Hot Tub Bromine Pucks? The 165 New Answer

Using bromine offers 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.

Chlorine dissolves quickly and remembering to add it as often as needed can be a challenge. To make things easier, you may have asked if I should use a floating chlorine dispenser in my hot tub?

Here’s what I know about using one:

Floating chlorine dispensers should be used in hot tubs. They are convenient, inexpensive and low maintenance. In addition, the chlorine is evenly distributed throughout the week. The floaters also work just as well with bromine tablets.

In this article, we’ll look at how to use floating chlorine dispensers, the pros and cons, whether bromine is better, and how many tablets to use. And we will talk about the 1 major disadvantage.

Let us begin…

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.

Was it a chlorine dispenser? pic.twitter.com/fd3V84pOPS – Evan (@myrrhley) December 21, 2020

Can you put a chlorine swimmer in a hot tub?

You can put a chlorine swimmer in a hot tub. Chlorine tablets in the float gradually dissolve and last longer than the chlorine sold as granules. But it’s good to check the tub’s manual to make sure that this form of chlorine is okay for it. It could be too acidic for this, which can lead to discoloration and corrosion.

The float not only allows the chlorine to dissolve slowly, but also protects the tub surface from direct contact with the highly acidic chlorine tablets.

However, you must read the tub manual or confirm with the manufacturer that chlorine tablets can be used. If that’s not the case, you can also use bromine tablets in the floater.

The dispenser and tablets are a great addition that will help you with the maintenance of your hot tub. Which dispensers and tablets are of exceptional quality and which do I recommend?

CLICK HERE to view ATIE Floating Mini 1″ Chlorine/Bromine Tablet Dispenser on Amazon.

First of all, it is an Amazon’s Choice product. It is made of a UV resistant material that protects the chlorine from sunlight.

As you know, chlorine dissolves faster because of its heat. The screw cap can be easily removed. It has easily adjustable vents at the bottom for proper chemical dispensing.

Interestingly, despite all its great features, it is inexpensive. It has over 2,100 reviews on Amazon and almost all are 5-star.

Now let’s look at tablets…

CLICK HERE to view Clorox Pool&Spa Small Pool 1″ Chlorination Tablets

It keeps your water clean and is effective at killing bacteria and preventing algae.

And is made to withstand the harsh effects of sunlight. It can be used in both small and large spas.

It has over 4,400 reviews on Amazon and almost all of them are 5 stars.

PPE – if you have a hot tub, make sure you are not in it with the chlorine releasing pill dispenser. Had to call 911 for Evan for inhaling chlorine – thank goodness he’s much better now! pic.twitter.com/XShSVlpVzw – Jennifer Smythe (@jensmythe4) January 27, 2021

How do you use a floating chlorine dispenser in a hot tub?

Unlock the top of the floating dispenser by twisting it slightly and place the chlorine or bromine tablets on the base. Replace the lid and twist to close tightly. Then place the dispenser in the tub. As it floats around the tub, slow-dissolving chlorine tablets are gradually dissolved.

As you can see from what I shared above, it’s super easy to use. Nothing complicated here.

However, please check your manual or contact your hot tub manufacturer to confirm if you can use chlorine tablets with your hot tub.

One of the main benefits of using the dispenser is a more consistent chlorine dosing pattern as the dispenser floats innocently in the tub. In a sense, it’s a labor-saving device.

After all, you would have to manually apply chlorine granules every now and then.

Chlorine tablets are inexpensive and probably the cheapest way to get rid of bacteria.

The “set it and forget” nature of the method is also great. Over time you will have a reasonable measure of the number of chlorine tablets that would be enough for a given period of time.

If you would like more detailed information on whether you should be putting chlorine in your tub on a daily basis, read a recent article of mine. In it I showed that you shouldn’t use it every day, but…

Just click the link to read it on my website.

You know you’re a writer by heart when you name your chlorine donor Mr. Stewart, which we did. #amwriting #indieauthor pic.twitter.com/YSSwxJGqme – Alexander Frost #PSHome #PlaystationHome (@FrostedSapphire) May 31, 2018

Do you keep the chlorine swimmer in the hot tub all the time?

The chlorine float should be removed when the tub is in use. It’s not a good idea to let the chlorine release when there are bathers in the tub. Chlorine is converted into an acid that can be harmful in high concentrations.

In any case, the water should be tested before people soak in it.

Chlorine in high doses can change pH and alkalinity. Using a float does not eliminate the need to balance the water and perform the usual tests.

It is best to leave the float in the tub if you know it will not be used for a long time.

What are the effects of soaking in a tub with too much chlorine? is it ok

One should never bathe in a tub where the chlorine level is too high. Find out why in a recent article of mine in which I explained in detail…

Just click the link to read it on my website.

Argos, £60, no idea where the unicorn came from. The pool also comes with a filter pump, but it’s worth buying a floating chlorine dispenser to keep the water clean

How often should I add chlorine tablets to my hot tub float?

Add 3-5 tablets once a week. About 1-3 tablets for small tubs or 3-5 tablets for large tubs. But more may be required depending on how many people use it and how often it is used.

They will also test the chlorine level to know if it is necessary to add more tablets or more granules or to oxidize the water.

What is right for each tub owner would vary. Factors such as how often and how often the tub is used, the size of the tub, and the water flow come into play.

It is therefore necessary to check whether the chlorine level is OK, too low or too high. Appropriate adjustments should be made accordingly.

A few weeks after using the dispenser and tablets you will have a feel for how often to add the tablets.

Assuming you’ve been busy and couldn’t handle tub maintenance, what happens when your chlorine levels are too low?

I explored the subject in a recent article of mine. In it, I explained that too low a chlorine or bromine level can allow bacteria and other harmful contaminants to grow in the tub, making it unsafe for users.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

To all my @AdamSandler fans out there, my daughter chose this for the chlorine dispenser for our new pool and I’ve asked her what she’s looking at at least thirty times. #billymadison pic.twitter.com/PqCzpEImgK – Chris Arnold (@Chris_GoVols) June 1, 2020

How long does it take for chlorine tablets to dissolve?

As a general rule, 4 to 6 1 inch tablets of chlorine will dissolve slowly over a 5-7 day period on average.

It is important to note how long the first batch you applied took to serve as an estimate for future reference. The rate of dissolution is affected by several factors.

The water temperature, how often you use the tub, and the water flow all affect how long it takes for the chlorine tablets to dissolve.

Chlorine is heat sensitive, so the tablets will dissolve more quickly if the spa water is very hot. Whether the tub is in the shade or in the open also plays a role.

If the tub is used sparingly, it is understandable that the tablets would last longer than if used heavily. But compared to granulated chlorine, they dissolve slowly and might be a better option.

Every once in a while, even after you’ve serviced your tub, you still need to shock the water.

How often should you shock the water? In a recent article of mine I explained why and how often to shock the water. I also compared using chlorine versus non-chlorine shocks.

Just click the link to read it on my website.

