Essential bromine kit for spas

Water maintenance is essential to ensure clear, healthy water. Trévi recommends testing the water parameters once or twice a week (pH, alkalinity, and disinfectant level) and adjusting as needed based on usage, temperature, or number of bathers. Opening the cover regularly also helps evaporate chemical vapors and extend the life of the components.

To keep the water healthy and balanced, Trévi recommends using specific products designed for spa treatment, such as:
• disinfectants (bromine or chlorine, depending on your preference)
• pH and alkalinity balancing products
• clarifiers (for crystal clear water)
• enzymes (to reduce organic matter)
• cartridge and surface cleaners
Some all-in-one maintenance kits make regular maintenance easier. Always follow the recommended dosages and avoid mixing chemicals.

Pour la plupart des spas, on recommande d’utiliser 2 à 3 pastilles de chlore ou de brome dans le flotteur. La quantité peut varier selon le volume du spa et la fréquence d’utilisation. Ajoutez toujours les pastilles pendant que la pompe circule et vérifiez votre niveau de désinfectant régulièrement pour vous assurer qu’il se situe entre 3 et 5 ppm. Ajoutez ou retirez une pastille si nécessaire pour maintenir une eau propre et bien équilibrée.

To clarify spa water, a clarifier specifically designed to clump together small suspended particles so the filter can trap them more easily. Spa water often becomes cloudy due to body oils, soap residue, creams, makeup, or inadequate filtration. To restore clear water, add a clarifier, run the pump for several hours, and clean or replace the filter if necessary.

To use a spa clarifier, first test and balance the water (pH between 7.2 and 7.6). Then add the recommended dose of clarifier directly to the water, with the pump running, to ensure even distribution. The clarifier will clump the fine particles into larger particles, allowing the filter to capture them more effectively. After adding the clarifier, let the spa filter run for several hours, then rinse or clean the filter cartridge. Regular use of a clarifier helps maintain clear water, especially in spas that are used frequently.

To properly treat your spa water, it's essential to use a shock treatment regularly to eliminate organic residues, body oils, and contaminants that quickly accumulate in hot water. A shock treatment—ideally a chlorine-free oxidizer—reactivates your sanitizer (bromine or chlorine) and significantly improves water clarity and quality. It's recommended to perform a shock treatment once or twice a week, depending on spa usage. The procedure involves opening the cover, activating the jets, adding the recommended amount of product, and then leaving the spa open for approximately 20 to 30 minutes to allow the vapors to escape. Regularly shocked water remains more stable, more disinfected, and much more enjoyable for bathers.

The amount of bromine to add depends on the volume of your spa and the measured level in the water. Generally, 2 to 3 bromine tablets in a floater are used for a 1,000-liter spa, which maintains a bromine level between 3 and 5 ppm. If you are using granular bromine, you usually add between 10 g and 20 g to quickly adjust the level. Bromine is more stable than chlorine in warm water, but it should still be tested regularly to ensure consistent and safe disinfection. Ideally, an oxidizer (such as a chlorine-free shock treatment) should also be used in addition to bromine to burn off impurities and keep the water clearer. Always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines to adjust the dosage to the volume of your spa.

To switch from chlorine to bromine, you must first completely drain the spa, clean the tub, and rinse the filter to remove all traces of chlorine. Once the spa is filled with fresh water, place bromine tablets in the float or designated dispenser. A shock treatment with active oxygen can help quickly establish the bromine level. This changeover must be done carefully to avoid chemical reactions between the two products.

Cloudy/slightly turbid water despite OK parameters (pH 7.2–7.8, alkalinity 100–120 ppm, disinfectant in target).

After a long swim, rain or the addition of products that have stirred up impurities.

In support of shock treatment (after the shock, when the disinfectant has returned to the range).

Before a water change to help capture suspended dirt.

A clarifier groups micro-particles (oil, dust, cosmetics) too fine to be retained by the filter, into larger clusters that the cartridge can capture. The result: clearer water, reduced odors and more efficient filtration.

• Use strips or a liquid kit (more accurate).
  
• Frequency: 1×/week, and always after a long swim or adding product.
  
  

Wait at least 20 minutes with the pump running and the lid open. Ideally, check that the level has returned to the target range (chlorine 3–5 ppm or bromine 3–6 ppm). Always follow the recommendations on the back of the container first: some shocks (especially chlorine shocks) require you to wait longer.

1. Pump/jets running, lid open (at least 15–30 min to vent).
   
2. Measure the dose; add only one product at a time.
   
3. Spread slowly on the surface, in front of a nozzle (or pre-dissolve if the label requires it).
   
4. Let it brew for 15–20 min

Purpose: to oxidize residues (sweat, oils, cosmetics), remove chloramines/bromamines and clarify water.

• Chlorine Shock (Chlorine): Powerful, disinfects and oxidizes. Ideal for a chlorine program.
  
• Oxidizer Shock (Chlorine-Free)**: Oxidizes without adding chlorine; activates bromine. Ideal for a bromine program and after heavy swimming.

Tablets: must be placed in a floating dispenser (not directly in the skimmer unless otherwise indicated by the manufacturer). For slow-dissolving tablets, plan on 2 to 3 tablets per week in a float, and less if you accompany your routine with a chlorine-free oxidant, which activates the bromine and reduces consumption.

Granules: Add once a day, unless accompanied by an oxidizing treatment, which helps maintain bromine levels for longer.

These amounts are averages: actual use of your spa may vary requirements, but they give a good idea to start with.

It is not recommended to mix chlorine and bromine in a spa because these sanitizers react chemically when combined. This can create unstable water, sudden fluctuations in sanitation levels, and even reduce the effectiveness of both products.

If you want to switch from chlorine to bromine (or the opposite), you must fully drain the spa, clean the shell, and rinse the filters to remove all traces of the previous sanitizer. Once the spa is refilled with fresh water, you can start your new maintenance routine. Mixing chlorine and bromine in the same spa is never recommended.

Both chlorine and bromine disinfect spa water very well.

• Chlorine: cheaper, acts quickly, but stronger odor and less stable in hot water.
• Bromine: more stable in hot water, less odorous and more comfortable for the skin, but a little more expensive.
  
  

Add your sanitizer according to the type you use, then test the water. Aim for 3 to 5 ppm, whether you’re using chlorine or bromine.

• Granular chlorine: add a small dose directly into the water with the jets running, wait 10–15 minutes, then test again.
  
• Chlorine or bromine tablets: place them in a floater and adjust the opening to control how quickly they dissolve.
  

If the sanitizer level stays low even after adding product, perform a shock treatment—chlorine shock for a chlorine spa, or a non-chlorine oxidizing shock for a bromine spa.

Chlorine is considered too high in a spa when the level goes above about 5 ppm. At this point, the water becomes less comfortable—stronger odor, eye irritation, and dry or itchy skin. If the chlorine level reaches 8 to 10 ppm, it’s best to avoid using the spa until the level drops.

To lower high chlorine, simply leave the spa uncovered so the chlorine can naturally dissipate. Wait a few hours, then test the water again to confirm that the level has returned to a safe range.