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Learn how to raise low pH levels in your hot tub with a pH increaser to prevent corrosion, cloudy water, and skin irritation.  

Discover easy ways to balance water hardness in your hot tub. Prevent scale, cloudy water, and protect pumps, heaters, and jets for lasting comfort.

A hot tub cover protects your water, reduces heat loss, and keeps debris out. Learn care tips, cleaning advice, and how to maintain efficiency.  

Learn why your hot tub water is cloudy and how to fix it. Clear water with proper filtration, balanced chemicals, and maintenance tips.  

Keep your hot tub sparkling with easy cleaning hacks. Learn simple routines, common mistakes, and how TubTabs make maintenance effortless.  

Learn how to shock a hot tub safely and effectively. Follow step-by-step instructions to kill bacteria, remove contaminants, and keep water crystal clear.  

Not sure whether to use chlorine or bromine in your hot tub? Learn the pros, cons, and why BromTabs with TubTabs make hot tub care effortless.  

Not sure what your hot tub temperature should be? Learn the best range for comfort, safety, and seasonal use with expert tips.

A proper hot tub chemicals kit is essential for clean, safe, and balanced water. Key items include pH balancers, alkalinity increaser, calcium hardness increaser, sanitizer, and shock. Test and adjust pH weekly, add alkalinity or calcium as needed, sanitize daily, and shock every two weeks. TubTabs Weekly Aloe-Infused Shock & Maintenance Tablets simplify this routine by combining sanitizer, shock, and maintenance in one easy tab. Knowing when to add chemicals with your hot tub chemicals kit ensures your spa stays inviting, safe, and worry-free for relaxing soaks.

Wondering when should I add chemicals to my hot tub? Proper chemical balance keeps your water safe, clean, and ready for relaxation. Start with the right setup, then maintain pH, alkalinity, calcium, and sanitizer levels regularly. Weekly shocking and quarterly line flushing help keep your hot tub healthy. For an easy, stress-free routine, use TubTabs, which combine sanitizer, pH, and alkalinity control into one convenient weekly tab, making it simple to enjoy your hot tub without guesswork.

Hot tub rash, caused by bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can leave itchy red bumps days after a soak. It thrives in warm, wet, or poorly maintained tubs. You can prevent it by showering before use, limiting soak time, regularly testing water, and keeping your tub clean. TubTabs simplify maintenance with one weekly tab, balancing sanitizer, pH, and stopping biofilm formation, keeping water clean and safe. With simple, consistent care, your hot tub can stay itch-free and relaxing every time.

