When it comes to picking a sanitizer for your hot tub, you are not just faced with different types of chemicals. You are also faced with different brands of each type of hot tub chemical. So it’s normal to wonder if you can mix different brands of hot tub chemicals. After all, chlorine is the same regardless of brands right? Wrong!
You shouldn’t mix different brands of hot tub chemicals because the mixture can damage the hot tub. Neither should you mix different types of hot tub chemicals because the mixture can produce toxic fumes and dangerous reactions that can damage the hot tub.
This post reveals all you need to know about mixing hot tub chemicals including an expert tip to know if you can change the chemical brand of your hot tub to a new one. So let’s dive in.
Can You Mix Different Brands of Chlorine for a Hot Tub?
You shouldn’t mix different brands of chlorine for a hot tub because not all brands of chlorine have the same chemical formula. Mixing different brands of chlorine for a hot tub can damage the hot tub and make the water unhealthy.
Many hot tub owners believe that all hot tub chemical brands have the same content. Though hot tub chemicals can be labeled or tagged by the same name, it doesn’t mean that the chemicals are the same.
The chlorine you get from brand X might not have the same chemical formula or chemistry as the chlorine you get from brand Y. Though both brands both label their products as chlorine for hot tubs, the content will most likely be different.
If you mix different brands of chlorine for a hot tub and it turns out that each brand has different chemistry, the result in your hot tub could be dangerous.
The mixture can neutralize the potency of any or both brands of chlorine, especially if one of the brands has poor quality. The mixture can also cause staining, discoloration of the hot tub shell, smelly spa water, low ph in the water, corrosion of the metal parts of the hot tub, and damaged filters.
Related Read >>> Can You Use Chlorine in a Bromine Spa?
Can You Mix Different Brands of Bromine for a Hot Tub?
You shouldn’t mix different brands of bromine for a hot tub because bromine is a sensitive chemical that doesn’t react well when mixed. Mixing different brands of bromine in your hot tub can damage the hot tub and make the water unsafe for bathing.
Bromine is one of the most popular hot tub chemicals. This means there are different brands out there but if there is one hot tub chemical that you shouldn’t mix, it is bromine. Bromine is a sensitive chemical that doesn’t react well when added to a substance or chemical with different chemistry or chemical property.
For instance, if you mix bromine and chlorine in a hot tub, the bromamines that the bromine produces will convert the chlorine into bromine. This shows how sensitive bromine is. You usually don’t need that much change in the chemical formula of another brand for it to influence bromine.
If you mix brands of bromine with different chemistry together, the mixture can damage the hot tub. The mixture can also damage the heater as a result of the hot tub’s high pH level, cause staining, hot tub scale, foaming in the hot tub, cloudy spa water, and green water.
This is because the chemical property or chemistry in brand A might be different from the chemistry of brand B. Seeing as bromine is a sensitive chemical, a slight difference in the chemistry of both brands of bromine can damage the hot tub.
Related Read >>> Can You Lower Bromine Levels?
Is It Ok to Change the Chemical Brands of Hot Tubs?
It is okay to change chemical brands of hot tubs but you should make sure that the new brand of chemical has the same chemistry as the brand that you are replacing. The chemical you are replacing must also have been exhausted in the water to prevent mishaps.
Changing brands of hot tub chemicals is normal. You might want to change the brand you are using due to price changes, scarcity, or because you suspect it’s not cleaning your hot tub as it should.
Though it is okay to change brands of hot tub chemicals, there are a few things to know first. Here is an expert tip to know if you can change the brand of your hot tub chemical.
First, check the chemistry of the previous brand and the one you want to replace it with. If the chemistry is the same or close, that means the new chemical is a good substitute.
The next thing to do is to ensure that the previous chemical has depleted in the water, or at least it has reduced in the water. You can use hot tub test strips to determine this.
If you add the new chemical to the old one while the level of the old one is still high in the water, the mixture can cause the water ph to go all wonky.
If the previous chemical level is low, then you can add the new brand of chemical to the water. You should also test the water after adding the new chemical.
Related Read >>> Can Hot Tub Chemicals Expire?
Are All Hot Tub Chemical Brands Equal?
Not all hot tub chemical brands are equal because they all have different chemistry. Hot tub chemicals are made up of different chemical formulas. The chemicals may have the same name but they don’t have the same content.
The chemical content or chemical formula of brand X will be a tad different from the chemical content of brand Y. Brands of Hot tub chemicals differ based on the chemical formula, manufacturer, size, and even quantity. The chemical formula of a hot tub chemical is usually indicated on the container of the chemical.
If you compare the chemical formulas and content of two brands of the same hot tub chemical, you will most likely find out that both brands don’t have the same formula and content.
Related Read >>> Can You Use a Hot Tub Without Chemicals?
Final Words
Overall, you should never mix hot tub chemicals in a hot tub. Even if the chemicals have an identical name, they most likely wouldn’t have the same chemical formula. So whatever you do, never mix hot tub chemicals.
Related Read: Can You Use Pool Chemicals in a Hot Tub?
