Of course, you will need a water treatment system which will assure that your water is always hot and ready for relaxation time.
Proper water treatment system will assure that you minimize the time you spend on maintenance.
Without proper treatment, hot tub water can turn your sweet dream into nightmare. Water can easily become unsanitary; algae, bacteria and other microorganisms can flourish in the water.
There is a danger also from mineral build-up, which can cause severe damage to internal piping or cause the scale on the walls and shell.
Technology can keep your spa water fresh and clean and prevent the water in hot tubs becoming potentially harmful. There is a variety of efficient water treatment systems available which can give very positive results together with proper maintenance.
The most important water parameters to take in consideration:
pH
The pH of the water is an important factor since at lower pH levels the corrosion rate increases. If the alkalinity values are sufficiently high, it will not be difficult to control the pH. Most pool managers prefer to keep the pH between 7.2 and 7.4 to best maintain low corrosion rates and a sufficient activity of chlorine.
Chlorine
Combined chlorine is the quantity of chlorine that has already combined with nitrogen containing compounds. It is much less effective as a disinfectant than free chlorine. The addition of combined chlorine and free chlorine gives total chlorine. A pool manager needs to aim for the perfect balance where free and total chlorine are proportionally equal, and thus to keep the combined chlorine levels near zero. The presence of chloramines is undesirable because of the distinctive ‘swimming pool smell’ as well as irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes caused by combined chlorines like dichloramines.
Commercial chlorine for disinfection may be available as a gas (Cl ), a liquid like sodium hypochlorite or bleach (NaOCl) or in a solid state like calcium hypochlorite, chlorohydantoins or chlorocyanuric acid compounds. These compounds, once dissolved in water, establish equilibrium between the hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and the hypochlorite ions (OCl¯). Although both forms are considered free chlorine, it is the hypochlorous acid that provides the strongest disinfecting and oxidising characteristics of chlorine solutions. The amount of hypochlorous acid in chlorinated water depends upon the pH value of the solution. Changes in pH value will affect the HOCl equilibrium in relation to the hydrogen and hypochlorite ions.
Temperature
Microorganisms grow more rapidly at higher temperatures, so the required sanitisation level for a swimming pool or spa is highly dependent on the water temperature; this is especially concerning for heated pools and spas. A general rule of thumb is that for every 5.5°C increase in water temperature over 27°C, the concentration of required sanitiser is doubled.
HI985394 Pool Line Digital Thermometer
Uses a weighted, stainless steel probe with a 3 m (9.9’) flexible, silicone cable. The probe incorporates an NTC thermistor sensor, providing an extremely accurate temperature measurement at a variety of depths in swimming pools and hot tubs.
- CAL Check™ to verify internal electronics of the meter
- Selectable °C/°F readout
- Weighted AISI 316 Stainless Steel Probe
AUTOMATIC CHLORINE SANITATION AND DISINFECTION DOSING SYSTEMS
Hot tubs with in-line chlorine sanitizing systems, dispense chlorine and important minerals into the hot tub’s water automatically. This maintains a constant residual amount of chlorine, which prevents bacterial growth and eliminates contaminants. The minerals inhibit bacteria growth and soften the feel of the water.
These systems remove the need to continually test and adjust multiple chemical levels of the hot tub’s water on a daily and weekly basis.
pH/ORP Controllers - BL122 • BL123
with Cloud Connectivity
BL122 and BL123 are designed to maintain constant pH and disinfectant levels in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas and offer the added benefi t of allowing remote
connection and access to devices via the Hanna Cloud web app. These controllers are available in two configurations. The basic version is the inline model which allows for direct installation of probe and chemical injection fittings into existing piping. A panel mounted version with a bypass fl ow cell is also available. The bypass flow cell allows for calibration and maintenance of the probe without having to shut down the recirculation pump.
Let your dream take you beyond Clouds!
Hanna Cloud is a web-based application that connects you to measurement devices such as the BL122 and BL123. Measurements and data storage are accessible from your PC, tablet or phone. Measurements, trends, history, device settings, alarms, and messages are transmitted to your “Dashboard” as your instrument measures and controls your process.
pH/ORP Controllers - BL120 and BL121
with Built-In Chemical Feed Pumps
These Swimming Pool Controllers are a complete system designed for maintaining
swimming pool, hot tub, and spa disinfection water quality. These controllers are available in two configurations. The basic version is the in-line model which allows for direct installation of probe and chemical injection fittings into existing piping. A panel mounted version with a bypass flow cell is also available. The bypass flow cell allows for calibration and maintenance of the probe without having to shut down the recirculation pump.
