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Water Testing

TDS Testing
TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) In Spas
Bromine Odor In Hot Tub
Fuming Bromine / Bad Test Strips

TDS Testing
Q:
Recently, my spa dealer told me that my TDS levels were 2300. I could have avoided this if I were able to test myself -- my total "usage" units were only 100. Is there any way to test the TDS levels myself? Is there a system on the market for spa users?
A:
Your tap water has a very low TDS -- perhaps not more than 200 PPM. The readings that you how have are reflective of the chemicals being added and the wastes being contributed. Because the TDS builds up over time, it is recommended that the water be replaced periodically.

My own pet rule of thumb, when the TDS rises 2000 PPM above the initial, it is a good time to consider water replacement. You are clearly at that point.

TDS meters are available for testing purposes. The dealer must have used one in order to determine the TDS. As long as the dealer is providing the service, why not take advantage of it?

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TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) In Spas
Q:
We purchased a 1211 liter spa 7 weeks ago. It has received moderate use from our 5 member family. A local dealer has us using bromine tablets with a non-chlorine shock. The other day we were told that the total dissolved solids (TDS) was 1530 ppm and that we should be changing our water and starting over! We have been having difficulty in keeping the bromine level up as well as the ph and total alkalinity, but it is possible. The water continues to look sparkling clear, very little foaming, no sliminess to speak of. It just seems surprising that we should have to change our water after such a short time. We have been thinking of using a natural enzyme product. Questions: What problems arise when TDS reaches a certain level? What level is too high? Is there any danger to the spa users? What do you think of using a natural enzyme product along with bromine? How do you recommend using it?
A:
The advice that you received may be based on the better safe than sorry principal. There is no clear consensus on TDS. My feeling is that changing the water when the TDS rises 1500 PPM above the initial fill water is a reasonably cautious and practical way of approaching the subject. This is of course different from changing it at 1500 PPM.

High TDS can make maintaining the chemistry more challenging. If the chemistry is proper there is not necessarily any compelling reason to have to lower the TDS. Difficulty maintaining good water quality is a reason to consider changing the water. Changing it periodically based on frequency of use is not a bad idea.

The nature of the TDS is also important. Some areas have water very much higher than others. In the final analysis the water quality is the most important consideration. The use of enzyme products can help rid the water of organic products can help improve water quality and reduce foaming. Use with bromine is not a problem.

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Bromine Odor In Hot Tub
Q:
We have a hot tub outside. We have been using bromine and notice a strong odor, even though the levels are correct. We have been thinking of changing over to chlorine. Please give me the positives and negatives of doing this.
A:
Under normal circumstances bromine is practically odorless. Chlorine does present more of an odor problem.

Something is not right in your spa. If you are maintaining acidic conditions, bromine can cause odors. There is a potential interference involving bromine. Bromine can react with phenol red and produce a PINK-PURPLE color that has nothing to do with the actual pH and will make it appear as if the pH is high. Adjusting the pH under these circumstances can result in low pH and possible strong chemical odors.

Bring a sample of your water into a local spa retailer for testing. Test with your own equipment for comparison. Adding a drop of chlorine neutralizer test solution to the water sample in the test tube, prior to adding the phenol red, will solve the problem. Most phenol red solutions are formulated to avoid this problem.

Odor can result from inadequate sanitation. Your water should be clear and the walls should not be slippery.

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Fuming Bromine / Bad Test Strips
Q:
Test strips show tub bromine level to be zero. I have a floating tablet jar in the pool. When jets are on the bromine fumes make me cough. How can I register zero bromine but have noxious bromine fumes?
A:
One possibility is that the test strips were handled with wet fingers and that may have deteriorated the remaining strips.

A possible cause of fuming is low pH. Bromine can react with phenol red (chemical used to test for pH ) and give the appearance of a very high pH - even though the pH may be very low. When this happens the color has nothing to do with the actual pH - it is a color reaction between bromine and phenol red. To check for the possibility of this happening, add chlorine neutralizer test solution to a water sample before testing with phenol red.

Your local spa/pool dealer should be able to help you with a water analysis. This will help verify the nature of the problem and determine if there is a testing problem.

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