Simply place these tablets in the floating chlorine/bromine dispenser that came with your Intex PureSpa hot tub, and the tablets will gradually dissolve into the water, cleaning and sanitizing as you go. Click to see full answer. In this way, what chemicals do I use in my Intex hot tub? Chlorine.
Full Answer
Can I use bromine in my spa or hot tub?
In Summary, using Bromine in your spa or hot tub is best, but to be effective, there needs to be a good level of bromide ions in the water. Regular oxidation, or shocking is also important to convert the bromide into bromine. Use bromine tablets to more easily maintain a consistent bromine level.
How many bromine floaters should I put in my spa?
If you do use a bromine floater, it's fine to take it out while you're using the spa if you find it gets 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 your bromine levels climbing too high.
How do you make a bromine bank in a spa?
The best way to build a bromine bank is to add Sodium Bromide to your spa, each time you drain and refill. After building your Bromide Bank, shock the spa with your preferred oxidizer to activate the bromide ions, and convert them to hypobromous acid, the killing form of bromine. 2-Part and 3-Part Bromine Systems
Is bromine safe for swimming pools?
Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Bromine can be easier on the skin and eyes when used properly. Bromine is a chemical disinfectant that can be used in swimming pools instead of chlorine. It is also commonly used in hot tubs and spas, because it can better tolerate the heat than chlorine.
Can I use bromine in my inflatable hot tub?
Is bromine OK for a hot tub? An alternative chlorine, bromine can be used to keep hot tub water clean. However, bromine works differently than chlorine and is not the best choice for use with mineral systems. Bromine breaks up the particles in the water by ionizing the water.
Can I use bromine instead of chlorine in my spa?
If you have a spa, bromine has a lot of advantages over using chlorine. It may cost a little bit more, but it lasts longer and does a much better job than chlorine at killing bacteria, especially at high temperatures and high pH levels.
Is it better to use bromine or chlorine in a hot tub?
Bromine: Is gentler on your skin than chlorine, but can be a bit more difficult to wash off after a long soak. If you or anyone who uses your hot tub on a regular basis has sensitive skin or any kind of upper respiratory difficulties, bromine will likely be the better choice.
Can I use bromine tablets in my inflatable pool?
Small inflatable or plastic kiddie pools and water slides don't have the same protection against germs that a swimming pool, hot tub, or water playground do. That's because it is unsafe to add germ-killing disinfectants, such as chlorine or bromine, to the water in kiddie pools and water slides.
How often do you put bromine in hot tub?
every two to three daysCheck the levels in your hot tub water using bromine test strips. Your hot tub bromine level should always be between 3-5ppm (parts per million). How frequently you need to add bromine will depend on your usage and bathing habits. It could be daily, every two to three days or weekly.
Do you need to shock a bromine spa?
Spa Tablets So, you don't really need to shock a spa or hot tub to “activate” our bromine tablets. However, I do recommend that all spas be shocked weekly, more for sanitation purposes, but also to ensure adequate conversion of bromide ions.
How long after bromine can I hot tub?
So how long do you have to wait after adding it? You should wait at least thirty minutes or so. It's also a great idea to put the jets on, this way the water circulates and the water absorbs the chemical better. Additionally, make sure the hot tub cover is off while this happens.
What happens if you mix bromine and chlorine in a hot tub?
When you add bromine to a chlorine pool, on the other hand, the bromine does not go away but builds up over time, creating a chlorine demand. Therefore, when you shock the pool with chlorine, the residual bromine will convert the chlorine into, you guessed it, bromine.
How many bromine tablets should I put in my hot tub?
TABLET ADDITIONS FOR BROMINE: 3-5 TABLETS FOR 200-300 GALLON SPAS. 4-7 TABLETS FOR 300-450 GALLON SPAS. IF THE CHLORINE IS OVER 10 PPM ADD THIOSULFATE. IF THE CHLORINE IS 1.0 OR LESS ADD GRANULAR CHLORINE.
Will adding bromine lower pH?
Alkalinity helps your water maintain it's pH when other substances are added to it. Everything has some impact on your spa's pH. The chlorine or bromine and even the oils on your skin have some impact on pH. Without alkalinity being in the correct range each of these things and more will shift your pH.
Does adding bromine increase pH?
Does Bromine affect pH level? Bromine has a low pH of around 4, and using bromine tablets will slowly lower pH and alkalinity over time, requiring additions of a base chemical to raise pH and alkalinity. The same can be said for chlorine tablets, which have a pH even lower, around 3.
Should I use a floating bromine dispenser in hot tub?
Floating chlorine dispensers should be used in hot tubs. They are convenient, inexpensive, and low maintenance. Additionally, the chlorine will be dispersed evenly throughout the week. The floaters also work equally well with bromine tablets.
How to use bromine tablets in spa?
Use bromine tablets to more easily maintain a consistent bromine level. Add sodium bromide to your spa, following the label instructions, each time you drain and refill. Use spa shock after building your bromide bank, and weekly thereafter, to activate bromine. Use bromine tablets in a small floater, to help maintain bromide and bromine levels.
