Does anyone use Bromine?

[warrior1]

I was using Baqua Spa, then clorine and now they say use Bromine. Help.

Does it make your skin dry? How often do you add more? Stuff like that.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. From Wikipedia:

Elemental bromine is a strong irritant and, in concentrated form, will produce painful blisters on exposed skin and especially mucous membranes. Even low concentrations of bromine vapor (from 10 ppm) can affect breathing, and inhalation of significant amounts of bromine can seriously damage the respiratory system.

Accordingly, one should always wear safety goggles and ensure adequate ventilation when handling bromine.

I've never used it, but after reading that, I'd steer clear... :hi:

[warrior1]

2. It is

suppose to be less harsh that Clorine. I found that the clorine smell was strong and if I didn't rinse off after I got dry skin. Same with the bromine but not as strong. Funny thing is, the spa/pool people says that I should use bromine in the spa only.

I guess I just have to be very careful with this stuff. It's kind of scary to use, I know.

Thanks for kicking up this thread. It had completely fallen off and I had forgotten about it.

you rock!

[Dude_CalmDown]

3. From a former pool-boy (that would be me)

Chlorine is best. Lots of people used lots of different things and it just didn't work to effectively keep the pool clean. One customer insisted on using bromine (and always had a ton of people over her pool) but every time we came, we had to shock the pool with chlorine shock to knock it back into shape. We just didn't tell her because she was an idiot who couldn't be reasoned with. Chlorine is simply the best chemical for pools. If chlorine bothers your skin (and even if it doesn't) I recommend using a Nature2 with chlorine. The Nature2 allows you to run your pool with very little chlorine. I used to lifeguard and we kept public pools at a 4.0 level of chlorine. Private pools without a Nature2 should be kept between 1.5 - 3.0. With a Nature 2 you can keep your pool at a 0.5 chlorine level. You can also get one for the spa. I use one in mine and my skin is very sensative but the pool hasn't bothered it in years.