had a hot tub . The first thing I did was to give it away .

Our next door neighbors put in a hot tub, this has allowed them to get acquainted with several local plumbers, quite well if the frequency of visits is any indication.

I recal the famous W.C. Fields quote: "I never drink water, fish fuck in it." True for hot tubs too, except the fish part.

Well now you’re going to need a supply of lotions and oils and a new wardrobe......maybe even grow longer lambchop side burns.

mine was drained when i moved in. I pulled the filters and sprayed them out. Filled it and then plopped 2 chlorines in. Previous homeowners left chemicals so I balanced it and works like a charm. I would drain it if it's the previous water.

throw in some gold fish?

Call the company that serviced it and see if they drained it as part of the their service. Then proceed from there.

I would put a good hot tub cleaner in it, run, then drain. I had a customer ask me to do it for her when they bought the house. Long story-short, the residue that came out of a tub that looked extremely clean was disgusting!! Damn near made the new owner puke.

UPDATE:

The hot tub was filled and serviced on the day that we did our inspection. Prior to that it was empty. The previous resident has been out of the house for months, and nobody has used it since the inspection. I went to Menards today and purchased the full line of hot tub chemicals and spent about an hour at the new house making sure everything either balanced or moving in the right direction. Things are looking better.

I looked at the filter and it looks new. Very white with little debris. There is a new one in the package in the garage.

I feel pretty good about the hot tub since asking here and speaking to a buddy who has one. Hopefully it will be a good way to unwind after work.

Anyone have any insight into the average cost of running the thing?

quote:

Originally posted by Cous2492:
UPDATE:


I looked at the filter and it looks new. Very white with little debris. There is a new one in the package in the garage.

Those are the drain babies!!!!!!!!! hahahaaha

Now you need a robe that says “hot tub man #1” on the back!

Now that we know it’s OK, clearly the answer to “Now what?” Is to get a keg of beer and invite us over.

quote:

Originally posted by bigeinkcmo: We keep ours at 97 typically in the Winter, which is a little cooler than some but we can enjoy it longer without getting out.

Plus 1 on the lower temp and staying in longer. And we drain ours and leave it off in the summer. We never get in it when it's hot outside.