Conclusion

We looked at floating chlorine dispensers. We checked if it’s ok to use them in a hot tub. Yes it is.

We looked at how to use them. It’s a simple process of adding the pills to the dispenser and floating the dispenser in the tub.

We have learned that the float should not be in the tub while in use.

We checked how often chlorine tablets should be added. Finally, we looked at how long it takes for the tablets to dissolve.

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.

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.

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 levels in your spa simply by being patient, diluting the water, or using a chemical neutralizer.

Because what goes up must come down again!

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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Oh no! I’m low on sanitizer in my hot tub! In spa water, it is very important to ensure you have an appropriate level of sanitizer. Sanitizer is a chemical that kills bacteria in spa water. Different types of disinfectants are chlorine and bromine. Low bromine/chlorine levels in a spa means the bromine/chlorine levels are not within the recommended range that effectively kills bacteria. Bromine/Chlorine is needed in hot tubs to ensure bacteria are kept at bay. Good bromine/chlorine also ensures that you can sit safely in the water.

What happens if I’m low on sanitizer in my spa?

If the bromine/chlorine level is too low, the spa water can be a dangerous place to sit. The bacteria levels in the hot tub water begin to rise, making it unsafe. Certain bacteria in spa water thrive on low sanitization and hot water. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas folliculitis are highly contagious bacteria that infect the skin of people with poorly sanitized hot tubs. Even with low bromine/chlorine levels, spa water can become cloudy. This gives the water an unpleasant appearance and can require some oxidizing treatments to get rid of it and cost you money that you would otherwise spend. Low bromine/chlorine levels can also create odors in spa water. This indicates that organic matter has accumulated in the water, making the water smell bad.

How to troubleshoot low chlorine or bromine levels in your hot tub.

The first step in troubleshooting low sanitizer levels is to determine if there is a problem CREATING a sanitizer level or maintaining the level. If the challenge is getting sanitizer levels to the ideal range, oxidize (shock) your spa with a SANITIZING shock (if you see the word “oxy” or “monopersulfate” on the label, it probably doesn’t work – check Check with your product supplier to ensure the product contains active chlorine or bromine) to ensure your bromine/chlorine is not being consumed by unwanted contaminants that may be floating around in the water. Alternatively, you can add a granular bromine/chlorine per the package directions to bring your sanitizer level up to the ideal 3-5ppm range.

If the problem is maintaining a bromine or chlorine level, make sure to use bromine/chlorine tablets to maintain sanitizer levels. These tablets dissolve more slowly and can help maintain a stable sanitizer level in hot tubs almost automatically. Use as many or as few tablets in a floating dispenser to maintain 3-5ppm of sanitizer as required for your spa usage and water temperature.

In short, to achieve low bromine/chlorine levels, your best bet is to add more sanitizer – just add it smartly – the right product at the right time.

Nothing beats a soak in a soothing spa when you need to relax or soothe sore muscles, but no one wants to step into a tub that hasn’t been properly sanitized. So the million dollar question is, “What hot tub chemicals should I use?”

Make sure you know all the facts about the hot tub chemicals you’re adding to your water before jumping in and have peace of mind knowing you and your hot tub are safe and clean. Below you will get more information about the best spa chemicals and find out which one is better.

What Hot Tub Chemicals Should I Use?

Bromine and chlorine are the most common options for treating hot tubs. In general, chlorine is most commonly used to sanitize swimming pools, while bromine is most commonly used in hot tubs.

However, that doesn’t mean you should only use bromine in a hot tub or avoid treating your hot tub with chlorine. Both have advantages and disadvantages as well as different distribution methods.

Is bromine safe in hot tubs?

Absolutely. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions for both the hot tub and the bromine, you can use bromine regularly to treat and sanitize your hot tub.

However, it may make sense to use bromine granules instead of bromine tablets. This reduces your direct interaction with the chemicals. When a tablet is used in a float, it remains in the water until all of the tablet has dissolved.

After killing bacteria and other contaminants, it will continue to disperse chemicals, and when the water is safe to attack it may find another target, like the tub shell or spa jets. Plus, every time you take a bath, you’re sitting right in chemicals.

Rather than using bromine tablets, the recommended method is to add bromine after each use of your hot tub.

Get out, add 1 teaspoon of granulated bromine and run the whirlpool jets for about 15 minutes. By then the water will be sanitized and the chemicals will have completely dissolved.

Is bromine better than chlorine in a hot tub?

Both bromine and chlorine are great options for treating and sanitizing hot tubs, and each has its own benefits.

bromine

Bromine works by ionizing impurities in spa water and breaking their chemical bonds. It produces a waste product called bromamines, which can reduce the effectiveness of the bromine in your hot tub, but regularly shocking your hot tub will remove it. Also, you should be shocking your tub anyway.

Bromine is very reactive but less reactive than chlorine. That means it kills contaminants more slowly, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. In fact, bromine fights bacteria longer than chlorine, so it doesn’t need to be replaced as often.

However, when the hot tub is outdoors, the UV light from sunlight can destroy bromine faster than chlorine. Therefore, be sure to use a hot tub cover.

The amount of bromine required will vary with the size of the spa, but you will most likely need to use more bromine than chlorine – unfortunately since bromine is also more expensive.

However, since bromine lasts longer than chlorine, it may still be the more cost-effective option.

Both bromine and chlorine are safe for your skin when used as directed, although some people can still have an adverse reaction to both.

Bromine tends to be gentler on your skin but takes longer to wash off. It’s also better for people with asthma or other breathing problems.

chlorine

Chlorine oxidizes contaminants in spa water, essentially destroying them from within. The waste products formed from chlorine are called chloramines.

Chloramines cause that chlorine smell as well as itching and dryness. They can also reduce the effectiveness of chlorine, which shocking your hot tub can fix.

Chlorine kills bacteria faster than bromine, but is less stable, so it needs to be replaced more often.

Chlorine can be harsh on eyes, skin, and hair. It can also make breathing problems worse as the chloramines tend to hang around in the humid air above the hot tub.

Chlorine and bromine are incompatible

Remember that using a mixture of bromine and chlorine is never a good idea. If you are currently using one and want to switch to the other, be sure to start with completely fresh water and a clean spa and perform a thorough line flush.

For your own safety, do not mix them with water or in dry form. Definitely do not store them side by side as the mixture of their vapors can be flammable.

Which Hot Tub Chemicals Are Best?

The best hot tub chemicals are those that effectively treat and sanitize your spa with no adverse effects. Both bromine and chlorine are great solutions. Choosing a favorite is often a personal preference, but those with asthma or sensitive skin are better off sticking with Bromine.

Hot Tub Chemicals at Paradise Valley Spas

We recommend trying our private label Hot Tub Things branded products. They have been scientifically designed to take better care of your hot tub, drawing on over 38 years of experience to develop the products.

Contact Paradise Valley Spas for more information on hot tub chemicals and their safe use.

