Bromine float vs. Chlorine

[tkruel]

I'm sure this has been covered, but I am new to hot tub ownership.  I am currently using granulated chlorine in my tub & have been instructed to use a tablespoon (or more) after each use....along with the other chemicals I have been putting in on a regular schedule, it seems like a lot of work (no...I'm really not that lazy).  What are the pro's & cons of a bromine float vs chlorine?

[Spatech_tuo]

I'm sure this has been covered, but I am new to hot tub ownership.  I am currently using granulated chlorine in my tub & have been instructed to use a tablespoon (or more) after each use....along with the other chemicals I have been putting in on a regular schedule, it seems like a lot of work (no...I'm really not that lazy).  What are the pro's & cons of a bromine float vs chlorine?

Bromine sounds easier but to me it leaves a constant chemical smell to the spa. The chlorine regime you've been given may seem complicated but its really simple when you get used to it. I'd recommend you stick with chlorine and 4 months or so from now when its time to drain you can rethink it and try bromine (yuck) if you've been unsatisfied with chlorine. Give it a try before you throw your hands up in the air.

[Steve]

Just to add to Spatech's comment, you can continue to use chlorine and purchase a chlorine dispenser to eliminate the "spoon feeding" aspect of your current system.

It has nothing to do with being lazy but rather minimizing your maintenance. Some don't like the puck system but when done correctly, it works fine. It will eliminate the need to go out to the spa on a regular basis and if you go away, it will slowly dispense chlorine into the spa while away keeping it clean and sanitized.

I wouldn't switch to bromine yet until you've tried the chlorine pucks. There's no right or wrong answer and as much as Spatech doesn't care for Bromine, I feel much the same about chlorine!

I never switch people unless they are really unhappy with one or the other due to odors or they just can't manage their current sanitizer regime.

Steve

[dentlfly]

i am also new to this; maxxus on order. dealer recommends mineral cartridge and dichlor. another local dealer has been using clear choice enzyme system on over 300 customers with great results; says very popular on west coast. has anyone heard of this and can comment on product.

[Vinny]

Steve,

The chlorine pucks are Trichlor here in the States - I thought Trichlor was a no-no in a spa due to it's acidic nature?

Is this something new?

Thanks!

Vinny

[bosco0633]

chlorine here is trichlor in canada as well.  I have been recommended to use bromine when I get my tub.  I think that I will start with this and see how it goes.  I really dont like the idea of chlorine but if I could find a local dichlor supplier I would give it a try.  I cant seem to find anyone close to supply dichlor.

[Steve]

Steve,

The chlorine pucks are Trichlor here in the States - I thought Trichlor was a no-no in a spa due to it's acidic nature?

Is this something new?

Thanks!

Vinny

Hey Vinny,

Yeah it's trichlor. I know there's a plethora of different systems on the market today and even more in the US but virtually every pool uses chlorine pucks and a large % of home spas here in Canada. Though bromine has it's advantages, it's still a chlorine based product and both puck systems offer very low pH. Quite often shock treatments have a high pH to counter this.

As long as consumers are testing their alkalinity monthly, I've never seen this to be a substantial issue in my experience.

Steve

[Spatech_tuo]

dealer recommends mineral cartridge and dichlor.

I'm big on a dichlor regime using ozone and a mineral cartridge (Nature 2). It gives excellent results and it's the only thing I've used at home to my satisfaction.

Trichlor is acidic and many manufacturers will have wording in their warranties against its use so be careful.

[tkruel]

This maybe a dumb question....but what is a mineral cartridge?  and is the chlorine granules I am using now the same as the dichlor & trichlor?

[Bill_Stevenson]

It is amazing how frequently this comes up.  I strongly recommend that you go to www.rhtubs.com and look for the Vermonter's water treatment plan in the FAQs.  It is based on dichlor.

Trichlor is not a good idea (it states in the HotSpring's owner's manual, for example, that using trichlor voids the warranty) in a spa because it will drop the pH of the water to levels low enough to attack pump seals, bearings, and shafts.  The reason Trichlor is ok in pools is because of the much greater volume of water being treated.  Dichlor is essentially pH neutral.  

Bromine is also inherently acidic, but it takes a lot more bromine  than it does chlorine to get the same level of sanitation.  This factor makes it possible to get the puck type dispenser to be a practical alternative for bromine for spas.

Irrespective of the sanitizer you decide to use, it is essential that you start your water treatment by getting total alkalinity right (i.e 120 to 150 ppm).  This buffers the water and stabilizes pH.  Again this is covered in detail in the Vermonter's program.

Regards,

Bill

[txwillie]

I have a Marquis with the Spa Frog inline bromine and mineral cartridges. Started out shocking with MPS, but changed to dichlor for shock a few weeks ago. No noticeable difference in the water. Doing a water change this weekend and am thinking about trying strictly dichlor this fill (still using the mineral cartridge).

First I'd like some feedback on switching from the Frog to dichlor.  good, bad or other.

Second, do I need to do anything special when I switch?

Thanks,

txwillie

[J._McD]

Did anyone mention ozone

I would consider tablet chlorine a pool chemical suitable for large bodies of water (gallon capacity) and a no-no for Hot Tubs.  

Between tri-chlor and liquid chlorine one is 2.6 on the pH scale and the other 13.0 on the pH scale, of course we are trying to maintain 7.2 to 7.6

And then, there is the issue of waranty  :-/

[hbcpa]

We just got an HS Vanguard. The only chemicals that the dealer recommended were a 1/2 tsp of dichlor per person after use and baking soda if the ph went out of balance. The water seems fine, clear and order free. Am I doing enough.

[Steve]

Trichlor is not a good idea (it states in the HotSpring's owner's manual, for example, that using trichlor voids the warranty) in a spa because it will drop the pH of the water to levels low enough to attack pump seals, bearings, and shafts.

My understanding is because of the composite material used in the shell on a HS spa. I don't believe it has anything to do with the equipment. If so, why wouldn't EVERY manufacturer have this disclaimer? It makes no sense...

The reason Trichlor is ok in pools is because of the much greater volume of water being treated.  Dichlor is essentially pH neutral.

It's all relative Bill.  2ppm of chlorine is 2ppm of chlorine. It just takes far more product in a pool to get it to that reading!

Bromine is also inherently acidic, but it takes a lot more bromine  than it does chlorine to get the same level of sanitation.

I 110% respectfully disagree with this comment based on years of experience in this industry. I use a Bromine concentrate and a teaspoon of this product will take my bromine from 1 to 4ppm immediately in a 400 gallon spa.

K...I'm done!

Steve

[Lori]

This maybe a dumb question....but what is a mineral cartridge?  and is the chlorine granules I am using now the same as the dichlor & trichlor?

I think your question got missed!  And it isn't a dumb question!

Mineral cartridge is Nature 2 (also known as Freshwater III in HotSpring lingo).  It releases minerals into the water continuously to complement your sanitizer (dichlor).  I believe the Spa Frog is the same for bromine.

The chlorine granules should be dichlor.  If you look on the bottle it will say "Active Ingredient:  Dichloro****** (I can't remember the rest of the scientific name of it, but you get the picture)!!!  I could be mistaken, though.  Maybe one of the EXPERTS will step in and correct any errors I have made!!!

Good luck!