High Bromine Reading

[Brewman]

Dunno, but if mixing dichlor and bromine make cloudy water, why would they sell bromine which is 40% or more dichlor?

3 ounces of chlorine?  You could probably sterilize surgical instruments in that water!

[orlandoguy]

Perhaps the dealer who suggested this could answer the question.  Not saying it's incorrect, just wondering the theory of mixing the two?

[cappykat]

So how what's the best way to get the bromine level down?  Take the cartridge out for a few days?  Guess we should stay out of the tub until we get the levels down also??  

[socal]

cappy

did what i suggest make a difference in bromine levels?
and what is it with you adding oz when it calls for teaspoons anyways??? just playin. hope the level comes down some so you can enjoy that wonderful tub you have

[cappykat]

socal...I don't know what's up with me!!  I'm using the dispenser that came in my start-up kit and it's in ounces.  I guess I just forget and use it not thinking...duh, of course I'm not thinking!!

I did a search on "how to bring down high bromine levels" and found a site that said the easiest, cheapest way was to drain some of the water and refill with fresh.  Not to do an entire drain but just to release some of the water.  I'm going to do that and go from there.

Anyone know anything about Cleanwater Blue or Nature2??  Not going to do anything right away but I like the idea of a non-chlorine tub.  Pros/Cons??

[hymbaw]

Cappy,
 A half drain and fill would be the easiest way to bring your levels down. As far as Dichlor and  Bromine.....It wont hurt to use them together but it is redundant. Dichlor is a fine oxidizer so you can shock with it and skip the MPS if you would like. Or drop the Dichlor all together.

Just dont check Bromine levels after you shock with either, it willl give you false high readings.

[cappykat]

hymbaw...thanks for the info.  I didn't know about the high readings.  I'm going to let go for a day or so and then recheck.  

[lawdawgva]

 Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda.  That's exactly the ingredient listed in the alk increase products I looked at.
 Your pool guy makes less money when you buy baking soda instead of his chemical.  I've used baking soda in my spa water for years to raise alkalinity.
 

Yeah commercial alk increase products are the same exact ingredient as baking soda or sodium bicarbonate.  

However, the PH increaser they sell you is most likely Sodium Carbonate, which is slightly different and while you can use that to increase your TA, it will more adversely affect your PH level before your TA ever gets where it needs to be.  I learned that lesson the hard way.  

-Sarge

[Bonibelle]

Oh man, I did the same thing ...AGAIN. Last week I was also asking about shocking and getting my bromine level down afterward. I added water today and thought I should sock since I had not since last Thursday and the water seemed just a little cloudy. I shocked this morning and now the bromine level is  at 20 on my test strips. I pulled out the bromine cartridge and I have the lid half open and everything jetting away. Socal, I hope this works! My husband is going to kill me if he can't soak tonight. Cappy, I bought measuring spoons at Walmart and keep them in my spa kit. That way I can't add too much at once...I don't know why this is so high because I only added what the bottle said. Maybe I'll throw some fish tank water in to use up the bromine :-/

[Bonibelle]

Hubby hopped in anyway! He decided he would just shower when he gets out. He claims that there is NO bromine smell at all...I don't know I am sick and can't smell anything...Will let you all know if he gets bleached !

[stl-rex]

I had shocked the tub a few hours before my wife invited friends over for a soak.  Sky high Bromine levels.  Solution?  I used aquarium water conditioner (already in the house).  It's cheap and a few capfuls will cut your bromine (or chlorine) down fast.  Make sure it's one without Aloe.  Jungle labs is what we have.  A $7 bottle will probably last you a very long time as once you get the hang of chemistry, you won't need it except for times like I just described.  Our guests commented on how great our water felt (soft) and non-drying.  You can get in with high Bromine, but it will have an odor and will feel hard/harsh.  

For pH, I quit screwing around with strips and solutions and bought a pH meter for $23 plus shipping off e-bay.  Query pH meter on e-bay.  Hanna's pH meter should come up straight away.  It works great.  Digital read out, no guessing.  To me, the strips are great for everything but pH.

P.S.  Thanks for updating the pic!

[HotTubMan]

Two ways to lower bromine level besides what has been mention.
1. Take the cover off for an hour or more, and circulate the water without aeration
2. Thiosulphate aka chlorine neutralizer. It isn't that expensive. Nice to have on hand for draining, so you can drain on your lawn with no grass bleaching. Just don't over do it or you may have trouble re-establishing a bromine reading.

[Bonibelle]

Thanks guys, I didn't realize that thiosulfate would also
inactivate the bromine!  so the fish water idea was't too far off!.

[socal]

bonibelle,

hows that saying go...learn somethin new everyday ive learned the hard way too about bromine being a sneaky devil, spiking and dropping.
but for all the head aches and hassles in the begining, theres nothin like setteling into some nice hot water and soak!

cappy, i hope you got your tub situated. dont stress and happy soaking

[cappykat]

This is crazy!!  I opened the cover yesterday, removed the bromine, and ran the jets for 30 minutes.  I just went out and checked today...I was planning to do a half refill, and the readings are normal across the board!!

Guess I'll put the bromine back in and set to "1".