Bromine Granules For Hot Tub? The 91 Correct Answer

Hot tub sanitizers like chlorine or bromine are necessary to ensure your water is free of bacteria and other contaminants. But many spa owners wonder how soon after adding chlorine or bromine can I be using a spa?

Having owned 4 of these for over 15 years I have learned the following:

After adding chlorine or bromine sanitizer to a hot tub, wait 30 minutes and retest the water. Wait 10 minutes after adding a non-chlorine shock and wait 20 minutes after adding a chlorine shock. However, always check the levels before entering.

But that’s just the beginning of proper water balancing.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into disinfectants like bromine or chlorine. We will examine whether one is better than the other. But we’ll also learn how safe it is to get in after adding it and how long it takes after adding it to even out the water.

Ultimately, we answer the question of how long to wait to get in after adding chlorine or bromine.

Hot tub sanitizers such as chlorine or bromine are absolutely necessary to keep your hot tub water fresh and clean. But these chemicals are also incredibly powerful and can cause easily avoidable problems if used incorrectly. You should make sure you don’t enter your hot tub too early.

Chlorine or bromine can disperse anywhere from a handful of hours to a full 24 hour day. This depends on how much chlorine or bromine is added to the water.

Read on to learn all about chlorine and bromine in relation to your hot tub.

Are you ready to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your hot tub?

Let’s be honest. Balancing the water, cleaning out filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out what chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who’s coming to the end of a long hard day just want to relax!

This is exactly why the hot tub manual and video course are so valuable!

This is from Matt at Swim University and he designed it for people who want to save money, time and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you only buy what you need.

So if you are ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and want to spend more time in it, check out the hot tub manual and video course.

Just click this link to find out more on their website.

How long do you have to wait to get in a hot tub after adding chlorine?

First, let’s understand what these chemicals are and some of the differences between chlorine and bromine.

Both chlorine and bromine are sanitizers used to clean your hot tub of unwanted bacteria. It should be noted that chlorine is less stable at warmer temperatures.

This is why chlorine is more common in swimming pools and bromine is more common in hot tubs, although you can use either one in a pool or pools.

Bromine lasts longer in warmer water than chlorine and doesn’t need to be applied as frequently. Bromine dissolves more slowly in water, so it doesn’t need to be applied as frequently as chlorine.

On the other hand, bromine is more expensive than chlorine.

Bromine is also better for sensitive skin. To learn the differences between bromine and chlorine check out this recent article. I even go into detail about which one is better at killing bacteria since one is clearly better than the other.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

You cannot go into a hot tub or pool immediately after dumping chlorine or any other chemical in it. You need time for the chemical, in this case chlorine, to disperse in the water.

So how long do you have to wait after adding it?

You should wait at least thirty minutes or so.

It’s also a good idea to keep the jets on so the water circulates and the water absorbs the chemical better. Also, make sure the hot tub cover is off while this is happening. This allows any chemical vapors to escape quickly.

If using a chlorine sanitizer, add enough chemical to bring it up to between five and eight parts per million. This amount of chlorine ensures that the water is cleaned of bacteria.

Chlorine is not as effective at killing bacteria as bromine. So it helps to start high and let it sink in. Then the levels drop after a while. So don’t get in immediately.

This is because chlorine cannot be bathed in this amount.

At this concentration, the chlorine can cause skin irritation.

Periodically check the chlorine level until it is between 3 and 5 parts per million. At this point it is safe to bathe in the water.

To test chlorine levels, simply place a test strip in the spa water.

Next, compare the color that appears on the test strip to the color key that came with the box of test strips. Make sure you don’t get dirt or water on the test strips that are used in the future as this may interfere with the test.

Can I get into a hot tub faster if I use bromine instead of chlorine?

Usually yes, provided you added more chlorine as I recommended above to kill bacteria.

The safety level of bromine is between 1 and 3 parts per million. For comparison: chlorine requires 3-5 PPM. Just like with chlorine, you should turn on your jets and take the cover off your hot tub.

You still want to wait 30 minutes and test the waters again before getting in.

But I’ve still gotten into my hot tub faster with bromine since it’s much less irritating to the skin and eyes than chlorine. This is especially true when readings are on the lower end of that 1-3 PPM.

What happens if you test the water and the bromine level is WAY too high? Unfortunately, and I did this because I was too clumsy with the bromine powder, you’ll have to wait.

It can take anywhere from two to twenty-four hours to resolve. Of course, this range depends on how high the values ​​are.

Just keep testing the water to ensure the level is within safe limits. Bromine and chlorine are very similar in their uses, but bromine dissolves more slowly than chlorine.

Note that compared to chlorine, your water may be cloudy after using bromine.

This is because, unlike chlorine, bromine does not oxidize in the same way as chlorine. I usually shock my hot tub about once a week. Since hot tub shock is an oxidizer, my water is almost always crystal clear.

My favorite non-chlorine shock is from Leisure Time (click here to see current price on Amazon).

It’s almost all 5-star reviews on Amazon with over 800 of them. It is also an Amazon’s Choice product.

What is a safe level for chlorine or bromine in a hot tub?

As I mentioned above, the safe levels for chlorine and bromine are different from each other. With bromine you can usually get away with a lower PPM. That’s because it’s more stable in hot water than chlorine and is more effective at killing bacteria.

But here’s a quick look:

Chlorine range for pools = 1-3 ppm

Chlorine range for spas = 3-5 ppm

Bromine range for pools and hot tubs = 2-6 ppm

Bathing in high levels of chlorine or bromine can cause nasty problems.

First, even with bromine, if it’s too high, you’re going to get that chlorine smell like you’re swimming in a public pool.

High levels of chlorine can cause hair problems, skin irritations such as rashes or itching, itchy eyes, and possible respiratory problems.

In addition, high levels of either chemical can cause corrosion in spa plumbing and equipment.

How long is it safe to stay in a hot tub? https://t.co/wm936UvMCb – Middle Class Dad (@middleclassdad1) November 12, 2019

Is It Safe To Go Into A High Chlorine Hot Tub?

Put simply, no, it is not.

High levels of chlorine cause itching and skin rashes. To find the chemicals that are gentlest on your skin and help you avoid hot tub rash, read this article I recently wrote.

It talks about the best hot tub chemicals for sensitive skin. But I even come across the one case where your test strips can show normal chlorine or bromine levels when the levels are actually much lower.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

Remember, when you sit in a hot tub, you’re bathing in a chemical soup. You certainly don’t want to be in one that is of too high a standard. Nobody wants negatively compromised health, we just want to relax!

Test your spa until the chemical level is between 3 and 5 parts per million.

All about it is not safe! Chlorine levels will decrease over time so all you have to do is wait until the levels are safe to soak.

Are you looking for sanitizers for your swimming pool or hot tub? Well, we still have chlorine, bromine and shock in stock! Keep your pool or hot tub hygienic! Check out this week’s deals at Pool And Spa .com – https://t.co/l0Y708Drg8 pic.twitter.com/fVPEtZWfwl – Dan, PoolAndSpa.com (@PoolAndSpaMoose) April 4, 2020

What happens if the chlorine level in a hot tub is too high?

Chlorine or bromine levels are important and should be closely monitored.

If the chlorine level is in the recommended range of 3 to 5 parts per million, they will effectively kill bacteria. When the levels are higher, they can cause all kinds of problems.

High levels of chlorine can damage your hot tub surfaces and equipment more quickly.

Water cushions, filters and other surfaces can be adversely affected by high levels of chlorine in the water. Bromine and chlorine are strong chemical compounds.

Hot tub equipment can be adversely affected by persistently high chlorine or bromine levels. Pipes, linings and other equipment can deteriorate.

But it can also cause health problems like red and itchy skin in addition to itchy eyes.

High chlorine and bromine levels are just as bad as an out of balance pH. In a recent article, I go into detail about the downsides of too high a pH.

Surprisingly, a hot tub with a super high pH can be just as bad to swim in as one with too much chlorine. Fortunately, however, it’s not too difficult to fix.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

How long does it take for the chlorine level to drop?

How long it takes for the chlorine levels to drop depends entirely on the amount of chlorine added to your hot tub or spa.

You only need a small amount of chlorine to sanitize your hot tub or spa.

This means it’s really easy to add more chlorine than you need. Many people think their chlorine levels are too high without actually checking.

People assume that the overpowering chlorine smell is telling them they’ve overdone it and have too much in their hot tub.

The only way to really know if you have too much chlorine in your hot tub or spa is to use a test strip on the water. Depending on what your test strip reads, you may want to add or decrease the amount of chlorine.

As previously mentioned, the time it takes for the chlorine level in your hot tub to drop depends on the amount you put in the hot tub.

It can take anywhere from two to twenty-four hours. If the readings are astronomically high (hope not!) then it could be anywhere from twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

But there are a few things you can do to speed this up, which we’ll cover below.

Hot Tub Time Machine…thought we’d soak in chlorine again…you know, because it’s like a giant vat of Purell. pic.twitter.com/O13hE2ECsP – Producergirl (@producergirl) April 9, 2020

How can I quickly reduce the chlorine or bromine level in the water?

There are a few ways you can quickly reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine in your spa water.

If you have a saltwater chlorine generator, turn it off. This is a very effective way to lower chlorine levels when levels are only slightly above normal.

Another way to reduce chlorine and bromine levels is to remove your hot tub cover.

Direct sunlight helps break down chlorine and bromine faster. You should also keep your jets running while doing this.

Then just wait and test the chlorine or bromine levels after a few hours. If the level is still high, keep waiting and test the water.

Another way to reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine in your hot tub is to partially drain your hot tub and refill it with fresh water.

