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Do You Need Different Test Strips for Bromine?

If you’re thinking of switching from chlorine to bromine as your hot tub sanitizer, you’re probably wondering do you need different test strips for bromine?

As a general rule, the majority of hot tub test strip brands test for both chlorine and bromine, making it unnecessary to purchase different test strips when using bromine. However, there are important precautions to follow when switching from one to another.

So in this article, we’ll do a deep dive into both bromine and chlorine.

And we’ll look at how to safely transition from one to another. But we’ll also look at the best test strips to use for either, as all test strips are not created equal, and some are way more accurate than others.

Let’s get into it!

bromine test strips lg

Ready to Spend Less Time On Maintenance and More Time Enjoying Your Hot Tub?

Let’s face it. Balancing the water, cleaning filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out which chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who just wants to relax after a long hard day!

That’s exactly why The Hot Tub Handbook and Video Course is so valuable!

This is from Matt over at Swim University and he developed it for people looking to save money, time, and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you buy only what you need.

So if you’re ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and start spending more time in it, check out The Hot Tub Handbook and Video Course.

Just click that link to learn more on their website.

How do you test bromine levels in a spa?

If you’ve recently switched from chlorine to bromine, you’ll find there’s no difference in the testing method provided the test strips you use measure bromine as well as chlorine, which most do.

The primary difference is you shouldn’t have to test the water as often.

Why? Because one dose of bromine should last a week, whereas you will need 2 or 3 doses of chlorine over the same period.

It’s always a good idea to check before each use though, as the level can be affected by the things we bring into the hot tub with us. Sun cream, lotions, perfume, cologne, even sweat, and dead skin all add to the buildup of contaminants that the bromine has to deal with.

Even with bromine sanitizer, you will still need to shock your spa water at least once a week to reactivate the bromide.

People often get confused about shocking the water when you use bromine sanitizer, but it’s perfectly safe to use chlorine shock if you want to.

I wrote about this in a recent article, and I cover all the steps you need to take with regards to hot tub shock and how that works with bromine. After all, it’s not OK to mix chlorine and bromine sanitizer. But can you use chlorine shock with bromine sanitizer?

Just click that link to read it on my site.

If you prefer a non-chlorine shock, potassium monopersulfate is the thing to use. This will oxidize the water and react with organic contaminants to keep the water clear.

As this is acidic, it can bring down the pH, and total alkalinity levels, so be sure to check these afterward.

How do you read hot tub test strips?

Reading a test strip is simple. After dipping in the water, you wait a few seconds for the tiny chemical blocks to change color, and then you match this against the chart that comes with the kit.

This will show:

  • active amount of chlorine or bromine in the water
  • the alkaline and pH level, which is a measure of acidity
  • the total hardness of the water

You should test the water before each use to be sure you are getting into a tub that is safe. The results will dictate what chemicals need to be added to maintain a balance.

Hot tub test strips are much more convenient, and some would argue, more accurate than using liquid testing kits. It takes less than a minute to test the water using a strip, whereas liquid kits can take 10-20 minutes to provide a result.

Note: After adding chlorine, you should wait around 30 minutes before going into the water and leave the lid off to allow the fumes to dissipate.

But is there a way to speed that up?

You can read more on this in a recent article I posted. Just click on the link to see it on my website. You should also wait a while before getting in after using a non-chlorine shock as well. But how long is long enough, and if you use tablets, do you still have to wait?

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Are bromine levels different from chlorine?

Bromine and chlorine are both measured in parts per million or ppm for short. The safe level varies for each.

If you use chlorine, you need to maintain a level of 3 to 5 ppm. Just over half a teaspoon per 100 gallons every 2 or 3 days should be enough, but always test and add more if necessary. The level of chlorine in your hot tub water should not exceed 5 ppm.

As a guide, if you have a 250-gallon hot tub, that’s around ¼ ounce or 1½ teaspoons of chlorine granules per dose, or ¾ ounce (4 ½ teaspoons) per week.

Wondering if it is safe to go in a hot tub with a high chlorine level?

You should read this recent article where I get into how to know if it’s too high, what the risks are, AND what to do to bring the levels back down quickly so you can safely soak.

Just click on the link to see it on my site.

If you use bromine, you must maintain a level of 4 to 6 ppm. For a 250-gallon tub, you’ll need around 2 tablespoons of granules each week. For those who prefer to add tablets to the water, 3 or 4 should suffice to begin with, then keep adding to this to maintain the 4 to 6 ppm-level.

