Using Hot Tub Chemicals to maintain proper water levels in your spa helps keep your water clean and safe for use. It is important to only use chemicals made for Hot Tubs and not pool chemicals as the concentration levels and evaporation rates are different between pools and hot tubs.
Chlorine
Chlorine is a popular chemical used by hot tub owners to help sanitize their water. It works by killing bacteria, algae and other elements that can cause disease or illness. When chlorine is added to your hot tub it reacts with the water to form hypochlorous acid which oxidizes the other elements and kills them. This process of oxidation also helps to break down organic matter like sweat and body oils which can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria.
When it comes to chlorine, there are several different forms you can use in your hot tub. The best form is granulated chlorine. This is more concentrated than liquid chlorine and tablets with floaters and has a long shelf life when kept dry. It also dissolves faster and more accurately than other forms of chlorine.
You can add granulated chlorine by placing it in your skimmer basket or adding it directly to the hot tub. When you add it make sure the pump is running and allow for time for the granules to dissolve, then test the water. It is important to monitor free and combined chlorine levels as these will change over time with the addition of other chemicals, usage and weather. Using a chlorine neutralizer can help to slow this down and make it easier to keep levels stable.
Bromine
Like chlorine, bromine is a chemical sanitizer that kills bacteria and pathogenic microbes. It is available in granular and tablet form to add to hot tub water in order to sanitise the water for safe use. Bromine is more gentle than chlorine and does not have the odor associated with it, however, it is slower to balance the ph levels in a hot tub than chlorine. This is why it requires a bit more monitoring of water conditions to ensure the health and safety of hot tub users.
The main advantage to using bromine over chlorine is that it stays active even when other water parameters change, whereas chlorine is more dependent on the presence of chloramines (byproducts of oxidation). It also does not smell as strongly and is less irritable to eyes and skin.
Two scientists discovered the element bromine independently in the 1820s. It is used in making organobromo compounds which are found as dyes, flame retardants, sanitizers, medicinals and photography agents. In addition it is used as an emulsifier in some citrus flavoured soft drinks. It is naturally occurring but has been introduced to the environment through human activities such as waste and manufacturing processes. The most common source of bromine in the world is from phosphate deposits. The element is extracted from these deposits through a process called electrolytic separation.
Alkalinity Adjusters
If you’ve been battling high pH levels in your hot tub it may be time to start using alkalinity adjusters. The best place to start is by measuring your total alkalinity (or TA) level with test strips or a liquid test kit. It’s recommended that you test your water at least twice a week.
Once you know your TA level it will help determine how long it will take to get your pH back in balance. Ideally, your TA should be between 80-120 ppm. This level helps protect your hot tub water from rapid pH fluctuations. If you can’t keep your TA in range it will be difficult to keep your pH stable.
Low TA can cause the water to turn cloudy as the particles that are normally dissolved in the water begin to solidify. This can lead to clogging and undue stress on your plumbing and water pump.
Luckily, increasing your TA level is very simple. One of the most common ways to do this is by adding soda ash. Soda ash has the ability to buffer the water, making it more alkaline. When used properly, it can be very effective. Just make sure to read the directions on your product. We suggest pouring it in gradually instead of dumping it all at once. This will allow the chemicals to distribute more evenly throughout the water.
Clarifiers
Clarifiers work by binding themselves to organics in the water that make it cloudy. They are often used on a proactive basis (weekly) rather than reactively (only when the water is cloudy).
Coagulant chemicals like polyelectrolytes and ferric sulfate cause fine and suspended particles to clump together into larger particles that can be more easily separated during sedimentation or other water treatment processes. This reduces the volume of particles that must be separated and aids energy efficiency in water processing operations like filtration.
A clarifier is designed with a series of plates tilted at 55 degrees and spaced 2″ apart similar to an Oil Water Separator design for maximum surface area in a smaller package. As wastewater flows into the clarifier it impinges on the plates and the coagulated particles clump together and increase mass. This increases the force of gravity that acts on them and they begin to sink through the sludge layer in the bottom of the clarifier. The sludge is removed from the clarifier using rakes with associated scrapers that progressively move it from the sludge pit to a waste disposal area or for further treatment.
Another method for clarifying water is by using enzymes that consume organic and inorganic particles. This does not interfere with the primary sanitizer and in fact reduces demand on it.