Hi,
Just got a new spa. Started it up as per the dealer insrtuctions, test strips showed Chlorine, PH and ALK levels were fine.
Using bromine and the dealer provide a non-chlorine shoc product.
After 1 day the free chlorine level dropped to zero and the PH was high (8.4). Not having a intro to using the test strips didn't know what to think.
Continue to record test strip readings. After two more days of PH high and 0 free chlorine - added Adjust Down and cap of shoc. Next day still low - Added two more caps shoc.

Now we have a rash!

2.5 lids of shoc and 2 more caps of adjsut down and levels seem to be better. Also adjusted bromine dispenser from 2 to 4

OK - now the question - Should I drain the spa and start over? or will the proper levels of PH and free Chlroine mean the bacteria thats causing the rash is gone ?

Are you using chlorine or bromine? You seem to be using both "words" interchangeably. If your test kit test for BOTH, you should be completely ignoring the reading for the one your NOT using. If you're using bromine, you need bromine test strips (though, with chlorine test strips you can generally estimate bromine by multiplying the results by 2.2).

Also, you seem to keep adding large amounts of shock. I'm not sure what you're trying or hoping to accomplish by this. Shock is not a sanitizer and wont "kill" anything.

Thanks for the quick reply Doc.

I'm using bromine. The test strips say "Chlorine" - sorry for the confusion.

I stopped by the dealer at lunch and talked to them. They gave me a granular bromine to add to establish a bromine reserve and suggested add a cap of shoc after 2-3 uses. They didn't think I would have to drain the spa and start over.
Mind you they doidn't seem familar with Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub folliculitis).
Goto : http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/folliculitis/DS00512/DSECTION=symptoms

The test strips have everything is the recommended ranges so hopefully things are better from here on out.

I'm still interested in advice and opinions on whether I should drain the spa and start over.

If the test strips say "chlorine", you have the wrong test strips. They should be labeled bromine, if you're using bromine.

side note: test strips don't actually measure for bromine (chlorine). They measure the oxidation potential of the water, and are specifically calibrated to give a correct reading for the sanitizer they're intended for.

I don't know that simply maintaining all the levels properly at this point will be enough (maybe it will, maybe it wont). You could go through a process of sterilizing the tub and trying to save the water, but I think the effort would far out weight simply changing the water. BEFORE you change the water though, I'd dump in 1/2 gallon of unscented bleach, circulate for 30 minute, then drain, rinse and refill.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm leaning towards the add the bleach, run for 30 min, drain, wipe and refill at this point.