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The addition of an ozonator to your hot tub can be a more straightforward process than you think. An added benefit is that it will save you time, money, and frustration while at the same time working to keep your hot tub water both healthy and sparkling.
At this point, you are probably asking yourselfâwhat is a hot tub ozonator? Ozone, which is commonly referred to as energetic oxygen, can be proven to oxidize any contaminants in hot tub water.
Ozone is composed of a combination of three oxygen atoms that are bound together instead of the customarily seen two. For example, if you experience a faint, sweet smell in the wind after a lightning storm, that is ozone.
How does using an ozonator help your hot tub?
- Will reduce the number of high chemical doses that are needed.
- Works to effectively destroy such contaminants as algae, yeast, bacteria, and viruses.
- Will oxidize any other contaminants.
- Reduces most odours and chloramines.
- Will work towards prolonging the life of the equipment.
- Will help to keep down both time and cost of maintenance.
- Ozone works naturally to purify.
Once it is understood how the ozonator works, which type is the proper fit for your hot tub, and how to use and maintain it properly, you will find that keeping your hot tub beautiful can be simple.
Sanitizers and Ozonators
If you choose to use an ozonator in your hot tub, you will need to maintain the chlorine levels at 0.5 PPM instead of the usual 1-3 PPM. Your bromine levels will need to be maintained at 1 PPM, again as opposed to the regular 3-5 PPM.
Ozonators work hand in hand with your sanitizers and aid in breaking up the chlorine and bromine molecules that have bonded to the contaminants in your hot tub water, which will require less sanitizer to be added.
However, a small amount of sanitizer is a good idea for a backup to help in preventing issues with your water’s chemistry. Make sure that you regularly test your hot tub water to ensure that the proper levels of chlorine and bromine are maintained.
What Is an Ozonator?
The hot tub ozonator is a handy device that can generate and inject ozone gas directly into your hot tub’s water. The process will aid in scouring any impurities from the water while at the same time reducing the number of chemicals you may need to add to your hot tub to keep it clean and pristine.
Using Gas to Clean Your Hot Tub
Everyone is familiar with O2, otherwise known as oxygen. Oxygen is the primary molecule in the very air that we all breathe and that our bodies require to function. Ozone, or O3, can be seen as O2’s big beefy brother.
Ozone has some serious chops. The gas works to kill any bacteria or other contaminants that may exist in your hot tub. Ozone can perform its tasks, even without the presence of other strong chemicals. Its ability to work to this extent is because it has an extra molecule atom.
Ozone works to attach to any contaminants present in your hot tub water, including soap, lotions, makeup, sunscreen, cologne, and even hair spray. Ozone can even work to take care of bodily fluids such as urine and saliva.
What Does Ozone Do?
When used hand in hand with your usual hot tub sanitizersâsuch as bromine and chlorineâozone will work to kill germs, viruses, and any form of pathogenic bacteria. With the use of an ozonator, you will find that you will need to use less sanitizer, which will work towards reducing the overall cost spent to maintain your hot tub.
Ozone does more than destroy micro-organisms. It also works to break down any harmful chemicals in the water. Ozone will also work to clump together any dissolved solids and make it easier for your filter cartridge to remove efficiently.
Because ozone is so reactive, it reliably breaks up any bromine or chlorine molecules in the hot tub’s water that may have bonded to any contaminants. Another advantage of using an ozonator is that you will not be required to shock the water in your hot tub as often because the ozone will free up the sanitizers and allow them to be used continuously.
Since the ozone is so highly reactive, it will definitely wreak havoc on your hot tubâs interior. For this reason, you will need to add a thermal blanket to your hot tub for an extra added level of protection.
How Does an Ozonator Work?
For some, it may seem like dark magic or sorcery is used in the creation of O3. In reality, nothing out of this world is required for the process. An ozonator will work to split the oxygens molecules into two separate oxygen atoms in one of only two waysâusing intense ultraviolet or UV light or through the use of a corona discharge (CD) unit.
When the separated free atoms of oxygen come into contact or collide with those oxygen molecules already present in the hot tub water, they create ozone.
How Often To Run An Ozonator
Depending on the number of individuals that use your hot tub, an ozonator will need to be used and run between three to twenty hours a day to achieve maximum performance.
If you find you are using your hot tub consistently and regularly, then to achieve the best results you should turn the ozonator on and leave it running.
Adding an Ozonator
Many of the spas sold on the market today are sold as “ozonator ready,â which in a nutshell means that they have a pre-installed hook up for you to add the type of unit that the owner chooses. What is needed from that point is an ozonator and a hot tub that has been properly primed.
The installation of an ozonator is pretty straightforward:
- First, you will need to consult your owner’s manual and confirm that your particular hot tub will accommodate an ozonator. If you find there is a power hookup and room for the ozonator then you are set.
- Determine if the voltage needed is 120v or 240v.
- You will need to ensure that your timer works as intended and that your overall electrical and hardware system has a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
- Check for and repair any leaks that may exist in the hot tubâs plumbing.
- Check the tub’s filters, and if necessary, clean or replace them.
- To establish a clean starting point for your ozonator, make sure to drain and refill your tub with fresh, clean water.
- Sanitize and balance the newly filled water in your hot tub. Although an ozonator will reduce the number of chemicals needed to maintain the quality of the water, it is not a replacement for any sanitizers.
- Confirm the type of plug needed to connect your ozonator into your hot tubâs existing control pack.
Conclusion
The advantages of installing and using an ozonator in your hot tub are numerous. In addition to providing healthy, pathogen-free water, you will also see significant savings in the number of chemicals you will have to use. Contact us if you have any questions regarding the maintenance and install of ozonators.
