BROMINE

Bromine is a member of the same chemical family as Chlorine, the Halogen chemical group. Where Chlorine is a gas at normal pressure and temperature, Bromine is a greenish liquid and is therefore considered a better sanitizer at the higher water temperatures of a spa. Bromine, although more expensive than Chlorine, can be used on pools when the smell of Chlorine could be objectionable such as an indoor pool and when there may be an allergic reaction to a Chlorine water environment. The active Bromine is HOBr or Hydrobromous Acid. Bromine is used in such small quantities in a hot tub that the higher price is usually not an issue. There is less “gas off” and bathers do not have to contend with the sharp Chlorine smell. One added benefit of using Bromine is that just like Chlorine the Bromine ions combine with natural waste (sweat, dried skin, bacteria, etc.), however unlike Chlorine which looses its sanitizing effectiveness when combined compounds are formed in the water, Bromine remains an excellent sanitizer in its combined form.

OZONE

Ozone is an unstable oxygen molecule that is found naturally in nature during and immediately after thunderstorms. Ozone has a distinctive “sharp” smell and it is associated with the fresh or clean smell after a summer storm. Ozone is used in a hot tub to reduce the dependence on sanitizing chemicals. Unfortunately, some make the claim that if your tub has an ozone generator you don’t have to use chemicals. That is not real world. Ozone is a gas, a very unstable gas, and at best it only lasts seconds in the water. For this reason, ozone must be constantly generated to have any appreciable effect on water sanitization. Most tubs today are so efficient that pumps do not run continuously and if the pumps shut off, then so does the ozone production.

Ozone is usually produced in a generator that passes air by an ozone producing light. That air (charged with ozone) is then induced through a special fitting near the bottom of the tub. You may notice small air bubbles coming from this fitting and that is normal. You should not look at the light in the generator for any period of time as it can cause eye damage (similar to a welder’s arc.)

Even if your tub has a separate pump to facilitate ozone generation, you still have to manage the pH, TA, etc. and since you cannot measure ozone in the water, you should maintain a slight Chlorine/Bromine reading on your test kit/strip. We know of no way to correctly manage the water in a hot tub without the use of some chemicals – that is real world.

SHOCKING

No, we are not talking electricity! Electricity and water don’t mix! Shocking the tub is a term used to describe the additional chemicals necessary to help the sanitizer oxidize or “burn up” the organic contaminants that we introduce into the water as we use the spa. If you don’t add the “Shock” in a timely manner, your sanitizer looses effectiveness and the spa water becomes unpleasant to look at and usually develops a very unpleasant odor. Normally we recommend a non-chlorine shock so you can use the spa almost immediately after adding this chemical. Chlorine shock adds so much sanitizer that your spa water is unsafe to use for hours or sometimes days, depending on the amount added. Shocking helps the water stay sparkling clear.

If the water in your tub gets out of hand, simply drain the tub and start over. The average tub holds less than five hundred gallons of water and to give you a reference – that is about 5 to 7 normal bathtubs of water.

Most manufacturers recommend draining and refilling your tub every three to four months, however as long as you are satisfied with how the water looks, (it doesn’t at like a “bubble bath,”) and your test strips/kit say the water is safe, you can continue to enjoy the tub without doing the drain and refill quite as often.

MINERALIZER

The F.R.O.G. is a canister containing a proprietary mixture of silver, zinc, and copper oxides along with a special oxidizer used to greatly reduce the Chlorine/Bromine need to operate a spa safely. We suggest a once a week dose of Chlorine to “renew” the F.R.O.G. canister. The canister is designed to last for up to four months and then be replaced. Since you cannot measure the presence of the ions, we suggest that you maintain a small reading of additional sanitizer (Chlorine/Bromine) in the water so that you know the F.R.O.G. has been “renewed”. Bromine does not effect the life cycle of the canister, so you may use either Chlorine or Bromine in the water. There is a second brand of spa canister called a Spa Nature II. It works very similar to the F.R.O.G., but Bromine does destroy its effectiveness, so Chlorine is your “renewing” chemical.

SOFT SOAK

Soft Soak is a unique system of spa care. It is NOT compatible with other types of chemical treatments. You must follow the instructions in the Soft Soak manual and use only those chemicals listed. Any other chemical used may cause an unusual reaction in the water and require you to drain and refill the tub. When starting, balance the TA, CH, and pH prior to adding the sanitizer. Follow the instructions in the Soft Soak manual or use the card found in the owner’s manual.

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