Be aware that the chemicals in your water can harm grass and dirt, throwing it on the ground is not recommended. Luckily, a recent article taught me the best way to drain a hot tub. Not only do I describe where it can be drained, I even share how I drain mine completely in less than 15 minutes.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

Make sure your jets are on and the water is circulating as you fill it up. This will ensure that whatever high bromine or chlorine you had was mixed well with the new water.

When the spa is full, simply check the levels with a test strip before adding anything.

If your previous chlorine or bromine level was very high, you probably don’t need to add any of that. However, you may need to adjust the pH and alkalinity.

BUT THE FASTEST WAY is to use a neutralizer to lower the chemical levels in your hot tub.

Sodium thiosulfate breaks down both chlorine and bromine in your spa water. This ensures you can soak faster.

My favorite brand of these is In the Swim (click to see it on Amazon).

It works with bromine or chlorine and only needs about 1/3 oz on most hot tub sizes to bring your levels down. Just put it in the water, turn on the jets and wait 30 minutes. Test and adjust as needed.

Whatever you do, make sure you check your chemical levels!

You can inadvertently change the other chemical concentrations in your water. Be sure to check your pH and alkalinity.

How long do you have to wait to get into a hot tub after shocking him?

Whirlpool shock is an oxidizer. I shock mine about once a week.

If you are using a chlorine or other chemical shock, you must check the chemical level before entering the hot tub. Remember that the chlorine level must be between 3 and 5 parts per million.

And chlorine shock affects chlorine levels in the same way as chlorine sanitizer.

You should wait at least 30 minutes and then check the chlorine level. If the level is acceptable, you’re good to go.

If you are using a natural or non-chlorine shock, you should still wait 30 minutes before entering the water.

But I love using a non-chlorine/bromine shock. That way I can reap the benefits without accidentally sending the chlorine or bromine levels through the roof.

My favorite non-chlorine shock is from Leisure Time (click here to see current price on Amazon). It’s almost all 5-star reviews on Amazon with over 800 of them. It is also an Amazon’s Choice product.

If you want to negate the waiting time of mixing chlorine into the water, then here’s a simple trick.

Instead of shocking or adding chlorine before entering the hot tub, do it after you get out!

This ensures you can enter the hot tub as it will shock you once you exit, meaning you can jump in the next time you want to soak.

Remember that you should always test the chemical levels before entering the water!

Final Thoughts

Chlorine and bromine are powerful chemicals that can keep your spa water clean and fresh.

But it’s easy to accidentally add too much. Remember that bromine’s safety level is between 2 and 6 parts per million. With chlorine it is 3 to 5 PPM.

Anything higher is unsafe and should not be soaked.

Use a test strip to test the chemical content of your spa water. High levels of chlorine can damage your spa equipment, in addition to red and itchy skin, itchy eyes, and possible respiratory problems.

There are a few ways to reduce the bromine and chlorine levels in your hot tub.

You can drain all or part of the water and replace it with fresh water. You can also use sanitizer remover or remove the cover and let the sunlight break down the chlorine or bromine while you run your hot tub’s jets.

It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours for the chlorine or bromine to reach safe levels. It just depends on how high they were. Always test the water in your hot tub before entering it, to be safe!

Speaking of hot tub safety, check out this recent article I wrote about how long it is safe to stay in a hot tub.

After all, many of us just get on board to relax and lose track of time. But depending on how high you set your temperature, staying longer than 15 minutes can actually be deadly. But dropping just a few degrees can double that.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

Are you ready to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your hot tub?

Let’s be honest. Balancing the water, cleaning out filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out what chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who’s coming to the end of a long hard day just want to relax!

This is exactly why the spa manual and video course are so valuable!

This is from Matt at Swim University and he designed it for people who want to save money, time and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you only buy what you need.

So if you are ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and want to spend more time in it, check out the hot tub manual and video course.

Just click this link to find out more on their website.

Photos requiring attribution:

Testing Patrick’s new PowerShot D10 is licensed under CC2.0

017 Chlorine – Periodic Table of the Elements by Science Activism is licensed under CC2.0

Knowing which hot tub chemicals to use and when can be daunting. What is the difference between sanitizer and shock, and do they do a bromine shock for a hot tub?

Bromine is not used to shock hot tubs, but is a common sanitizer that helps maintain the purity and clarity of hot tub water. And many prefer it to chlorine, as it is not weakened by hot water. But like other types of sanitizers, a weekly shock is also required.

But there is much more to know.

Read on to learn the difference between bromine and shock and to find out if you can use chlorine shock when using bromine sanitizer. But we’ll also find out how to start using bromine if you’ve been using chlorine sanitizers.

Let’s start.

Are you ready to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your hot tub?

Let’s be honest. Balancing the water, cleaning out filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out what chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who’s coming to the end of a long hard day just want to relax!

This is exactly why the spa manual and video course are so valuable!

This is from Matt at Swim University and he designed it for people who want to save money, time and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you only buy what you need.

So if you are ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and want to spend more time in it, check out the hot tub manual and video course.

Just click this link to find out more on their website.

Did you know? Pure bromine is a liquid at room temperature and is therefore more stable than chlorine in a hot tub. That’s why it’s used! pic.twitter.com/2Uv0BVzSzO – Unlimited Spa (@UnlimitedSpaSVC) January 23, 2019

What is the difference between bromine and shock?

Bromine is a spa sanitizer used to clean and sanitize the water and is added every 4-5 days. In comparison, Shock is a highly concentrated cleaner, often chlorine, added weekly to revitalize, sanitize, and eliminate bromamines, a byproduct of bromine sanitizers.

But disinfectants can also be chlorine-based.

Let’s learn a little more about the difference between bromine and shock. In short, the shock is stronger. It has a higher dose of chemicals and is designed to reactivate disinfectants such as bromine and chlorine.

Bromine is used to remove substances that contaminate spa water. It works by ionizing them; it forces their chemical bonds apart.

Chlorine, on the other hand, is available as both an oxidizer (shock) and a disinfectant.

It works by penetrating and destroying impurities from the inside out. It’s cheaper than bromine. But both chlorine and bromine leave residue and wear off after a while, leading us to hot tub shock.

Hot Tub Shock is an oxidizer that serves three main purposes: removing organic contaminants, killing bacteria, and removing chloramines or bromamines (residual chlorine and bromine).

If it’s a non-chlorine shock, it would also regenerate the bromine.

In a recent article I published, I explained in more detail what an oxidizer is, and I also clarified whether it is the same as a whirlpool shock. But I also revealed when to shock your hot tub.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

You know that “smell of chlorine” you often smell in swimming pools? It’s not actually chlorine that smells, it’s the chloramines.

Shock comes in four forms, but let’s look at two that can be used for hot tubs:

There’s chlorine-based (sodium dichlor) shock – it shocks the water and increases the sanitizer level. And there’s non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate or MPS) that just oxidizes the water. It is not a disinfectant and therefore does not kill bacteria. It has a low pH and dissolves quickly.

Another benefit is that you can use your hot tub immediately after a non-chlorine shock.

Note that you can also use chlorine-based shocks even if you use bromine as a disinfectant. I have owned 4 different hot tubs since 2005 and know how confusing it can be to choose the right chemicals.

Here is a COMPLETE LISTING of the products I recommend. They are the ones I use. Look at her.

Don’t forget to shock your spa every week! You should make sure to shock once a week to maintain a residual chlorine level. If you use your hot tub frequently, you will need to shock and add chlorine/bromine twice a week. pic.twitter.com/VRIW7FAEyB – Backyard Pool & Spa (@BackyardPoolCo1) December 26, 2020

Need to shock a bromine bath?

You need to shock a bromine bath. In fact, all spas need to be shocked weekly, regardless of the type of sanitizer used. Shocking a hot tub revitalizes the sanitizer and helps balance the purity and clarity of the water.

All disinfectants stop working after a while.

And as we add more sanitizer to keep the water clean, potentially harmful by-products are released into the water as the old sanitizer is used up. So shockingly these are removed.

Shock is used to increase the effectiveness of a disinfectant when it is not working as it should. So you should also use it if bromine is your preferred disinfectant.

Even in a bromine bath, organic waste builds up over time, making the water dirty and impure.

To optimize the effects of bromine and rid your hot tub of all types of contaminants that could negatively impact bathers’ health and enjoyment, it’s best to shock the hot tub regularly, regardless of the type of sanitizer used .

What contaminants could be causing your sanitizer not to work? They include:

Shampoo & Conditioner

body oils

cosmetics

Detergent (on your clothes)

(on your clothes) Soap or shower gel

Shocking a bromine bath activates the bromide ion. It has no disinfecting effect, but it is a good disinfectant.

A friend helped me move the hot tub so the oddly placed duct cleaning is accessible. Hopefully it’s warm enough to dip in after the outrigger workout, which I’ll be going to regardless of how far behind I’m at work. Now bromine swirls in my witches brew of spa chemicals pic.twitter.com/3bVKkCjvLk – Wild Celtic Rose (@awildcelticrose) June 11, 2019

How do I start my hot tub with bromine?

To begin using bromine in a hot tub, place between 3 and 6 tablets in a float and place in the hot tub or add ¼ cup of bromine powder or liquid. However, if chlorine sanitizer was used, wait until a water change has been performed before changing.

Chlorine and bromine sanitizers do not mix.

For this reason, make sure you don’t mix the dry powders and don’t just add bromine if you’ve used chlorine sanitizers.

That being said, it’s perfectly fine to use chlorine shock with bromine sanitizer.

The beauty of tablets is that you can jump into the hot tub right away. But if you’re using bromine in powder or liquid form, it’s wise to wait at least 30 minutes before jumping in.

And make sure you test the waters first in case you were sluggish.

