Among the many swimming pool chemicals out there – pool shock, pH balancer, water clarifiers, flocculants, and many others – are pool chlorine and bromine, both of which are used (separately) as sanitizers.
That is, they kill bacteria and other pathogens, keeping the pool water cleaner and thereby safer for swimmers.
Chlorine is the more common (and more affordable) of the two, but bromine has some specific advantages that may make it better – specifically – for spas.
Here’s what to know.
Table of Contents
On the Advantages of Bromine for Your Spa
Both chlorine and bromine (tablets or granules, it doesn’t matter) are effective pool sanitizers, however, for a spa, bromine might have an edge.
Bromine is a slightly slower sanitizer that works by ionizing pathogens (as well as other contaminants) but importantly, it is more stable at higher temperatures than chlorine.
Chlorine is volatile and evaporates more quickly as the temperature rises. Bromine is comparatively more stable, which means it will last in your hot tub longer.
This means you will have to re-treat the water with bromine less frequently than you would with chlorine, which helps to offset the slightly higher cost of chlorine. It also makes it more effective overall in hotter water.
That is, patently, the strongest advantage of using bromine in a hot tub, but it is not the only one. There are a few other important ones that also sell it.
For one, bromine doesn’t alter the pH of the water as pointedly as chlorine does. This means you won’t have as hard of a time balancing the pH of the spa – not to mention you’ll use less pH treatment.
For anyone that has skin sensitivities, bromine might also be the better option. Chlorine is a slightly stronger irritant and some find that it dries out their skin and irritates their eyes. The same isn’t as much of a concern with bromine.
As bromine decays through interaction with pathogens, it forms compounds called bromamines. These chemical byproducts are more effective at actively continuing to sanitize the spa’s water than the chlorine analog, chloramines.
And, on top of that, chloramines are responsible for that pungent “chlorine odor” of pools. Bromanines are nowhere near as powerful, and have little odor by comparison.
Ultimately, it’s up to you whether you use bromine or chlorine in your spa – there is however one very important thing you need to know.
Important Note
If you have a pool and a spa, and are currently using chlorine, just stick with that. Do not, under any circumstances, mix the two compounds.
Bromine sanitizer cannot be safely used in conjunction with chlorine. In fact, it cannot even be stored safely in the same location.
This is because combining the two pool chemicals will release bromine gas and chlorine gas, both of which are extremely toxic to humans.
So, if you’re just filling the spa for the first time and debating whether to use chlorine or bromine, bromine might be alright. But, if you’re already using chlorine in your hot tub, just stay the course.
Where Can You Get Pool Chemicals Online?
Regardless of which of these pool chemicals you’re looking for, you can get them at Best Buy Pool Supply.
The prime location to get your pool chemicals online, Best Buy Pool Supply also offers a wide variety of pool covers, equipment, replacement parts, and even floats and games.
For those of you with spas and saunas, Best Buy Pool Supply also offers the essentials for these. Orders over $100 ship free, too.
For more information (or simply to add another supplier to your retinue) visit their website today or get in touch with them directly.
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