Bromine: The OTHER hot tub sanitizer

This guide can answer the popular questions, “What is bromine?” and “What sanitizer should I use in my hot tub?” It’s a perfect resource for new spa owners who want to look at all the sanitizer options. It is also a guide for established hot tub users who want more information about bromine. I will detail what it is and why and how to use it.

What are disinfectants?

Sanitizers (aka sanitizers, detergents, chemicals, etc.) are spa cleaning systems used to rid your hot tub of dirty microorganisms. There are several choices of disinfectants. Properly maintained, sanitary spa water is free of infection-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and yeast. Learn more about disinfectants.

What is bromine?

Bromine is a sanitizer that cleans microbes from your hot tub or pool water. It is very effective in fighting and killing bacteria. When used with an oxidizer like Oxy-Spa, bromine can destroy contaminants that the filter can’t catch, like sweat, urine, sunscreen, dust, and pollen (roughly, I know, but urine and other dissolved solids will wash away from you body and into the spa water).

You want to oxidize or shock after each spa use to activate the bromide ion and turn it into the sanitizer. Shocking also allows your sanitizer to work at peak efficiency.

Keeping water healthy and sanitized is easy when a routine is established. Hot tubs that are used frequently can become unhealthy very quickly without proper inspection, maintenance, and appropriate use of sanitizer.

Why bromine?

Bromine is comparable to chlorine in the family of sanitizers for hot tubs and pools. Chlorine is commonly used in hot tubs but is more commonly found in pools. While chlorine can be used in hot tubs, it requires daily maintenance to balance and maintain.

Most spa owners find bromine easier to work with than chlorine because it is manufactured in tablet form. Bromine is also more effective than chlorine over a broader pH range. You simply add a few bromine tablets to a floating brominator to continuously sanitize the water.

Keeping the water balanced is an important part of being a spa owner. Several factors vary the required treatment of the added bromine, such as water temperature, bather loading and usage, exposure to windblown debris, and filter cycle length, to name a few.

bromine chemistry

Bromine is a member of the chemical family of halogens, including chlorine. When bromine is combined with water, it reacts to kill microorganisms, including infection-causing bacteria, by attacking their cell walls through oxidation, destroying the enzymes in those cells and rendering them harmless.

The chemical name is bromochloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin 98%. (We’ll leave it at bromine.)

QUICK FACT: The odor bromine gives off is strong but less overpowering than chlorine. In fact, the pungent odor of bromine was inspired by the Greek word bromos, meaning “stink.”

An effective bromine product should contain at least 96% active ingredient. Our bromine tablets have an active ingredient content of 98%.

Whether they realize it or not, hot tub owners are chemists! They must maintain a healthy spa by testing, monitoring, and adjusting the water to balance sanitizer and other chemicals.

Switching to or starting from bromine

We recommend flushing, draining, and refilling your hot tub when switching from and to a different sanitizer. This prevents possible chemical reactions that could falsify the test results and the effectiveness of the new disinfectant.

Switching to Bromine: If you are switching to bromine from a previous sanitizer, we recommend using a Spa System Flush product to clean the plumbing lines. You don’t want to damage your hot tub with the chemical reaction that residue from another sanitizer might cause. Even if you consistently drain and maintain your spa water, you’ll be amazed at how much dirt comes out of the hot tub’s plumbing!

Starting Bromine: When starting the bromine hot tub, you should build up a bromide reserve in the spa or hot tub water. Bromide Booster is not a pure disinfectant, it must be added before using bromination tablets for the first time. The bromide is converted to the bromine sanitizer upon addition of shock or oxidizer. Using a bromide booster product ensures that the sanitization of the spa or hot tub water is entirely bromine based and eliminates the harsh chlorine odors. The same treatment is required when draining and refilling the spa.

Bromine Quick Start Guide

1. Start with a clean pan and new or clean filter cartridges.

2. Fill the spa with fresh water and run the circulation pump.

3. Test water with bromine 4-in-1 test strips; adjust if necessary.

Total alkalinity is one of the most important adjustments in water chemistry. When testing, the Total Alkalinity (TA) should be balanced first (if necessary) as this will help keep the pH in line. When TA is low, the pH jumps, making it impossible to control. When TA is high, pH drifts up and is difficult to lower.

The amount of extra treatment your sanitizer will depend on your pH level. Adjust and maintain the pH between 7.2 and 7.6. Never drop below 7.0! A pH as low as 7.0 can cause many potential problems such as corrosion of equipment, metal stains and irritating to bathers’ skin and eyes.

Ideal areas:

– Water hardness: 150 – 300 ppm

– Bromine: 3.0 – 5.0 ppm

– Total Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm

– pH between 7.2 – 7.6

4. Add Chitosan Natural Clarifier in an amount of 1/2 oz. /500 gallons, weekly.

5. Add non-metallic stain/metal protectant according to label directions.

6. Shock the water weekly and after each use with Oxy-Spa non-chlorine MPS shock at a rate of 1½ – 2 oz. per 500 gallons. (1 ½ tablespoons = about 2 ounces)

7. Add Granular Bromide Booster to build an instant bromide reserve or bank.

8. Add 3-4 bromine tablets to the float (bromator) and adjust the release orifice more or less as experience dictates over time. Submerge the float in the spa to release air bubbles, then float to the surface. Maintain bromine at 3-5ppm. Add pills when finished. (Or you can use the Spa Frog Floating System with a mineral and bromine cartridge to maintain a lower bromine level.)

9. Circulate water to balance spa chemicals for an hour or two (or overnight), then retest with test strips; readjust the water balance if necessary.

10. Place and hold ZorbO in spa to absorb oil foam, replace every 3-6 months.

WAIT 5-10 MINUTES IF ADDING DIFFERENT CHEMICALS! Adding too many chemicals at once can result in cloudy water.

watering plants

You can water plants with used spa water that contains bromine. To be on the safe side, you should test the spa water and ensure that the bromine level is below 3.0 ppm. Read more about watering plants with used spa water.

Turbidity of the spa water

Spa water is prone to foaming and cloudiness; this is directly proportional to the amount of spa use. Turbidity is due to the accumulation of body fats, oil and contaminants too small to be removed by filtration equipment and is associated with a rapid escalation of total dissolved solids (TDS) in water. To clarify the water, defoamers, clarifiers, but also shock treatments, demineralizers or sequestering agents can be used on a large scale. Read more about cloudy water.

Spa & Hot Tub Gallon Calculator

Square or rectangular: length x width x average depth x 7.5 = gallons of water

Round or Oval: length x width x average depth x 5.9 = gallons of water

Handling Instructions

Bromine is caustic and a strong oxidizer and like all other spa chemicals it must be handled with care. These chemicals can burn exposed flesh. Wear chemical resistant gloves when transferring tablets into the float/brominator.

Contact of bromine tablets and/or undissolved dust in container with vinyl, painted surfaces or other objects will cause permanent color fading.

Reasons NOT to use bromine

There are several concerns that can arise with bromine that may be the reason why some spa manufacturers do not recommend the use of bromine.

