Bromine Hot Tub Maintenance Guide & Schedule
Keep bromine in range, test every day, and shock weekly to renew it
Bromine is gentle on skin and holds steady between doses. This guide gives you a simple routine: how much to add, when to test and when to shock.
Test before you bathe, dose, and shock once a week.
Your bromine routine
Bromine is a popular alternative to chlorine. The routine has four parts: test, dose, shock weekly and refresh the water every couple of months.3
| Task | What to aim for | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Bromine level | CDC minimum 4 ppm.1 Our product pages aim for 3 to 5 ppm.3 | Test at least twice a day1 |
| pH | 7.0 to 7.81 | With each bromine test |
| Top up | Tablets in a floater or feeder, or granules3 | Daily, every two to three days or weekly, depending on use3 |
| Shock | Renews the bromine5 | Weekly, or after prolonged use5 |
| Drain and refill | Clean, fresh water | About every two months2 |
Our sanitiser guide compares bromine with the other sanitisers, and our pH guide covers the pH step.
How much bromine to add
To reach 3 mg/l, add 12 g of bromine per 1,500 litres. As a guide, 10 ml weighs about 10 g.3
How often you add more depends on your usage and bathing habits. It could be daily, every two to three days or weekly.3
| Tub size | Dose for 3 mg/l |
|---|---|
| 1,000 litres | 8 g |
| 1,500 litres | 12 g |
| 2,000 litres | 16 g |
These doses scale the 12 g per 1,500 litres rate to each tub size.
Add bromine, step by step
Test first
Read bromine and pH with a bromine test strip before you add anything. See the bromine strips.6
Add granules with the pump on
Below 20°C, pre-dissolve granules in 1 litre of clean warm water and stir until fully dissolved. Then pour it in while the pump is running.4
Shock weekly to renew the bromine
Why shock
A shock treatment oxidises the water. With bromine, our non-chlorine shock regenerates the bromide ions, so the bromine is renewed.5
It also helps clear cloudy water and removes odours, eye burn, oils and lotions.5
The CDC advises a shock treatment daily to weekly, depending on use.1
How to shock
Take the cover off so oxygen can reach the water. Check pH is 7.0 to 7.4 and bromine is 3 to 5 mg/l.5
Pre-dissolve the granules, then pour them in by the water inlets with the pump on. Use 11 g per 1,000 litres, and wait at least 20 minutes with the cover off.5
Our shock guide has the full steps.
What the water is telling you
Cloudy water
A shock treatment helps clear cloudy water and restores clarity.5
Our cloudy, foamy or green water guide covers the other causes.
Bromine reading is low
Test, then add the dose from the table. Adding bromine more often keeps the reading in range for a busy tub.
Skin feels irritated
Check the bromine reading. Too much bromine can cause skin rashes, so keep it within range.2
Drain and refill every couple of months
Drain, clean and refill about every two months. Adjust that for the size of your tub, your manufacturer's instructions and how often you use it.2
Your bromine kit
Everything for the routine above. Every product is new and in stock now.
1 kg · £23.99
Slow-release tablets for a floater or feeder, ideal for daily dosing.
Hot Tub Non Chlorine Shock Granules
1 kg · £16.99
Your weekly shock. Renews bromine, and the tub is ready in about 20 minutes.
Jacuzzi Hot Tub Bromine Test Strips
Pack of 50 · £7.49
Your daily test. Reads bromine, pH and total alkalinity.
Browse the full hot tub bromine range.
Quick answers
Open a question to read the answer.
What bromine level should a hot tub have?
The CDC sets a minimum of 4 ppm. Our bromine product pages aim for 3 to 5 ppm, so test often and keep the reading steady.
Is bromine better than chlorine?
Our bromine product pages describe bromine as gentler on skin than chlorine, with a less harsh odour and more consistent levels. Both are effective sanitisers, so choose the one that suits you.
Should I use bromine tablets or granules?
Tablets dissolve slowly in a floater or feeder, which suits daily dosing. Granules go straight into the water, or are pre-dissolved in 1 litre of warm water first when the tub is below 20°C.
How often should I shock a bromine hot tub?
Weekly, or after prolonged use. Our non-chlorine shock regenerates the bromide ions so the bromine works again, and the CDC advises a shock treatment daily to weekly depending on use.
How often should I test the water?
At least twice a day, according to the CDC. Daily test strips suit a regular routine, and testing more often helps when the tub is busy.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Operating and Managing Public Pools, Hot Tubs and Splash Pads (dated 10 January 2025): bromine minimum, pH, testing and shock
- King County, Washington, Department of Public Health, Staying Happy and Healthy in Your Spa and Hot Tub, sixth edition (undated): bromine, draining and chemical handling
- Outdoor Living, Hot Tub Bromine Tablets product page: level, dose and use (current)
- Outdoor Living, Hot Tub Bromine Granules product page: level, dose and use (current)
- Outdoor Living, Hot Tub Non Chlorine Shock Granules product page: dose and use with bromine (current)
- Jacuzzi, Hot Tub Bromine Test Strips product page, sold by Outdoor Living: what the strips read (current)
Paul Margerison
Managing Director & Founder, Outdoor Living
Bromine rewards a steady routine: test, dose, and a weekly shock to renew it.