SPAs, Pools, And Hot Tubs

            Ask anybody and chances are they will tell you that they know the difference between a swimming pool, a hot tub, and a spa, but little do they know that spa chemicals are quite similar to chemicals for hot tubs and chemicals for swimming pools.

            Every one make use of algaecides, chlorine or bromine products, cleaning products, flocculants, water balancers, and water quality testers.

            Let’s take a brief look at each of these categories:

1. Algaecides. These may have quaternary ammonium salts (quats), polyquats, copper salts, or colloidal silver. Quats are used to prevent the occurrence of algae and are the cheapest type of algaecides. Already existing algae are removed with polyquats (more pricey than quats). Colloidal silver and copper salts both kill and prevent algal growth in the spa, pool, or hot tub.
2. Chlorine or Bromine products. The swimming pool, hot tub, and spa are disinfected using either bromine or chlorine products. Some individuals prefer to use on or the other depending on whether or not they are allergic to the chemical.
3. Cleaning products. These include cleaners for cartridges and tiles. Spa and hot tub cartridges will eventually become dirty with all the residues, grease and oil that have accumulated over time. Cartridge cleaners will help restore the cartridge to their original efficiency plus it removes any unwanted deposits. Tile cleaners remove grease, oil, and water lines while preventing further development of stains and marks.
4. Flocculants. These are made of polymers that helps increase the efficiency of centrifugation, clarification, filtration, and settling in the hot tub, pool or spa. Flocculants makes the water impurities combine for easy scooping up or vacuuming thus making the task of cleaning easy.
5. Water balancers. The calcium hardness (for areas with low hardness), alkalinity, and pH can be kept in check using water balancers to prevent possible headaches that can result due to a chemically unbalances spa, hot tub, and swimming pool.
6. Water quality testers. How will you know if what you did was sufficient to achieve the results that you desired even if you did follow the directions on the package to a T. Water quality testers are the answer because they help you check the water quality even after you have just added the chemicals or a few days has gone by.

Now you know that a hot tub, a spa, and a swimming pool are similar yet different at the same time. The similarity lies in the chemicals employed to keep it sparkling clean.