When it comes to backyard pools and hot tubs there are two ways to keep the water sanitized and that’s by using either chlorine or bromine. Both can be purchased anywhere that sells pool supplies in Torrance, CA, and each has its own unique characteristics and benefits. For the most part, owners of hot tubs typically to use bromine while pool owners tend toward the use of chlorine. Here are some comparisons. Cost Chlorine tablets are about 20% cheaper than bromine tablets in the 1” size and over 40% cheaper in the 3” size. Chlorine is definitely a cheaper alternative. Convenience Both chemicals are fairly convenient. However, bromine requires a bank of bromides to build up before a test kit can get a reading. Chlorine comes out slightly ahead in use here. Duration Bromine does not last as well under the sun as chlorine, but then most hot tubs are not in the direct sunlight. However, bromide salts can be reactivated into bromine simply by adding a tiny amount of chlorine shock, which allows for the reuse of bromide over and over and thus you use less bromine. Bromine is best for the duration. Strength Chemically speaking, chlorine is stronger but bromine has a big advantage over chlorine in destroying viruses and bacteria. Chlorine, on the other hand, has an advantage in eliminating algae faster. Bromine is stronger in more water conditions and molecular states and thus is better than chlorine in this category. Stability At a high pH, only about 25% of chlorine is active, whereas bromine is not affected as much by pH swings and continues to be effective under conditions such as when a hot tub filled with people quickly raises the pH levels. Bromine is also quite stable at high temperatures where chlorine tends to quickly release as a gas at temperatures approaching 100 degrees. Bromine comes out ahead for stability. Irritation Bromine is less irritating to the skin, doesn’t cause red eyes, and doesn’t have the strong odor that is common with chlorine. Those who find chlorine irritating are better off with bromine. Whether you decide on chlorine or bromine, either one is readily available at any retailer who carries pool supplies in Torrance, CA.
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