If levels are too low, the risk of transmission of infection and disease or algae growth can become a concern. If the bromine content is too high, the use of the disinfectant is uneconomical. Bromine has no protection from UV degradation, which is why a spa cover is required when using this sanitizer. Some found the chemical smell overwhelming compared to chlorine.

With excessive use, chlorine or bromine can bleach the underside of the spa cover, fade bathing suits and even damage the spa shell.

Faded cover undersides are an indication of improper chemical use and should be replaced before damage spreads to create an ineffective, water saturated cover.

In memory of…

Bromine is used in hot tubs and spas as a disinfectant to clean and disinfect water from bacteria.

Properly maintained, sanitary spa water is free of infection-causing microbes such as bacteria, viruses, and yeast.

Bromine is added to an adjustable floating dispenser that can be opened more or less to maintain the correct bromine level of 3-5ppm.

Water maintenance is easy once a routine is established.

Spas should be drained and systems flushed every 3-4 months depending on usage and visitor numbers.

Responsibility is often a source of joy. Caring for your family and home on a daily basis gives your life structure, joy and well-being. The same feelings can even come from caring for items that add value to your life. Think cellists tending their instruments, or author Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. One of the many benefits of owning a hot tub is the ability to take care of it yourself in simple ways such as: B. Maintaining the purity of your spa water on a regular basis.

Spa water can be purified with a chlorine, bromine, salt water, or ozone system, each with unique properties. While chlorine is effective and inexpensive, it can be harsh on the skin and sensitive areas of the body including the eyes, nose and throat if you don’t balance your water properly. The @ease® in-line system with SmartChlor® technology, which is chlorine based, uses up to 75% less chlorine*, significantly reduces spa water maintenance and is standard on all Caldera® spas. The SPA FROG® in-line bromine system is a great alternative to chlorine for those with sensitivity issues.

A saltwater system costs more upfront but requires less time for spa owner maintenance. Finally, an ozone purification system injects millions of ozone-saturated bubbles into the spa water to eliminate contaminants and requires less maintenance than a chlorine or bromine system. This type of system is usually a standard feature of luxury spas and even many premium level spas.

Whether you already own or are planning to buy a bromine system spa, we’ve put together everything you need to know to make caring for your spa water easier.

*Compared to the ANSI recommended minimum chlorine or bromine level of 2.0 ppm for a hot tub.

What is bromine and how is it delivered to spa water?

Bromine is just as effective as chlorine at eliminating harmful, disease-causing germs in spa water when used in the right amounts. However, it may be less irritating to the body than chlorine. Bromine also has the added benefit of increased stability at higher temperatures and wider pH ranges than chlorine. As a result, bromine will last longer as an effective sanitizer during fluctuating conditions in your hot tub.

Many spas, including Caldera spas with the FROG bromine and mineral-based in-line water system, continuously condition water by dispensing measured amounts of bromine from a replaceable cartridge. These spas allow you to adjust the bromine flow by simply turning a dial.

Without an integrated bromine delivery system, you’ll have to rely on a more old-fashioned — but no less effective — method of adjusting your water’s bromine levels: manual dispensing.

Bromine is available from your local spa retailer or online and can be added to your water via the convenient FROG cartridge-based delivery system or a floating feeder. Follow the bromine packaging instructions, which should list the concentration of bromine and include a table showing how much to add to achieve the desired effect in different concentrations of water. If you have any concerns, ask your dealer to help you determine the correct amount of bromine for your particular spa.

Testing the bromine level

The bromine level in your spa water depends on how often you use your spa and how long it is left uncovered, exposed to sunlight and dew. The recommended level of bromine for use in spa water is 1 to 3 parts per million (ppm).

To determine the current bromine level in your spa water, use a bromine test kit available from your local spa dealer. Follow the directions on the packaging and ask your dealer any questions you have about the water purification process. Once you know how much bromine is currently in your spa water, you’ll know exactly how much to add or to what extent you may need to dilute it. By testing your water once a week, you can adjust it properly to maintain purity.

Adjusting the bromine level in your spa

The best way to adjust your hot tub’s bromine level is gradually: if it’s low, increase the flow a little; If it’s high, wait longer than usual before adding more bromine. If an accidental spill occurs while administering bromine, or if you miss a week of testing, you may need to make a major adjustment.

Raising bromine levels from a low point is easy – just add the appropriate amount. However, reducing the level is a bit more difficult. The best way to reduce bromine levels is to allow the bromine to naturally outgas or vaporize over time. However, if you want to lower the level more quickly, you can dilute it by draining some water from the spa or removing a few gallons with a bucket and then replacing it with fresh water. Run the spa and wait a while for your water to mix and settle (exact wait time depends on the amount of water, the amount of bromine in the spa, and the power/capacity of your pump). Then test the water again. If the test shows that the bromine level is still too high, repeat the process.

You can also lower bromine levels by adding a neutralizing chemical like sodium thiosulfate to the water. Neutralizers are available online, but it’s best to purchase them from a local supplier who you can consult before adding any additional chemicals to your spa. It is preferable to avoid adding neutralizers as additional chemicals can complicate the balancing process and alter other properties of your spa water such as: B. pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Very little maintenance is required to keep your bromine spa water clear and clean. Make it a part of your weekly ritual, like watering the garden or filling the bird feeder, and your work will reward you each day with a warm, relaxing soak in your very own home spa.

At Caldera Spas, we love to help you enjoy blissful spa experiences. To learn more about our spas and water care products, download our brochure. To see our spas in person or to learn more about your spa, visit your local dealer. If you are interested in bringing your own hot tub home, request a quote.

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Welcome back spa and hot tub enthusiasts! We have a shocking topic for discussion today, how to shock a spa or hot tub.

The term “shock” is somewhat misleading, although you might think of the oxidation process as lightning bolting through the water.

Effectively shocking your spa for the right reasons and without adverse side effects is the goal of today’s talk.

Put on your lab coat and safety goggles as we begin today’s lab session to better understand hot tub contaminant oxidation.

What Really Happens When You Shock a Spa? Oxidation is the process by which a particle loses electrons when it encounters a disinfectant.

In the case of granular chlorine or non-chlorine oxidizer – spa shocks, the oxidizer quickly steals the outer electrons from contaminants it comes into contact with. The loss of these electrons leaves a contaminant vulnerable to attack at the cellular level, which quickly destroys the molecule.

