Difference Between Bromine and Chlorine

High Temperatures Bromine works better at higher temperatures than chlorine. Above 75°F, bromine remains stable, whereas chlorine is more effective in temperatures as low as 65°F. This makes bromine a better choice for hot tubs and spas, and an unheated pool will be better served by the use of chlorine.

1. Is bromine and chlorine the same thing?
2. Can you switch from chlorine to bromine in a hot tub?
3. Which is safer chlorine or bromine?
4. Do you need chlorine and bromine in a hot tub?
5. Can bromine kill you?
6. What are the three forms of bromine?
7. Which is better for hot tubs bromine or chlorine?
8. Is bromine in hot tubs dangerous?
9. Is it safe to swim in a pool with high bromine?
10. What does bromine do to the human body?
11. What happens if you mix bromine and chlorine?
12. Does bromine kill algae?

Is bromine and chlorine the same thing?

Bromine and chlorine are both halogens (an element group including Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine) and they belong to the same chemical family.

Can you switch from chlorine to bromine in a hot tub?

For spas and hot tubs you can use either, but bromine is king in hot water. ... If you switch from chlorine tablets to bromine tablets and, you will need to purchase a new brominator because mixing chlorine and bromine can cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

Which is safer chlorine or bromine?

The spa chemicals you use are all safe in the proper amounts. But some people may react differently to them. Chlorine: Can be harsh on the skin, hair, and eyes, especially at too-high levels. ... Bromine: Is gentler on your skin than chlorine, but can be a bit more difficult to wash off after a long soak.

Do you need chlorine and bromine in a hot tub?

Remember, you need either Chlorine or Bromine - just using shock, or some other system, such as an ionizer or an ozonator alone, will NOT continually sanitize your hot tub.

Can bromine kill you?

Bromine is corrosive to human tissue in a liquid state and its vapors irritate eyes and throat. Bromine vapors are very toxic with inhalation. Humans can absorb organic bromines through the skin, with food and during breathing. ... Some forms of organic bromines, such as ethylene bromine, can even cause cancer.

What are the three forms of bromine?

Two naturally existing isotopes of bromine exist, bromine-79 and bromine-81. Isotopes are two or more forms of an element. Isotopes differ from each other according to their mass number.

Which is better for hot tubs bromine or chlorine?

High Temperatures

Bromine works better at higher temperatures than chlorine. Above 75°F, bromine remains stable, whereas chlorine is more effective in temperatures as low as 65°F. This makes bromine a better choice for hot tubs and spas, and an unheated pool will be better served by the use of chlorine.

Is bromine in hot tubs dangerous?

The bromine floater that gets loaded up with tablets and left to sit in your tub is not doing you any favors. Once it kills bacteria in the water, it can then proceed to eat your hot tub shell, cause a lot of pH balancing problems, skin and eye irritation, and more. ... Over exposure to bromine can cause hypothyroidism.

Is it safe to swim in a pool with high bromine?

Bromine is chemically similar to chlorine, and like chlorine, it can burn skin and bleach bathing suits if the concentration is too high. Because it's volatile, the easiest way to lower bromine levels is to let the water outgas.

What does bromine do to the human body?

Bromine is hazardous, according to Lenntech. It is corrosive to human tissue in its liquid state, and it irritates eyes and the throat and is highly toxic when inhaled in a vapor state. Bromine damages many major organs, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, and stomach, and, in some cases, can cause cancer.

What happens if you mix bromine and chlorine?

When you add bromine to a chlorine pool, on the other hand, the bromine does not go away but builds up over time, creating a chlorine demand. Therefore, when you shock the pool with chlorine, the residual bromine will convert the chlorine into, you guessed it, bromine.

Does bromine kill algae?

Bromine is an effective algaecide, particularly against difficult to control mustard and black algae, and its algaecidal properties are well known. ... However, sodium bromide alone will not kill algae. To be effective, it must be used in conjunction with an oxidizer, typically chlorine.