For new wooden tubs
The water will slowly turn brown as the wood cures and "teas" into the
water.
This is not harmful and is fine to soak in.
If you wish to reduce this effect, you can put in two pounds of soda
ash and run it for 48 hours with
the filter cycles on. Drain and refil. It may need to
be repeated as necessary.
Do not use Bromine in a wood tub. It is too strong for wood, and
will cause the wood to burn.
Do not use Liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets (tri-chor) for the same
reason. If the wood has hair like feathering, that is a sign of
too much chlorine burning the wood.
NEVER LEAVE THE TUB EMPTY FOR MORE THAN TWO DAYS.
With a new tub the filters get clogged from the "tea". This
tea contains resins from the wood that need to be soaked in a
cleaning solution. I recommend soaking overnight in a solution of
Cascade. One cup in five gallons of warm water (not hot).
Rinse well and rotate filters often (about once a week) for the first
month. That is why it is good to have a spare clean filter ready
to go.
You can
order new filters on line.