Chlorine works faster to kill contaminants but for a shorter period of time, as it dissipates faster. Bromine kills contaminants more slowly but for a longer period of time; plus, it can help keep water chemistry more balanced due to its low pH, meaning less chemical adjusting is needed.
Bromine is the number one alternative to chlorine. This chemical is known to be a sanitizer, oxidizer, and algaecide for swimming pools. The reason why spa and hot tub owners prefer bromine over chlorine is that it works better in warmer temperatures.
Chlorine reacts faster than bromine.
This means that chlorine will destroy contaminants faster than bromine. It also means that it will dissipate quicker. Bromine, on the other hand, has a more stable pH and makes it easier to maintain the proper chemical balance in your water.
Can you switch from chlorine to bromine? You can switch from chlorine to bromine sanitizer in a hot tub. In fact, it is actually easier to go from chlorine to bromine than the other way around.
Bromine and chlorine will sanitize and oxidize pool or spa water, but bromine works better at higher temperatures and is softer on the skin, whereas chlorine is cheaper, works for longer, and doesn't break down as quickly in ultraviolet light, especially when coupled with cyanuric acid.
Chlorine – The most popular hot tub sanitiser, chlorine is fast acting and effective at killing bacteria. Our chlorine hot tub maintenance guide explains more about how chlorine works. Bromine – Ideal for those with sensitive skin, bromine reacts slower than chlorine and is effective at killing bacteria.
Chlorine tabs are much cheaper than Bromine, almost half the cost. Chlorine can be protected from UV Rays with Stabilizer, Bromine cannot. Chlorine is a more powerful oxidizer than Bromine. Chlorine is both an oxidizer and a sanitizer, Bromine is only used as a sanitizer.
Natural hot tub sanitiser
While Chlorine and Bromine are great for keeping your spa clean, they're not the best hot tub chemicals for sensitive skin .
If you are sanitizing your spa with bromine, you should shock your spa with Spa Selections Non-Chlorine Shock Oxidizer on a regular basis to oxidize the waste out of the water and reduce foaming. Spa Selections Bromine is a two-part system, including Spa Selections Brominating Tablets and Spa Selections Brom-Start.
How Much Bromine to Put in A Hot Tub. You should ensure that your hot tub bromine level is always between 3-5ppm (parts per million. The addition of bromine will depend upon usage and bathing habits. It could be daily or every 2-3 days (for 3ppm add 12g per 1500 litres).
If you have a spa, bromine has a lot of advantages over using chlorine. It may cost a little bit more, but it lasts longer and does a much better job than chlorine at killing bacteria, especially at high temperatures and high pH levels.
Bromine is just as effective as chlorine at eliminating harmful, illness-causing germs in spa water when used in the correct amounts. However, it can be less irritating to the body than chlorine. Bromine also has the addedadvantage of increased stability in higher temperatures and wider pH ranges than chlorine.
Bromine works better at higher temperatures than chlorine. Above 75°F, bromine remains stable, whereas chlorine is more effective in temperatures as low as 65°F. This makes bromine a better choice for hot tubs and spas, and an unheated pool will be better served by the use of chlorine.
When you add bromine to a chlorine pool, on the other hand, the bromine does not go away but builds up over time, creating a chlorine demand. Therefore, when you shock the pool with chlorine, the residual bromine will convert the chlorine into, you guessed it, bromine.
Due to the body oils and other contaminants constantly put into a swimming pool, the water requires regular sanitation from specialized chemicals. Bromine acts as a sanitizer in pool water, killing bacteria, body oils and other forms of contaminants. A bromine level that is too high, though, is not desirable.
Does Bromine affect pH level? Bromine has a low pH of around 4, and using bromine tablets will slowly lower pH and alkalinity over time, requiring additions of a base chemical to raise pH and alkalinity. The same can be said for chlorine tablets, which have a pH even lower, around 3.
The chemicals you will need to start your hot tub include a pH increaser, pH decreaser, calcium hardness, a metal removal (if using water from rainwater tanks or bore) and a sanitiser.
Bromine: Is gentler on your skin than chlorine, but can be a bit more difficult to wash off after a long soak. If you or anyone who uses your hot tub on a regular basis has sensitive skin or any kind of upper respiratory difficulties, bromine will likely be the better choice.
iONRx can be used with ALL TYPES of hot tubs. It is completely non-corrosive and is the safest chemical to use in your hot tub - even inflatable hot tubs. No more shock, bromine, enzymes, stain, and scale – all of that is eliminated.
Bromine breaks up the particles in the water by ionizing the water. The chemical process produces a product called bromamines. Many people use bromine in their hot tub because they have sensitive skin; bromine can be less irritating. However, bromine takes longer to dissolve and can “stick” to swimwear.
Breathing bromine gas could cause you to cough, have trouble breathing, get a headache, have irritation of your mucous membranes (inside your mouth, nose, etc.), be dizzy, or have watery eyes. Getting bromine liquid or gas on your skin could cause skin irritation and burns.
The reason why trichlor tablets are so expensive and why they are sold out at many pool supply stores is because of the national trichlor supply shortage.
With average use, your hot tub should be drained and refilled about once every three or four months. But since everyone uses their hot tub differently, the answer can vary based on how many people use it and how often. Hot tub manufacturers like Jacuzzi offer some handy tips for figuring out when to drain and refill.