One of the best products for use with a dispenser is Leisure Time Bromine Tablets, which you can get here on Amazon by clicking on the link.

Is it better to use bromine or chlorine?

I get asked this question a lot. In a hot tub, bromine is better than chlorine because it works more effectively at high temperatures. However, there are other factors that make chlorine the more popular choice among hot tub users.

Both bromine and chlorine work well as sanitizers, but what is the difference?

I discussed this in a recent article where I get into all the pros and cons of both, why I use bromine, and why certain manufacturers say using bromine will void the warranty. Just click that link to read it on my site.

But here is a quick snapshot of the primary differences:

Chlorine Bromine
Chlorine oxidizes contaminants and kills off bacteria within them, leaving behind chloramines. This is what causes skin irritation and the bad smell often associated with chlorine. Bromine tears apart contaminants through ionization, leaving bromamines, which act as sanitizers if reactivated using potassium monopersulfate.
Chlorine acts quicker and disperses into the water faster than bromine. Bromine dissolves slower than chlorine, so it takes longer to reach the optimum ppm level.
Chlorine is depleted by sunlight. Bromine is much more stable than chlorine at high temperatures.
Chlorine is better at killing algae. Bromine kills viruses and bacteria better than chlorine.
Chlorine is usually cheaper than bromine. Bromine remains in the water longer, so it is active for a greater period.
Chlorine is more irritating to the skin than bromine. Bromine works better across a wider range of pH levels (7.0 – 8.4) than chlorine (7.4 – 7.8).

Whether you use chlorine or bromine is a matter of personal choice, but chlorine remains the most popular.

One other thing to remember is this: bromine is chlorine-based, so if you have an allergic reaction to chlorine, it is not necessarily a good alternative.

Floating dispensers are a great way of making sure you get a slow release of sanitizer, but note, if you use a dispenser for chlorine, don’t use the same dispenser for bromine.

The chemical reaction can be dangerous.

Which spa test strips are best?

When it comes to spa test strips, there’s a lot to choose from, but there are several differences you should be aware of.

First, some test strips will only check the chlorine, bromine, pH, and alkalinity levels of the water. This is fine if you only want the basics, but if you really want to know the chemical make-up of your spa water, you need something better.

One I like, and have been using for some time now, is the Poolmaster 4-way test strips from Amazon. Check out the latest prices on Amazon by clicking on the link.

You get 50 test strips in each container, which should last anything from 6 months to 4 years, depending on what you’re testing for and how often you use your hot tub. Remember to check the expiration date though, as they’ll become less accurate over time.

The testing kit is supplied in an airtight screw-top bottle that should keep the strips in good shape, provided you store it in a cool, dry place.

These test strips check for:

  1. Free bromine – the amount of bromine available to react with contaminants
  2. pH – the level of acidity and alkalinity in your hot tub water
  3. Total chlorine – the total amount of chlorine in the water, including chloramines
  4. Total alkalinity – the amount of dissolved alkaline, essential for controlling pH

Testing is easy. You just dip a strip directly into your spa water for 5 seconds, shake off the excess water – use a paper towel to dry the strip if you prefer – and then wait 30 seconds for the colors to change. The bottle has a guide on it, making it easy to match the colors and interpret the readings.

I recommend dipping the strips with the jets turned off.

Final thoughts

So now you know how to test the bromine levels in your hot tub and the difference between bromine and chlorine.

Remember never to mix the two. If you want to change sanitizers, wait until it’s time to change your water.

If there’s anything I missed, or you have any questions on testing your hot tub water, just drop me a line, and I will do my best to answer them. And don’t forget to check out the other related articles here on my site.

Just click on the links.

Ready to Spend Less Time On Maintenance and More Time Enjoying Your Hot Tub?

Let’s face it. Balancing the water, cleaning filters, dealing with rashes, and trying to figure out which chemicals to buy and add can make you feel more like a chemist than someone who just wants to relax after a long hard day!

That’s exactly why The Hot Tub Handbook and Video Course is so valuable!

This is from Matt over at Swim University and he developed it for people looking to save money, time, and frustration. His tips on chemicals can save you $100/year just by making sure you buy only what you need.

So if you’re ready to stop being confused or frustrated with your hot tub and start spending more time in it, check out The Hot Tub Handbook and Video Course.

Just click that link to learn more on their website.


Photo which requires attribution:

Still image taken from video Dip, Snap, Pour, Check! Get back into swim of things with Pooli by Pooli was licensed under CC2.0 and cropped, edited, and had a text overlay added.

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Jeff Campbell