After our article on some of the maintenance strategies you can employ for your inflatable spa, we want to zero in on the importance of chemicals. We have established that chemicals are considered chlorine or bromine to disinfect and sanitize the water and remove any foul smell. The foul odor is often a result of the activities of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms. Apart from using chemicals or not, one should also have to decide the number of chemicals to use.
How about choosing between chlorine and bromine in action against germs? These are some of our thoughts that we will be putting out to you in this article to respond to people’s reactions. Finally, a crucial one will be to find out how long spa water can last without the use of chemicals at all. Perhaps we should first start with that question. Experience has taught us that in typical Hot inflatable spas, the hot tub can last for about a month, maximum, without the action of sanitizers.
At the end of that 30 days, it would have become evident that the water is now unsafe to use and must be replaced. Of course, this case relates to how often you use the spa and how many people often use it. Those two factors perform hugely in determining the actual time when you have to treat the water. Meanwhile, without using a sanitizer, the risk of catching an infection through the water continues to increase.
Apart from sanitizers, water in the inflatable spas has other chemical properties. Some of these properties include turbidity and pH, which refers to the degree of alkalinity or acidity.
Why we use chemicals to sanitize the water in inflatable spas
Applying chemicals such as bromine or chlorine to the water inside inflatable spas is a great idea. In fact, statistics show that when you employ these chemicals in your pool in the right proportion and timing, you can continually use the pool for 3 to 4 months without bothering about changing the water. Since these chemicals, when used correctly, can stop the growth of microorganisms in the collection and reduce the risk of contaminants, inflatable spas cannot do without these essential chemicals.
Therefore, it is not advisable to completely stay away from these chemicals if you want to maintain a healthy environment within your hot tub. The absence of chemicals in a short while means the water can host different contaminants and very harmful organisms. Have you not heard people wash in a hot tub, only to develop rashes from their spa bath? There is hardly any viable alternative to using chemicals in caring for the hot tub.
Many microorganisms thrive in a hidden or warmer environment. The warmth of a bathtub can be an excellent place to start. With time the water becomes discolored and gives a foul smell as the bacteria reproduce and secrete harmful chemicals. No one really wants to pay such a high price with the facility when the application of chemicals can prevent it. you can learn more about spas by clicking here.
Can you sanitize without chlorine?
Chlorine is the number one chemical that you want to consider applying to your spa water. However, there is an alternative to the use of chlorine. The first alternative to consider is bromine, which is also relatively closer to chlorine in the same halogen family of oxidizers. Not only so, apart from chlorine and bromine, but spa owners can also make use of enzyme-based sanitizers with saltwater and ozone systems.
For a start, chlorine is a rapid chemical to kill germs and disinfect the water for safety. But the problem with chlorine is that it can only remain effective as long as the pH level of the water does not exceed 8.1. In other words, it has a low pH activity level. pH outside of this range causes chlorine to lose over 90% of its activity and effectiveness in killing germs and sanitizing the water. On the other hand, some people may not want chlorine because they react to it.
Conversely, when you apply bromine to the water in the spa as a credible alternative. Bromine is not smelly, not harsh on the body, but its activity is much slower than that of chlorine because it is more resistant to heat. However, bromine can remain effective under a wide range of temperatures. Due to the increased preference for Bromine over Chlorine, the price of bromine has also increased in the market. But it is worth the effort if you think of its effectiveness.
Apart from Chlorine and Bromine, you may also want to try Ozonator and other minerals that can help to kill these germs and harmful contaminants. There is also an activity we refer to as shocking water, which requires a non-chlorine shock. Whereas a small amount of chlorine shock has often led to more transparent water.
How long does it take bacteria to grow in spas without chemicals?
Suppose you don’t sufficiently add disinfectants to the water in the spa, and you use it continually. In that case, it takes only 2 to 3 days for bacteria to grow. At that instance of continuous use, the water is already gathering a lot of dirt, oil, grime, sweat, and even germs. In addition to those materials, bathers may also leave off urine and fecal matter residues inside the spa. Any kind of organic material is food for bacterial growth, especially when it comes from multiple users in the spa.
It is pretty easy to assume that sanitizers will also kill all the bacteria at once. But that is not always the case. Over time, some bacteria will develop protective coatings, known as ‘Biofilm’ to reduce the effects of your disinfectants on them. In other words, the more you leave off your water without treatment, for the germs to grow, the more dangerous and contagious the spa condition becomes to other people who dip into it.
Conclusion
The numerous alternatives to hot tub chemicals include enzyme-based chemicals such as Spa Marvel, Ozonators, Baqua Spa, and Saltwater systems. Meanwhile, some of these alternative chemicals have additives that can serve as a skin conditioning lotion to moisturize your skin. Traditional methods of using chlorine and bromine are suitable. They are general maintenance culture to ensure the inflatable spas are safe to use.