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 now, bromine has been a popular proactive option for on-site water sanitation due to its non-chlorine properties that 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 get started by listing out all you need to know so you make an informed decision…. let’s go!
You have been through the pros and cons of using bromine v’s chlorine and you have chosen chlorine as your hot tub or spa sanitizer. The next step is to work out which form of chlorine will work best for you. Do you opt for stabilized chlorine granules or the multi-functional chlorine tablets?
My multifunctional chlorine tablets say they contain un-stabilized chlorine. What is un-stabilized chlorine?
Un-stabilized chlorine is chlorine without the addition of cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid stabilized 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-stabilized 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 do have many other additional benefits).
The un-stabilized form of chlorine dissipates more quickly, and as a result, you will have to add more chlorine to ensure that you maintain the sanitization 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 are undercover, then un-stabilized chlorine could be the best form for you as it will not get affected by the UV rays. If you are going to opt for this form of chlorine, then it is worth remembering that due to the lack of stabilizer (cyanuric acid) it won’t stay in water for long. Daily testing of your water is essential, remembering to add chlorine when required to maintain the optimal 3ppm.
What is stabilized chlorine?
Yep, you have got it…stabilized chlorine does contain cyanuric acid which in effect makes the
chlorine stays in your water for longer and more efficiently as you will not have to add as much (or as frequently) as un-stabilized chlorine.
Stabilized chlorine is often in the form of granules which are much quicker to dissolve than their multi-functional un-stabilized tablet counterparts resulting in a speedier response to your change in chlorine level readings. Which is another reason why chlorine granules are great to use when you need to shock your hot tub water.
Stabilized chlorine does however come with a word of warning in that if your cyanuric acid levels (the stabilizer) get too high, this will have a negative effect on the chlorine itself. If this is the case, then our recommendation would be to undertake a partial drain-down to allow you to dilute the concentration and rebalance your water chemistry.
Should I use stabilized or un-stabilized chlorine in my hot tub/pool?
We are not ones to sit on the fence here at Total Chemical Solutions, as we like to be able to give you our expert recommendations, but in answer to this question, there is no right or wrong. 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 own 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. Which when used in combination with stabilized chlorine granules for shock-dosing and immediate changes to your chlorine levels 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 would like to talk to one of our water management experts about all thing’s chlorine related, give us a call on: 0333 772 73 79