Reasons for shocking a spa or hot tub

There are only four valid reasons to shock your spa or hot tub. There is no need to shock the spa every time you use it and maybe not once a week. Shock your spa for these four reasons:

For removing bromamines or chloramines in the spa. With a DPD test kit you can test the level of combined chlorine or bromine. The addition of an oxidizing agent in 10 times the amount of the combined disinfectant breaks these bonds and makes hygiene more efficient. To remove organic contaminants in the spa. When 3 or 4 users jump into a hot spa, the contaminant levels rise to levels that your sanitizer can handle. Add an oxidizing agent after spa use to restore sanitized spa water by breaking down bathers’ waste. To reactivate bromides in your spa water. For a bromine spa, weekly use of an oxidizer will help maintain bromine levels in your spa water. Activating Bromide Ions with Spa Shock converts them into Hypobromous Acid, the deadly form of Bromine. More on setting up a bromine bank here. kill bacteria. Keep in mind that non-chlorine shock is not classified as a disinfectant like chlorine or bromine, it is only useful as an oxidizer. Use a chlorine spa shock to kill bacteria or algae. You can see it, or just suspect it, or you may find that the chlorine or bromine levels have dropped to zero; Shock to increase the level quickly.

Prepare to shock a spa or hot tub

The most important thing to do in preparation for shocking the spa water is to first test the pH and adjust it to the range of 7.2-7.6. Oxidizers work best in a low pH environment and the effectiveness of your spa shock will be twice as great at pH 7.5 compared to pH 8.0. Make sure your pH isn’t too high before shocking.

The second most important thing is to remove your spa cover, spa blanket, and spa user before shocking the hot tub. Especially during the first 20 minutes, your spa surface needs to be aerated to facilitate the exchange of electrons and the outgassing of by-products formed during oxidation. The materials and components of the spa cover can be damaged by the outgassing chemicals.

The third most important thing is calm water – don’t turn on the blower, keep the circulation pump running when shocking the spa. Too much agitation can prematurely outgas strong oxidizers. However, if you notice any undissolved granules on the bottom, you can stir them with a brush or net, but do not vacuum them up.

In summary, how to prepare to shock a hot tub:

Lower the pH to between 7.2 and 7.6 before shocking. Remove the spa cover, spa blanket and spa users. Calm the water, keep the jets low and the blowers off

Shocking a spa or hot tub

When shocking your hot tub, be aware of a few things. Take extra care when using spa shocks, as oxidizers can be dangerous if misused or mishandled.

Read the label – different oxidizers have different strengths. Be careful not to over or under dose your spa shock treatment. Measure your spa shock – dosage is so important. If you are short of 1/2 ounce you may be under or over dosing your spa. Add with caution — strong winds can send spa shock right in your face. Pour it gently over the surface and wash away any spills immediately. Keep away from children.

Shock before or after spa use?

I know people who do it before or after using the spa and some who shock both before and after using the spa. If you are certain of the water balance and condition prior to use, there may be no need to shock before using the spa. I almost always shock my tub after a session.

On the other hand, if your spa water becomes dull and cloudy after use, or your post-use sanitizer level is zero and the pH is high, you may want to preemptively shock to raise the levels. This is helpful for small spa filters that are overwhelmed with multiple spa users.

How long do you have to wait after shocking a spa before getting inside? I knew this question was coming! Consult your label, but most spa oxidizers only take 5 minutes to fully dissolve, disperse and complete oxidation.

Which spa shock is the best?

We have a wide range of spa shocks that can be used for oxidation. Pick one you like and go ahead!

You can use chlorinated spa shocks like Spa 56 – very popular, or you can use non-chlorine shocks like SeaKlear Spa Pods or Leisure Time Renew, tabs or granules.

Use an oxidizer specifically labeled for spas and hot tubs. Do not use pool shock in your spa. It is easy to overdose and may contain other chemicals not needed in a spa or hot tub. The 1 pound bags are a safety hazard if not used at once and will react with moisture, insects or dirt. They also spill easily if not carefully resealed.

The most economical damper? Our own Spa Care Spa Shock. Highest value, pound per pound, and just as strong. And you can use the spa almost immediately.

Remember my precautions above when using spa shocks because – oxidants happen!

Sorry, couldn’t resist…

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You can use chlorine for spa hygiene, but why? Bromine is superior in most spa and hot tub applications, and for many reasons. Bromine has several benefits in a hot tub:

Bromine is much more stable than chlorine at high temperatures.

It is more stable than chlorine over a wider pH range.

Bromine has much less odor than chlorine.

Unlike combined chlorine (chloramines), combined bromine is still effective for disinfecting water.

There is a small but important and often misunderstood difference in the use of bromine compared to chlorine. Read on to learn more about using bromine sanitizers in your spa or hot tub.

Setting up a bromide bank

To be effective, a residual bromide must be present in the spa water. This residue is also known as the bromide bank or reserve. Note that the word here is bromide, not bromine. Bromides convert in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as B. non-chlorine spa shock, liquid chlorine or ozone to bromine.

Bromine tablets for hot tubs are actually a mixture of chlorine and bromides. It can take several weeks for enough bromine tablets to dissolve and build up to an effective level of bromides – your spa’s bromide bank – so that bromine can be generated. Every time you drain the spa, the bromide level drops back down to zero and has to build up again.

The best way to build a bromide bank is to add sodium bromide every time you drain and refill your spa or hot tub. After building your bromide bank, shock the water with your preferred oxidizer to activate the bromide ions. This converts them into hypobromous acid, the disinfecting form of bromine.

2-component and 3-component bromine systems

A 2-part bromine system essentially adds sodium bromide (step 1) and periodically shocks the spa (step 2) to reactivate the bromide ions into bromine. A 3-part system also includes the addition of bromine tablets (step 3) to avoid gaps in disinfection.

If you just add bromine tablets without first adding sodium bromide, you will have trouble getting a good reading of bromine levels in the spa. Not only that, the water could also be unhealthy. First build a bromide bank with 10-15ppm sodium bromide, then shock the water and finish by adding a few tablets to a bromine float to maintain a 3-5ppm residual bromine (or 1-3ppm for spas) mineral cleaners or ozone generators ).

Use of bromine in hot tubs

In summary, using bromine in your spa or hot tub is often better than chlorine. But for it to be effective there must be good levels of bromide ions in the water, also known as the bromide bank. Regular oxidation by shock treatments is essential to convert the bromide to bromine. Use bromine tablets to make it easier to maintain a constant level of bromine in your spa or hot tub water. As discussed in the previous section, a successful bromine sanitation system consists of three parts:

Add sodium bromide to your spa every time you drain and refill your spa or hot tub. Always follow the dosage instructions on the product label. Use Spa Shock after building your bromide bank. Thereafter, shock the water weekly to activate the bromine. Use bromine tablets in a small floater to maintain bromide and bromine levels.

If you have questions about using bromine sanitizers in your spa or hot tub, you can count on Leslie’s experts to help. Call or stop by your local Leslie’s for advice on water care and maintenance and to pick up all spa essentials.

bromine

When bromine is added to a hot tub or spa, it is in the form of bromide ions. It is then activated with an oxidizing agent to form hypobromous acid. Hypobromous acid is the deadly form of bromine.

When hypobromous acid reacts with an organic contaminant, it is reduced back to bromide ions. The bromide ions can then be reactivated back to hypobromous acid by the addition of an oxidizing agent.

