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"Ionization-Oxidation Spa Sanitizers"
An alternative sanitizer, born of the space-age.
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Ionization-Oxidation
Systems are hybrid water purification devices that supply a dual stream of
sanitizing metallic ions to the spa or hot tub water: usually copper and zinc. The copper ions function primarily as an algaecide and the zinc ions
function as a bactericide. Used properly, the ions are maintained at
very low levels, avoiding the possibility of staining or discoloration.
What makes Ionization-Oxidation a hybrid product and sets it apart from simple
ionizers is another set of electrodes that produces various forms of active
oxygen. The ability to both sanitize and oxidize wastes and organic
byproducts makes this a very effective system, with a low chemical presence.
It is this dual functionality that makes this product more versatile than
ionizers or mineral sanitizers. When used in conjunction with a very low
level of chlorine, Ionization-Oxidation produces better and more consistent
results with minimal chemical usage.
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With any type of ionization sanitizing,
copper testing very important. Pictured, in the center row above, are
three different ways to test for copper. The
ColorQ COPPER 5 in the center, is all digital. No color matching or
guesswork is involved. The complete line of
ColorQ Digital Testers offers
one that is just right for your needs. More
information, about some new & unique spa products, can be found by visiting
The Website Stores.
You'll never know what you'll find and that's
always fun.
Be better prepared and avoid costly problems!
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► What is Spa Ionization-Oxidation?
I recently used a pool and spa that were being something
called Ionization-Oxidation. I really enjoyed not having the heavy odor
of chlorine lingering around. Is this something that I can use in my
own spa? Currently, I am using bromine, but this was better!
Chris N., Allentown, PA, 6/20/2007
Ionization-Oxidation
is a hybrid
method for purifying water. The technology was actually
developed for the Apollo space program, to purify water on many manned space
missions. Electrodes release controllable amounts of copper and zinc
ions, to act as sanitizers, as another set of electrodes produces
forms of active oxygen to destroy organic matter, algae, bacteria and waste products.
You preferred the end result because of the low chemical presence.
Sometimes, depending on bather usage and actual spa conditions, more
consistent results are gotten, by also maintaining a very low level of
chlorine. The chlorine just helps
bridge the gap between the shutting off of the unit and its restarting.
Because of the oxygenation, there are none of the odorous and irritating
forms of chlorine. If you are interested in maintaining an
eco-friendlier spa that uses a minimum of chemicals,
this is certainly something to consider. However, you could also
use a
mineral sanitizer
and
ozonator,
along with a low level of chlorine or bromine and achieve the same or better
results, at lower cost. I hope that this information proves to
be helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
6/20/2007
► Troubling Spa Rash?
We had our hot tub for 2
months. Then I developed a itchy rash on my lower back, chest and eventually my
forearms and legs. Since we were new owners and had had a fair number of people
in the "new spa" we assumed bacteria and emptied the spa, washed down all
surfaces with a 10% chlorine solution and added bromine to 30ppm to shock the
new water. I still got a severe rash. So then we did the decontamination
procedure (with the formula of 100 ppm of chlorine, etc.) listed on government
sites. I could then use the spa for 15 minutes at time with only a few bumps
which did not persist for any length of time but came 6-8 hours after usage.
Nobody else has ever gotten a rash, before or after all this treatment. We have
paid particular attention to shocking the spa after use and keeping the bromine,
pH and TA at the appropriate levels but a few days ago the water felt slightly
slimy when we got in and I got a rash again on my arms and legs. Never under my
bathing suit which is where they say folliculitis is most likely to occur!? We
keep our temperature at 100-101 degrees F which we find comfortable so far this
winter. Could we have a person who carries the pseudomonas bacteria infecting
the spa? We have noticed a difference in the foaming of the water but we don't
use the aerators much. With all this treatment, is it bacteria or chemical
dermatitis that is likely bothering me and how do I find out to rectify the
problem? Our healthcare provider figured it was folliculitis when I asked him
and put me on the recommended antibiotic for 5 days and said I could use the hot
tub again after 48 hours. I waited 72 hours and made sure I had no "red" rash
and got more after being in the tub even while on the antibiotic?? Could it be
heat rash? Any help would be greatly appreciated as problem solving knowledge
seems to be hard to come by in our part of the world!