Well, bromine can be toxic in high concentrations. Bromine liquid can be corrosive to skin. Its fumes can irritate the eyes and throat and are toxic to breathe in large quantities.

But it’s not a carcinogen, and there’s really nothing to worry about. Just handle it carefully. And always use a test strip to make sure the water chemistry is balanced before stepping into the tub.

Based on my experience, I prefer bromine to chlorine. Why?

Chlorine is more sensitive to heat. It breaks down faster in hot temperatures, and you’ll have to add it more often. It’s cheaper, but you end up using more.

And it can cause eye and skin irritation. And there is the “smell of chlorine”. With bromine there is no odor and it is much gentler on the eyes and skin.

Can you switch from chlorine to bromine? Yes. You can.

Note, however, that bromine and chlorine should never be used together. And when you switch, you want to test the water to make sure there’s no residual chlorine. And as I said, it’s best to change it when you change the water.

The chemicals you use are critical to the enjoyment of your hot tub and the proper maintenance of its components.

Here is a COMPLETE LISTING of the products I recommend. They are the ones I use. Look at her.

If you haven’t already, it’s highly recommended that you protect the water in your pool this winter with an extra dose of chlorine, or a non-chlorine “shock.” It can help conserve your water and eliminate microorganisms! #PoolNPlay pic.twitter.com/PPxkhCRZBH – Pool ‘N Play (@poolnplay) March 1, 2019

What shock do I use with bromine in my hot tub?

Both chlorine and non-chlorine shocks can be used with bromine as a disinfectant. However, I recommend you use chlorine-based shocks as it results in less cloudy water.

I use chlorine based shocks because they are more effective than non-chlorine shocks. It dissolves quickly and has a neutral pH.

Both are great for restoring sanitizer levels. Non-chlorine shocks, on the other hand, are not effective in treating bacteria and algae and often leave the water cloudy.

Bromine or Chlorine? Interested in learning a bit more about both, right?

Check out a recently published article. In it I explained the difference between the two, what both bromine and chlorine are, and whether bromine is more or less effective than chlorine. But I also revealed which one is better.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

2 people in a 350 gallon spa is the same as 300 people in a 35,000 gallon pool!! Don’t forget to shock your hot tub, it’s just as important as shocking your pool. pic.twitter.com/rSFUh1KQpk – Backyard Pool & Spa (@BackyardPoolCo1) July 24, 2021

Can you add shock and bromine to a hot tub at the same time?

Ideally, avoid adding bromine sanitizer and hot tub shock at the same time to avoid dangerously high levels. Bromine sanitizer is ideally added to the hot tub as a powder or liquid every 3-4 days, while tablets can be added to a float weekly.

Bromine should be used alone, and then the spa should be shocked after a few days, especially if the spa has been used a lot by many people.

One of the main reasons a hot tub is shocked is to reactivate the previously used sanitizer. Obviously, using sanitizer and shock at the same time is not ideal.

So is it ok to use chlorine shocks in a bromine bath?

In a recent article, I explained whether it’s okay to shock the difference between chlorine and non-chlorine and whether it’s necessary to shock a bromine bath. But I also explained if spa shock is the same as chlorine.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

Lots of people in the hot tub? Two people in a hot tub for 15 minutes use 5 ppm sanitizer. Consider increasing your sanitizer level with granular chlorine or bromine if you plan to extend your time in the tub. pic.twitter.com/Wx0YKpn2KX – Aqua-Tech (@AquaTechWpg) December 28, 2021

What Are the Benefits of Using Bromine Sanitizers in a Hot Tub?

Some of the benefits of using bromine sanitizer in a hot tub is that it remains effective at higher pH levels than chlorine and is more stable at higher temperatures. Its by-product, bromamine, retains bactericidal potency better than chlorine’s by-product, chloramines.

And bromine does not evaporate from the water surface like chlorine does.

It remains stable at higher temperatures

It’s easy to keep pH balanced

It has little smell

It effectively kills bacteria and viruses

It’s better for sensitive skin

It doesn’t need to be added as often

Let’s look at what some of the pros entail.

Bromine is more stable at higher temperatures. So it works slower and lasts longer. And the alkalinity and acidity (pH) of the water are more easily balanced when bromine is the sanitizer of choice.

This is an important consideration as it relates to comfort and safety as well as protecting the spa’s internal components.

To protect these components and have a comfortable time in your hot tub, you must use the right chemicals. Here is a list of the ones I’ve been using for a long time. Considering I’ve owned 4 hot tubs I highly recommend this one.

Let’s get back to what we explored.

We’re all familiar with the “smell of chlorine” we smell in swimming pools. It is the chlorine residue after oxidation that gives off the unpleasant smell. Bromine, on the other hand, doesn’t smell once it’s turned into bromamine.

Chlorine is stronger than bromine but is not stable at higher temperatures.

In fact, it acts quickly and dissolves quickly. Bromine, on the other hand, acts slowly. So you don’t have to add it to your spa water as often as you would when using chlorine.

What if you use chlorine? How soon after adding can you use the hot tub?

That’s the subject of a recent article where I explained how quickly you have to wait and whether you can get in quicker if you use bromine instead. But I also revealed the safe levels for bromine and chlorine.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

So chlorine versus bromine. Which is it? Both chlorine and bromine are great options for keeping your hot tub water clean. Their effectiveness should not be questioned. It comes down to your personal preferences and sensitivities. Both options have pros and cons to consider. pic.twitter.com/SpCIe1K64y – The Cover Guy (@TheCOVERGuy) March 3, 2021

What are the disadvantages of using bromine sanitizer in a hot tub?

Some of the disadvantages of using bromine sanitizer in a hot tub are that it is more difficult to rinse off the skin and it leaves the water cloudier than chlorine-based sanitizer. It’s also more expensive than chlorine, although it can be added less frequently.

Let’s learn a little more about some of the disadvantages of bromine.

Earlier we learned that bromine is stable at higher temperatures. But ultraviolet rays easily decompose it. So it won’t take as long as it should. Bromine leaves the hot tub water cloudy (but that’s not the only reason the water might be cloudy).

Liquid bromine is more difficult to get off the skin and can cause irritation and burns. At first you feel a cooling sensation, but this soon turns into a burning sensation!

Bromine is actually more expensive than chlorine. It’s almost double the price of the latter.

How about a guide to the right chemicals for your hot tub?

Check out this list where I’ve compiled what I’ve been using for over 15 years. I highly recommend them.

Conclusion

In the article we looked at the difference between bromine and shock and whether it is necessary to shock a bromine bath.

We also looked at how to start using bromine and what type of shock can be used with bromine. Then we explored whether it was okay to use Shock and Bromine at the same time.

Finally, we wrapped things up by examining the pros and cons of using bromine.

Are you ready to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your hot tub?

Let’s be honest. Balancing the water, cleaning out filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out what chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who’s coming to the end of a long hard day just want to relax!

This is exactly why the spa manual and video course are so valuable!

This is from Matt at Swim University and he designed it for people who want to save money, time and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you only buy what you need.

So if you are ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and want to spend more time in it, check out the hot tub manual and video course.

Just click this link to find out more on their website.

Photo requiring attribution:

This content was previously featured on the Hot Tub Works website. Leslie’s is proud to partner with Hot Tub Works to bring you this helpful content on lesliespool.com.

A thought might spring to mind for the hot tub or spa owner: “Hey, why not use pool chemicals in the hot tub? They’re a lot cheaper!”

So why not just use 3 inch chlorine tablets and powdered pool shocks to sanitize your spa? Isn’t that the same?

Bromine vs. Chlorine – two contenders battle it out for the title of Best Spa & Hot Tub Sanitizer.

ROUND ONE: COST

Trichlorchlorine 1″ tablets are about 20% cheaper than bromine tablets. The 3″ tablets are over 40% cheaper if you buy them in bulk. However, chlorine is durable and, depending on the storage temperature, can lose half its strength after about a year. Cal hypo or dichlor shocks, two types of pool shocks, are also cheaper than non-chlorine shocks.

Round one goes to chlorine – definitely a cheaper alternative!

ROUND TWO: COMFORT

Both challengers are fairly comfortable. Simply purchase a small quantity of 1″ tablets (3″ tablets dissolve too slowly for hot tubs) and add enough to a floating dispenser to get a good reading when the water is tested.

However, bromine requires a bank of built-up bromides before you can register a reading with your test kit. As another small step in this process, you can shake a little Bromine Booster into the tub after you drain a spa, or you can add the 2 oz. Sodium Bromide Packets.

Chlorine has a slight lead in round two.

ROUND THREE: DURABILITY

Bromine is not as easy to protect from the sun as chlorine is from the addition of stabilizer or cyanuric acid. But then again, most hot tubs are indoors and out of the sun. And although bromine lost the first round because it’s more expensive than chlorine, it has the curious property of reactivation.

Bromide salts can be reactivated by adding a small amount of chlorine shock or MPS shock to bromine. This allows you to use the bromide over and over again and you use fewer bromine tablets. With chlorine, however, the chlorine molecule becomes inert after the killing work is done.

Brom wins this round with an amazing regenerative ability.

ROUND FOUR: KILLING POWER

Which is stronger, chlorine or bromine? Chemically, chlorine is a stronger halogen with a faster oxidation reaction. But bromine has a larger atomic size with an extra valence shell.

Bromine has a major advantage over chlorine in killing bacteria and viruses, while chlorine has an advantage in killing algae faster. Bromamines continue to be an active disinfectant, unlike chloramines, as we will see in the next round.

Brom wins round four; it is stronger in more water conditions and molecular states.

ROUND FIVE: STABILITY

Brom comes out swinging! At a high pH of 7.8, for example, only about 25% of the chlorine is active. Bromine is not as affected by pH fluctuations and continues to be effective even when a full spa is rapidly raising the pH.

