This is a guide for popular hot tub chemicals and safe, cost effective

pH and alkalinity adjustment alternatives for each type.

What do you want from your hot tub? People spend thousands of dollars for a nice tub
and then unwittingly end up using the cheapest, most popular method to treat them
which is more important to getting the most from this expenditure in relaxation and
pleasure. Cheap chemicals can destroy you investment and rob you of the experience
you were expecting when you bought it.

CHLORINE GRANUALS - Dichlor-S-Trianzinetrione

Dichlor - A stabilized, granular, fast-dissolving form of chlorine and the most widely
prescribed and used sanitizer, primarily due to lake of understanding of the side effects.

Because it dissolves so easily, it is often sold as "shock". Like trichlor, dichlor adds
chlorine and CYANURIC ACID to your water and lowers the pH. Use of dichlor can raise
your CYANURIC ACID level very quickly. In as little as 1-2 weeks, which makes the
chlorine mostly ineffective. This is because as CYANURIC ACID LEVELS rise, it
reduces the ability of chlorine to oxidize and sanitize your water. This causes frequent
draining, rashes, itching, foaming and other problems.
CYANURIC ACID is like sunscreen for chlorine and protects against UV degradation.
This is not needed in a hot tub and banned from use in public spas by many health
departments.

In many cases, Dichlor will lower your pH unless you have high alkalinity. When pH is
low for an extended period of time, the alkalinity will drop. Using regular old baking soda
sparingly will raise the pH back up as well as alkalinity.

CHLORINE TABLETS - Trichloro-s-triazinetrione

Trichlor - Commonly sold as tablets or pucks that you simply put into an floating
container you put in the water to slowly dissolve - adding chlorine and CYANURIC ACID
into your water as well as lowering the pH. They are incredibly convenient and evil. The
CYANURIC ACID that they put into your pool water doesn't get used up, and instead
accumulates. Eventually the CYANURIC ACID level will build up to a point that renders
your chlorine ineffective. Typically, everything is fine, until one day you start to notice
things such as dull or cloudy water, rashes, itching and don’t know why. Other problems
caused by chlorine tablets is low alkalinity and pH along with over chlorination which
can damage heaters, pumps and pillows. Under these conditions, staining will also
happen as metals are dissolved in the water.

When using chlorine tablets, common baking soda will keep your pH and alkalinity up.

Bromine Tablets 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin

Bromine tablets are used because it is more stable in high temperatures as well as
more effective at high pH conditions. It requires twice as much bromine vs. chlorine to
sanitize. Some people do not like the smell of bromine but will not be as strong as the
moment you take the cover off of a chlorine tub. The bromine smell will linger as you
soak in your tub. Bromine tablets also have a compound that reduces effectiveness
much like CYANURIC ACID does with chlorine, so rashes and itching may develop.
Other problems caused by chlorine tablets is low alkalinity and pH along with over
chlorination which can damage heaters, pumps and pillows. Under these conditions,
staining will also happen as metals are dissolved in the water.

Household Bleach

You want to use common household bleach that is unscented. Bleach is available in
various strengths, labeled by percentage. The most common strength is 6%. The higher
the percentage, the less you need and vice versa.

Bleach loses strength over time, more quickly when it is stored at higher temperatures.
You should store bleach in a cool dark place. 6% bleach can reasonably be stored for
about six months. Using bleach does not introduce CYANURIC ACID so you can drain
less frequently. For best results, add every 2-3 days.

Bleach will raise the pH of your water so use white vinegar to bring it down. If you use
too much, it won’t hurt anything and pH will come back up on its own.
Salt Water Chlorine Generators

A salt water chlorine generator (SWG) converts salt into chlorine. As the chlorine gets
used up, it turns back into salt, ready to be reused. The SWG simply takes care of
adding the chlorine for you.

Adding salt to your hot tub does very slightly increase the risk of corrosion which is
easily compensated for by maintaining hardness at 300-400 for systems requiring 3000
ppm salt and a hardness of 250 for systems requiring 1500-2000 ppm salt. Not only
does salt water feel better and look clearer, because they add a little chlorine every day.
you can keep a lower level of chlorine. Salt water systems will also allow you to go on
vacation and come back to a clear hot tub, just add white vinegar and you are ready to
go. From personal experience, using bleach or a salt water system can extend draining
to 6-12 months. This saves time, money and of course water.

Note:

When choosing a salt system it is ideal to get one with a boost feature you can activate
when you get in the hot tub. This helps to keep up with the demand placed on the water
from use. It is also ideal to get a system that has chlorine detection. This prevents
extremely high chlorine due to changes in usage or non use as most systems output is
time based.

Note:

Ozone is a perfect compliment to any of the above treatments. Mineral cartridges can
also be used with all of the above. Another effective way to lower chlorine levels is to
use pure geranium essential oil at the rate of 5-6 drops person prior to use. I have also
found that using a product called Thieves cleaner works well with geranium oil to keep
your tub clean and clear.

Salt

Everyone wants to sell expensive salt. Exotic salts with minerals are not only expensive
but the minerals get oxidized out of the water and end up in your filter. Other special
salts are primarily salt in an expensive container. You can use any salt except iodized
salt and water softener salt with anti-caking agents. I like canning and pickling salt as it
comes in 4 lb. boxes. 2-3 boxes is all it takes for most hot tubs. The best deal is to get
40 lb. bags of 98% solar salt found in home improvement or hardware stores.
White Vinegar

White vinegar is an excellent way to lower your pH. It is cheap, safe and of course all
natural. Vinegar is also mild enough that makes it pretty much impossible to harm
anything. If you add too much your pH will be back to normal in a day. Vinegar can also
be used to lower alkalinity by turning your tub off, adding 2-4 cups and let sit for 2-3
hours. This may have to be done 2 or 3 times if your alkalinity is high.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is good for raising pH and alkalinity and is the exact same chemical put
into expensive bottles and called Alkalinity Increaser. This will not need to be used with
bleach or salt systems.

Conclusion:

The key to successful water treatment is using sanitizers that do not have substances
that fight against each other and consistently maintain a moderate level of sanitizer.

Bleach or a salt water systems are your two best options with bleach requiring more
effort because the high temperature of hot tub water. If you stay on top of your chlorine,
bleach will do a good job but if you forget, your eater will get cloudy and require work to
get it back in shape. Saltwater Chlorine Generators will do this automatically and the
water will feel better and be more soothing to the skin due to the salt. Remember
Bromine tablets and CYANURIC ACID are not your friend so stay away from any
chemical that contains it.

Both will keep your hot tub sparkling without adding additional chemicals that are not to
be in your hot tub.to water which prevent you from enjoying your hot tub as they build
up.

Good luck and email any questions to mail@thehottubwizard.com

Lance Fitzsimmons