Knowledge Builders

are saltwater hot tubs better

by Dr. Elijah Goyette Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Salt water hot tubs are better for those seeking to reduce or eliminate chlorine or bromine

Bromine

Bromine is a chemical element with symbol Br and atomic number 35. It is the third-lightest halogen, and is a fuming red-brown liquid at room temperature that evaporates readily to form a similarly coloured gas. Its properties are thus intermediate between those of chlorine and iodin…

. Many users not only find salt water hot tubs to be gentler on their skin, but they see big cost savings due to having to add fewer chemicals. Ultimately, they use a small generator to convert salt to chlorine, eliminating the need for chlorine or bromine.

Full Answer

Which is better saltwater or chlorine hot tub?

Chlorine is preferable over other treatment options for a variety of reasons: It is more affordable and cost-effective. Chlorine hot tubs require less upkeep and last longer than salt water hot tubs. Chlorine achieves the cleanliness and oxidation levels that other chemicals and methods do not.

What are the pros and cons of a salt water hot tub?

They are touted to be low maintenance, chemical free, and better for you. However, the reality of owning a saltwater hot tub might not be the same as the marketing pitch. They are often more expensive upfront, require just as much maintenance, and might need additional service as the salty water affects components.

Is a saltwater hot tub better than a regular hot tub?

Not only are salt water hot tubs easier to maintain and gentler on your skin, but there's also no annoying chlorine smell, creating a more enjoyable spa experience. Fewer refills mean you can conserve more water, making salt water systems more eco-friendly.

Is it hard to maintain a saltwater hot tub?

While most hot tub owners find it easy enough to follow a consistent schedule for water care and maintenance, salt water sanitation systems make the process even simpler. After the initial setup, the system practically takes care of itself, constantly producing clean, pure water on its own for months of continuous use.

How long do saltwater hot tubs last?

Spa salt cells usually last 2-5 years, depending on the model. At that point, you can replace just the cell (not the power supply). Keeping your cell clean (some models are self-cleaning), and not using it for cold spa water (below 60° F), are key to a long cell life.

How often do you change the water in a salt water hot tub?

once every three monthsWe recommend you completely change the water in your hot tub at least once every three months. That's a very general guideline, though.

Why does my salt water hot tub smell like chlorine?

The notoriously, offensive chlorine odor is typically caused, by excessive chlorine in the water or a low pH level. For addressing this issue our weapon of choice will either be a shocking agent such as an oxidizer or non-chlorine shock, or pH Up or pH Down.

Should I add chlorine to my salt water hot tub?

Because saltwater systems produce their naturally-occurring chlorine, there's no need to add chlorine or other chemicals to your spa continually.

Why does my salt water hot tub smell?

Your water can emit an odor if there's low levels of sanitizer, your pH is out of range, or there's bacteria or algae growth. For addressing this issue we will potentially need either dichlor chlorinating granules, pH Up, or pH Down.

Why did Canada ban salt water hot tubs?

Salt systems using sodium bromide have been flagged as a health risk by Health Canada. Because of this, manufacturers will no longer offer parts or supplies to support these kinds of salt systems. The good news is you can keep your spa.

Do you need to shock a salt water hot tub?

ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System allows you to enjoy your hot tub with very little maintenance. There is no need to shock the tub after each use or add chlorine every week, you only need do is check your pH once a week and monthly reset your usage on the easy to use control panel.

Are salt water hot tubs sanitary?

Salt water hot tubs are just as sanitary as regular tubs because they use a chlorinator to convert salt to chlorine. The process is slow, and only the right amount is converted, so you get the benefit of sanitization without the risk of skin irritation.

Do you have to shock a salt water hot tub?

ACE Salt Water Sanitizing System allows you to enjoy your hot tub with very little maintenance. There is no need to shock the tub after each use or add chlorine every week, you only need do is check your pH once a week and monthly reset your usage on the easy to use control panel.

Are salt water hot tubs sanitary?

Salt water hot tubs are just as sanitary as regular tubs because they use a chlorinator to convert salt to chlorine. The process is slow, and only the right amount is converted, so you get the benefit of sanitization without the risk of skin irritation.

What are the benefits of having a saltwater hot tub?