Jane, Saint John, N.B. Canada,
1/3/2009
I can't tell you
if the spa rash is due to chemical dermatitis or folliculitis. I'll leave
that to the medical professionals. The slimy conditions are indication of
microorganism growth and this can lead to folliculitis. Ultra high
chlorine or bromine levels can lead to chemical dermatitis. While I can't
tell you the source of the problem, I can suggest that a possible way to avoid a
recurrence. You are the only one effected and this makes chemical
sensitivity more likely. Bromine is not common in pools - chlorine is very
common. Bromine is much more popular in spas. Possibly, you were
never previously exposed to bromine. It would be hard to imagine your not
being previously exposed to chlorine. You might not be sensitive to
bromine, but you could be sensitive to the inert ingredients that are unique to
most bromine tablets. I suggest that you drain the spa completely.
Make sure that you remove ALL THE WATER! Otherwise, bromine may be
produced, after you add chlorine or shock. Instead of bromine, start
maintaining the spa on chlorine. To reduce the amount of chlorine
required, I suggest that you add an
ozonator. This will greatly improve
the water quality and reduce the chemical presence. Add a
mineral sanitizer
and you can come close to completely reducing the need for chlorine, on a
regular basis. I hope that you will find this information helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 1/3/2009
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| #2066 ColorQ COPPER 5
Digital Analyzer |
| The perfect tester for pools
using a copper-ionization sanitizing system. Click the image
for product and ordering information. |
► No Chlorine Please?
My wife has some chemical
sensitivity issues, especially with chlorine and for that reason, it was
suggested that we maintain out spa on biguanide. For about the first year
or so, it went well. Then, the spa developed what was called water mold
and the troubles have persisted. I keep spending money and am getting
little use of the spa. Do you have a better suggestion? Thanks for
your time and consideration.
John H., 3/28/2008
This
water mold problem is not uncommon, after being used for a period of time.
It is the result of a microorganism that has become resistant to the sanitizer
and the sensible solution is to permanently switch to another sanitizer.
It will take a combination of units to meet your goal and even then, there
could be a benefit to having a trace amount of chlorine. Use an
ozone generator to oxidize wastes, a
mineral sanitizer to help provide
persistent sanitation and a
ultraviolet unit to suppress the microbial population, by
killing virtually everything in the return flow. Having a trace amount of
chlorine present, will confirm that the systems is functioning in unison.
It should take very little chlorine or bromine to do this and it might only need
to be done on a weekly basis. I hope that this information is
helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster. 3/29/2008
►
Natural Sanitizing?
Alan, We're just about ready to have our hot tub
installed. I've been looking at the various ways to keep the water
clean. I came across this a natural enzyme based product.
Is this for real, what would be the shortfall using this method to keep the
hot tub water clean? Thanks for all your ideas, they are very
informative.
Rick B., Rochester, NY
4/8/2004
If you don't
control infectious bacteria, such as pseudomonas and e. coli, you can end up
with a rash or worse. This product is not a recognized sanitizer. I have heard
it described as being like lake water. Check the label. Does it have the EPA
Registration number that a sanitizer must have? Evidently, this product, can
under certain circumstances, work. I suspect that it can be overwhelmed due to
high bather usage and that can lead to problems.
I would rather use a
product that I can measure and test and that works under virtually all properly
maintained conditions.
I suggest that you consider a more traditional spa water sanitizer. Bromine,
Chlorine,
Mineral Sanitizers
or
Ionizers, in conjunction with an
Ozonator or
Ultra-Violet Sanitizer will afford much greater protection.
I'm glad that you found the website helpful. Good luck and enjoy the spa.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 4/8/2004
►
Hydrogen
Peroxide?
We have a hot tub and would like
to use hydrogen peroxide instead of the normal chemicals. My husband is
allergic to the chlorine and bromides. How much Hydrogen peroxide do we
use and what %. We were told that it should be a 10% concentration but we
can't find any hydrogen peroxide above 3%. I thought maybe you could help
us. Also do we nee to use any kind of a shock at the first? Hope you
can help! Thanks.
Jo, 7/10/2005
I am not sure
that using just hydrogen peroxide will provide adequate sanitation. In
pools and spas, it is used as a shock treatment with biguanide. It is
available in concentrated form in many pool and spa outlets that offer biguanide
products. Have you considered the use of an
ozonator and a
mineral
sanitizer or ionizer. This combination would come close to
being chlorine and bromine
free. The ozonator could negate the need for hydrogen peroxide and a mineral
sanitizer or ionizer would release metallic ions and act as a
persistent sanitizer. Hydrogen peroxide
can be used as a
shock treatment and a mineral sanitizer or ionizer as the primary water sanitizer.
However, in most cases better results are obtained, if you maintain a lower level
of chlorine or bromine. Good
luck with your decision.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 7/10/2005
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Proper water chemistry will help to better control and avoid algae problems
and maintain more optimum swimming conditions.
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