OT: Best Health Practices for Hot Tubs?

[Guest guest]

Hello Wise Friends,

We recently got a hot tub and since chlorine (or bromine - or any halide) are

not chemicals I am interested in using, DH has been looking into other (more

healthful) strategies for keeping the water clean and enjoyable. Here's what

we've come up with so far: it's necessary to install an oxidizer (to dissolve

the organic matter) AND an ionizer (to kill bacteria, viruses, and algae).

I thought I'd post the question here since some of you may have already resolved

this issue for your own hot tubs. Is there anything I'm overlooking? Anything

that would be better to use? Anyone already done the research and care to

explain why using zinc would be advisable or not in addition to the silver and

copper in an ionizer? Or care to refer us to a place that you rec.?

In regards to the oxidizer portion needed, we were thinking about an ozonator,

but have been warned against it b/c of lung damage (amongst other health

concerns) when sitting in the spa and breathing it in. To mitigate this, we can

set it up where it only cycles on to produce ozone for 2 (2 hr.) blocks during

the day (4 hrs. total), which we're told should be sufficient for oxidizing

requirements and we can set it not to come on when we're in the tub. Anyone

else done this or have a better recommendation?

I'm pretty sure that what we'd really like is not available yet (better than an

ozonator). I talked with a guy who is developing it for pools (later this

year), but not yet for spas. So, just hoping someone will have some good info.

for what to do/use in the meantime.

For those interested, here's some links that talk more about what to use and

why.

For an ozone generator - this place has a lot of info on ozone.

http://www.air-purifiers-superstore.com/air_water_ozonator.html

This site has mineral spa treatment systems, copper and silver

http://www.spaspecialist.com/ionizer.html

http://www.askalanaquestion.com/ionizers_for_spas.htm

This site has copper, silver and zinc treatments.

http://www.sunshinepool.com/ion2.html

http://www.almostheaven.net/aho/ionizers.htm

Informative site for information but has limited spa applications. They do not

advocate the use of zinc and encourage higher silver levels.

http://www.price-lessproducts.com/POOLIONIZERS.html

Happy Holidays,

Summer Waters, L.Ac., NTP, CGP

www.summerwaters.com