A salt water hot tub supports your active lifestyle by bringing hydrotherapy into your home. Hot tubs relieve the pressure on muscles and help loosen joints, while also improving circulation. By incorporating hot tub sessions into your exercise routine, you can relax and rejuvenate your body between workouts.

What is the advantage of a salt water spa?

A salt water soak has all the benefits of a regular freshwater hot tub or spa session, with an added bonus: salt water helps extract extra fluid from the skin, which helps with swollen joints and inflammation. People who suffer from arthritis can experience greater relief in a salt water hot tub. Less chlorine use.

What are the benefits of a salt water hot tub?

There are a large number of benefits that come with saltwater hot tubs, such as:

How much salt do you put in a hot tub?

Add 1.5 pounds of salt per 100 gallons of water in the hot tub. So for the average medium-large hot tub, plan to add about 7.5 pounds of salt.

Can you convert your hot tub to salt water?

You can convert a normal hot tub to one that uses a salt water sanitation system. Most after-market salt water systems are designed to be plug-and-play and can be added to any hot tub for approximately $400.

What is the best salt water conversion kit for a hot tub?

For a hot tub, most of which are between 400-600 gallons, this Saltwater Smart Chlorine Generation System by ControlOMatic will be great!

How much salinity is needed for a hot tub?

This chlorine is then turned back into salt. The recommended level of salinity for saltwater hot tubs is between 2,000 ppm and 3,000 ppm. While the upfront cost of a saltwater c, the maintenance cost is much cheaper.

How much does salt water sanitation cost?

The upfront cost of saltwater sanitation systems can be more expensive than the traditional hot tub installation. They can cost well under $500 with many just a few hundred dollars. However, the cost is offset by eliminating the recurring cost of water care supplies and test kits.

What are hot tubs made of?

Additionally, the majority of high-end hot tubs are made with non-corrosive materials. There is a slight increase of risk of damage to small parts of the hot tub due to exposure to salt. These parts include rubber seals and metal fixtures.

What to know before buying a saltwater hot tub?

Before you buy a saltwater hot tub, it’s important to understand how the spa will work; how much it will cost to operate; and what the maintenance will be like. Saltwater hot tub owners will still have to regularly check the water chemistry of their spas. Saltwater systems are more likely to have higher levels of calcium.

Why do salt water hot tubs have calcium?

The reaction between the salt and ions can change the chemistry of the water. Saltwater hot tubs are more likely to have higher calcium levels than traditional hot tubs. Owners of a saltwater hot tub will have to add a calcium remover to balance the water. They might also notice calcium residue on the acrylic of the tub during regular maintenance.

What is the Ecopur hot tub filter?

The EcoPur Charge hot tub filter replicates the way nature uses copper and zinc to purify water and remove dirt, bacteria, and algae. The innovative design features a nautilus cell and spring core that allow for maximum water flow. As the water flows through this master core, it is charged by low levels of copper and zinc oxides. These natural elements are safe for your hot tub and create a more efficient way to maintain clear, clean water.

What do you want in a hot tub?

When you are buying a hot tub, you want a spa that offers easy maintenance, clean water, and few chemicals.

Is salt water hot tub good?

Saltwater hot tubs hold a lot of appeal. They are touted to be low maintenance, chemical free, and better for you. However, the reality of owning a saltwater hot tub might not be the same as the marketing pitch.

Is salt water bad for spas?

Saltwater is hard on components. While manufacturers tout that saltwater spas are better for people, the water can be very damaging to the tub itself. Salt is corrosive and can damage elements such as the heaters, pump seals, bearings in the jets, and any stainless-steel fittings.

Is salt water hot tub more expensive than spa?

A saltwater hot tub requires regular maintenance, just as a traditional spa. It’s also more expensive upfront. A hot tub by Master Spas uses mineral filtration for clear, clean water.

Why a Saltwater Hot Tub?

The main role of a saltwater system is to generate chemical sanitizers that are used in other non-saltwater systems. Basically, the main difference between a salt water hot tub and a regular one is the addition of a device which is called a salt cell chlorinator. It eliminates the need to add chlorine into the tub.

How to turn a hot tub into a saltwater system?

