What is ozone for spa pools & how is it different to Clearzone?

25 May, 2021

Spa pools, due to their small body of water and hard cover, are much easier to maintain than a swimming pool. They don’t require much chemical and no need to spend hours brushing and vacuuming. Nevertheless, the small body of water, combined with the fact it is kept warm, means making sure the water is adequately treated is very critical.

SPA WATER SANITISING IS CRITICAL

The small volume of water means the dirt and grime an average person brings into the spa is concentrated much more so than it would be in a swimming pool. The warm water then forms an ideal breeding ground for any introduced nasties, if left unchecked. It is therefore essential that every spa be fitted with an effective sanitising system to help ensure any bugs that enter the water are quickly neutralised. A good chemical regime is also critical.

Ozone is a good means of providing sanitation to spas. Ozone is many times more powerful than chlorine, therefore very effective at destroying bugs it comes in contact with.

SALT CHLORINATORS

Some spa manufacturers elect to use salt chlorinators (like swimming pools) as a sanitising system. Whilst these units are designed to produce chlorine and put it into residual in the spa water, which can be relatively effective, it is many times less powerful than ozone. It can also risk corrosion of the spa equipment such as metal heaters and polished stainless-steel finishing on jets and top side controls.

NOT ALL OZONE SYSTEMS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Ozone is the preferred method and better than chlorine alone, however not all ozone systems are created equal. It is essential that the ozone system has adequate output and is set up to thoroughly mix and dissolve the ozone into the water. The secret is to ensure there is enough ozone being produced, and then maximise its contact time with the water as much as possible before it reverts to plain old oxygen. It is also equally important to ensure the ozone has predominantly reverted to oxygen by the time it escapes to the surface of the spa water. A high-performance Corona Discharge Ozone Unit, combined with an efficient Venturi Injector, are keys to this process. The plumbing method used to incorporate this into the spa is also critical.

BEWARE OF CHEAP OZONE SANITISERS

Beware of cheap, low grade ozone generators with poor injection systems. They may cost less but may have little impact on helping keep the spa water fresh, clean and healthy.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLEARZONE AND OZONE?

Clearzone is a big step up from simple ozone. In simple terms, Clearzone is like ozone on steroids; it is the best way to keep your spa water clean. Clearzone uses ozone in combination with germicidal UV-C light. The combination of these two technologies creates an oxidising agent many, many times more powerful than ozone on its own. This results in much more effective destruction of nasties in the water. It also greatly reduces the chlorine by-products that cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation. It makes the water smell fresh. Very little, if any, chemical smell. The other benefit of Clearzone is that this process also polishes the water to crystal clear clarity, providing the filter is kept clean and general water balance is maintained.

CLEARZONE IS THE ULTIMATE IN SPA SANITISATION AND DEFINITELY THE WAY TO GO IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR GREAT WATER QUALITY TO ENJOY WITH AND LOOK AFTER YOUR FAMILY!

Read our information about ‘Will salt water sanitising damage my spa?’ and why Sapphire Spas don’t recommend this method of spa water cleansing

Of course if you still have more questions about servicing your spa, please contact your local Sapphire Spas retail store