How long does it take for bromine to dissolve in a spa?
Bromine tablets are actually a mixture of chlorine and bromides. It can take several weeks for enough bromine tablets to dissolve, to build an effective level of bromides in the spa - so that bromine can be created. Each time you drain the spa, the bromide level drops to zero.
How to build a bromine bank?
The best way to build a bromine bank is to add Sodium Bromide to your spa, each time you drain and refill. After building your Bromide Bank, shock the spa with your preferred oxidizer to activate the bromide ions, and convert them to hypobromous acid, the killing form of bromine.
What is the difference between a 2 part and a 3 part bromine system?
A 2-Part Bromine system is basically adding Sodium Bromide (Step 1) and Shocking regularly (Step 2) to re-activate the Bromide ions into Bromine. A 3-Part system is also adding Bromine Tablets (Step 3) as a way to prevent gaps in sanitizing. If you just add bromine tablets, without first adding Sodium Bromide, you will have trouble getting ...
Can you add bromine to a spa?
If you just add bromine tablets, without first adding Sodium Bromide, you will have trouble getting a good reading for Bro mine levels in the spa, and the water could be unhealthy. Build a bromide bank first, of 10-15 ppm of Sodium Bromide, shock the spa, and then add a few tablets to a bromine floater to maintain a bromine residual of 3-5ppm ...
Is bromine better than chlorine?
Bromine has several advantages in a hot tub: More stable than chlorine at high temperatures. More stable than chlorine in wider pH ranges. Bromine has much less odor than chlorine. Unlike chlorine, combined bromine is still effective. In using bromine, there is one small but important, and often misunderstood difference from chlorine.
Can you use bromine in a hot tub?
HOW TO USE BROMINE IN HOT TUBS. In Summary, using Bromine in your spa or hot tub is best, but to be effective, there needs to be a good level of bromide ions in the water . Regular oxidation, or shocking is also important to convert the bromide into bromine. Use bromine tablets to more easily maintain a consistent bromine level.
What is bromine used for?
Bromine is a chemical disinfectant that can be used in swimming pools instead of chlorine. It is also commonly used in hot tubs and spas, because it can better tolerate the heat than chlorine.
What is the safe level of bromine in pool water?
This means that the levels of bromine are constantly fluctuating and must be tested. A safe level is between 2.5 and 4.0 parts per million (ppm). Because it is a bleach-like chemical, higher ...
How do bromamines form?
Bromamines form when bromine combines with ammonia in the water; ammonia can come from several sources such as airborne contaminants and is typically carried on the skin of swimmers. When the bromine that is contained in the pool is converted to bromamines, it lessens the effect the chemical will have. Therefore, it is possible to have an ...
Can bromine be used on dogs?
Bromine and Pets. Many dogs love nothing more than to jump in the swimming pool on a hot day, but the chemicals in the pool can irritate delicate eyes, nostrils and other mucous membranes. While bromine is generally easier on bathing pets than chlorine, it still can result in the irritation of a dog's sensitive system.
Can you have an acceptable reading of bromamines?
Therefore, it is possible to have an acceptable reading but still have bacteria and other microorganisms that are not being eliminated by the chemical. In order to get rid of these bromamines, the pool or spa needs to be shocked regularly. Advertisement.
Is bromine better than chlorine?
Although bromine is generally easier on the skin and eyes than chlorine, there is still the potential for an adverse reaction. This reaction can include itchy, red eyes and irritation of the respiratory system. The amount used to keep pools and spas free of microorganisms and bacteria is low enough that most people are not bothered.
What do you need for an inflatable hot tub?
A clean and properly-treated water. You will need to use the right chemicals for inflatable hot tub to achieve this.
Why use saltwater spas?
It offers a much lower maintenance cost in the longer run. That is why this is widely used in public pools and spa centers. In case you’re allergic to chlorine or want a more natural approach, a saltwater inflatable spa can treat the water with less chemicals.
Is it necessary to keep an inflatable hot tub clean?
Keeping your spa water clean is not just essential for your inflatable hot tub’s longevity but for your health and continuous enjoyment too. This is an inevitable part of your responsibility as an owner, and your knowledge of the right chemicals for inflatable hot tub will make the maintaining it a lot easier.
Is bromine better than chlorine?
In general, bromine like the Brominating Concentrate Granules from Spa Essentials is more expensive than chlorine. However, bromine does not leave that distinct chlorine smell and lasts longer. In addition, you need a much lesser quantity of bromine to keep your hot tub water clean than with chlorine.
Does a hot tub soften the skin?
It softens the skin and spa water similar to built-in hard water treatment. It also eliminates the chlorine smell similar to a built-in saltwater treatment. These chemicals are primarily used for keeping the water clean. We need to make sure that there are no thriving bacteria that may cause hot tub rashes.
How long does chlorine last in an inflatable hot tub?
Chlorine was excellent for the inflatable hot tub, and from memory, the hot tub came with a large tub of chlorine that lasted over six months. The new hot tub had a bromine cartridge system built into the filtration system, so it seemed sensible to change at that point.