Stability at high temperatures is another property of bromine. Chlorine becomes really active at high temperatures and tends to outgas quickly at temperatures around 100 degrees.

Third, when bromine or chlorine combine with nitrogen or ammonia, they form bromamines or chloramines. In chlorine, the compound formed becomes an ineffective disinfectant and is responsible for red eyes, itchy skin, and that awful chlorine smell. Bromamines, on the other hand, are still active disinfectants with no odor or irritation.

Brom wins round five!

ROUND SIX: OTHER

ODOR – Chlorine smells similar, but the smell of bromine, both in the tank and in the water, is softer.

– Chlorine smells similar, but the smell of bromine, both in the tank and in the water, is softer. IRRITATION – Skin irritation can occur with bromine or chlorine, but bromine is less irritating.

– Skin irritation may occur with bromine or chlorine, but bromine is less irritating. pH – Trichlor has a very low pH, bleach has a very high pH and bromine has a pH of 7.5. Perfect!

– Trichlor has a very low pH, bleach has a very high pH and bromine has a pH of 7.5. Perfect! ADDITIVES – Cal-Hypo adds calcium to a spa, and trichlor and dichlor add cyanuric acid.

Brom has chlorine against the ropes and delivered a KO punch in the sixth round!

If you have a spa, bromine has many advantages over using chlorine. While it costs a little more, it lasts longer and kills bacteria much better than chlorine, especially at high temperatures and high pH levels.

So which is better – bromine or chlorine? Bromine is best for spas, use chlorine for pools.

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Both chlorine and bromine are effective disinfectants for your hot tub and offer bathers protection from viruses, bacteria and pathogens.

The ideal level of chlorine in a hot tub is between 1 and 3 ppm (parts per million), with the ideal level of bromine being between 3 and 5 ppm. If these levels exceed these ranges, your water chemistry may be affected.

Let’s talk about why this happens, why it’s important, and how to lower chlorine or bromine levels in your hot tub.

Why your chlorine or bromine levels are high

First, how do you decide which is a better sanitizer for your tub?

Bromine is often used because it excels in high water temperatures (anything above 75°F), while chlorine is better suited for anything below 65°F.

However, if your spa will be exposed to sunlight, chlorine is the option. Because the UV rays of the sun destroy bromine and chlorine within a few hours.

However, if you use chlorine, you can add cyanuric acid (CYA) to stabilize the chlorine and protect it from degradation by sunlight.

This does not apply to bromine as there is no stabilizing chemical that can protect it from the sun. For this reason, shaded or indoor spas typically use bromine, while hot tubs in the sun use chlorine with CYA.

For a sanitizer to be effective, the right amount must be present in the water at all times.

High levels of chlorine or bromine usually occur when you have overdosed the tub with them. This may be due to too much sanitizer being added (accidentally) during periodic maintenance, or the water being shocked.

When shocking a hot tub, add a massive dose of chlorine shock (for chlorine tubs) or non-chlorine shock (for bromine tubs). Shocking is performed to quickly kill anything in the water. This keeps the disinfectant at this elevated level for a period of time.

Why high chlorine or bromine levels are bad news

If the chlorine or bromine levels are too high for a long time, it can cause all sorts of problems with your water.

Spicy water. You know that some hot tubs get a pungent chlorine odor? It is not a lack of chlorine in the water, but a sign that there is not enough of it. Chlorine and bromine both become exhaust gases when consumed. As these gases build up, the water becomes pungent with chloramines and bromamines. This gas can irritate the swimmer’s lungs and even cause shortness of breath.

health problems. Excessive levels of chlorine or bromine can lead to health problems. Itchy skin, brittle hair, red and irritated eyes, and irritated nasal passages are all signs that you have too much sanitizer in your tub.

Excessive levels of chlorine or bromine can lead to health problems. Itchy skin, brittle hair, red and irritated eyes, and irritated nasal passages are all signs that you have too much sanitizer in your tub. damage to your tub. High levels of chlorine or bromine slowly eat away at the soft surfaces of your tub and can even cause leaks. Debris can also build up under the cover of your hot tub.

High levels of chlorine or bromine slowly eat away at the soft surfaces of your tub and can even cause leaks. Debris can also build up under the cover of your hot tub. Equipment can be compromised. Not only will there be problems with the tub itself, but the equipment you use to operate the tub can also be damaged. With too much disinfectant, it will corrode plastics like your plumbing, the pump, and even the filter. In addition, it can also ruin your hot tub heater. These are all important components that often cannot be salvaged.

Decreased pH. With high amounts of disinfectant, the pH value of the water drops. When this happens, the water becomes acidic and you have to spend more time and money to bring the water chemistry back to a neutral state.

How to lower sanitizer levels in a hot tub

So you have high chlorine or bromine problems and need to fix them quickly.

Fortunately, there are a few solutions and none of them are very difficult.

Option #1: Wait

Simply put, just wait. Don’t harm the water.

Forget about adding more doses of your sanitizer, and if you’re using an automatic chlorinator, turn it off.

By doing nothing you ensure that you are not increasing the already elevated chlorine/bromine levels. It will naturally fall off after a day or two.

Be sure to stay clear of the tub during this process, as the high levels can irritate bathers, and if using a hot tub cover, remove it while you wait.

When the spa is uncovered, the water and sanitizer are allowed to evaporate naturally, speeding up the process.

Option #2: Drain and dilute

Your second option is to partially drain the hot tub and then dilute it by filling it with fresh water.

If you wait, the water level will eventually drop (evaporation) and you can just add clean water to the tub. However, if you want to speed things up, follow the steps below.

If you haven’t changed the water in the tub for 2 or 3 months, or you find that the water is having a lot of trouble staying balanced, a drain needs to be done.

That’s how it’s done:

First things first, turn off the tub. Never drain water while the tub is still plugged into an outlet (for obvious reasons). Remove the drain plug at the bottom of the spa and connect a hose to it. Make sure the hose is long enough to reach an area where it is safe to drain waste water. Drain the tub either partially or completely. Another method of draining is to use a submersible pump. Attach a hose to the pump, place the pump in the tub, and plug the pump power cord into an electrical outlet. Turn on the pump and drain the water. During a full drain, keep an eye on the water level to avoid running the pump in an empty tub. This can burn out the motor. Clean the filter while the tub is draining (it takes a few hours to fully drain). Sand filters and DE filters should be backwashed and flushed. For cartridge filters (most common for hot tubs), remove the cartridge and hose it down until it is free of debris. If it’s very dirty, you can chemically soak it with a solution of vinegar and water, or use a cartridge cleaning product. When clean, rinse thoroughly and reassemble the filter. Skip this step if you are doing a partial drain. If the spa is now empty (full drain), clean it thoroughly. Soap, warm water, and a soft cloth work well, although you can use a spa cleaning product if desired. Rinse the tub thoroughly. Fill the hot tub with fresh water from your outside faucet. Test the water with strips or a test kit and record the pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness values. Add the necessary chemicals to properly balance the water. The pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6, TA between 80 and 120 ppm, calcium hardness between 175 and 250 ppm and chlorine between 1 and 3 ppm (or bromine at 3 to 5 ppm).

Option #3: Neutralize it

If you are in a hurry to lower the sanitizer level, a third option is to use Chlorine Neutralizer.

This product is made from Sodium Thiosulfate and works by reducing the levels of freely available chlorine in water (the same goes for bromine).

However, the problem with using neutralizer is that the chlorine/bromine level will continue to be reduced until all of the neutralizer is used. Basically, you can end up removing too much sanitizer from the water, so use it sparingly.

That’s how it’s done:

Test the water to find out the current level of disinfectant. Calculate how much chlorine/bromine you need to deliver (in ppm). Consult the directions on the bottle for the correct dosage. Be very careful with your math here. It’s easy to overdose on neutralizer and it will wipe out all your chlorine/bromine if you’re not careful. Measure out the amount of neutralizer and pour into the spa. Run the jets for about an hour to circulate the chemical. Test the water again and make any necessary adjustments.

What works…

The bad news is that one day your chlorine or bromine levels can get too high and trigger a mild panic.

The good news is that you can easily lower the chlorine/bromine level in your spa simply by being patient, diluting the water, or using a chemical neutralizer.

Because what goes up must also come down!

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Bromine is a chemical used to disinfect spas and hot tubs. It is important to use some form of sanitizer to keep the water clean and healthy and to prevent bacteria from multiplying.

I use bromine in my own hot tub and highly recommend it as a sanitizer. In this article I’m sharing the knowledge, tips and tricks I’ve gathered over the years so you too can start using bromine safely and effectively in your spa.

Why bromine?

The more familiar sanitizer you’ve probably heard of in swimming pools is chlorine, but bromine is a popular alternative – especially for hot tubs.

Bromine avoids some of the most common problems associated with chlorine:

Bromine is gentler on the skin, while chlorine is more drying and can be irritating in some people, causing redness, itching, or a rash

, whereas chlorine is more drying and can be irritating for some people, causing redness, itching or rashes. Bromine has a lower pH, which can make your water balance easier to maintain

, which can make it easier to maintain your water balance. Bromine is more stable, meaning levels stay more constant, so it lasts longer and doesn’t need to be topped up as often as chlorine

However, there are also a few disadvantages to consider:

Bromine is more expensive on average

Bromine also kills pollutants a little slower than chlorine

If you’re interested in chlorine instead, I have a similar guide on using chlorine in a spa.

