Hot Tub Stuff

[Diana Blake]

So, I'm looking into a hot tub in my future and now I have to pick what kind of filtration/sanitation system I want but I don't know what I'm doing wrong....there doesn't seem to be a clear cut comparison, pros and cons list or anything of that nature that I can find. I would like to avoid chlorine if I can because my skin is a bit sensitive to it but that leaves me with bromine or silver ion filters and well...I'm having the darndest time trying to figure out any information on them.

For anyone that has a hot tub or knows about them: At first glance silver ion filters seem like an amazing option since it means no chemicals but at the same time I'm also seeing stuff that says the silver ion filter is not meant to be a stand alone system and you still need either bromine or chlorine? There's a lot of conflicting information and I'm finding that all the information I find is usually a sales pitch and it's pretty biased. Just hoping someone can help with my confusion a bit.

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Here's a good comparison of them. It does look like going without chlorine will be tough. Doable, but tough: and more expensive.

http://www.rhtubs.com/store/proNcon.htm

 

[SexySteph]

My parents have a saltwater pool and were looking into doing something similar with a hot tub (but then decided they wouldn't get enough use out of a hottub).

They have to shock it with chlorine and chemicals at the beginning of every season but other than that there's never any chlorine used. Have you considered going with a saltwater option?

 

[MissHollyJade]

We have a Sundance hot tub. I recommend against using chlorine. You could use Bromine which is pretty good or use what we use, which is the Nature 2 system.It's kind of like a filter for you're filter. And of course you still use a sanitizer. If you have any questions pm me and I'll give you as much info as I can.

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Okay, so my brother has a hot tub he put in about 4 years ago, so I figured I'd just ask him.

Turns out he also doesn't use any chlorine stuff. He goes with the Bromine tablets.

Here's what he does and suggets.

Shock (every 3 weeks about a half cup)
Bromine tablets in a floater dispenser, keep it full and just let it be in there all the time.

Use Leisure Time brand. It seems to be about the best so it lasts the longest and will be cheaper that way.

Check the pH (brother has to lower it in his due to calcium in the water, but your area may be different)

Drains it every 3 months for cleaning IF he uses it a lot (3 or 4 times a week). Can go around 4 months if he uses it a couple times a week.

Use Hard water, not from a water softener!

He spends maybe $50 a year in chemicals using it a couple times a week.

Your chemicals will last longer if you can do a couple things. Don't wear clothes in the hot tub and take a shower before hopping in. The more dirt and grime from your body and clothing (even residual laundry soap in clothes) will use them up faster.

There. That's all I got. :-D

 

[Rose]

So what you're saying is to go naked.

 

[Diana Blake]

Thank you so much Jerry, I think we're going to do about the same thing as your brother. I was worried about the tablets since I have a small person but since the floater can be removed while you're in the tub it shouldn't be a problem.

@Steph, I really wanted salt water but around here they only do salt water for indoor hot tubs. I've also heard some stuff about the casing starting to feel slimey and slippery after a while with the salt.

 

[JerryBoBerry]

Thank you so much Jerry, I think we're going to do about the same thing as your brother. I was worried about the tablets since I have a small person but since the floater can be removed while you're in the tub it shouldn't be a problem.

I can't remember this for sure (i didn't ask about this specifically). But if I remember right my brother uses a small enough floater that it fits inside the cover for the filters. So it doesn't just float around the whole tub freely. You never see it unless you take the filter cover off. I've seen my brother's tub several times and don't ever remember actually seeing it in the main part. Check with your hot tub supplier on that to see if they have small diameter ones that will fit like that.