Newb Chemical Questions About Bromine Vs Chlorine

[dannyw68]

I just recently purchased a used hot tub that came with some chlorine based chemicals. I am presently sanitizing the tub and replacing the filter based on the Hillbilly Hot Tub method to make sure its plenty clean and safe. I've read both the Nitro chlorine sticky and the waterbear bromine sticky and it seems really obvious to me that the using Bromine is MUCH less complicated and requires less daily maintenance.

So my question is that if Bromine is so much easier, less finicky, lower maintenance, and doesnt smell like chlorine, why do so many people opt to use chlorine instead?

[Dr. Spa]

Bromine is more expensive than chlorine.

Some people find the smell of bromine much worse than chlorine.

Bromine is extremely stable compared to chlorine and will almost always be present in the water (not so good if you want minimal chemicals in the water with you).

Bromine is extremely stable and doesn't rinse off youir body, possibly leaving you smelling like it for hours.

[chem geek]

And for those that care, the disinfection by-products from bromine (i.e. the brominated organics) are technically worse than most of the by-products from chlorine (i.e. the chlorinated organics). For residential spas, they are both low risk, however.

[spidey9]

I find the Dichlor/bleach method to be simpler than bromine.

I much prefer the smell of chlorine to bromine. Besides, the only time I notice the chlorine smell at all is when I first lift the cover, and even then it is not bad. As long as I can remember to uncover the spa 10 minutes or so before using it, odor is really a non-issue.

The only chemical I am adding on a daily basis is bleach, which I can buy at my local supermarket for a few dollars per gallon.

The only downside is that this method requires a small amount of maintenance on a near-daily basis. I use the tub every day, so I check FC before soaking (takes about two minutes), and add bleach after soaking (takes less than a minute).

[mrsfitzme]

Another newbie.. We bought a used tub also....local supplier started us on chlorine...we recently switched to bromine tabs and I've been having problems ever since...water is cloudy, FC and HC levels too low. I've shocked twice, not helping....any advice? I like the idea of the bleach technique, but at this point wondering if I should try it, or drain and start over....help?!

[Dr. Spa]

If you're using bromine, you need to test for bromine. You'll still get a "reading" for chlorine, but that reading is completely irrelevant, inaccurate and should be ignored.

[waterbear]

If you're using bromine, you need to test for bromine. You'll still get a "reading" for chlorine, but that reading is completely irrelevant, inaccurate and should be ignored.

You can test for Total Chlorine or Free Chlorine and multiply the reading by 2.25 to get the bromine reading. The tests are identical, only the measuring scale is different. Did you add sodium bromide to create your bromide bank in the water when you switched or just put tabs in a floaer (which does not really work)? Also, your "low" chlorine readings might actually be close to where they need to be for bromine once you do the math above. BTW, what is a HC level...not quite sure what you mean. Also, how are you testing? Strips, Drop, etc. and exactly which kit or strips are you using? Cloudy water is often caused by insufficient sanitizer but there can be other reasons as well and without a full set of test results it's impossible to say.

This thread might be helpful to read.