Keeping your spa water clean isn't merely a matter of aesthetics. Dirty spa water can lead to an itchy, unsightly rash known as Pseudomonas dermatitis, or hot tub rash. Properly treating your spa water will kill germs such as Pseudomonas and keep the water clear and sparkling. You can choose from several methods of disinfection, each of which has advantages and disadvantages.
Chlorine
Chlorine is a common disinfectant, used for everything from laundry to swimming pools. It's an effective germ killer, destroying bacteria and viruses, as well as molds, mildew and other funguses. You can purchase chlorine as inexpensive granules or tablets. But chlorine breaks down quickly in heat, making it more difficult to maintain sufficient levels of chlorine in the high temperatures of spa water. Chlorine also emits a strong odor that some people find irritating. The Centers for Disease Control recommends maintaining chlorine in your home spa at a level of 1 to 3 parts per million.
Bromine
Bromine remains more stable in hot water, so many people prefer it as a disinfectant for spas. Like chlorine, bromine effectively kills bacteria, viruses, molds and fungus. You can purchase bromine as tablets or granules and the price is comparable to chlorine. Bromine has a slight odor, though not as strong as chlorine. Bromine can also dry the skin. The Centers for Disease Control recommends maintaining a bromine level in your spa water of 2 to 5 parts per million.
Biguanide
Biguanide offers a non-chlorine alternative for spa water treatment. Biguanide effectively kills bacteria and viruses, but doesn't destroy molds of fungus. If you choose to use biguanide in your spa, you'll also need to add hydrogen peroxide to the water weekly. Biguanide has no odor and doesn't dry or irritate the skin. After several years of use, you may notice a pink slime in your spa — an indication that biguanide resistant bacteria have developed in your spa. If this happens, you'll have to switch to another method of disinfection for your spa.
Ozone
Ozone is a naturally occurring form of oxygen. Ozone helps clean and purify water in spas, but ozone alone isn't enough to keep a spa clean. If you equip your spa with an ozonater to add ozone to the water, you'll still need to use a chemical disinfectant. However, you won't have to use as much disinfectant to keep your water clean and safe.
Ph Treatments
In addition to treating your spa water with disinfectants, you'll need to maintain the pH. The proper pH helps disinfectants work and inhibits the growth of harmful organisms. You should test the pH of your spa regularly and add water treatments to raise or lower the pH as necessary. The Centers for Disease Control advises that a pH of 7.2 to 7.8 is optimal for spas.
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