How do you get bromine in a hot tub? Disinfecting a spa with bromine is typically a three-part process: Set up a bromide bank. You must do this by adding a “bromide booster” such as Spa Choice Bromide Booster Spa Sanitizer each time you fill your hot tub with fresh water for the first time. This is to bring the water up to a reasonable initial bromide level. Use Shock to activate the bromine. Spa Shock works with the bromide to convert it to bromine which can then kill any impurities in your water. You should add a shock such as Oxy-Spa Non-Chlorine Hot Tub & Pool MPS Oxidizing Shock weekly and after each spa use. Place bromination tablets in a floating dispenser or “brominator”. These tablets gradually dissolve over time. The idea is that they keep your bromide bank stocked just enough so there is always enough bromide in the water ready to react when you shock your spa. I have found Clorox Spa Brominating Tablets to be the best value for money. When measuring bromine levels, the ideal target range is 2-6ppm (1-3ppm is fine if your spa has an ozonator). And that’s really all there is to it. With a little practice, bromine can be a very low-maintenance and convenient method of sanitizing a hot tub.

What does bromine smell like?

Bromine has a mild, clean, slightly bleach-like chemical odor. If levels are properly maintained, it should be barely noticeable and certainly not overwhelming.

It’s much milder than the strong “swimming pool” smell you might associate with chlorinated pools.

Did you know? Chlorine or bromine should hardly smell when used correctly. “Pool odor” is actually the result of chloramines or bromamines – chemical compounds released when sanitizer mixes with unwanted pollutants.

If you ever notice a chemical odor coming from your bromine hot tub that smells overpowering, it is a sign that you need to shock your water. This will kill the contaminants your bromine has encountered and convert it back to “free bromine” for it to be effective again.

What is the best brominator?

Brominators are floating plastic devices containing bromine tablets. They are designed to gradually dissolve the tablets over time, keeping your spa’s bromide supply topped up. You can usually control how much water comes into contact with the tablets and how quickly they dissolve.

There are a few different designs of brominators. These are the most common shapes you will find:

The guy on the left is cheaper and more common, but also less demanding. The top has an opening and the bromine tablets are placed inside. They rotate the bottom to try to limit water ingress, but in my experience this isn’t the most accurate mechanism.

The one on the right is my preferred type. The pills will pile up in the tube and you partially unscrew the bottom to reveal the bottom pill(s). The water cannot reach the tablets above. This design gives you fine-grained control over how much tablet is exposed to the water at a time, so not all tablets dissolve instantly.

Should You Use a Floating Bromine Dispenser in a Hot Tub?

A floating bromine dispenser is the easiest way to top up your spa’s bromide level between water changes.

If you don’t use one, you’ll need to add bromide boosters yourself on a regular basis, or simply add bromination tablets directly to your spa’s skimmer basket if you have one.

It can be harder to find the right dose this way, so you’ll often find that your sanitizer levels are either way too high or too low (too high is more common in my experience).

Leisure Time Brominating Granular is a bromide booster and shock all in one. You can use it to build up an initial bromide reserve and then add more as a shock on a weekly basis. You may not even need to use pills or a dispenser.

If you’re using a bromine floater, you can take it out while using the spa if you find it’s in the way.

How many bromine tablets should you put in your spa?

Some bromine dispensers can hold up to 6 tablets, but in most cases you should start with just 1-2 to avoid getting your bromine levels too high.

If you have one of the better designed floating dispensers like this you can add up to 6 1″ tablets at a time.

If your dispenser looks like this, or you just drop the tablets into your water with no float, I would recommend starting with just 1-2 tablets. You can always add more later.

If you have a large spa you will likely need to increase the dose, but start cautiously as you cannot easily remove bromide once the tablets have already dissolved in the water.

How long should it take for bromine tablets to dissolve?

Bromine tablets dissolve depending on the size of the tablets and how much of the tablet is exposed to water.

For example, a whole 1 inch tablet fully exposed to water can dissolve in 1-3 weeks, while a partially crushed or broken tablet is likely to dissolve in just a few hours.

When using a dispenser like the Life Deluxe Spa/Hot Tub/Pool Chemical Floating Tablet Dispenser it can take 2-3 months for all the tablets to dissolve, at least on the lower settings. This is the slowest, most controlled way to dissolve bromine tablets I’ve found since owning a spa.

Can you use crushed bromine tablets in a hot tub?

You can use crushed bromide tablets to either build an initial bromide bank or reserve in your spa, or (in small amounts) to top up your spa’s bromide reserve in place of tablets.

When I bought a bottle of bromine tablets there was always powder at the bottom where some of the tablets were broken or crushed. It seemed a shame to waste so I experimented with using it in my spa.

What were the results?

I found it worked well either way, but a little goes a long way – especially on regular top-ups.

Start by adding a teaspoon of crushed bromination tablet powder to the water. Check the sanitizer level the next time you shock your hot tub to make sure it’s still in the 2-6 ppm range.

The powder dissolves much faster than it would in tablet form, so you can easily end up with a higher amount of sanitizer than you’d like.

How Long After Adding Bromine Can You Use a Hot Tub?

It’s not a bromide booster, it’s a shock that alters bromine levels and determines whether you can safely use your spa.

Whenever you shock your spa, you must wait for the bromine levels to drop before using it. This usually takes around 20-30 minutes but you should always test before boarding if you are unsure.

Never enter a spa if bromine levels are above 10ppm and ideally wait until it is in the 2-6ppm range.

What can you do if you put too much bromine in a hot tub?

Once you’ve tested your levels and confirmed that the bromine levels are really too high (above 10ppm), there are a few things to try:

Wait for the levels to drop naturally. If you don’t need to use the spa for a few days, this is often the easiest option. Take out your bromine floater, stop adding shock and you’ll find the levels gradually dropping on their own.

If you don’t need to use the spa for a few days, this is often the easiest option. Take out your bromine floater, stop adding shock and you’ll find the levels gradually dropping on their own. Leave the spa open. If you can leave the cover open for a few hours, especially on a sunny day, a combination of evaporation and sunlight will help the bromine break down faster.

If you can leave the cover open for a few hours, especially on a sunny day, a combination of evaporation and sunlight will help the bromine break down faster. Replace some of the water. If you can save the spa and replace what you took out with fresh water, it will help dilute the overly sanitized water you have.

If you can save the spa and replace what you took out with fresh water, it will help dilute the overly sanitized water you have. Use a neutralizer. If you’re desperate, products like Applied Biochemist Thio-Trine Neutralizer can lower bromine levels. Be careful though as the directions on these products are usually for large pools – you will need a tiny amount for a spa.

If you’re desperate, products like Applied Biochemist Thio-Trine Neutralizer can lower bromine levels. Be careful though as the directions on these products are usually for large pools – you will need a tiny amount for a spa. Replace all the water. This is a last resort, but if you’re still struggling to get your levels within an acceptable range, you might be better off with a fresh start and new water.

Can you switch from chlorine to bromine?

You can switch from chlorine to bromine sanitizer in a hot tub. In fact, it’s easier to switch from chlorine to bromine than the other way around.

Just stop adding chlorine and start adding bromination tablets instead. The dissolving tablets will gradually begin to build up a bromide bank and the next time you shock the spa this residual bromide will be converted to bromine.

It is important that the two chemicals do not mix directly. If you have used a floating dispenser with chlorine, you should get a new one designed for use with bromine tablets so you can be sure there is no residual chlorine in it.

So why doesn’t it work the other way around?

If your spa already contains bromine, each time you add a shock (whether chlorine or non-chlorine) that existing bromine will reactivate and you’ll still have a bromine spa.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to completely remove bromine from water without completely draining, cleaning, and refilling the water — including flushing the plumbing lines with a cleaner like Ahh-Some.

The bromination granules work great but it took a full week to get my order. Other spa companies I have dealt with offer free shipping and their products arrive in a matter of days. This product took exactly a week and I paid $4.99 shipping and handling fees…

When most of us think of pool chemicals, chlorine usually comes to mind first. We associate this pungent smell with swimming pools and burning eyes. Few people realize that there is an alternative. Despite the fact that bromine has been used since the 1930’s, its benefits have been overshadowed by its better known cousin, although bromine offers unique benefits that chlorine cannot match.

Bromine comes from the same chemical family as chlorine and is also able to attack microorganisms to purify the water. However, bromine can be much better suited, especially if you have an indoor pool. Here are five things to know about bromine when deciding what type of pool sanitizer to use:

1 – Bromine has less odor than chlorine – in its natural state, bromine is a liquid. It occurs naturally in high concentrations in seawater. Since bromine is at rest in the liquid state, it does not “gas”. It stays in the water and continues to disinfect.

On the other hand, chlorine’s natural state is a gas. It has a strong tendency to outgas and become airborne. Swimming pools treated with chlorine therefore have that pungent odor that we all enjoy so much. Luckily, this doesn’t happen with bromine, and its odor is still less overpowering. Therefore, bromine is often the better choice for indoor pools.

2 – Bromine retains its sanitizing effect – as chlorine reverts to a gaseous state, it also loses its effectiveness. Chlorine treated pools must be “shocked” with large doses of new chlorine to maintain the proper levels needed to keep the pool clean. The more the pool is used, the more the pool needs to be shocked. Chlorine also loses its disinfecting ability once it has combined with waste. Aside from the expense, constantly adding chlorine to your pool is a hassle.

When bromine’s effectiveness wears off, it just needs to be reactivated, which means less work and less cost.

3 – Bromine is easy on the skin – For those with sensitive skin or allergies, chlorine in the pool can wreak havoc. Bromine has been shown to be less of an irritant, and since you don’t have to keep increasing its concentration to increase its potency, there is less of it in the water to begin with.

4 – Bromine Lasts Longer in Hot Water – Bromine remains stable at higher temperatures than chlorine, making it the chemical of choice for heated pools or hot tubs. It retains its ability to destroy organic matter up to 58.8 degrees C where chlorine gases emerge at just 32 degrees C.

