When you first purchase a hot tub, you should expect see loads of information online about how to keep your hot tub sanitised for the best experience.
The most popular way to disinfect your hot tub includes using chlorine or bromine to kill the bacteria within the water, but which one should you use in your hot tub?
The Differences: Chlorine vs Bromine
You'll probably have heard more about chlorine as it's frequently used in swimming pools and spas as a disinfectant. Bromine is its lesser-known alternative that some hot tub users prefer, and sometimes for good reason!
They are both similar in what they actually do - they are both disinfectants, and they both kill stubborn bacteria and contaminants within water.
Chemical Composition
Chlorine and bromine can be purchased in a variety of forms, including tablets and liquids. Alternatively, bromine - in a liquid form - has to be diluted as it can be harmful to the skin and the eyes.
The main difference between chlorine and bromine is their chemical composition, meaning they kill bacteria in different ways, leading to different methods of chemical degradation.
Shocking Method
Chlorine (sodium dichlor) oxidises and disinfects. When chlorine is added to water for a shock treatment (also known as disinfecting your hot tub), it will convert chloramines (a harmful version of chlorine) back to its safe, active state as chlorine. Chlorine is a great disinfectant for hot tubs as it easily mixes and destroys harmful bacteria and contaminants.
Bromine will sanitise your hot tub by activating the non-disinfecting bromide ion present within the hot tub water to turn it into a sanitising acid.
Both sanitisers will provide your hot tub with improved water quality and balanced pH levels, resulting in a cleaner and enjoyable experience.
Application
To apply liquid chlorine as a disinfectant for hot tubs, you will need to add more to the water every 2 days as it dissipates quicker than bromine. You can easily spread this use out by using chlorine tablets in a floating dispenser.
Bromine, on the other hand, kills contaminants slowly but over a longer period of time. You should only apply bromine to your hot tub's water once a week. In this sense, bromine does the job exactly the same as chlorine and requires less maintenance. You can also use a floating dispenser for bromine.
What's Better for Hot Tubs: Chlorine or Bromine?
When choosing between chlorine or bromine for your hot tub, it's a question of value and preference.
Chlorine is a more affordable sanitiser, but it doesn't last as long as bromine so you may find that the upkeep requires more effort in comparison. Bromine is more expensive, however you only need to apply it once a week.
If you find that you are sensitive to strong smells, chlorine probably isn't the option for you as it has a very strong and distinctive odour. Bromine, however, has no unpleasant smell.
Buy Bromine and Chlorine Today
Here at Premier Hot Tubs, we understand that a hot tub is a big investment. We're proud to stock all the hot tub chemicals and accessories that you may need to care for your hot tub.
We truly care about our customers and the service they receive. We hope this article has answered your questions about how to shock a hot tub, but please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any further information or advice or check out our Hot Tub FAQs.
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