Top Ten Spa Chemicals
The following list represents the basic selection of chemicals available for effective spa maintenance.
- Sodium dichlor: Often referred to as dichlor, this low-cost 100 percent soluble chlorine sanitizer produces no residual effect on acrylic or fiberglass shells.
- Bromine: A sanitizer available in 1 inch tablets, bromine stabilizes at a higher pH than dichlor (chlorine), resist the effects of ultra-violet rays, and controls odor problems sometimes associated with chlorine.
- Potassium monopersulphate: This increasingly poplar oxidizing agent or shock treatment activates the chemical action of conventional and alternative sanitizers.
- Sequestrian agents: These chemical mixtures prevent metals present in the water from coagulating, a process that can stain the shell of a spa and corrode the equipment. Some sequestrian agents can remove stains from fiberglass shells in conjunction with brushing.
- Clarifiers: Particles of skin, make-up, and sweat can cloud spa water. Clarifying chemicals cause these particles to coagulate or combine into solids large enough for spa filters and vacuums to remove. Clarifying treatments are prescribed for spas that have not received proper care in the normal course of operation.
- Scalers: Scaling chemicals dissolves calcium and rust spots that may attach to the shell. The acidic properties of these chemicals may reduce pH levels.
- Sodium carbonate: Sodium carbonate is a pH 14 chemical designed to absorb acid in the water and return pH to the more desirable neutral level. This helps prevent metal releases and scale formations on the walls of the spa.
- Sodium bisulfate: High pH levels tend to produce cloudy water and reduce the effectiveness of sanitizers. Sodium bisulfate lowers pH through a chemical reaction with water, which transforms sodium bisulfate into hypochlorous acid.
- Bubble removers: Some spa chemicals such as bromine combine with make-up or perfume left in the water by bathers. The combination can produce foam in the spa. Bubble removers break down and eliminate foam.
- Cartridge cleaners: Spa filtration cartridges collect dirt and debris, as well as body oils make-up and sweat. While water will remove the dirt and debris, oil-based substances repel water. Cartridge cleaners are gels that break down the oil in these substances and re-open the pours in a filtration cartridge, thus extending its life.
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