5 – Bromine doesn’t corrode steel – if you have an indoor pool, chlorine can be a real problem. As it constantly transitions to a gaseous state, it gives off vapors filled with chloramine. These fumes condense on steel and can cause severe corrosion. Bromine remains stable and in liquid form, completely avoiding this problem.

Bromine is easily soluble in water and is available in both puck tablet and granular form. Tablets require a chemical dispenser or feeder, while granular chlorine dissolves instantly in water. The optimum bromine level is 3-5 ppm.

A safe and easy alternative to its stinky cousin, bromine comes with a few extras that chlorine can’t offer either. If you have trouble with chlorine, bromine is another good choice that will get the job done.

Do you have a question about using bromine and how best to use it in your hot tub or pool? Feel free to contact us here, we’re always happy to help!

Think about it. Without sanitizer in your spa, you are essentially stewing in a tub of hot water filled with skin cells, soap scum, and bacteria. Graphic, yes, but we never shy away from illustrating the absolute need for sanitizer in your hot tub. The question is which one should you use?

Of course, chlorine immediately comes to mind. But have you heard of bromine? Even if so, you may still be unsure which sanitizer is right for you. And you will find that chlorine and bromine tablets and granules are available. So which delivery method is the best?

To make these decisions and keep your hot tub free of nasty hazards, all you need is a little knowledge of both sanitizers and how to add them to your spa.

Want to learn more about keeping your hot tub balanced and sanitized? Then check out the Hot Tub Manual and Video Course to save hundreds of chemicals and less time on hot tub maintenance all year round.

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Chlorine and bromine, tablets and granules, advantages and disadvantages

While chlorine is the most common pool sanitizer, bromine is more commonly used to sanitize hot tubs, and with good reason.

Before you can make an informed decision about which sanitizer to use in your hot tub, you need to learn about their properties, pros, and cons.

how they work

You know disinfectants kill bacteria and other nasty things. But how exactly do these two sanitizers do that?

Chlorine: It oxidizes pollutants, penetrates them and destroys them from within. As it works, the chlorine dissipates and turns into a waste product called chloramines. These residues are responsible for chlorine’s pungent, drying and fetid reputation and reduce the effectiveness of the sanitizer.

To keep chloramines in check, you need to add chlorine on a regular basis, usually at least once a week. However, if things get really bad and the chlorine won’t do the job on its own, you can shock your hot tub to get rid of chloramines. You’ll want to do this regularly anyway to keep your water clear and pristine.

Bromine: It ionizes pollutants and breaks their chemical bonds. A good amount of it remains active and functional even after combining with pollutants.

But bromine also creates a waste product called bromamines. While not as harmful as chloramines, they still reduce the effectiveness of the bromine in your hot tub. Shock is the answer here, too.

effectiveness

The measure of a disinfectant’s effectiveness is its reactivity rate. This refers to how quickly it destroys contaminants.

Chlorine: Kills contaminants faster than bromine.

Bromine: Is a very reactive element, although not as reactive as chlorine, so it kills slower than chlorine.

Bromine also has a lower pH than chlorine, so it can help keep your overall water chemistry more balanced, meaning fewer adjustments and fiddling on your part.

stability

While chlorine may act faster, bromine is more stable than chlorine, especially in warm water.

Chlorine: Volatilizes faster than bromine and therefore needs to be replaced more frequently.

Bromine: Kills bacteria in your spa longer than chlorine.

The exception to this rule is ultraviolet (UV) light, which destroys bromine faster than chlorine. This is a problem when you have an outdoor hot tub and makes using your hot tub cover all the more important.

Even worse than red eyes and brittle hair is the debilitating effect of chloramines on a sanitizer’s ability to fight pollutants. The more chloramines in your spa, the greater the likelihood of algae and bacterial growth.

dosage amounts

To get the most benefit from any sanitizer, you must use enough to work with your spa’s water volume, which correlates to the size of the tub.

The first thing to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, to know if you’ve used enough, you need to test the water to estimate the level.

Chlorine: The ideal level for chlorine is between 1ppm and 3ppm, with 3ppm being ideal.

Bromine: The ideal level for bromine is 3ppm to 5ppm with 5ppm being ideal.

If you end up with too much chlorine in your hot tub, there are a few things you can try to lower the level. You don’t have to start with fresh water entirely. The same applies to bromine.

Also note that you will likely need to use a larger dose of bromine than chlorine to get the same sanitizing results, and bromine costs more than chlorine. However, since you don’t need to use it that often, it’s possible that the cost will be the same. It also depends on the size of your hot tub and how well you keep the water clean and balanced.

You’ll need to weigh the benefits against the costs to determine if it’s worth the extra effort.

Your Health

The spa chemicals you use are all safe in the right amounts. But some people may react differently to it.

Chlorine: Can be aggressive to skin, hair and eyes, especially at high concentrations.

Also, when chloramines linger in the humid air around a spa, they can cause breathing difficulties and even trigger asthma attacks.

Bromine: Is gentler on your skin than chlorine, but can be a bit more difficult to wash off after long soaking.

If you or someone who regularly uses your hot tub has sensitive skin or upper respiratory problems, bromine is probably a better choice.

security

Regardless of whether you choose chlorine or bromine, DO NOT:

Mix them together in the water. This can also cause a dangerous chemical reaction. Moving from one to the other will require you to drain and clean your hot tub and perform a line flush.

Blend them together in their dry state, especially the granular forms. This can also cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

store next to each other. Even in their separate containers, this is dangerous as the vapors they give off can combine and become flammable.

Use the same feeder for both, whether using chlorine or bromine tablets or granules. Even if you think you’ve cleaned it well enough, some of the chemical residue can react with each other.

Use of chlorine and bromine granules

If you know how to use a measuring cup, you can add granular chlorine or granular bromine to your hot tub.

Determine the volume of your hot tub, or how much water it is holding. Turn on the spa if it is not already running. Read the instructions on the chlorine or bromine container carefully. Measure the manufacturer’s recommended amount of chlorine or bromine for the volume of your spa. Pour the granules slowly and directly into the spa. Allow the water to circulate for 20 minutes to allow the disinfectant to distribute. Test the water to ensure the correct sanitizer level is present. Make adjustments as necessary.

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How to use chlorine and bromine tablets

You don’t have to add these as often as granules, but tablets are still not a complete set-it-and-forget-it method.

Read the directions on the packaging of the chlorine or bromine tablets carefully. Place the recommended number of tablets (usually 1 inch tablets) in a feeder (also called a floater, chlorine/bromine floater, chlorine/bromine dispenser, chlorinator or brominator). Adjust the flow (if adjustable) according to the manufacturer’s instructions to control the release of the disinfectant. Hold the feeder under the hot tub water for a few seconds to push the air out and keep it more stable while it floats. Test the water over the next few days to ensure sanitizer levels are appropriate. Make adjustments as needed.

keep it clean

Remember that no matter how good you are at keeping the sanitizer clean, you will need to drain and clean your hot tub from time to time, ideally quarterly.

Change your mind, change your sanitizer

Choosing between chlorine and bromine tablets and granules should now be a lot easier. And remember, every few months you will be changing your water and deep cleaning your hot tub. If you don’t like the sanitizer you’ve chosen, you can always switch when you change your water.

Whatever sanitizer you choose, remember to test it regularly to ensure levels remain where they need to be to keep your water clean and you and your hot tub guests healthy and happy.

Happy Soaking!

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since then, his mission has been to make pool and hot tub maintenance easy for everyone. And every year he helps more people with water chemistry, cleaning and troubleshooting.

Non Chlorine Shock (Potassium Monopersulfate), also known as MPS, is a chemical that offers many benefits to your spa water and maintenance routine, but it is also a product that very few spa operators understand or have used. In this article, we aim to answer some of the top questions about this chemical, including what does a non-chlorine shock do?, does it replace chlorine or bromine?, and how often should I use it?.

What is a non-chlorine shock?

Non Chlorine Shock is a powerful, odorless oxidizer, which essentially means it eliminates contaminants in spa water. Oxidation is different from disinfection. Oxidation is the breakdown of oils and organics in your water, while disinfection is the killing of bacteria. Disinfection is carried out using effective disinfectants such as chlorine or bromine. Note that while disinfectants can also oxidize, their effectiveness in both actions is reduced, so you tend to use a lot more disinfectant to perform both. Oxidation is performed very effectively by non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate) and therefore offers great benefits to your hot tub experience. Non Chlorine Shock works with all disinfectants but does not replace them as it is not a disinfectant!

What are the benefits of using non-chlorine shock?

Improved sanitizer efficiency. By using a powerful oxidizer like Non Chlorine Shock along with your sanitizer, you give your sanitizer a chance to do what it’s good for – kill bacteria! As a result, less sanitizer is used in your hot tub. Fast and effective removal of oils and more. The non-chlorine shock oxidizes oils such as body oils, lotions, deodorants, dead skin cells, sweat, detergents or leaves from your spa water, helping to prevent or reduce foaming and reducing the load on your spa filters. This can also reduce dependence on chemicals that should be used sparingly, such as B. Antifoams. Help water clarity. For many of the reasons mentioned in #2, non-chlorine shock can help improve water clarity quickly. If you have milky or cloudy spa water but your chlorine, pH and alkalinity levels are fine, Non Chlorine Shock will oxidize the products causing this and help restore your water to crystal clarity. Reduce the need for super chlorination. Super chlorination is a good way to oxidize but if you increase the chlorine level very high you risk fading and potentially rendering the spa unusable for a period of time due to the strong odour/high chlorine level. break down chloramines. Sanitizer reacts with bather pollutants such as sweat or dead skin, creating a less potent chemical compound called chloramines (spent chlorine) that must be broken down. Chloramines have a strong chlorine odor that is often mistaken for too much chlorine, they can cloud the water and they can also sting your eyes. Non Chlorine Shock effectively oxidizes this spent chlorine from the water, massively improving your bathing experience. Regeneration of spent bromine. Unlike chlorine, which turns into chloramines after consumption, bromine can be regenerated. The use of non-chlorine shock in a bromine hot tub oxidizes the bromide ions (spent bromine) and forms new bromine, increasing bromine levels.

