If you have a spa, you know how important maintenance is, particularly since the spa is not drained after use. At Goodall Pools & Spas we want to help you understand the differences between the most popular sanitizing chemicals: chlorine and bromine. Either one will keep your spa sanitized so it is always ready for use.
Which is best for your spa depends on many factors and personal preferences. We have detailed some of the differences between chlorine vs. bromine below.
Chlorine
Many people are familiar with chlorine. It kills bacteria quickly and helps keep your water clean. Chlorine concentrate for spas is granulated and easy to add directly to the water.
Chlorine is less expensive than bromine, but less stable than bromine in warm water temperatures. This means that you may go through chlorine quickly and must add it several times a week on average. Chlorine also has a strong smell that may be irritating for some individuals.
Bromine
Bromine is slightly more expensive than chlorine, but it is more stable in warm water and helps to keep your pH stabilized. Bromine is often added to the water through slow-dissolving bromine tablets instead of a granulated concentrate like chlorine. The tablets are placed in a floating dispenser that slowly releases bromine into the water.
In many cases, bromine does not have to be added as frequently as chlorine since it lasts longer in warmer water and the tablets dissolve slowly. Bromine also does not have as strong of a smell as chlorine and it is quite effective at killing bacteria.
For any questions about your spa maintenance and the chemicals that will work best for you, contact us at Goodall Pool & Spas. We have more than 50 year of experience in helping Central Pennsylvania residents maintain their spas.