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How to Use Bromine in a Hot Tub

Hot tubs and spas are a popular stand-alone addition to a home or as part of a swimming pool upgrade. But maintaining clean water in a hot tub isn’t entirely the same as in a pool.

You have two main ways of killing bacteria and maintaining ph levels in your hot tub water. You can use chlorine or bromine tablets. But which one is best for keeping your spa water clean and healthy? As we’ll see below, bromine has many advantages over chlorine for maintaining water balance. But you may not get all of those advantages unless you know how to use bromine in a hot tub.  

Advantages of Bromine Over Chlorine

Bromine is one basic advantage over chlorine in your spa or hot tub. It is more stable than chlorine, so you can avoid testing the water as often.

  • Bromine remains more stable in the higher temperatures of summer

  • It has increased stability in a wider range of ph levels

  • Bromine doesn’t have that ‘chlorine’ odor

 

Here’s How to Start Using Bromine in Your Hot Tub

There are a few basics of using bromine in your hot tub that you should know before you begin. First, a certain level of bromides (bromides convert into bromine when you add an oxidizer, like those found in your spa shock, liquid chlorine or ozone) must be present at all times. It can take several weeks to build up the levels of bromide so that bromine can be produced. The best way to start building those levels in fresh water, like when you drain and refill the hot tub, is to add sodium bromide.

Once you have a built up the levels of bromide, you convert the bromide into bromines by shocking the water with your preferred oxidizer.

Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Add sodium bromide to fresh water every time you refill the hot tub.

  2. Use spa shock after you have built up the levels of bromides in the water. It should also be used once a week following the initial shock.

  3. Add bromine tablets to a floating dispenser to maintain the bromide and bromine levels.

 

If you liked this post, check out our recent article on winter maintenance tips for your swimming pool safety cover.