Choosing The Right Hot Tub Water Treatment

Any spa owner could probably testify that one of the biggest nuisances associated with the spa is treating the water.   Keeping the hot tub water clear and ready to use at a moments notice takes preparation.

Chlorine and Bromine are the two most common chemicals used to kill the germs in spa water. Both have their advantages. The very thing that makes them effective is both caustic chemicals.

Not only do they kill germs and bacteria but they are harmful to skin, hair, bathing suits, spa jets, pump impellers, Spa Covers, pets and environment. (Just a little side note that should be mentioned here, if aluminum comes in contact with chlorine or bromine will cause a hazardous reaction.) With the heightened awareness of the environment and our own physical health, there have been a wide variety of alternatives introduced to the old standards.

Minerals can be used to treat the spa water with far less harmful effects. First, Copper can be used to treat the water. It is gentler on skin, hair and health, and won’t cause premature break down of the pump and jet components. Still, because it does a good job of killing things users need to exercise caution when emptying the spa. Some areas have banned using copper to treat water because if it does end up in the watershed it will kill fish and algae.

Other popular choices are Silver and zinc. It is recommended users stick with the liquid based versions.

Ozone can also be effective in water treatment. It works by exposing ultra violet light to air, which forms an energetic oxidizer. It destroys algae, viruses and bacteria. Avoid over exposure to ozone while using the spa. No ozone bubbles should be entering the spa during occupancy. Also, there should be no odor of ozone detectable while in the spa.

One thing that a lot of spa owners forget to do is check spa water pH. Maintaining the proper pH level can greatly improve the effectiveness of the water treatment. Spa water that is not properly balanced can cause irritation to eyes, and mucous membranes.

Another important element in spa maintenance is the circulation of the water. Stagnant water, especially warm stagnant water is a breeding ground for life. Regular circulation of the water for significant periods of time will reduce the need for chemicals and increases the effectiveness of the spas filtration. It is better overall for the spa pump to run for three to four hours at a time for two to three times per day as opposed to running for thirty minutes at a time ten times per day. If the spa only runs for thirty minutes, it does not have enough time to properly filter all the spa water.

Much like a car, regular maintenance can have a profound influence on the life of a spa and the safety of the people using it. Maintaining a vehicle, changing the oil, replacing the filters, and rotating the tires, can greatly improve the chances of enjoying it with fewer unpleasant surprises. The same goes for a spa.