What to do if Bromine Is Too High in the Hot Tub
Bromine is often used as a sanitizer in hot tubs as it works well with warm water, and it is an excellent sanitizer. Bromine works by creating ions of the impurities in the hot tub’s water, and the filter of the hot tub removes these ions from the hot tub.
At the same time, a high level of bromine in your hot tub can lead to several problems such as skin rashes, irritation in the throat, discoloration of swimsuits, deterioration of hot tub components and more. You will often find a strong chemical smell in the water of your hot tub, which is an indication of high levels of bromine. While this might not be a bad thing if you have just started to sanitize your hot tub, but it is a warning sign that you should pay heed to.
How to Check the Level of Bromine in Your Hot Tub
You can buy chemical testing kits from your local pool store to check if the level of bromine in your hot tub is too high. If you do not have a chemical testing kit, the best way to check bromine levels is to take a sample of your hot tub water to your local pool supplies store.
The test will give you a fair idea of the additional bromine or free bromine that is present in your hot tub. The ideal levels of bromine in a hot tub are 3ppm to 5ppm, and if there is less or more bromine in the hot tub, you will need to adjust it to a suitable level.
Once you have determined the high levels of bromine, you can take corrective measures to adjust the levels of bromine in the hot tub. Here are some of the things you can do if bromine is too high in your hot tub.
- Let the Hot Tub Sit Still – One of the most straightforward solutions is to do nothing. Just let the water sit as the extra bromine in the water will evaporate with time. You can turn off any device that adds bromine to the water automatically, and in a day or two, you will find that the levels of bromine have come down considerably. Avoid using the tub during this time and check the bromine levels every 12-15 hours to see how low they have come.
- Open the Hot Tub – If you feel that bromine levels are still not low enough, take the cover off the hot tub and let it breathe in the open air. An open hot tub will allow the bromine to evaporate faster, and it will also lower the water level in your hot tub. With a lower water level, you can make further adjustments to the level of bromine.
- Dilute the Water – Check the bromine levels before diluting the water. If the bromine level has not gone down by any degree, it’s time to add more water to the hot tub. Add fresh water to the hot tub and let the water cycle through the hot tub’s plumbing. Wait a few hours before checking the bromine levels, and you will see a considerable decrease in the levels of bromine.
- Drain the Hot Tub – This is the last step to follow if you are finding it too difficult to balance the levels of bromine in the hot tub. Just drain the water from the hot tub and fill it with fresh water as it is easier to balance bromine in freshwater.
- Neutralizer – Neutralizer is a quick fix when you do not have the time to balance the bromine level in your hot tub. This chemical can be used in a pinch to remove chlorine and bromine from water, but you should use it only after consultation from hot tub chemistry professional. The chemical works till depletion, and it has removed any amount of chlorine or bromine it can remove. If not used carefully, it can leave your hot tub’s water chemistry even more imbalanced.
Conclusion
Managing the levels of bromine and chlorine in your hot tub is a delicate task. Keep track of the bromine levels in your hot tub every week and replace the water regularly.
Make sure you run the hot tub filter for an hour every day, even if you are not using the hot tub on a day. If you plan to use the hot tub, run it for a more extended time. Keep your hot tub clean and change any parts that have become old and are not functioning at an optimum level.
If there are any doubts or queries in your mind about bromine levels in your hot tub, leave your question in the comment section, and we’ll get back to you at the earliest.
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