Our first suggestion for today is a generator that can help convert a regular hot tub into a saltwater system because it generates chlorine to sanitize the water. This is a drop-in system which means that you can plug it in and have it do its thing without having to mess around with the plumbing of the hot tub. There are plenty of benefits to choosing this system, but one thing that stands out is the fact that you don’t have to add chlorine every day. With one setup, the generator can take control over the operation. Just make sure you keep an eye on the pH, as saltwater chlorinators tend to raise it.

What is a saltron hot tub?

The Saltron is another drop-in saltwater system that promises to deliver a quality experience thanks to the ease of use and intuitive user design. It is designed to help convert any hot tub into a saltwater system. Using the electrolysis process we talked about in the beginning of this article, salt is converted into chlorine which is then recycled back to salt. The system uses a small salt concentration and is suitable for hot tubs with a maximum of 2,000 gallons water capacity. The system also includes a built-in timer and low energy consumption.

Why is it important to have a hot tub?

Hot tubs are quite a large investment, so caring for them should be just as important as caring for all your prized possessions. In today’s hectic world, we need more places where we can relax in the comfort of our very home, and a hot tub can help you turn a simple patio into the place you’ll crave to be in at the end of each day.

Why are hot tubs more likely to be corrosion?

Third, know that due to the salt content, hot tubs are more likely to suffer corrosion.

Is a salt water hot tub better than a chlorine hot tub?

It really depends on a series of different factors, as well as the view of the person who answers this question. Saltwater hot tubs are efficient, but they tend to cost more and have higher maintenance fees compared to chlorine tubs.

What is Solaxx salt cell?

The last product for today comes from Solaxx, a unit that can handle hot tubs, but also pools of up to 20,000 gallons of water. The salt cell is pretty robust, and it’s made from commercial-grade titanium cell plates. Thanks to the unit’s reversed polarity feature, the cell is kept clean and scale-free. It has a digital power supply that ensures a steady stream of power to prolong the lifespan of the unit. There is also a programmable digital timer feature if you want exact control over the chlorination time.

What is the difference between a salt water hot tub and a chlorine hot tub?

Not only are salt water hot tubs easier to maintain and gentler on your skin, but there’s also no annoying chlorine smell, creating a more enjoyable spa experience. Fewer refills mean you can conserve more water, making salt water systems more eco-friendly. And many owners enjoy knowing they’re using fewer chemicals and providing a more natural experience for their families.

What is salt water in a hot tub?

In addition to the amazing hydrotherapy benefits that come with any hot tub, a salt water system takes the physical benefits of hot water immersion to the next level. With a salt water system, a hot tub is more like a hot spring, offering softer, more natural-feeling water. This means the water won’t dry out your skin or leave your hair with that dry feeling. Salt water is also gentler on your eyes, so it’s a nice alternative to chlorine, which can be a little harsh for some. Overall, you get a more therapeutic, relaxing spa experience using a salt water system.

Why do spas use salt water?

Many spa owners prefer salt systems because they're easy to use, gentle on skin and hair, and provide an all-around better hot tub experience.

Does salt water dry out skin?

This means the water won’t dry out your skin or leave your hair with that dry feeling. Salt water is also gentler on your eyes, so it’s a nice alternative to chlorine, which can be a little harsh for some. Overall, you get a more therapeutic, relaxing spa experience using a salt water system.

Is a salt water hot tub easy to use?

When shopping for a new home spa, one of the most common questions that gets asked is, "Is this hot tub easy to use? " It’s a fair question, because nobody wants to spend more time maintaining their hot tub than they do using it. Thankfully, salt water systems are incredibly easy to use, and can actually save you time and energy compared to traditional chlorine-based systems.

Why is salt water hot tub good?

There is no unpleasant odor in salt water hot tubs. Salt water aids in water softness and minimizes the risk of skin problems.

What are the benefits of salt water hot tubs?

One of the most significant benefits of using the saltwater hot tub is that it does not require you to constantly buy chemicals for water sanitization.

How to turn a hot tub into a salt water spa?

