If you’ve gone with bromine instead of chlorine for your SaluSpa, good shout it holds up better in warmer water and doesn’t have that sharp smell chlorine’s known for. But the dosing question still trips people up, mostly because nobody tells you it’s not as simple as “drop a tablet in and forget it.” The real answer to how many bromine tablets for SaluSpa comes down to your tub size and a bromine feeder doing the slow, steady work let’s go through it properly.
How Many Bromine Tablets for SaluSpa
For most inflatable hot tubs, you’re looking at 1 to 3 bromine tablets in a floating feeder at any given time, topped up roughly every week or so depending on how much the tub gets used. Unlike chlorine, bromine works more gradually through a feeder rather than dissolving fast, so it’s less about daily dosing and more about keeping the feeder stocked and the levels checked.
Recommended Bromine Levels
| Measurement | Target Range |
|---|---|
| Bromine concentration | 3–5ppm |
| pH levels | 7.2–7.6 |
| Total alkalinity | 80–120ppm |
That 3-5ppm range is what you’re actually managing the tablet count is just how you get there and keep it there.
Bromine Feeder Dosage by Tub Size
| Tub Size | Typical Tablet Count in Feeder |
|---|---|
| 2-person inflatable | 1–2 tablets, adjust feeder flow to low |
| 4-person inflatable | 2 tablets, medium feeder setting |
| 6-person inflatable | 2–3 tablets, medium-high feeder setting |
Most bromine feeders have an adjustable dial controlling how much water passes through turn it up for faster release, down if levels are creeping too high.
Setting Up the Bromine Feeder Properly
- Add the tablets directly into the floating feeder, not loose into the water
- Set the feeder dial to a low or medium flow setting initially
- Let it circulate for a few hours before testing with bromine test strips
- Adjust the dial up or down based on the reading
- Recheck every couple of days until you find the setting that holds steady at 3-5ppm
It’s a bit of trial and error the first week, but once you find the right dial setting for your tub, it pretty much runs itself.
Bromine vs Chlorine
Comes up a lot, so worth laying out plainly.
| Factor | Bromine | Chlorine |
|---|---|---|
| Stability in warm water | More stable, ideal for spa temps | Breaks down faster when heated |
| Smell | Milder | Stronger |
| Speed of action | Slower acting | Faster |
| Cost | Slightly more expensive | Generally cheaper |
| Skin sensitivity | Often gentler | Can irritate more easily |
Bromine’s generally the better pick specifically because hot tubs run warmer than pools, and chlorine just doesn’t hold up as well at those temperatures.
pH and Alkalinity Still Matter
Same rule applies here as with any sanitiser bromine doesn’t work properly if your water chemistry’s off.
- Test pH every time you check bromine levels, not as a separate task
- High pH reduces how effectively bromine kills bacteria
- Low total alkalinity causes pH to swing unpredictably, undermining your dosing
- Keep alkalinity in the 80-120ppm range to give bromine a stable base to work from
Weekly Bromine Maintenance Schedule
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Test bromine and pH levels | 2–3 times per week |
| Refill feeder tablets | Weekly, or as feeder empties |
| Check alkalinity | Weekly |
| Bromine shock treatment | Weekly or after heavy use |
| Clean filter | Every 2–4 weeks |
A bromine shock treatment now and then is worth doing even if levels look fine it oxidises built-up contaminants that the steady tablet dosing doesn’t fully catch.
Signs Your Bromine Dosage Needs Adjusting
- Cloudy water despite normal bromine readings — usually a pH or alkalinity problem, not bromine itself
- Bromine reads low repeatedly — feeder dial probably needs turning up, or it’s empty
- Bromine reads consistently high — turn the feeder dial down or remove a tablet
- Skin irritation after soaking — check both bromine and pH, since either being off can cause it
FAQs
How many bromine tablets go in a SaluSpa feeder?
Usually 1–3 tablets depending on tub size, adjusted using the feeder’s flow dial.
What bromine level should I be aiming for?
3-5ppm is the standard target for hot tubs, checked with bromine test strips.
How often do I need to refill the bromine feeder?
Roughly once a week, though it depends on usage and feeder flow setting.
Is bromine better than chlorine for inflatable hot tubs?
It’s more stable in warm water and gentler on skin, though chlorine works faster and costs less.
Why is my bromine level dropping fast?
Heavy use, a feeder set too low, or an empty feeder are the most common causes.
Conclusion
Bromine dosing isn’t about counting tablets daily it’s about getting your feeder dial right and checking levels often enough to catch drift before it becomes a problem. Aim for that 3-5ppm range, keep pH and alkalinity in check alongside it, and the whole process becomes pretty low-maintenance once it’s dialled in. Want a tub that makes water care a bit easier from the start? Take a look at our inflatable hot tub range, including the Corsica and Tahiti.
