Ozonator , bromine and yellow scum

[Sjde]

We replaced the ozonator in our vacation rental spa a month ago when we changed the water and ever since , our bromine levels have been high , like 8-10, when we check when a group leaves.
( Before the new ozonator , the bromine reading was often zero , or close to it.)

I use a Taylor kit to test.

The pH level was in range, although on the high side.

We’re getting a lot of yellow scum too. ( We ask people to shower but I’m guessing most don’t. )

Any suggestions?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Yellow scum is more than likely bather waste. You can ask people to shower before but I doubt it will happen.

Are there any adjustments at all for the ozonator? Reducing run time would help.

 

[Sjde]

Thanks.

It only runs when the filtration system is running. It was set to run 2 1/2 hours twice a day. I changed it to 2 hours twice a day. I hate to run it less than that , though the default is 1 1/2 hours a day.

 

[Sjde]

I'm confused though because the ozonator provides sanitizing yes, but it can't be measured. It doesn't raise the bromine level.

 

[JamesW]

Ozone does raise the bromine level. It oxidizes bromide to bromine and some bromate.

What is the model number of the new ozonator?

 

[Sjde]

It's a CDO-JED 103.
I’m surprised we had scum -the most ever-with the ozonator working so well, when I read-

"Ozone oxidizes soap, deodorant, hair spray, cologne, makeup, perfume, body lotion, hand cream, sun tan lotion, saliva, and urine. Used in concert with your sanitizer, ozone helps kill pathogenic bacteria, germs, and viruses and helps to oxidize organic contaminants."

 

[JamesW]

That's a corona discharge model, which makes more than a UV model.

A rough estimate is 5 ppm bromine per day.

 

[Sjde]

Wow! I thought it was similar to our old one that came with it. I wouldn't need to use the floater if it's putting out 5 ppm a day! And hardly ever shock.

 

[JamesW]

That's a rough estimate based on running 24 hours. I haven't done the full calculations yet.

If you're using a floater and ozone and any other oxidizer, the bromine level can get away from you.

You're going to have to do some trial and error to get a steady level.

 

[Sjde]

We had been shocking with MPS and dichor.

So if running 4 hours a day, can I figure 1/6 of the 5 ppm?

 

[Sjde]

Do you happen to know which type this ozonater is?-
Monarch #74084
It was what had originally come with our spa.

 

[JamesW]

MPS and dichlor will both contribute to the bromine level.

For 4 hours of ozonator run time, I would estimate about 1 ppm bromine, but I would have to do the calculation to be sure.

 

[JamesW]

The Monarch looks like it is a Corona discharge model as well.

Maybe it stopped working and no one noticed.

The recent bromine increases might be partly from the ozone, but they could also be from tabs, MPS, dichlor or other oxidizers.

The scum can be from body oils and contaminants. Some oils might be becoming brominated.

Ozone and bromine are good sanitizers, but oils and body wastes can be quite difficult to break down.

 

[Sjde]

What does that mean that some oils may be becoming brominated? What’s the consequence of that?

 

[Sjde]

Do you know if an ozonator’s output will decrease over time or does it stay steady and then just stop after 2-5 years?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Halogen compounds (Cl, Br, I) can undergo substitution reactions with organic molecules. Essentially a hydrogen atom gets kicked off and it is replaced by a halogen. Another type of reaction is cleavage where a double-bonded Carbon-Carbon bond gets one of its bonds broken and the halogen adds itself to the carbon atoms.

Halogenated organic compounds can have vastly different properties than non-halogenated compounds. In the case of oils, halogenation reactions can turn a free flowing liquid oil into a thickened or solid mass. This is why it’s important in hot tubs to not use oils and lotions as the oxidation reactions can create a mess in the cartridge filter.

 

[davemill]

Do you know if an ozonator’s output will decrease over time or does it stay steady and then just stop after 2-5 years?

I use this ozone generator: DEL Ozone Hot Tub and Spa Eclipse CD Ozone Generator - ECS-1RPAM2-U. The first two have both quit at 14 months of 24/7/365 use, as measured by the ozone smell going away. I have not heard of Ozone generators lasting 2-5 years.

 

[Sjde]

Ours is on 4 hours a day. I don’t even know what the ozone smell is!

 

[davemill]

I don’t even know what the ozone smell is!

I've always heard it described as "burnt air." This is the best description I could find.

 

[Sjde]

I never smelled that even when it was working!