Pool Line ORP Controller and Dosing Pump - BL101
Engineered to be an inexpensive solution for homeowner and maintenance companies to maintain the ideal ORP at all times of a swimming pool or hot tub. The BL101 Pool Line ORP Controller and Dosing Pump is a complete solution with both a process controller and a chemical dosing pump. Simply insert the probe and injection valve in-line with the re-circulation pump and supply the oxidizer (i.e. chlorine) to be dosed.
- All in one solution for maintaining the proper ORP value
- Industrial process probe with 1/2″ NPT threads for insertion into re-circulation line
- Input for level controller or flow switch
BL100 pH Controller and Dosing Pump
is a system engineered for maintaining the pH of swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. Typically chlorine, whether liquid or solid, is alkaline and will raise the pH of the water that it is added to. As the pH increases above pH 7.4, a form of chlorine known as hypochlorite ion (OCl-) increases. This form of chlorine is 100 time less effective at killing bacteria as compared to the other form of chlorine known as hypochlorous acid (HOCl). For this reason it is important to maintain the correct pH level in order to ensure that the more powerful hypochlorous acid form is available for disinfection. The BL100 was developed to be an inexpensive solution for the consumer to maintain the ideal pH at all times. Simply insert the probe and injection valve in-line with the recirculation pump and provide the chemical to be dosed.
- All in one solution for maintaining the proper pH
- Industrial process probe with 1/2″ NPT threads for insertion into re-circulation line
- Input for level controller or flow switch
Once you established the sanitation options, all you have to do is test your water regularly so that it remains clean and bather-friendly.
Depending on the sanitation option you have choosen for disinfection there are several options to test the water with practical handheld devices.
HI97104 Pool Line Portable Photometer
Photometer is designed to measure pH, Alkalinity, Free & Total Chlorine, and Cyanuric Acid in swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas. This photometer combines accuracy and ease of use in a simple, portable design. The advanced optical system provides
lab-quality accuracy while its user-friendly design is easy for any user making it the perfect photometer for your water quality testing needs.
- No warm up time before taking a measurement
- Tutorial mode for step-by-step instructions
- CAL Check to verify meter performance
ORP/Temperature Pool Line Tester - HI981204
HI981204 Pool Line ORP and temperature meter is made for measuring the oxidation (chlorine) level of swimming pool, hot tub, or spa water. This lightweight, waterproof tester offers high accuracy ORP, and temperature measurements in a single handheld unit.
- Waterproof
- Replaceable ORP electrode
- Simultaneous display of ORP and temperature
pH/ORP/Temperature Pool Line Combo Tester - HI981214
pH/ORP meter is made for measuring pH and ORP of a
swimming pool, hot tub, or spa water. This
lightweight, waterproof tester offers high accuracy
pH, ORP, and temperature measurements in a single
handheld unit. No more switching between meters for
your routine measurements.
- Waterproof
- Replaceable pH electrode
- Automatic calibration
HI981014 Pool Line pH
and temperature meter is made for measuring
the pH of swimming pool, hot tub, or spa water.
This tester keeps things simple with a single
button operation for both ON/OFF and Calibration.
- Economical
- Automatic calibration
- Replaceable pH probe
HI7014 The Hanna Free Chlorine Checker® Handheld Colorimeter (HC)
bridges the gap between simple chemical test kits and professional instrumentation. Chemical test kits have limited accuracy and resolution since they rely upon the human eye to discern differences in color.
Professional instrumentation incorporates a light source at a specific wavelength and a light-sensing detector to precisely determine absorbance and ion concentration. The Pool Line Free Chlorine Checker® HC uses a fixed wavelength LED and silicon photo detector to provide the accuracy of professional
instrumentation at the affordable price of a chemical test kit.
- Precise measurements with no guessing of color
- Laboratory measurements at a fraction of the cost
- Simple, intuitive operation
HI779 Pool Line pH Checker® Handheld Colorimeter (HC)
- The ease of a chemical test kit without the maintenance of traditional pH meters
- No more guessing colors
- Simple, intuitive operation
If the readings you receive look out of the specs, try to take some time to bring the balance back into your water.
With 60 offices in 47 countries, Hanna strives to be a worldwide leader in service and selection.
Offering research grade quality at competitive prices, every Hanna office strives to work with each customers to develop a solution tailored to their needs, on their budget.
Author: Nives Vinceković Budor, mag.ing.chem.ing.
