Hot tubs are an ideal way to relax and unwind. They can also offer a wide range of health benefits, such as muscle relaxation and pain relief. However, it is important to know what chemicals, or what pool chemical alternatives to use. The right sanitizer will ensure your hot tub water is clean and healthy.
Chlorine
Chlorine is a popular sanitizer for hot tubs. It’s inexpensive and easy to use, and it can kill bacteria that can cause skin irritation. It also prevents the growth of algae.
The amount of chlorine you need in your hot tub depends on several factors. The size of your tub, how often you use it, and the number of people using it all affect the level of sanitizer you need to add.
When chlorine is added to water, it oxidizes contaminants and destroys them. This sanitizes the water and releases waste products called chloramines and bromamines. When these toxins build up, they can cause swimmers to experience unpleasant odors and discomfort.
Fortunately, there are other alternatives to chlorine. Bromine and sodium dichlor are good sanitizers that kill bacteria more effectively than chlorine. But they can be more expensive, and you’ll have to use more of them to get the same sanitizing effect.
You can also use a combination of chemicals to get the same sanitizing effects as chlorine. A mixture of bromine and chlorine granules will work better than just chlorine alone, and maintaining the proper levels will be less costly.
If you choose to use a blend of sanitizers, it’s important to test your water regularly so that the chemicals don’t get out of balance and stop working properly. You can do this by testing your pH, total alkalinity, and hardness levels with a test kit that will tell you how much sanitizer you need.
Once you’ve tested your water, adjust your hot tub’s alkalinity if needed, and then test the pH again to ensure it’s within range before adding any additional sanitizer. Once done, you can add chlorine or bromine tablets or granules to your hot tub.
Once you’ve added the appropriate sanitizer, turn your spa pump on and let it run so the granules can distribute throughout the water. Wait for about 20 minutes to see if the sanitizer is working. If not, add more granules or tablets until the chemical levels are safe and comfortable for your hot tub users.
Bromine
If you have a hot tub, you probably know it needs chemicals to keep bacteria and algae from growing. In fact, you might have heard of the two most common sanitizers for hot tubs, chlorine and bromine.
Both sanitizers have their place and can work well for different people and situations. Chlorine is an excellent choice for most people because it can be easily accessed and cleaned up quickly.
However, bromine is much more efficient at sanitizing the water in your hot tub. It does so by oxidizing contaminants, invading the germs, and killing them from the inside out.
Bromine also has a higher pH than chlorine, which makes it more stable at higher temperatures and across a wider range of pH levels. In addition, it dissipates less quickly than chlorine, so you can usually leave your hot tub running longer between sanitizing cycles.
Like chlorine, bromine is also available in various forms, including tablets and liquids. If it is in a liquid form, it is diluted with water to prevent it from being harmful to the skin and eyes.
The best thing about using bromine is that it will not irritate your skin or eyes like chlorine can. This means it is a good choice for people with sensitive skin or respiratory issues.
As with chlorine, you will need to monitor your sanitizer level regularly. This will ensure you have enough to sanitize your spa and not too little to cause any damage.
Ideally, you should use a test strip to measure the chlorine and bromine in your hot tub. Then, you will be able to follow the dosage instructions that come with your chosen sanitizer.
If your sanitizer levels are too low, you should shock your hot tub to bring them back up. This will help remove any dead bacteria and algae in the water.
You should also consider the size of your hot tub, as it can affect how much sanitizer you need. A small spa can only need a few tablets of bromine, while a large one might require several.
Sodium Dichlor
Sodium dichlor is the chlorine used in most spas and hot tubs. It’s a popular choice because it has many benefits that other pool chlorines lack, such as being completely soluble and close to neutral in pH.
The only drawback of using granular chlorine in your hot tub is that it can cause cyanuric acid levels to rise. Cyanuric acid is a stabilizer that helps prevent sunlight from degrading the free chlorine in your hot tub water.
As a result, if your pool or spa has a high cyanuric acid level, you’ll need to drain and refill your spa or tub more frequently. This is especially true if you have an uncovered hot tub or spa.
Even if your cyanuric acid levels aren’t high, you still need to check them regularly. Ideally, you’ll want to keep them below 50 PPM. This is because higher cyanuric acid levels can affect the effectiveness of chlorine and make your pool water less sanitary.
You can also buy a system that automatically makes chlorine for your spa or hot tub from mineral salts, such as Saltron Mini and Nexa Spa. These systems are affordable and easy to install.
Unlike other granular sanitizers, which have a very high pH, Sodium dichlor is nearly neutral and can be added in small, measured doses to your spa or hot tub. This allows you to save time and money by dosing your hot tub less frequently.
This is important because it allows you to kill germs and oxidize bather waste faster. The pH of your hot tub will determine how much chlorine you’ll need to sanitize your water.
If your hot tub or spa has a low pH, only 25% of every dose of chlorine you add becomes germ-killing HOCl, which means you need to use more chlorine to maintain the sanitizer level. You can kill more germs and oxidize more bather waste with smaller doses of chlorine if you test and adjust your hot tub’s pH before adding chlorine.
One or two Tablespoons of granular spa chlorine before and after each soak is usually enough to quickly sanitize the water and kill germs on your body. This fresh dose of chlorine also ensures that organic and inorganic waste is oxidized quickly after you exit the water, so it doesn’t build up on the surface of your skin.
Shock
Getting the right chemicals for your hot tub is important. It will prevent a lot of hassle with the water and keep the equipment running smoothly. If you don’t add the proper chemicals, your hot tub could become contaminated with algae and other microorganisms, or it may even smell bad.
You must shock the water regularly in a hot tub to stay clear – even when you’re not using it. It’s an easy way to ensure you’re doing everything properly, and it saves time by preventing your hot tub from smelling and looking cloudy or dingy.
First, dip your hose into the water and test it for chlorine or bromine levels. This will help you know if it’s time for a fresh dose. Then, you can ensure your pH, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness are correct.
When you’re done soaking, be sure to drain the tub and refill it with new, clean water. Then, use a small, fresh dose of your chosen chemicals. You can do this at least twice a week, more often if you see heavy usage.
This will help oxidize any bather waste in the water, which makes it safe to use again. It’s also an excellent way to eliminate odor and stains, so you’ll have fresh-smelling water every time you use the tub.
You can use many different chemicals for your spa, so you should always check the directions to see what is recommended for your hot tub model. For example, you’ll want to use the appropriate pH reducer and adjust the pH at least twice or thrice a month to keep the water balanced.
You can also use calcium increasers and decreasers to change the calcium level in your hot tub to make it a pleasant place to soak. Balancing these chemicals with other sanitizers, like bromine or chlorine, is important.
Aside from the obvious health benefits, putting these chemicals in your hot tub regularly will help you avoid rashes and other unpleasant spa symptoms caused by poor water chemistry. Plus, the chemical reaction helps keep the water sanitized, so you’ll be able to relax without worrying about harmful microorganisms that can lead to disease and infection.