Hot Tub Chemicals
Know the Hot Tub Chemicals That Keep Your Water Clean
You don’t need to dig up your old chemistry books or have a degree in chemistry to know the required chemicals to put in your hot tub water to keep it clean. Tricky as it may seem, sterilizing your hot tub water should always be a priority to continue your enjoyment and relaxation in a safe and healthy way.
Aside from keeping your hot tub parts in great working condition, sanitizing your hot tub water must be done regularly to get rid of the bacteria that can grow and breed in warm water. Here’s a list of the different hot tub chemicals you can use to sanitize:
1. Chlorine – If you’ve swam in pools then you probably are familiar with chlorine – its smell when mixed with water. Chlorine is used as the primary sanitizer pools but it can also be used in hot tubs but with a different concentration. Chlorine tablets and granules are created specifically for use in the hot tub.
2. Ozone – Ozone is more of an oxidizer than a sanitizer. Ozone effectively the work of any sanitizers and lowers the need for other sanitizers to keep the hot tub water clean. For ozone to be properly processed, your hot tub needs to be equipped with an ozonator. Also, supplementing the water with a low level of chlorine or bromine should be done together with installing the ozonator. Ozone is compatible with other hot tub chemicals such as chlorine, bromine, mineral systems and biguanide.
3. Biguanide – A non-bromine and non-chlorine product, biguanide successfully kills bacteria in your hot tub’s water. Using a hydrogen peroxide based oxidizers that burn off organic matters therefore keeping the hot tub water clear. Unlike the two previous chemicals mentioned, the biguanide system emits fewer odours and does not gas off.
4. Bromine – As an alternative to chlorine, bromine tablets, granules or nuggets can be added to you hot tub water. Sodium bromide, a form of bromide, has to be activated with an oxidizer such as Potassium Monopersulfate or a chlorine shock. BCDMH, a self-activating bromine and chlorine, can also be used. Numerous hot tub users prefer using bromine over chlorine because not only is it an effective water sanitizer, it doesn’t “gas off” like chlorine does at temperatures higher than 98 degrees. Also its smell is not that strong as chlorine. Bromine is distributed into your hot tub water through a cartridge system or a floating feeder.
5. Mineral Systems – Mineral systems are used to assist, not replace, other hot tub chemicals in clearing your hot tub water with contaminants. Mineral system cartridges are placed inside filter cartridges or in a floating dispenser allowing the sanitizing minerals to be slowly released into the water over time.
Aside from adding hot tub chemicals into your hot tub water, make it a habit to change the water every 60 – 90 days or depending on how much you tend to use the hot tub. Remember, no one wants to soak to dirty water, no matter how many hot tub chemicals you put in.