When and how to use a non-chlorine shock

Non Chlorine Shock is a powder that comes in many forms, which we will outline below. We recommend adding Non Chlorine Shock weekly alongside your existing spa maintenance routine, but in some situations, such as: B. in case of heavy foam formation or cloudy water, an additional dosage may be necessary. You can click through to each individual product below to see specific usage instructions.

Shocking your hot tub refers to adding a high dose of oxidizer to the hot tub water. This helps fight disease and other bacteria. But if you use bromine to sanitize your hot tub, you’ve probably been wondering if I can use chlorine shock in a bromine bath?

I decided to get to the bottom of it, and here’s what I learned:

Yes, it’s okay to use a chlorine shock in a hot tub where bromine is your sanitizer. Just be careful not to mix the two in powder form. Also note that adding chlorine shock will increase the chlorine count in your hot tub, so always test the water before entering it and wait if necessary.

But there’s a lot more to know about the pros and cons of chlorine shocks, how they interact with bromine, and the most cost-effective way to keep your hot tub water clean! So let’s keep going!

An oxidizer is a chemical that removes electrons from a particle when it hits one. Basically, the oxidizing agent breaks down organic matter. This ensures that your hot tub water is clean and safe.

Many people shock their hot tubs. They usually use bromine or chlorine. But you may be wondering all about bromine, chlorine and the difference between shock delivery and using sanitizer.

Read on to find out.

Are you ready to spend less time maintaining and more time enjoying your hot tub?

Let’s be honest. Balancing the water, cleaning out filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out what chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who’s coming to the end of a long hard day just want to relax!

This is exactly why the spa manual and video course are so valuable!

This is from Matt at Swim University and he designed it for people who want to save money, time and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you only buy what you need.

So if you are ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and want to spend more time in it, check out the hot tub manual and video course.

Just click this link to find out more on their website.

What is the difference between shock and disinfectant?

The biggest difference between spa shock and sanitizer is the strength of the chemicals. The shock has a much higher dose of chemicals and is used to reactivate the disinfectant. It is carried out weekly and not every few days.

A disinfectant, which is typically chlorine or bromine, is used to destroy disease-causing germs.

In comparison, a hot tub shock can be chlorine or non-chlorine. Sanitizing water means you are removing bacteria from your hot tub.

The most common hot tub sanitizers are chlorine or bromine.

Shock is different. Shocking uses a concentrated dose of chemicals to increase the available free chlorine or bromine in your spa.

This is used when your sanitizer is not working as well as it should. Shock is used when the sanitizer is overwhelmed after introducing a large amount of debris into the spa.

Basically, shock is only used to increase the effectiveness of your sanitizer when it’s not working as it should.

Products such as soap, detergent, makeup, cosmetics, deodorant, body lotion, body oils, shampoo and conditioner getting into the water can cause the sanitizer not to work.

Pool Owners: Do you still use Cal Hypo tablets to clean your #pool? There is a safer, more effective solution with fewer chemical by-products! #SaniClor #SodiumHypochlorite uses fewer chemicals and does not produce unwanted calcium deposits. https://t.co/aMYdi72FtJ #HASA pic.twitter.com/eQR7q1SzO1 – HASA Pool Inc. (@hasapoolinc) March 12, 2020

What is the difference between chlorine and non-chlorine shock?

Chlorine shock dissolves quickly and has a neutral pH. It is excellent for restoring chlorine or bromine sanitizer levels. The non-chlorine shock works the same way but is not effective in treating algae or bacteria. It can also lead to cloudier water.

Many people are unsure what to use to clean their hot tub – chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock. Granular Chlorine is cheaper per pound ($6.55 per pound) than Non-Chlorine Shock (MPS).

Chlorine shock disinfects and oxidizes organic contaminants and diseases. It also has a lower price point. However, there is a strong chemical odor when using chlorine.

MPS Shock has a low pH and also dissolves quickly.

It is an excellent oxidizer and a good disinfectant. Additionally, unlike chlorine shocks, you can use your hot tub almost immediately after shocking it with a non-chlorine shock.

You should wait at least twenty minutes before entering. It doesn’t smell, but is slightly more expensive than chlorine shock.

Shock can come in a variety of forms, including liquid and powder. Chlorine shock can be in granular form. Non-chlorine can be in salt form. And of course there is liquid chlorine.

You should shock your hot tub once a week. This will ensure bacteria are killed and your hot tub is sanitized. Shocking also removes organic compounds added to the water by anyone bathing in it.

Multiple bathers and heavy use can increase the number of organic compounds in your spa water.

However, sometimes we have to add more and more chlorine or bromine and yet the levels never quite reach what they should be.

If you are dealing with the disappearance of chlorine in your hot tub, read this recent article. I’ll go over both why this happens and the easy way to fix it.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

Need to shock a bromine bath?

Yes. A bromine bath still requires a weekly shock. Without a shock, the bromine will not activate and will turn into bromamines, which can cause false readings on test strips and lead to unsafe water conditions.

Sufficient bromides must be available for bromine to be effective.

Over time and every time you drain your spa or hot tub, your bromide count drops to zero. To rebuild the level, simply add granular (or liquid) sodium bromide.

Using Shock activates the bromide, or converts it to hypobromous acid (HObr).

Once that has attacked a contaminant in the water, such as sunscreen, hair paste, dirt, bacteria, detergent, etc., most are reduced back to a bromide ion.

Also, make sure you measure your shock dose carefully. If you even 1/2 ounce less, either under or over dosing, you may be under or over dosing your spa.

High levels of chlorine can degrade surfaces faster.

Water cushions, filters and other surfaces can be adversely affected by high levels of chlorine in the water. Hot tub equipment can be adversely affected by persistently high chlorine or bromine levels. Pipes, linings and other equipment can deteriorate when exposed to large amounts of chlorine or bromine over a long period of time.

In fact, too much chlorine or bromine can cause health problems like red and itchy skin. High chlorine and bromine levels are just as bad as an out of balance pH.

Still unsure about the difference between bromine and chlorine?

Luckily, I broke down all the pros and cons in a recent article. I cover cost differences, but also how they affect your skin and nose. But more importantly, which one will last longer in hot water and cost you less over time.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

#ProTip: Use non-chlorine shocks when shocking your hot tub so you can relax faster than before! https://t.co/J0q6p26uzP #YYJ pic.twitter.com/libEtwuFbp – Van Isle Water (@VanIsleWater) December 20, 2016

Is spa shock the same as chlorine?

All brands of spa shocks are chlorine based unless clearly labeled as non-chlorine shocks. However, there are a number of different chlorine shock products on the market with varying degrees of strength.

Shock is simply a high dose of chlorine used to remove unwanted bacteria, pathogens, and other contaminants.

Whirlpool shock is an oxidizer. Oxidizing agents break down organic matter and ensure clean water. You should shock your hot tub once a week. Shocking removes organic compounds added to the water by anyone bathing in it.

Sodium dichlor is the most common type of chlorine-based hot tub shock. It’s safe enough to add straight to the hot tub and doesn’t need to be diluted first.

Calcium hypochlorite (Cal Hypo) is another type of chlorine-based shock that is often seen. However, this is labeled for pools rather than hot tubs. Cal Hypo is much stronger than sodium dichlor. Because of this, it should be diluted in water before adding it to a pool or hot tub.

Diluting also helps prevent possible bleaching issues with your hot tub shell or pillows.

Cal Hypo is also very effective at eliminating algae. However, algae is usually a much bigger problem in pools than in hot tubs.

Still confused about oxidizer, shock and the differences?

Check out this recent article where I break it all down simply and easily. I even cover why you might want to use a non-chlorine shock to speed up how quickly you can soak after treating the water.

Just click this link to read it on my website.

While a hot tub should be hot.

I like to dial ours down to the lower 90’s for year-round enjoyment. Just finished his weekly cleaning/shock treatment. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/juqr1aJU2m – Silver Wolf (@Silvr_w0lf) August 21, 2020

Can Pool Shock be used in a spa?

Sodium dichlor can be used as a shock for hot tubs. Cal Hypo is not normally recommended and must be diluted before adding it to a hot tub. Technically, most pool shock absorbers are chlorine-based, as are most spa shock absorbers. The biggest difference is the strength of the chlorine.

So if you can only find a pool shock, this will work. Just start small, you can always add more as needed. And dilute when using Cal Hypo.

But ultimately, a hot tub requires similar but different products to clean it. This is due to differences in temperature and the amount of water in a hot tub versus a pool.

Typically, pool chemicals have different stabilizing ingredients.

For example, Cal Hypo added calcium. If you already have hard water, it can make a bad thing worse. Cal Hypo is also not good for saltwater systems.

These ingredients are not the best for balancing hot tub water. They are aimed at pools. In addition, these ingredients can alter your pH levels to the point of damaging your hot tub components.

While they might get the job done, it’s best to stick with products designed for hot tubs.

Final Thoughts

A disinfectant is used to destroy disease-causing germs. Sanitizing water means you are removing bacteria from your hot tub.

Shock is used when the sanitizer is overwhelmed after introducing a large amount of debris into the spa. This can happen after a party or a big storm.

Shocking a bromine hot tub helps activate the bromine and purify the water. In addition, there are differences in how chlorine and non-chlorine shock are considered.

Chlorine shock dissolves quickly and has a neutral pH. It disinfects and oxidizes organic impurities and diseases.

