Considering moving away from caustic chemicals to treat your spa water? We look at a few good alternatives without the sales hype.
Every spa owner has had to face the challenge of keeping the water safe and clear. The old standards of Chlorine and Bromine have started to fall from favor. True they do work but because they are so caustic they wreak havoc with your hair, skin, spa jets not to mention the environment. With this in mind lets look at some alternatives.
Mineral treatment of your spa water can do the same job with less environmental impact. First, Copper can be used to treat your water and keeps stuff from growing in your water. It is a lot safer for your skin, hair and health, and won't cause premature break down of your pump and jet components. Still, because it does a good job of killing things you need to use care when you empty your spa. Some areas have banned using copper to treat water because if it does end up in the water shed it will kill fish and algae.
Zinc and Sliver are another popular solution. I would just recommend sticking with the liquid based versions. You should never use anything directly in the filter area of the spa because you do not want the risk of anything being sucked into the water pump.
Ozone can also be effective in water treatment. It works by exposing ultra violet light to air which forms an energetic oxidizer. It destroys algae, viruses and bacteria. Again you should know how to use your system properly. Avoid over exposure to ozone while using the spa. No ozone bubbles should be entering the spa during occupancy. Smelling ozone is not good and would be a sign that your system should be checked.
One thing that a lot of spa owners forget about is checking your spa water pH. Maintaining the proper pH level can greatly improve the effectiveness of the water treatment. Spa water that is not properly balanced can cause irritation to eyes, and mucous membranes. Do not get lazy about checking the pH just because you have a handle on your chemical treatment.
Finally, circulation of the water. Stagnant water, especially warm stagnant water is a breeding ground for life. Circulating water will increase the effectiveness of filtration and chemicals. It is better overall for your spa pump to run for three to four hours at a time for two to three times per day as opposed to running for thirty minutes at a time ten times per day. If your spa only runs for thirty minutes it does no have enough time to properly filter all the spa water.
The ultimate goal is of course to be able to enjoy your hot tub for years. However like your car, regular maintenance can have a profound influence on that. If you maintain your car, change the oil, replace the filters, rotate the tires, you stand a much better choice of enjoying your vehicle with fewer unpleasant surprises. The same goes for your spa.