Why is chlorine not produced in hot tubs?
Chloramines are not produced when a bromide sanitizer is used in your hot tub or spa , which is another reason why some hot tub owners prefer bromine. Some people are more sensitive to chloramines than others, and even if you have a high concentration in your hot tub, you may not be affected.
Why does my hot tub smell?
Hot tub smell. Bromide sanitised hot tubs give off less odour. This is because when chlorine kills bacteria, it creates chloramines. These chloramines smell (Think public swimming pool smell!). I do not find the smell offensive, but some people might. Generally, if your hot tub or spa smells and your sanitiser levels are sufficient, ...
What is mineral sanitizer?
Mineral sanitisers contain metal ions in activated charcoal. They are antibacterial and anti-algae and add an extra layer of protection to your hot tub. They are also odourless. Many hard hot tubs have a cartridge holder built in, so it makes sense to use it if so.
Can you use chlorine in a hot tub?
So chlorine is the cheaper option for your hot tub, and if you have just bought an inflatable hot tub, like a lazy spa, Chlorine might be the easiest option to start using. You can also use the chlorine granules ...
Can you neglect a hot tub?
The suggestion is that you can neglect your hot tub and it will need less maintenance. Unfortunately, this is not the case. To keep the water safe, you will still need to check the water regularly, and if you find that the chemical level is below what is required, you will need to add more in the form of… yes, granules!
Does chlorine break down in hot tubs?
This is a fact. Chlorine at high hot tub temperatures breaks down much faster. But is this a problem? Not really. To maintain your hot tub or spa, you will need to be testing the water quality regularly and adding more sanitizer as required. It’s true that after you have owned the hot tub for a few months, you will begin to know the quantity of chemical needed. These will vary depending on the frequency of use, but also on other factors, like if you shower before entering the spa! That being said, testing the water quality is mandatory to ensure the water is safe to use.
What to use to keep hot tub in shape?
First things first. You’ll want a strong sanitizer to keep your hot tub in top shape. In fact, picking a powerful sanitizer works perfectly to eliminate those yucky bacteria that can build in your inflatable hot tub. So place this product near the top of your shopping list.
How long do tablets last in an inflatable hot tub?
Simply throw in as many tablets as your owner’s guide suggests. In most cases, these tablets will last you just under a week.
Can you put granules in an inflatable hot tub?
So if you’re going on a vacation, this feature is pretty useful. On the other hand, you can throw granules directly into your inflatable hot tub.
Can you use mineral filters in an inflatable hot tub?
And lastly, mineral filters do not naturally fit to an inflatable hot tub’s filter. So to get these to work in your inflatable hot tub, you will need to summon your inner MacGyver—as you’ll need to be pretty resourceful to get these to fit. A great mineral stick sanitizer includes the Zodiac W20750 Nature2 Spa Stick Mineral Sanitizer.
Is it bad to have too much calcium in your hot tub?
But at the same time, too much calcium is also bad. In excessive amounts, calcium will cause your inflatable hot tub’s water to turn cloudy.
Is an inflatable hot tub good for parties?
Simply put, inflatable hot tubs are awesome. There’s no better way to relax after a long stressful day than to sit back and unwind is soothing jets of warm water. And let’s not forget how these spas make for great parties.
What chemicals are used to kill bacteria in hot tubs?
Funny thing is, the very same chemicals, chlorine and bromine, that are used to kill bacteria in hot tubs are often the most common cause of folliculitis or "hot tub rash.". These chemicals are able to eat away at the enzymes that are designed to prevent hair follicle irritation. Many people have had success preventing instances ...
How to treat foliculitis in hot tub?
In most cases, medical treatment will not be required. It's possible to put warm compresses of Burow's solution or salt water to ease the itching.
What causes a hot tub rash?
Bacteria Caused Folliculitis (Hot Tub Rash) The commonly blamed cause of hot tub rash is a bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This is a very common organism. It can be found in soil on plants and in almost all sources of water. It is especially common in man made environments.
What are the bumps on my skin from hot tub?
It is known as hot tub folliculitis or hot tub rash. This is the development of small bumps on the skin that are red, itchy and tender. The rash can also result in pus-filled blisters around a person's hair follicles. They are often found in areas of a person's body that were covered with swimming attire.
What are the areas of the body that are most likely to get a hot tub rash?
Affected Areas. There are certain locations on a person’s body that are more likely to develop hot tub rash. The upper arms and legs, as well as chest or upper back, are prone to hot tub rash. A person's armpits, abdomen or lower back, as well as groin and buttocks, are also common areas that can develop hot tub rash.
Can you get a hot tub rash from a family member?
It is very versatile and can infect any type of damaged human tissue as well as individuals with decreased immunity. Though not typically the case it is possible for an entire family to use a hot tub and only one member develop hot tub rash.
Can antibiotics cause a hot tub rash?
When the rash becomes severe, a physician may prescribe a treatment of antibiotics. Of course this antibiotic treatment will have no effect on a chemically caused rash.
