Clear Choice Enzyme's Vs Bromine

[AnitaC]

We just purchased a swim spa which came with Clear Choice spa fill cartridge and a bottle of the Clear Choice enzyme. We followed the instructions for start up (filled the hose via a garden hose attached to the Clear Choice cartridge) and added 1/2 oz of Clear Choice enzyme. The water had a decidedly green tint during fill through the cartridge that they say is 'normal' and will dissipate over time. It's still green and I'm skeptical.

We've had a trouble free Sundance Hot Tub for over 10 years with an ozonator that I maintain with a normal bromine regimen. In 10 years, nobody has every gotten out of the hot tub with a rash or an infection. I'm embarrassed to ask friends over to try out the new swim spa and ask them to get into green water. And I'm skeptical that I'll be able to keep the water clean and healthy without any sanitizer.

Looking at the information on water treatment on this site, I just saw that combining the enzyme with a smaller dosage of bromine is an option. That was never offered as a suggestion when we bought the swim spa and it's certainly not discussed on any Clear Choice information.

Does anyone have an any experience with combining enzymes and bromine? I'm wondering if I can just test and treat with a smaller dose of bromine than normal and also use the enzyme. I can't find any information on this so I don't know if these are compatible with each other Will there be an unwanted interaction?

I'd hate to have to drain the tub (2400 gallons) and start over.

Any informed advice will be very appreciated!

[AnitaC]

Anyone? I'm pleased to say the water is no longer green but I would still be very interested in hearing if anyone thinks I should suppliment the Clear Choice enzyme with a sanitizer regime.

[chem geek]

It's more the other way around. You can supplement the sanitizer regimen by using an enzyme. You need a disinfectant in the spa and there are only four approved by the EPA that kill pathogens quickly enough: chlorine, bromine, Baquacil/biguanide/PHMB, Nature2 (silver ions) with MPS. Enzymes alone are not disinfectants and will not prevent the growth of bacteria nor the infection from a virus or protozoan oocyst.

The disinfectants which are also oxidizers will break down the enzymes so you'll need to add more regularly if that's what you want to do. With a proper disinfectant regimen, however, you shouldn't need to use enzymes. With bromine, if you don't have an ozonator you can shock periodically (weekly or so) with chlorine. With chlorine, you shouldn't need to do anything if you use the Dichlor-then-bleach method while if you use Dichlor-only you may need to use a supplemental oxidizer or to shock now and then to keep the water clear or just change the water more frequently.