The Total Chemical Solutions team often gets asked what the difference is between these two recommended forms of chlorine and which one should be used. For years, bromine has been a popular proactive option for on-site water sanitation due to its non-chlorine properties, which are advantageous in hot tubs or spas because it does not cause dry skin like some chlorinated pools can.
However, there is more than meets the eye with this chemical choice! Let us start by listing all you need to know so you can make an informed decision…. let’s go!
You have been through the pros and cons of using bromine v’s chlorine and chose chlorine as your hot tub or spa sanitiser. The next step is to determine which chlorine will work best for you. Do you opt for stabilised chlorine granules or multi-functional chlorine tablets?
My multifunctional chlorine tablets say they contain un-stabilised chlorine. What is un-stabilised chlorine?
Un-stabilised chlorine is chlorine without the addition of cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid stabilised chlorine, which, in effect, makes it last much longer when you use it within your spa or hot tub. Many multifunctional chlorine tablets contain the un-stabilised form of chlorine, so it is worth reading on to find out how they impact the water management of your hot tub (remembering that they have many other benefits).
The un-stabilised form of chlorine dissipates more quickly, and as a result, you will have to add more chlorine to ensure that you maintain the sanitisation of your water. This is especially the case in the summer months, as the UV rays from the sun make the chlorine ‘burn off’ quicker.
However, if your pool, hot tub, or spa is undercover, un-stabilised chlorine could be the best form for you as UV rays will not affect it. If you opt for this form of chlorine, it is worth remembering that due to the lack of stabiliser (cyanuric acid), it won’t stay in water for long. Daily water testing is essential, remembering to add chlorine when required to maintain the optimal 3ppm.
What is stabilised chlorine?
Yep, you have got it…stabilised chlorine does contain cyanuric acid, which, in effect, makes the chlorine stays in your water more prolonged and more efficient as you will not have to add as much (or as frequently) as un-stabilised chlorine.
Stabilised chlorine is often in the form of granules, which are much quicker to dissolve than their multi-functional, un-stabilised tablet counterparts, resulting in a speedier response to your change in chlorine level readings. This is another reason chlorine granules are excellent to use when you need to shock your hot tub water.
Stabilised chlorine does, however, come with a word of warning that if your cyanuric acid levels (the stabiliser) get too high, this will have a negative effect on the chlorine itself. If this is the case, we recommend undertaking a partial drain-down to allow you to dilute the concentration and rebalance your water chemistry.
Should I use stabilised or un-stabilised chlorine in my hot tub/pool?
We are not the ones to sit on the fence here at Total Chemical Solutions, as we like to be able to give you our expert recommendations, but there is no right or wrong answer to this question. It is, however, more a matter of understanding what hot tub, spa, or pool you have, where it is located, how to use each form and not forgetting your preferences.
Many of our customers prefer not to choose between the two forms of chlorine and decide that to achieve the perfect water balance, they like to use a combination of multi-functional chlorine tablets and chlorine granules – and we quite like this approach!
Hassle-free multi-functional tablets used in a dispenser are great for the day-to-day maintenance of your chlorine levels. Combined with stabilised chlorine granules for shock-dosing and immediate changes to your chlorine levels, it results in the perfect water chemistry.
To find out which form of chlorine will work best for you, have a go using both and combined with your daily testing, you will soon work out your perfect solution. If you want to talk to one of our water management experts about chlorine-related, call us on 02921 280422 or WhatsApp on 07540 184405.