Hello, good people. If you recall, we’ve spoken about bromine a bit in the past, but, today, we feel we need to dive a little deeper into this chemical compound that keeps your hot tub clean and running smoothly.  There is a lot of chatter on whether bromine is a better alternative to chlorine, and we’ve explored that topic in another post. Today, we want to get into the nitty-gritty of the chemical compound itself, the difference between tub tablet form versus granules, while also dispelling some misconceptions when it comes to bromine.   What is Bromine?  Bromine (Br) is a halogen that naturally occurs in seawater, the Earth's crust, and in several mineral deposits. At room temperature, it's one of the only elements that remains in a liquid form, just like mercury. It's best known for being a reddish-brown substance that is heavy and volatile in its base form. It also evaporates easily into a very potent vapor if not handled correctly.  Let’s do a bit of a deeper breakdown by exploring how this otherwise volatile liquid is turned into hot tub tablets and granules and how they’re used to keep the hot tubs of today clean and functional.  Bromine Tabs (Tablets)  Chemical Breakdown:  Common compound: 1-Bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (BCDMH)  Primary Hazards: Oxidizer, Corrosive, Irritant, Environmental Hazard.  Molecular Formula: C₅H₆BrClN₂O₂  How it works:  When BCDMH slowly releases hypobromous acid (HOBr), the sanitizing part of the compound kills bacteria and controls the presence of algae in the water.   It also releases small traces of hypochlorous acid (HOCI) (chlorine) to help activate the bromine cycle by oxidizing bromide ions back into the active bromine.   Key Takeaways:  Bromine tablets are slow-dissolving and are designed for use in what we call a “floater” or a “bromine feeder.” Its key benefits are that it provides a steady, long-lasting release of sanitizer, ensuring your hot tub remains clean and algae free.  Bromine Granules  Chemical Breakdown:  Common compound: Sodium bromide (NaBr) is the base of bromine granules; however, most commercially sold “bromine granules” are actually just sold as a sanitizer called dichlor (which consists of sodium, but most hot tub "bromine granules" sold as a sanitizer are actually dichlor (or sodium dichloroisocyanurate) that has simply been mixed with sodium bromide.  Primary hazards: Irritant, Health Hazard.   Molecular Formulas:  Sodium bromide: NaBr  Dichlor: C₃Cl₂N₃NaO₃  How it works:  On its own, sodium bromide is just a “bank” of bromide ions in water. It isn’t considered a sanitizer until it’s been activated.   That’s where the dichlor component comes in; acting as the oxidizer, it converts bromide ions into hypobromous acid (HOBr), which is the active sanitizer.  Many products that label themselves as “bromine granules” are just stabilized bromine (or sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione with bromide salts). The only real “benefit” they have over bromine tablets is they sanitize faster, but they don’t last as long, which means their effects eventually wear off.    Key Takeaways:  Long story short: bromine granules work fast, clean everything almost immediately, but wear off quickly. Its best use is to shock or quickly raise the bromine levels of your tub to get it sanitized in a timely fashion. However, it simply doesn’t beat the low-release nature of bromine tablets, in our humble opinion.   Bromine Tablets for Hot Tubs: A Comprehensive Look at Slow-Release Formulas   Despite the potential hazards that come with the chemical breakdown of bromine, in its bromine tablet form, it’s a completely safe hot tub sanitizer. In fact, check out all the ways hot tub tablets comprised with bromine are stable and safe. Here’s a closer look at bromine tablets and their slow-release formula:     Pre-measured dosage: Bromine hot tub tablets are pre-measured to have safe dosages of all their chemical compounds.   Slow-dissolving formula: This slow dissolving formula means your hot tub remains clean in the long-term.   Stable in sunlight: Bromine tablets remain stable even in the sunlight, where UV rays can otherwise reduce the effectiveness of other sanitizers.   Long shelf life: You can store bromine for a long time, so stocking up can help save you time and money.  Effective at maintaining consistent sanitizer levels: There’s no need to measure, bromine tub tablets are already pre-measured and ready to go.   Less irritating to skin and eyes compared to chlorine: Many bromine tablets are designed to be gentle on skin.  Fewer strong odours: No “stinkage” here, these TubTabs are designed for luxury, not for giving you the “ick.”   Provides residual sanitation over time: No need to worry if your tub is clean; by following the directions, you’ll have ongoing sanitization, ensuring your tub is always ready to use.   Bromine Tablets vs. Granules: Which is Actually Better?  We’ve gone on a whirlwind adventure in this blog, haven’t we? From breaking down the very base of these chemicals, their perks and drawbacks, etc. But how do you truly decide what works better for you?  We believe everyone should choose the option that works best for them. But before you make a purchase, let’s take a final look at some of the pros and cons of both bromine tub tabs and bromine granules:   Bromine Tablets   Pros:  Slow dissolving, providing steady, long-lasting sanitization levels that work with most hot tub materials. It’s also sun-resistant and won’t lose its potency when exposed to UV rays.   