This is something of a continuous cycle with bromine sanitized spas. If 100 percent of the bromide ion becomes underbromous acid and 100 percent of the underbromous acid becomes bromide ion, you would never need to add more bromide salt again.

But hypobromous acid can react with certain chemicals in the water that bind the bromide ions and prevent them from becoming free bromide ions in the water.

This happens, for example, when hypobromous acid produces bromate or bromoform.

There are many other combinations that bind the bromine so it cannot become free bromide ions. For this reason, more bromine salt or bromide ions must be added periodically. The content of bromide ions should not fall below 15 ppm.

The basis behind two-part liquid bromine disinfection systems is to add a bromine salt (sodium bromide) to the water to obtain bromide ions, and then to oxidize the bromide ions with an oxidizer.

Common oxidizing agents include monopersulfate (MPS), hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate, ozone, or any chlorine compound used to produce hypobromous acid.

You need at least 15ppm of bromide ion for an oxidizer to function and provide a “bank” of bromide ions for an oxidizer to react with. Bromine tablets are typically 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin.

When added to water, they hydrolyze to hypobromous acid. With bromine tablets, a separate oxidizer to produce hypobromous acid is not required, it is already part of the tablets.

When the hypobromous acid reacts with an impurity and is reduced, it becomes a bromide ion. You then get a buildup of bromide ions in the water. After a while you could just start adding an oxidizer to reactivate the bromide ions to hypobromous acid, but most people don’t do this, they just add more bromine tabs.

There is currently no way to test water to find out how much bromide ion it contains. This is because the same test that measures bromide ions also measures chloride ions and all water contains chloride ions. Beyond an educated guess, there is no way to tell when bromide ion levels are too low.

Two-component bromine manufacturers know this and recommend adding some bromide ions or liquid bromide salts every few weeks or so. Realistically, a bromine sanitized spa cannot be switched to chlorine if bromine is still present in the water. All chlorine added to the water will convert bromide ion to hypobromous acid.

As long as there is 15ppm or more bromide ion in the water, all added chlorine will serve to convert bromide ion to hypobromous acid, none of which will provide residual chlorine.

The spa will continue to be disinfected with bromine until the bromide level drops below 15ppm. However, there is no test kit to measure only bromide ions in water and therefore no way to tell when bromide levels are below 15ppm. It could take a week. It could take 2 months.

Maintaining a bromine sanitized spa

There are typically two types of bromine systems, a 2-stage system and a 3-stage system. In a 2-stage system, sodium bromide, either granulated or liquid, is added to the water. An oxidizing agent such as chlorine or non-chlorine shock (MPS) is then periodically added to oxidize the bromide to bromine.

One of the most popular 2-stage bromine systems is the Enhance/Activate Sanitizing System. It’s chlorine-free and easy to use, but requires daily attention to maintain proper bromine levels in the water.

A 3-tier system is similar to the 2-tier system but also uses bromine tablets in a floating feeder. Bromine tables consist of a combination of sodium bromide and an oxidizing agent, typically chlorine. The 3-stage system requires less attention and keeps the bromine level in the water more constant, but costs more than the 2-stage system.

A 2-stage system with an efficient ozonator may be able to achieve constant bromine levels with no or less oxidizer (MPS or chlorine) since the ozone is continually oxidizing the sodium bromide while it is on.

However, the ozone can also deplete the bromide reserve faster, resulting in the use of more sodium bromide or a shorter time between the required bleed and refill. Also, ozone can cause bromates to form in your water. Bromates are suspected of being carcinogenic in drinking water.

To begin a bromine sanitizing system in a freshly filled spa, the first step is to establish a 30 ppm bromide ion reserve. This can be achieved in a number of ways.

Allowing bromine tablets to naturally dissolve in a floating feeder until there are enough bromide ions in the water (it can take weeks to reach the correct bromide level and by that time the spa is actually running on the chlorine contained in the tablets disinfected ).

Crush up 5 or 6 bromine tablets and add the “crushes” to the water (this can be a bit pricey and also adds a large amount of other chemicals found in the bromine tablets to the water).

Add 99% granular sodium bromide in the amount of 1/2 oz. per 100 gallons of water.

Add 32% liquid sodium bromide in an amount of 4 oz. per 250 gallons of water. With both systems, the water must be shocked weekly. Shocking is performed to completely destroy all organic matter in the water and is achieved by adding sufficient chlorine or non-chlorine shock (MPS) to increase bromine levels to over 10ppm.

Just step by step

You can use chlorine for spa hygiene, but why? Bromine is superior in most spa and hot tub applications, and for many reasons. Bromine has several benefits in a hot tub:

Bromine is much more stable than chlorine at high temperatures.

It is more stable than chlorine over a wider pH range.

Bromine has much less odor than chlorine.

Unlike combined chlorine (chloramines), combined bromine is still effective for disinfecting water.

There is a small but important and often misunderstood difference in the use of bromine compared to chlorine. Read on to learn more about using bromine sanitizers in your spa or hot tub.

Setting up a bromide bank

To be effective, a residual bromide must be present in the spa water. This residue is also known as the bromide bank or reserve. Note that the word here is bromide, not bromine. Bromides convert in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as B. non-chlorine spa shock, liquid chlorine or ozone to bromine.

Bromine tablets for hot tubs are actually a mixture of chlorine and bromides. It can take several weeks for enough bromine tablets to dissolve and build up to an effective level of bromides – your spa’s bromide bank – so that bromine can be generated. Every time you drain the spa, the bromide level drops back down to zero and has to build up again.

The best way to build a bromide bank is to add sodium bromide every time you drain and refill your spa or hot tub. After building your bromide bank, shock the water with your preferred oxidizer to activate the bromide ions. This converts them into hypobromous acid, the disinfecting form of bromine.

2-component and 3-component bromine systems

A 2-part bromine system essentially adds sodium bromide (step 1) and periodically shocks the spa (step 2) to reactivate the bromide ions into bromine. A 3-part system also includes the addition of bromine tablets (step 3) to avoid gaps in disinfection.

If you just add bromine tablets without first adding sodium bromide, you will have trouble getting a good reading of bromine levels in the spa. Not only that, the water could also be unhealthy. First build a bromide bank with 10-15ppm sodium bromide, then shock the water and finish by adding a few tablets to a bromine float to maintain a 3-5ppm residual bromine (or 1-3ppm for spas) mineral cleaners or ozone generators ).

Use of bromine in hot tubs

In summary, using bromine in your spa or hot tub is often better than chlorine. But for it to be effective there must be good levels of bromide ions in the water, also known as the bromide bank. Regular oxidation by shock treatments is essential to convert the bromide to bromine. Use bromine tablets to make it easier to maintain a constant level of bromine in your spa or hot tub water. As discussed in the previous section, a successful bromine sanitation system consists of three parts:

Add sodium bromide to your spa every time you drain and refill your spa or hot tub. Always follow the dosage instructions on the product label. Use Spa Shock after building your bromide bank. Thereafter, shock the water weekly to activate the bromine. Use bromine tablets in a small floater to maintain bromide and bromine levels.

