If you have been shopping for a new hot tub, you have almost certainly heard about Salt-System spas. Several manufacturers now offer them as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) option and several other systems are available after-market. Our own Blu Fusion Salt-System is both available through several manufacturers and available through spa dealers as an after-market option to add to spas where the original manufacturer is not offering a Salt-System option.

What Is A Salt-System Spa?

There are essentially two different types of Salt-Systems. Some are chlorine based, and others are bromine based. Hence, the “salt” is a bit different. The first use sodium chloride (NaCl) which is the same salt as in your kitchen salt shaker. The second use the salt, sodium bromide (NaBr). Both salts occur naturally in the ocean and any salt lake. In fact, our source for sodium bromide is the Dead Sea in Israel.

Salt-System hot tubs essentially use either sodium chloride or sodium bromide as the source for either chlorine or bromine.

Is A Salt-System Spa Chlorine-Free?

Here the answer is Yes and No. If the Salt-System is using sodium chloride, it is producing chlorine and using it as the sanitizer for the spa. However, if the Salt-System is sodium bromide based, there is no chlorine as the sanitizer is now bromine.

Our Blu Fusion Salt System is bromine based. We are not using chlorine, and none is in the hot tub.

The Process Of Producing Bromine (The Sanitizer)

Using a process called electrolysis, Salt-Systems basically split salt molecules to then create the sanitizer used to kill and prevent bacteria and other pathogens in your spa. In truth, the chemical process is a good deal more complicated but saying we “split” the salt molecule is pretty close.

If you had a high school chemistry class, you may recall using a battery with two wires in a beaker of water with salt in it to demonstrate electrolysis. You saw small bubbles coming off one of the wires in the water. In this case, you were splitting the water molecule (H2O) to produce hydrogen and oxygen gas.

In the case of hot tub salt-systems, electrolysis is the same – using a very low voltage direct current (DC) similar again to a standard 9-volt battery.

How Safe Is A Salt-System Spa?

As I just noted, the electrical power used in Hot Tub Salt-Systems is similar to a 9-volt battery. Hence, they are extremely safe.

Further, both sodium chloride and sodium bromide salts are common in nature. Any time you swim in the ocean you are exposed to both salts.

Why Is Our Blu Fusion Salt System Superior To Others?

For several reasons, our Blu Fusion Salt System is the best available.

First, it is bromine based not chlorine based. In a hot tub, bromine has several advantages over chlorine.

• Bromine is not dependent on maintaining proper pH in your spa water to be effective at killing bacteria and other spa pathogens. Chlorine must be maintained between 7.2 – 7.6 in order to kill bacteria.
• Bromine does not dissipate out of spa water at 100 – 104 degrees, the common temperatures most people hold their spas at. Chlorine does dissipate at these higher spa water temperatures, making it harder to maintain pH in the range of 2 -4 ppm.
• Bromine based hot tubs do not have the chlorine odor that most people find objectionable.
• Most people find that bromine is gentler on their skin than chlorine.

Second, our Blu Fusion TS Complete model includes a sacrificial anode. This sacrificial anode protects the metal parts in your spa, notably the heater. No other hot tub salt-system includes a sacrificial anode, yet they are always used in Salt-System Pools.

Note that when some salespeople want to convince you to not buy a Salt-System spa they will commonly suggest that they are corrosive. This is not true with our Blu Fusion TS Complete Salt-System.

Third, when purchased through a hot tub dealer, our Blu Fusion TS Complete Salt-System has a 3-Year Warranty. No other Salt-System has a warranty longer than 1-Year.

The Mythical “Maintenance-Free” Spa

It would be nice if there really was a Maintenance-Free hot tub, but it does not exist. You have a better chance at finding the mythical unicorn.

The truth is all hot tubs, regardless of the sanitation method used, require that the spa water be tested at least once a week and necessary adjustments made.

Salt-Systems do make this adjustment process a bit easier as you simply adjust the level of chlorine or bromine being produced rather than having to add chemicals, but you still need to test your water no less than weekly.

However, there is one big maintenance advantage to our Blu Fusion Salt System. Most other spa sanitation regimens require that you drain and refill 3 – 4 times a year. With Blu Fusion, and some other spa Salt-Systems, you will drain & refill your spa annually.

The Benefits Of Our Blu Fusion Salt System

So, why would you want a Blu Fusion Salt-System hot tub? I’ve mentioned a few but let’s sum it up.

• Salt water itself feels soft & when you dry off you will notice that your skin also feels soft.
• Though not Maintenance-Free, it does require less maintenance than other sanitation regimens.
• There are no other chemicals in your spa water – only sodium bromide salt and the bromine we generate.
• It smells better. No chlorine smell.
• Bromine as a sanitizer is superior to chlorine for a number of reasons.

Here is one I have not yet discussed. Over the life of your spa, it will likely be the least expensive option to maintain your spa water.

What Does A Salt-System Spa Cost?

Up front Hot Tub Salt-Systems are generally the most expensive sanitation option. However, Blu Fusion is very inexpensive to maintain, hence over the life of your hot tub, Blu Fusion is likely the least expensive option to maintain clear, clean water in your spa. Over a 10-year life of a hot tub, Blu Fusion will likely cost around $450 a year and this includes your initial purchase.

Where Can You Purchase Our Blu Fusion Salt System?

Both Aspen Spas and QCA Spas offer our Blu Fusion TS Complete Salt-System as an option on their spas. You can also purchase Blu Fusion from our network of hot tub dealers. Please reach out and ask us for your closest dealer.