We were given a hot tub and don't want to use clorine to keep it clean. Does any one know if there is something natural that will work instead of harsh chemicals.

-- (lyndadan@custertel.net), September 14, 2000

Answers

I've heard that there is some sort of thingy that sterilizes the water with ozone, but I think it's expensive. Anybody know what I'm talking about?

How about simply emptying the water after each use: a stock watering tank specifically designated to hold the runoff could be piped up and you would then have plenty of water for the garden. Or does it have to be sterilized while people are in it, not just if it sets? Never had one, don't know.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), September 14, 2000.

Salt. There is a product out that will turn salt into chlorine then back to salt again. It has the same salt content as a tear from your eye. I was going to get it for my pool but it was too expensive. The hot tub will not be as expensive. I found a number of companies by looking on the net, under salt water pools. Eco-Matic was one company.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), September 14, 2000.

If you completely drain out the tub after you are through using it, you shouldn't need to use chorine when it is filled for the next use. Most hot tubs use 220V heaters. Make sure your electrical system can handle this extra load.

On the hot tub I had, it wouldn't drain completely. I had to use a wet vac to completely draw out all of the water.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 17, 2000.

I've seen hot tubs with built in UV light units, so that might be a thought. My only exposure to them is through salt water aquariums, and with those, you have to replace the light bulb fairly regularly due to water deposits building up on the outside of the bulb.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), September 17, 2000.

At over 550 gallons, we don't drain ours each time. We do have an ozonator, I think it was under $170.

There are some great products at the spa stores that we use that are sold under different trade names, but that are 'natural' and eat scum and skin debris. We use very lttle in the way of chlorine, but we do use it on occassion, less than once a month and only a capful then. Nothing else does as well for the purpose. Monitor your pH. Talk to your local spa dealers and read labels. They will have suggestions and the cost per use is very minimal. Also, be sure to keep your filter clean. I have 2 that I clean and let dry and rotate through.

-- Anne (HT@HM.com), September 19, 2000.

Thankyou for all your replies and good ideas. This is the best forum and it is nice to know there are others out there that believe the way I do.

-- lynda (lyndadan@custertel.net), September 19, 2000.

We have a filter that uses silver, an ozonator, and we occasionally throw in a tiny bit of special bleach (after a lot of people have used it in a short period of time...like after a party.) You can use bromide instead of bleach, for most hot tubs. You probably will want to check out the web for your tub specs, or call the dealer for the make of tub you have. The various companies and models are about as different as cars are these days....lots of variables.

Have fun with yours. We use ours just about every night before we go to bed!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), September 20, 2000.