If you have questions about using bromine sanitizers in your spa or hot tub, you can count on Leslie’s experts to help. Call or stop by your local Leslie’s for advice on water care and maintenance and to pick up all spa essentials.

Responsibility is often a source of joy. Caring for your family and home on a daily basis gives your life structure, joy and well-being. The same feelings can even come from caring for items that add value to your life. Think cellists tending their instruments, or author Robert M. Pirsig’s Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. One of the many benefits of owning a hot tub is the ability to take care of it yourself in simple ways such as: B. Maintaining the purity of your spa water on a regular basis.

Spa water can be purified with a chlorine, bromine, salt water, or ozone system, each with unique properties. While chlorine is effective and inexpensive, it can be harsh on the skin and sensitive areas of the body including the eyes, nose and throat if you don’t balance your water properly. The @ease® in-line system with SmartChlor® technology, which is chlorine based, uses up to 75% less chlorine*, significantly reduces spa water maintenance and is standard on all Caldera® spas. The SPA FROG® in-line bromine system is a great alternative to chlorine for those with sensitivity issues.

A saltwater system costs more upfront but requires less time for spa owner maintenance. Finally, an ozone purification system injects millions of ozone-saturated bubbles into the spa water to eliminate contaminants and requires less maintenance than a chlorine or bromine system. This type of system is usually a standard feature of luxury spas and even many premium level spas.

Whether you already own or are planning to buy a bromine system spa, we’ve put together everything you need to know to make caring for your spa water easier.

*Compared to the ANSI recommended minimum chlorine or bromine level of 2.0 ppm for a hot tub.

What is bromine and how is it delivered to spa water?

Bromine is just as effective as chlorine at eliminating harmful, disease-causing germs in spa water when used in the right amounts. However, it may be less irritating to the body than chlorine. Bromine also has the added benefit of increased stability at higher temperatures and wider pH ranges than chlorine. As a result, bromine will last longer as an effective sanitizer during fluctuating conditions in your hot tub.

Many spas, including Caldera spas with the FROG bromine and mineral-based in-line water system, continuously condition water by dispensing measured amounts of bromine from a replaceable cartridge. These spas allow you to adjust the bromine flow by simply turning a dial.

Without an integrated bromine delivery system, you’ll have to rely on a more old-fashioned — but no less effective — method of adjusting your water’s bromine levels: manual dispensing.

Bromine is available from your local spa retailer or online and can be added to your water via the convenient FROG cartridge-based delivery system or a floating feeder. Follow the bromine packaging instructions, which should list the concentration of bromine and include a table showing how much to add to achieve the desired effect in different concentrations of water. If you have any concerns, ask your dealer to help you determine the correct amount of bromine for your particular spa.

Testing the bromine level

The bromine level in your spa water depends on how often you use your spa and how long it is left uncovered, exposed to sunlight and dew. The recommended level of bromine for use in spa water is 1 to 3 parts per million (ppm).

To determine the current bromine level in your spa water, use a bromine test kit available from your local spa dealer. Follow the directions on the packaging and ask your dealer any questions you have about the water purification process. Once you know how much bromine is currently in your spa water, you’ll know exactly how much to add or to what extent you may need to dilute it. By testing your water once a week, you can adjust it properly to maintain purity.

Adjusting the bromine level in your spa

The best way to adjust your hot tub’s bromine level is gradually: if it’s low, increase the flow a little; If it’s high, wait longer than usual before adding more bromine. If an accidental spill occurs while administering bromine, or if you miss a week of testing, you may need to make a major adjustment.

Raising bromine levels from a low point is easy – just add the appropriate amount. However, reducing the level is a bit more difficult. The best way to reduce bromine levels is to allow the bromine to naturally outgas or vaporize over time. However, if you want to lower the level more quickly, you can dilute it by draining some water from the spa or removing a few gallons with a bucket and then replacing it with fresh water. Run the spa and wait a while for your water to mix and settle (exact wait time depends on the amount of water, the amount of bromine in the spa, and the power/capacity of your pump). Then test the water again. If the test shows that the bromine level is still too high, repeat the process.

You can also lower bromine levels by adding a neutralizing chemical like sodium thiosulfate to the water. Neutralizers are available online, but it’s best to purchase them from a local supplier who you can consult before adding any additional chemicals to your spa. It is preferable to avoid adding neutralizers as additional chemicals can complicate the balancing process and alter other properties of your spa water such as: B. pH, alkalinity and calcium hardness.

Very little maintenance is required to keep your bromine spa water clear and clean. Make it a part of your weekly ritual, like watering the garden or filling the bird feeder, and your work will reward you each day with a warm, relaxing soak in your very own home spa.

At Caldera Spas, we love to help you enjoy blissful spa experiences. To learn more about our spas and water care products, download our brochure. To see our spas in person or to learn more about your spa, visit your local dealer. If you are interested in bringing your own hot tub home, request a quote.

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Nothing beats a soak in a soothing spa when you need to relax or soothe sore muscles, but no one wants to step into a tub that hasn’t been properly sanitized. So the million dollar question is, “What hot tub chemicals should I use?”

Make sure you know all the facts about the hot tub chemicals you’re adding to your water before jumping in and have peace of mind knowing you and your hot tub are safe and clean. Below you will get more information about the best spa chemicals and find out which one is better.

What Hot Tub Chemicals Should I Use?

Bromine and chlorine are the most common options for treating hot tubs. In general, chlorine is most commonly used to sanitize swimming pools, while bromine is most commonly used in hot tubs.

However, that doesn’t mean you should only use bromine in a hot tub or avoid treating your hot tub with chlorine. Both have advantages and disadvantages as well as different distribution methods.

Is bromine safe in hot tubs?

Absolutely. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s directions for both the hot tub and the bromine, you can use bromine regularly to treat and sanitize your hot tub.

However, it may make sense to use bromine granules instead of bromine tablets. This reduces your direct interaction with the chemicals. When a tablet is used in a float, it remains in the water until all of the tablet has dissolved.

After killing bacteria and other contaminants, it will continue to disperse chemicals, and when the water is safe to attack it may find another target, like the tub shell or spa jets. Plus, every time you take a bath, you’re sitting right in chemicals.

Rather than using bromine tablets, the recommended method is to add bromine after each use of your hot tub.

Get out, add 1 teaspoon of granulated bromine and run the whirlpool jets for about 15 minutes. By then the water will be sanitized and the chemicals will have completely dissolved.

Is bromine better than chlorine in a hot tub?

Both bromine and chlorine are great options for treating and sanitizing hot tubs, and each has its own benefits.

bromine

Bromine works by ionizing impurities in spa water and breaking their chemical bonds. It produces a waste product called bromamines, which can reduce the effectiveness of the bromine in your hot tub, but regularly shocking your hot tub will remove it. Also, you should be shocking your tub anyway.

