Salt water pools have less chlorine levels than actual chlorine-based pools. Thus, the likelihood of bacteria and viruses forming is higher in salt water pools and hot tubs. Salt water is more prone to cause corrosion, so you're likely to see more wear and tear to your hot tub and pool.
Not only are salt water hot tubs easier to maintain and gentler on your skin, but there's also no annoying chlorine smell, creating a more enjoyable spa experience. Fewer refills mean you can conserve more water, making salt water systems more eco-friendly.
For chloramine sensitive individuals, a salt water hot tub system is a perfect solution: It keeps the water constantly clean and free from any harmful microorganisms while limiting exposure to chloramines.
Spa salt cells usually last 2-5 years, depending on the model.
What you really need is hot tub salt. It's more often labeled as “pool salt,” which is perfectly fine to use in your hot tub. It's chemically the same thing as table salt, but it's a coarser grind to work better in a chlorine or bromine generator. And you can buy it in bulk, which will save you a lot of money.
Change Your Spa Water Every 3-4 Months, Here's Why:
That water is saturated. The same thing starts to happen as the hot tub's water gets “older”. The water will start to get hazy and you might even experience grit on the shell.
You won't have to worry about showering off a chlorine smell after getting out of the salt water hot tub. Nor will you be left with irritated eyes or dry skin. You and your children will feel much better after getting out of the hot tub, and you'll enjoy using it more often.
Saltwater hot tubs have a salt cell chlorinator that functions in producing chlorine naturally through an electrolysis process. Therefore you do not need to add chemical chlorine directly into the hot tub to keep it clean and hygienic.
Corrosion that does occur in a salt water tub is from producing too much chlorine. Often customers will set their use level too high and then not use the tub enough.
When it comes to cleaning your ACE saltwater hot tub, two of the most important things to clean are your ACE salt cell and your filters. For those with a saltwater hot tub, keeping your ACE salt cell clean plays a major role in the performance of your hot tub. We recommend cleaning your ACE salt cell every 60-90 days.
A salt water hot tub costs $6,500 to $18,000 on average. Adding a salt water system to an existing hot tub costs $500 to $1,700 and is mostly compatible with premium and luxury spas. A saltwater generator costs less than chlorine or bromine and removes the need to use chemicals.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
Foam will appear if the pH balance of your hot tub water is off. This is caused by using cheap chemicals or inaccurately mixing them. Water with low calcium or too much pH or alkaline can lead to cloudy water. If you use your hot tub frequently, you yourself could be causing foam to appear.
A hot tub that smells like chlorine is often the result of too many chloramines in the hot tub. To get rid of chloramines, add 30g (1 capful) of oxidizer to the spa. Another reason could be the pH is not balanced correctly. The pH should be between 7.4 and 7.6.
However, it's completely OK to use a hot tub every day. In fact, many of the benefits of a hot tub only become apparent when it's used on a regular basis. To make sure you get the most use out of your hot tub we've come up with a post on what you can do to ensure your hot tub use remains consistent.
Setting Hot Tub Water Temperature in the Summer
As a rule of thumb, many users keep their hot tub set at temperatures ranging between 97-99 degrees.
In many cases, you'll get the green light to stay in the spa as long as you're comfortable and feeling well. As a general rule of thumb, most hot tub sessions last between 15 and 45 minutes. If after 45 minutes you want to keep soaking, we recommend stepping out for a bit to give your body a break.
Saltwater spas and hot tubs should never be drained on a lawn. However, more traditional chlorine-treated hot tubs can be drained safely if the cover is left off and the chlorine and bromine levels are allowed to dip below 1 ppm or, even better, below detectable levels.
While you could use a hot tub without chemicals, you could not soak safely. Water needs to be circulating and treated in order for it to be good for soaking. When you don't use chemicals in your hot tub or use too little, you are creating the perfect environment for algae, bacteria, and other contaminants to thrive.
Causes of cloudy hot tub water. When it comes to cloudy water, it's likely one of a few culprits — high pH, high alkalinity, and low sanitizer. Dirty filters, body care products, and old water can also be responsible for cloudy water.
Here is the downside of saltwater hot tubs: Initial cost is higher: Saltwater hot tubs are more expensive than traditional hot tubs. A saltwater system as an addition to your existing hot tub requires a substantial investment that may range from $500 to $5,000.
Salt systems using sodium bromide have been flagged as a health risk by Health Canada. Because of this, manufacturers will no longer offer parts or supplies to support these kinds of salt systems. The good news is you can keep your spa.
Can Any Hot Tub Use Saltwater? With a little patience and proper guidance, almost any hot tub can use saltwater sanitation instead of chlorine or bromine sanitation methods. You do need to consult with the manufacturer of your hot tub first to be sure.