A drop-in chlorinator is the most convenient way to convert your hot tub into a salt water one. It does not require any permanent alterations or modifications to your spa system. It takes a few minutes to set up the whole system of salt water hot tubs. It requires a thin cord that is linked with the chlorinator cell and it hangs at the side of your hot tub.

Why is chlorine in hot tubs so stable?

Stable quality of water. The chlorine produced by the cell ensures a more stable quality of water, where you will need to spend less time balancing the water. Any hot tub owner knows that it takes up a considerable amount of time and patience to balance hot tub water. No nasty odor.

What is the difference between a hot tub and a saltwater hot tub?

A simple answer would be that a hot tub uses plain water and a saltwater hot tub uses saltwater, but there is much more to it. Not only do they differ technically, there are also differences in the way they operate and their maintenance requirements.

Why are hot tubs so popular?

A major factor contributing to the popularity of salt water hot tubs is that people want a comfortable experience while avoiding the hassle of balancing chlorine levels. Salt water systems release chlorine gradually in the water and maintain an optimal level of chlorine.

How much does a salt water hot tub cost?

The price range of a saltwater system can range from $500 to $5000, while the price of a new salt water hot tub can be anywhere between $2000 and $32000.

What is the best salt for a hot tub?

Besides, we also learned that Aquasalt is the most preferred salt in the saltwater hot tub. Also, the Ozonator serves best as a tub cleaner. One must make sure that the size of the Ozonator is the same as required by the tub to keep it clean and sanitized.

How much salt is in a hot tub?

The salinity of seawater is typically 35,000 parts per million (ppm), whereas the level in your hot tub will be around 2,000 to 3,000 ppm. You probably won’t even taste it.

Why isn't everyone using an ozonator in their tub?

So why isn’t everyone using an Ozonator in their tub? In reality, it doesn’t always work like that, so you end up putting chlorine in the water anyway. The ozone will revert to oxygen very quickly; therefore, you must turn on the Ozonator most of the time to keep the process going.

Why does salt water smell bad?

Apart from the natural odor, there will be no smell in saltwater because of no added chlorine. The chloramines present in it, cause the bad smell you sometimes get when you lift the lid.

What is salt water generator?

Saltwater generators convert salt into chlorine. They just use a lot less of it than when you were pouring chlorine granules into your hot tub.

How much does it cost to convert to saltwater?

The cost of converting to saltwater can be as much as $500 initially, although it will be much less in most cases. And again, the one I like on Amazon is under $400.

Do saltwater hot tubs use sanitizer?

As I just explained, saltwater hot tubs use a lot less sanitizer and shock. As a result, you’ll be adding less of those chemicals, and less frequently.

What is the difference between a saltwater hot tub and a chlorine hot tub?

A chlorine hot tub does not have complicated equipment like a saltwater hot tub. Saltwater hot tubs have complicated saltwater generator equipment that is used for the electrolysis process while a chlorine hot tub does not. That means you will not need to hire an expert to help you fix an issue that will arise. All you have to do is to check the chlorine content levels. Since you can easily maintain the hot tub, you will have more time to focus on enjoying your tub.

What happens after you install a salt water hot tub?

After you have installed your saltwater hot tub, the salt system will begin to sanitize water continuously. If you have an advanced saltwater hot tub, it can automatically adjust the salt content with heavier use.

Why add salt to hot tub water?

When you add an appropriate amount of salt into your hot tub water, you become more resistant to water chemistry changes. The mineral in saltwater assists in withstanding fluctuations in calcium hardness, pH, and alkalinity.

Can you soak yourself in salt water?

If you have sensitive skin and eyes, you can expose them to irritation when your soak yourself in chlorinated water. In saltwater hot tubs, chlorine is naturally generated, which means chloramines aren’t likely to build up. That means your eyes skin and eyes will not be irritated which helps you stay in the hot tub longer and makes it more pleasurable.

Does salt water help with hot tubs?

The moderate amount of chlorine content produced by a saltwater system can keep the water quality soft for an extended period before refilling and draining your hot tub. The steady flow of natural salt minimizes the risk of having a cracked and dry skin.

Can salt water damage a hot tub?

So although it can be cheaper to own a saltwater hot tub, with time you might end up spending more money to repair the metal fixtures corroded by salt.

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