A spa ozonator may sound funny and a bit futuristic, but it’s actually an accessory for your hot tub that creates and injects ozone into your water. In doing so it helps to break down impurities and bacteria, allowing you to get the most out of the sanitizer in the water. Once you understand how an ozonator works, which style is right for your spa, you may find adding an ozonator to your spa is easier than you might think, and can help with your existing chemicals at reducing harmful particles and microorganisms to keep your water sparkling and healthy. Read on to find out if it’s worth replacing an ineffective old ozonator or adding one to your ozone-ready spa.
The cleaning power of ozone comes from its oxygen molecules, but unlike the oxygen that makes up the air around us, ozone is made up of 3 oxygen atoms instead of 2. The extra atom per molecule allows it to attach to all sorts of foul and gross particles in the spa water, personal care products, soaps and even organic material.
When used in association with your standard spa sanitizer chlorine or bromine, ozone aids in killing bacteria, germs and organic particles. In using an ozonator you may extend the life of your hot tub water, between drains, as your sanitizer levels can stay constant longer. The ozone not only breaks down microorganisms, it also destroys harmful chemicals in your spa. Because the water is being partially cleaned before reentering the hot tub, you may be able to go longer between shocks and if using a bromine system may also reactivate existing bromine residuals in the water. Always remember to do water testing regularly to ensure chemical ratio is balanced. Ozone is a very reactive molecule which is why it is so useful in helping to keep you water clean. However it can also cause damage to the underside of your vinyl cover. To try and protect you spa from damage it is recommended that your ozonator setup allows for the water to flow for 30 seconds from the ozonator, before reentering your spa. This allows for the ozone to help clean the water and convert back to oxygen before jetting into the tub and bubbling to the top.
The ozonators works in creating ozone by splinting oxygen molecules into two free oxygen atoms, this is accomplished either through intense ultraviolet light (UV) or by using a corona discharge (CD) unit.
The ultraviolet light variety of ozonators uses ultraviolet light to divide the oxygen molecules into free oxygen atoms that merge with the surrounding oxygen to create ozone. These units may to be less powerful than their corona counterparts, and their bulbs break down over time reducing the UV output, meaning they need to be replaced every 2 to 4 years depending on use. But on the plus side the UV units are not affected by air humidity and will create ozone well in all humidity levels.
The corona discharge systems are made up of a sheet of plasma made when a conductor is ionized by electricity. Similar to lighting, the electrical arc splits the oxygen molecules into free oxygen atoms that combines with the surrounding air to create ozone. These units can handle a large water volume, and tend to physically smaller than the UV models. They also do reduce in effectiveness over time, so tend to have a similar lifespan as the UV systems. CD ozonators much like static electricity, they are hindered by high humidity, 60% or higher. So in areas with high humidity a corona ozonator may not be as effective.
An ozonator is an accessory that loses effectiveness when not used correctly. For the best results with either UV models or CD models, the amount of time the water is exposed to ozone plays a huge role in the units ability to clean the water. Hinging on the number of bathers, and how regularly, you’ll need to run your ozonator from 3 hours during a 12-hour period to 24 hours a day to see best results. Combining the ozonator with a circulation pump setup that runs continuously, is one of the most desirable ways to maximize the ozone exposer your spa receives.
So whether you use a UV or Corona Discharge Ozonator, adding one to your spa may help to clean and break down unwanted particles. Allowing you to enjoy your hot bubbly spa worry free, and letting science help out in keeping your water clear, clean and healthy.