We've been using our (new to us) hot tub since we moved in on 2-1-09. At first, the water was clear, you could turn on the jets and there'd be no foam, you could still see your feet under the turbulent water.

Even though we are balanced with our bromine, Ph, and alkalinity, with the jets on we are getting cloudy water and tons of foam. I added some "foam buster" we have and some "spa clarifier". I also upped the filtering to 6 hours daily instead of 4. I shocked the tub last week to see if that would resolve the issue and it sure hasnt.

Is it time for the inevitable water change? Am I doing something wrong?

You probably need to lower the pH, shock, and maybe add some calcium. If you're using strips consider getting a good drop test kit or going by a pool store to have the water checked. Changing out the water shouldn't be necessary this soon.

I'll call the store tomorrow and see if I can bring a sample by.

Just checked the bromine and it was 0. I had the dispenser out for a few days because I shocked it and it was skkkyyyy high. I guess it dissipates faster than I expected

I had to add more foam-buster too. The minute I turned the jets on, it was like a nightmare scene out of willy wonka.

Hey,

If you have bromine that is "combined" ie: reacted with bacteria, shocking will "release" or "reactivate" the bromine in the hot tub, provided that you use "spa shock" not "pool shock" (very different).

So the fact that the bromine level apparenlty went sky high is because you shocked the water, which releases the bromine, and doesnt add more of it.

One tip on the foaming issue:

Thsi is caused by people bringing detergent into the spa on them or their swim suit. This is done predominently by people washing their bathing suits in the laundry, then using the spa (washing machines never rinse all the detergent out of your clothes, hence why they smell of deterhent when they have been washed and dried). This also happens from people not rinising their hair after washing, or shower gel residue etc.

You dont need to wash your bathing suits (just rinse in fresh water afterwards and dry). Thsi is because you are bathing in what is essentially a VERY diluted bleach!

If you drain/refill the spa and try to minimise detergent entering the spa, you'll avoid the foam problems once and for all!

Prevention is better than a cure...

The shock treatment is best accomplished by the addition of an oxidizer to the water to break down organic contaminates... this could be one to consider on your problem and the ph, the calcium might be low...

My 2 cents - I would drain and refill - I always do that every 3 - 4 months.

Foam in your spa is an indicator that something "foreign" is in the water (other than the sanitizers, etc.) and like mentioned previously is probably from some residue of detergent.

Be sure to clean your filter out (best if chemically cleaned), as all of the detergent and foam disperser and water clarifier that you've added has now brought a lot of the stuff to the filter, where it gets "stuck" and will keep adding to the foam problem.

A quick tip when using foam disperser (try to use as little as possible) - pour the entire bottle into a spray bottle (you can get those at Home Depot/Lowes) and when you get foam, "mist" the foam. You'll see that a little goes a very long way, and you won't be clogging your filter as frequently.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Different ? How so ?
Curious mind wants to know

Another 2 cents. Foam dispersers are a band-aid solution. They break the tension on the water so the foam can't stick. More than likely the foam will reappear.

We've been using our (new to us) hot tub since we moved in on 2-1-09.

Sooooo, can I assume then that you bought it used? Or you just moved into a (new to you) home, and it came with the hot tub?

Do you know the history of the tub, and how long it had been sitting idle before you became the owner and filled it up?

It's possible that some sort of resistant bacteria has developed inside the plumbing lines. When a tub sits idle or empty for a few days with no water circulation or chemical treatment, the little bit of water that's left in the low points of the plumbing starts to grow fungus and mold and harbors all kinds of nasties. Obviously the longer it sits, the worse the problem can be. When you fill the tub up again, it's often not enough to do just a regular shock treatment.

Go to your spa store and ask what they have to kill biofilms and stubborn bacteria from a spa that's been sitting dormant. They might have Spa Flush, or an Enzyme treatment, which will hopefully clear out whatever has been hanging around from the previous owners. Then re-fill and start over.

And I agree about the detergent in the swim suits. You should only be rinsing your used suits in cool water immediately after each use, and allowing to drip dry (your suits will last longer too). Also make sure the people using your tub are aware of any products they may be using on their body or hair. Things like lotions, hairsprays and gels, etc can also bugger up the water.