Bromine is very reactive but less reactive than chlorine. That means it kills contaminants more slowly, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. In fact, bromine fights bacteria longer than chlorine, so it doesn’t need to be replaced as often.

However, when the hot tub is outdoors, the UV light from sunlight can destroy bromine faster than chlorine. Therefore, be sure to use a hot tub cover.

The amount of bromine required will vary with the size of the spa, but you will most likely need to use more bromine than chlorine – unfortunately since bromine is also more expensive.

However, since bromine lasts longer than chlorine, it may still be the more cost-effective option.

Both bromine and chlorine are safe for your skin when used as directed, although some people can still have an adverse reaction to both.

Bromine tends to be gentler on your skin but takes longer to wash off. It’s also better for people with asthma or other breathing problems.

chlorine

Chlorine oxidizes contaminants in spa water, essentially destroying them from within. The waste products formed from chlorine are called chloramines.

Chloramines cause that chlorine smell as well as itching and dryness. They can also reduce the effectiveness of chlorine, which shocking your hot tub can fix.

Chlorine kills bacteria faster than bromine, but is less stable, so it needs to be replaced more often.

Chlorine can be harsh on eyes, skin, and hair. It can also make breathing problems worse as the chloramines tend to hang around in the humid air above the hot tub.

Chlorine and bromine are incompatible

Remember that using a mixture of bromine and chlorine is never a good idea. If you are currently using one and want to switch to the other, be sure to start with completely fresh water and a clean spa and perform a thorough line flush.

For your own safety, do not mix them with water or in dry form. Definitely do not store them side by side as the mixture of their vapors can be flammable.

Which Hot Tub Chemicals Are Best?

The best hot tub chemicals are those that effectively treat and sanitize your spa with no adverse effects. Both bromine and chlorine are great solutions. Choosing a favorite is often a personal preference, but those with asthma or sensitive skin are better off sticking with Bromine.

Hot Tub Chemicals at Paradise Valley Spas

We recommend trying our private label Hot Tub Things branded products. They have been scientifically designed to take better care of your hot tub, drawing on over 38 years of experience to develop the products.

Contact Paradise Valley Spas for more information on hot tub chemicals and their safe use.

bromine

When bromine is added to a hot tub or spa, it is in the form of bromide ions. It is then activated with an oxidizing agent to form hypobromous acid. Hypobromous acid is the deadly form of bromine.

When hypobromous acid reacts with an organic contaminant, it is reduced back to bromide ions. The bromide ions can then be reactivated back to hypobromous acid by the addition of an oxidizing agent.

This is something of a continuous cycle with bromine sanitized spas. If 100 percent of the bromide ion becomes underbromous acid and 100 percent of the underbromous acid becomes bromide ion, you would never need to add more bromide salt again.

But hypobromous acid can react with certain chemicals in the water that bind the bromide ions and prevent them from becoming free bromide ions in the water.

This happens, for example, when hypobromous acid produces bromate or bromoform.

There are many other combinations that bind the bromine so it cannot become free bromide ions. For this reason, more bromine salt or bromide ions must be added periodically. The content of bromide ions should not fall below 15 ppm.

The basis behind two-part liquid bromine disinfection systems is to add a bromine salt (sodium bromide) to the water to obtain bromide ions, and then to oxidize the bromide ions with an oxidizer.

Common oxidizing agents include monopersulfate (MPS), hydrogen peroxide, percarbonate, ozone, or any chlorine compound used to produce hypobromous acid.

You need at least 15ppm of bromide ion for an oxidizer to function and provide a “bank” of bromide ions for an oxidizer to react with. Bromine tablets are typically 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin.

When added to water, they hydrolyze to hypobromous acid. With bromine tablets, a separate oxidizer to produce hypobromous acid is not required, it is already part of the tablets.

When the hypobromous acid reacts with an impurity and is reduced, it becomes a bromide ion. You then get a buildup of bromide ions in the water. After a while you could just start adding an oxidizer to reactivate the bromide ions to hypobromous acid, but most people don’t do this, they just add more bromine tabs.

There is currently no way to test water to find out how much bromide ion it contains. This is because the same test that measures bromide ions also measures chloride ions and all water contains chloride ions. Beyond an educated guess, there is no way to tell when bromide ion levels are too low.

Two-component bromine manufacturers know this and recommend adding some bromide ions or liquid bromide salts every few weeks or so. Realistically, a bromine sanitized spa cannot be switched to chlorine if bromine is still present in the water. All chlorine added to the water will convert bromide ion to hypobromous acid.

As long as there is 15ppm or more bromide ion in the water, all added chlorine will serve to convert bromide ion to hypobromous acid, none of which will provide residual chlorine.

The spa will continue to be disinfected with bromine until the bromide level drops below 15ppm. However, there is no test kit to measure only bromide ions in water and therefore no way to tell when bromide levels are below 15ppm. It could take a week. It could take 2 months.

Maintaining a bromine sanitized spa

There are typically two types of bromine systems, a 2-stage system and a 3-stage system. In a 2-stage system, sodium bromide, either granulated or liquid, is added to the water. An oxidizing agent such as chlorine or non-chlorine shock (MPS) is then periodically added to oxidize the bromide to bromine.

One of the most popular 2-stage bromine systems is the Enhance/Activate Sanitizing System. It’s chlorine-free and easy to use, but requires daily attention to maintain proper bromine levels in the water.

A 3-tier system is similar to the 2-tier system but also uses bromine tablets in a floating feeder. Bromine tables consist of a combination of sodium bromide and an oxidizing agent, typically chlorine. The 3-stage system requires less attention and keeps the bromine level in the water more constant, but costs more than the 2-stage system.

A 2-stage system with an efficient ozonator may be able to achieve constant bromine levels with no or less oxidizer (MPS or chlorine) since the ozone is continually oxidizing the sodium bromide while it is on.

However, the ozone can also deplete the bromide reserve faster, resulting in the use of more sodium bromide or a shorter time between the required bleed and refill. Also, ozone can cause bromates to form in your water. Bromates are suspected of being carcinogenic in drinking water.

To begin a bromine sanitizing system in a freshly filled spa, the first step is to establish a 30 ppm bromide ion reserve. This can be achieved in a number of ways.

Allowing bromine tablets to naturally dissolve in a floating feeder until there are enough bromide ions in the water (it can take weeks to reach the correct bromide level and by that time the spa is actually running on the chlorine contained in the tablets disinfected ).

Crush up 5 or 6 bromine tablets and add the “crushes” to the water (this can be a bit pricey and also adds a large amount of other chemicals found in the bromine tablets to the water).

Add 99% granular sodium bromide in the amount of 1/2 oz. per 100 gallons of water.

Add 32% liquid sodium bromide in an amount of 4 oz. per 250 gallons of water. With both systems, the water must be shocked weekly. Shocking is performed to completely destroy all organic matter in the water and is achieved by adding sufficient chlorine or non-chlorine shock (MPS) to increase bromine levels to over 10ppm.

Just step by step