Shock without chlorine has a low pH. It also dissolves quickly. Additionally, you can use your hot tub almost immediately after shocking it with a non-chlorine shock.

How many times have you tested your spa water only to find your chlorine or bromine levels were too low or even 0 ppm? If you’re brand new to spas you may not have had this experience before, but if you’ve had your hot tub for a while you’ve probably seen this problem quite a bit.

The obvious reason for little to no disinfectant is that you simply forgot to replace it. You may find that your bromine float is empty, your chlorine cartridge needs replacing, you haven’t added granular bromine in a week, or your salt system is set too low. Depending on your disinfection method, there are all sorts of reasons for your low disinfectant levels. Of course, the solution is just as obvious.

But what do you do when fixing these issues doesn’t solve the problem? If you think you did everything right, why is your sanitizer level still low?

Using bromine is an effective alternative to chlorine when sanitizing your spa water. Like chlorine, bromine does two things. It disinfects the water and kills any bacteria that may be in the water and oxidizes any organic matter that may be in the water. At Arctic Pure we offer two types of bromine, bromine tablets and granular bromine Peak Boost.

The bromine tablets, like chlorine tablets, offer a slow release of bromine into the water. The tablets dissolve slowly, so it sometimes takes up to a week for them to dissolve. The tablets are placed in a floating dispenser like this or in the skimmer basket, or if the spa has a tablet feeder they can be placed in there. It is important to note that you do not want to mix chlorine and bromine tablets in the same feeder, basket or dispenser. I would recommend that if you switch from tablet to tablet you buy a new dispenser. It can be dangerous.

So, like chlorine, you want to maintain three to five parts per million bromine levels in the water. This will keep the water safe and clean. Bromine can be tested by a tester. You can test it at home with the testers. Try it. See where the level is and adjust your level accordingly.

The granules ensure an immediate bromine residue in the water. Peak Boost is fully soluble, dissolves quickly and is also pH neutral so it won’t affect your water balance. The pH stays the same and the alkalinity stays the same. So it’s a great product.

You can use these two products individually or together. And I would recommend that. I would recommend using the tablets for that slow release and constant residue in the water. And use the Peak Boost as a shock when you need it after heavy use as a bather, or when you test it and find the level is low, add Peak Boost to boost it instantly. The tablets, just like chlorine tablets, have a low pH, so over time they will lower the pH and alkalinity in the water. So it’s just something you have to see. It doesn’t happen immediately. Since these are slow to dissipate, this will happen slowly over time.

So bromine is a great alternative to chlorine for sanitizing your water. It keeps your water clean, clear and safe.

Think about it. Without sanitizer in your spa, you are essentially stewing in a tub of hot water filled with skin cells, soap scum, and bacteria. Graphic, yes, but we never shy away from illustrating the absolute need for sanitizer in your hot tub. The question is which one should you use?

Of course, chlorine immediately comes to mind. But have you heard of bromine? Even if so, you may still be unsure which sanitizer is right for you. And you will find that chlorine and bromine tablets and granules are available. So which delivery method is the best?

To make these decisions and keep your hot tub free of nasty hazards, all you need is a little knowledge of both sanitizers and how to add them to your spa.

Want to learn more about keeping your hot tub balanced and sanitized? Then check out the Hot Tub Manual and Video Course to save hundreds of chemicals and less time on hot tub maintenance all year round.

Tired of constantly keeping your hot tub clean and dealing with chemicals? Save $100 instantly with this easy-to-follow digital e-book and video course. This is the ultimate maintenance guide not provided to you by the hot tub manufacturer. Click here to learn more

Chlorine and bromine, tablets and granules, advantages and disadvantages

While chlorine is the most common pool sanitizer, bromine is more commonly used to sanitize hot tubs, and with good reason.

Before you can make an informed decision about which sanitizer to use in your hot tub, you need to learn about their properties, pros, and cons.

how they work

You know disinfectants kill bacteria and other nasty things. But how exactly do these two sanitizers do that?

Chlorine: It oxidizes pollutants, penetrates them and destroys them from within. As it works, the chlorine dissipates and turns into a waste product called chloramines. These residues are responsible for chlorine’s pungent, drying and fetid reputation and reduce the effectiveness of the sanitizer.

To keep chloramines in check, you need to add chlorine on a regular basis, usually at least once a week. However, if things get really bad and the chlorine won’t do the job on its own, you can shock your hot tub to get rid of chloramines. You’ll want to do this regularly anyway to keep your water clear and pristine.

Bromine: It ionizes pollutants and breaks their chemical bonds. A good amount of it remains active and functional even after combining with pollutants.

But bromine also creates a waste product called bromamines. While not as harmful as chloramines, they still reduce the effectiveness of the bromine in your hot tub. Shock is the answer here, too.

effectiveness

The measure of a disinfectant’s effectiveness is its reactivity rate. This refers to how quickly it destroys contaminants.

Chlorine: Kills contaminants faster than bromine.

Bromine: Is a very reactive element, although not as reactive as chlorine, so it kills slower than chlorine.

Bromine also has a lower pH than chlorine, so it can help keep your overall water chemistry more balanced, meaning fewer adjustments and fiddling on your part.

stability

While chlorine may act faster, bromine is more stable than chlorine, especially in warm water.

Chlorine: Volatilizes faster than bromine and therefore needs to be replaced more frequently.

Bromine: Kills bacteria in your spa longer than chlorine.

The exception to this rule is ultraviolet (UV) light, which destroys bromine faster than chlorine. This is a problem when you have an outdoor hot tub and makes using your hot tub cover all the more important.

Even worse than red eyes and brittle hair is the debilitating effect of chloramines on a sanitizer’s ability to fight pollutants. The more chloramines in your spa, the greater the likelihood of algae and bacterial growth.

dosage amounts

To get the most benefit from any sanitizer, you must use enough to work with your spa’s water volume, which correlates to the size of the tub.

The first thing to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, to know if you’ve used enough, you need to test the water to estimate the level.

Chlorine: The ideal level for chlorine is between 1ppm and 3ppm, with 3ppm being ideal.

Bromine: The ideal level for bromine is 3ppm to 5ppm with 5ppm being ideal.

If you end up with too much chlorine in your hot tub, there are a few things you can try to lower the level. You don’t have to start with fresh water entirely. The same applies to bromine.

Also note that you will likely need to use a larger dose of bromine than chlorine to get the same sanitizing results, and bromine costs more than chlorine. However, since you don’t need to use it that often, it’s possible that the cost will be the same. It also depends on the size of your hot tub and how well you keep the water clean and balanced.

You’ll need to weigh the benefits against the costs to determine if it’s worth the extra effort.

Your Health

The spa chemicals you use are all safe in the right amounts. But some people may react differently to it.

Chlorine: Can be aggressive to skin, hair and eyes, especially at high concentrations.

Also, when chloramines linger in the humid air around a spa, they can cause breathing difficulties and even trigger asthma attacks.

Bromine: Is gentler on your skin than chlorine, but can be a bit more difficult to wash off after long soaking.

If you or someone who regularly uses your hot tub has sensitive skin or upper respiratory problems, bromine is probably a better choice.

security

Regardless of whether you choose chlorine or bromine, DO NOT:

Mix them together in the water. This can also cause a dangerous chemical reaction. Moving from one to the other will require you to drain and clean your hot tub and perform a line flush.

Blend them together in their dry state, especially the granular forms. This can also cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

store next to each other. Even in their separate containers, this is dangerous as the vapors they give off can combine and become flammable.

Use the same feeder for both, whether using chlorine or bromine tablets or granules. Even if you think you’ve cleaned it well enough, some of the chemical residue can react with each other.

Use of chlorine and bromine granules

If you know how to use a measuring cup, you can add granular chlorine or granular bromine to your hot tub.

Determine the volume of your hot tub, or how much water it is holding. Turn on the spa if it is not already running. Read the instructions on the chlorine or bromine container carefully. Measure the manufacturer’s recommended amount of chlorine or bromine for the volume of your spa. Pour the granules slowly and directly into the spa. Allow the water to circulate for 20 minutes to allow the disinfectant to distribute. Test the water to ensure the correct sanitizer level is present. Make adjustments as needed.

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How to use chlorine and bromine tablets

You don’t have to add these as often as granules, but tablets are still not a complete set-it-and-forget-it method.

Read the directions on the packaging of the chlorine or bromine tablets carefully. Place the recommended number of tablets (usually 1 inch tablets) in a feeder (also called a floater, chlorine/bromine floater, chlorine/bromine dispenser, chlorinator or brominator). Adjust the flow (if adjustable) according to the manufacturer’s instructions to control the release of the disinfectant. Hold the feeder under the hot tub water for a few seconds to push the air out and keep it more stable while it floats. Test the water over the next few days to ensure sanitizer levels are appropriate. Make adjustments as needed.

keep it clean

Remember that no matter how good you are at keeping the sanitizer clean, you will need to drain and clean your hot tub from time to time, ideally quarterly.

Change your mind, change your sanitizer

Choosing between chlorine and bromine tablets and granules should now be a lot easier. And remember, every few months you will be changing your water and deep cleaning your hot tub. If you don’t like the sanitizer you’ve chosen, you can always switch when you change your water.

Whatever sanitizer you choose, remember to test it regularly to ensure levels remain where they need to be to keep your water clean and you and your hot tub guests healthy and happy.

Happy Soaking!

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since then, his mission has been to make pool and hot tub maintenance easy for everyone. And every year he helps more people with water chemistry, cleaning and troubleshooting.

The bromination granules work great but it took a full week to get my order. Other spa companies I have dealt with offer free shipping and their products arrive in a matter of days. This product took exactly a week and I paid $4.99 shipping and handling fees…