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There are many different systems available to disinfect and sanitize your spa. The system that you choose should be geared to the frequency
of usage of your spa and who is using it. Following are five traditional systems that address different preferences and usage parameters.
You should choose the system that is best suited for you.
BROMINE
Bromine is a sanitizer that is best suited for use in spas. Unlike chlorine, bromine’s effectiveness is not sharply reduced as pH rises.
Just as chlorine’s byproduct is called chloramine, bromamine is bromine’s byproduct. But unlike chlroramine, bromamine is an effective
disinfectant that does not produce unpleasant odors. There are two traditional brominating systems. The first uses bromine tablets or
caplets that are generally placed in a floating feeder to dissolve and create a bromine residual in the water. The water will require regular
shocking. The second system requires the addition of bromine salt to the water. An oxidizer is then added, after each use, to produce
a bromine sanitizer. This will sanitize and oxydize the water after each use.
LITHIUM HYPOCHLORITE
Lithium is less harmful to your spa. Although lithium may cause your pH to rise quicker than normal, it is also fast-dissolving, has minimal
odors and has a longer shelf life than bromine.
BIGUANIDE
Unlike bromine and chlorine, biguanide is a non-halogen sanitizing compound. It is effective for people who have allergic reactions to
halogen sanitizers like chlorine and bromine. Is is odorless and does not irritate skin. Biguanide is not compatible with chlorine or bromine.
Contact with thse chemicals will leave gummy residues on your spa’s surfaces. Also, biguanide is not effective in spas with heavy bather
loads.
MINERAL PURIFIERS
Copper and zinc are very effective in killing bacteria and viruses in water. Minerals do not work as quickly as other sanitizers and cannot
remove organic waste from the water. Although most metal producing systems have inline chambers that use electrolysis to produce
metal ions and introduce them into the water, mineral purifying sticks have become very popular and work extremely well with ozone.
SHOCK TREATMENT
One of the most important parts of a spa treatment is to shock or super chlorinate the water after each use. When a spa is used, bathers
will leave oils, greases and ammonia from their sweat, as well as many other contaminants from their body, in the water. Unless removed
right away, these contaminants will become food source for other microorganisms in the water and they can cause odors and unhealthy
water. Shocking after each use will remove these contaminants and help to make your spa much easier to maintain.
DISINFECTING AND SANITIZING
CHEMICALS
