What is a Spa Ozonator and How Does It Keep Your Hot Tub Water Clean?
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 in 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.
How Ozone Works Inside Your Hot Tub
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.
Why Ozone Improves Sanitizer Performance
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, but 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 the chemical ratio is balanced. Ozone is a very reactive molecule, which is why it is so useful in helping to keep your water clean. However, it can also cause damage to the underside of your vinyl cover. To try and protect your 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.
How Spa Ozonators Create Ozone
The ozonators work in creating ozone by splitting oxygen molecules into two free oxygen atoms. This is accomplished either through intense ultraviolet light (UV) or by using a corona discharge (CD) unit.
UV Ozonators: How They Work and Their Pros and Cons
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 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.
Corona Discharge Ozonators: How They Work and Their Pros and Cons
The corona discharge systems are made up of a sheet of plasma created when a conductor is ionized by electricity. Similar to lighting, the electrical arc splits the oxygen molecules into free oxygen atoms that combine with the surrounding air to create ozone. These units can handle a large water volume and tend to be physically smaller than the UV models. They also reduce in effectiveness over time, so they tend to have a similar lifespan as the UV systems. CD ozonators, much like static electricity, are hindered by high humidity, 60% or higher. So in areas with high humidity, a corona ozonator may not be as effective.
How Long to Run an Ozonator for Best Results
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 unit's ability to clean the water. Depending on the number of bathers and how regularly, you’ll need to run your ozonator for 3 hours per day to 24 hours per day to see the best results. Combining the ozonator with a circulation pump setup that runs continuously is one of the most desirable ways to maximize the ozone exposure your spa receives.
Should You Add an Ozonator to Your Spa?
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.