Generates hypobromous acid (the active sanitizing property) consistently, resulting in a cleaner tub overall.  Bromine tablets are stable even at high temperatures with varying pH levels, making them the perfect solution for hot tubs.   Less need for handling, bromine tablets are a one-stop solution that minimizes errors, as it’s already been pre-measured and formulated.   There’s less if not any need to add extra sanitizer, unlike some granule products.  Cons:  Tub tablets release bromine levels slowly, which means some products aren’t great for shock treatments. However, TubTabs are formulated to be able to provide shock treatments.  You will need to have a floating dispenser or feeder for most bromine tub tablets.  Some of these products are more costly, but TubTabs’ products are always economical.   Bromine Granules Pros:  Bromine granules are fast-dissolving and immediate raise in bromine levels.   This formula is perfect for shocking the hot tub or rapidly correcting low sanitization levels, effectively making it an instant solution.   Granules can also be used in situations where tub tabs aren’t practical or readily available.   Cons:  This formula doesn’t last as long, which means you’ll need to regularly dose your tub to keep it maintained (which is a hassle).   Bromine granules rely on an oxidizer, making the formula less self-sustainable.   It has a tendency to be slightly less stable in high temperatures with fluctuating pH levels.  Granules also require more hands-on dosing, which can result in a higher level of error or even overdosing.    The TubTab & BroTab Triumph: Why Our Formulas Reign Supreme  We wish we could tell you we weren’t going to flex, but, hey – when you have products that work this well, you must tell people about it. If you’re looking for an all-around solution to the best hot tub experience, you need to check out our TubTabs products.  TubTabs (The Literal OG Product)  Only the most advanced hot tub water care here. This weekly aloe-infused shock & maintenance hot tub tablet can take a subpar, even grimy tub into something that mirrors the luxury spa experience. With a single hot tub tablet enriched with aloe per week, you can ensure your hot tub doesn't have issues with scum, scale, and biofilm -- all without the mess of having to measure powders and granules. Leave your water gentle and crystal clear with this completely Canadian-made product, free of perfumes and comprised of natural minerals.   TubTabs Benefits:  Dissolves in a flash with a perfect single dose.  Leaves your water silky-smooth and spotless.  Gentle aloe for happy, soft skin.  100% chlorine-free.  Say goodbye to scrubbing and hello to relaxation.  BroTabs (Tough on Scum While Delivering Reliable Fun)  BroTabs bromine tablets are designed for peak hot tub sanitation. This formula downright boxes germs out of the water while still being gentle and kind on the skin. BroTubs' formula delivers rapid bromine-based sanitization, keeping your hot tub not only clean, but safe for everyone to use. It utilizes effective, low bromine levels (3-5ppm) to maintain the water's clarity and hygiene, even if you notice an uptick in pH levels.   BroTabs Benefits:  Supercharged, fast-acting bromine power.  Keeps water crystal clear and gentle, even when pH swings.  Budget-friendly and a breeze to pair alongside original TubTabs.  Choose TubTabs for Reliable, Long-Lasting Hot Tub Sanitization  You can’t go wrong with choosing TubTabs’ products. All our Canadian-made formulas are specially designed to take the pros and cons of either of the formulas and toss them out the window. Our unique design and formulation have been crafted to provide the best possible hot tub experience, without any reason to compare products.   With the combination of TubTabs and BroTabs, your hot tub will have everything it needs to keep your water crystal clear, gentle on skin, and totally hygienic.   Don’t hesitate, put your order in now and make your hot tub maintenance a breeze! Also, be sure to keep an eye on our blog for more news and hot tub information!  

Discover 12 must-have hot tub supplies for 2025, from luxury upgrades to essential maintenance tools, and elevate your spa experience.

Wondering if bromine tablets for hot tub care are the right choice? Learn benefits, usage tips, and how to keep your spa water crystal clear.

Can a hot soak rival a jog for health benefits? Science says yes for things like blood pressure & recovery. Learn where a hot tub shines and where exercise still wins.

Discover the best hot tub chemicals for sensitive skin. Learn how bromine tablets keep your spa water clean, balanced, and gentle.

Discover the best hot tub accessories under $100, from LED lights to spa pillows, to make your soak more relaxing and fun.

Save money and maintain your spa with easy hot tub maintenance tips. Know when to DIY and when to call a hot tub service near me for help.

Learn how to clean your hot tub without draining the water with simple tips like filter cleaning, shocking, wiping surfaces, and using clarifiers to keep it fresh.

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