Maybe the best benefit of a saltwater hot tub is that you no longer need to store bromine or chlorine tablets. You should still shock the spa, so keep a granular oxidizer on hand, but you can use chlorine-free MPS if you prefer. Spa salt systems make their own chlorine, so it's still a chlorinated spa.
Salt water hot tubs can be more convenient for the appropriate customer. Because salt water systems produce their own naturally-occurring chlorine, there is no need to continually add chlorine or other chemicals to your spa.
Add sodium chloride NaCl, regular table salt, and your salt cell will create chlorine. Add sodium bromide salts however, and your saltwater hot tub will be a bromine hot tub. Bromine is more stable than chlorine in high temperatures and in varying pH levels, and is considered a better sanitizer for hot tubs.
It is essential to shock the hot tub frequently – at least once every week. It is important to use Chlorine shocks as well as non-Chlorine shocks. The use of either bromine or Chlorine depends on your personal choice. Shocking the hot tub for cleanliness is not the only reason why you need frequent shocks.
The spa owner then has to manually add MPS to the spa with each use, and a small amount of chlorine once a week. The silver ion cartridge should be replaced every three months, and the ozone unit will need to be replaced every 4-5 years.
Chlorine is preferable over other treatment options for a variety of reasons: It is more affordable and cost effective. Chlorine hot tubs require less upkeep and last longer than salt water hot tubs. Chlorine achieves the cleanliness and oxidation levels that other chemicals and methods do not.
The bottom line is that over-shocking is possible, but being responsible with your chemicals and timing will help you to avoid it as often as possible!
How long do I need to wait after shocking my hot tub? There isn't a set period you need to wait before using your hot tub after a shock treatment, however, it is essential to test the water to ensure the chlorine levels are safe. Recommendations vary with ranges between 20 minutes and 24 hours.
It is a good practice to shock with dichlor when you refill your spa. After that, regular maintenance can normally be accomplished with non-chlorine shock. Other times for shock treatment include before or after heavy use and when the spa has been neglected.
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.
The added benefit of how amazing this Dead Sea Salt makes your water, and you, feel is perhaps just as important. In your hot tub or swim spa, the amount of salt used is just enough to power your BLU FUSION system and create a soft, silky feel to the water without adding any salt taste, smell, or texture.
Cloudy or foamy water is often an indication that the chemical balance of your spa water is not quite right. Over time, this can even cause damage to your hot tub, corroding certain parts or discoloring the walls.
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.
Is a salt water pool better than a chlorine pool? In our professional opinion, YES! Salt water pools are generally lower in chlorine. The chlorine found in saltwater pools are naturally produced from salt, rather than adding harsh liquid chlorine (a.k.a bleach).
Heated water opens pores, while salt draws water from the skin. This all-natural process can reduce painful swelling. For athletes or anyone looking for relief, a salt water spa is an excellent—and healthy way to reduce join pain and eliminate the discomfort of swelling.
Are chlorine and shock the same thing? SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.
Adding chlorine besides the shock can increase the chlorine content in the water which can make the entire shocking process useless. Hence, it is better if you don't use the shock and chlorine at the same time. The best time to add chlorine to the pool water is after you have shocked the pool.
Spa Shock is commonly available in two different forms. There is chlorine based shock (Sodium Dichlor), which increases your sanitizer levels as well as shocking the water, and non-chlorine shock (potassium monopersulfate or MPS) which is purely for oxidizing the water.
You should wait one hour per pound of shock product added, and then test the water to confirm the pH and chlorine are in the proper range before letting anyone enter the pool. As a reminder, you want your pH to be between 7.2 and 7.8ppm and your free available chlorine to be 1-4ppm for safe swimming.
For a 300 gallon spa, 0.7 oz of Chlorine Granules shaken over the water surface, will raise the chlorine level up to about 10 ppm. This should be done with a balanced pH (in the low range of 7.2-7.4), and with the circulation pump running on high to help distribute the shock quickly.
Last but not least, manufacturers tout that “properly-maintained” saltwater can be kept for up to a year, and that salt cartridges only need replacing every 4 months (or 120 days). However, much like standard water care systems, a saltwater hot tub requires a variety of water care products to properly maintain it.
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.