Saltwater purification systems produce small amounts of pure chlorine derived from natural salt, just enough to keep the water sanitary. Salt systems are a desirable alternative to packaged bromine or chlorine, and can provide naturally clean, crystal clear and more pleasant water for bathers.

For years, the benefits of saltwater have been enjoyed by swimming pool owners. Salt systems have proven to be safe, effective and eco-friendly. And now, this next-generation technology is affordably available for hot tub spa owners.

Some benefits include: Smoother, softer-feeling water, Diminished chloramines formation, Less odor, Eco-friendly, Gentle to hair, even colored or Lightened. Reduced eye irritation, Soothing to skin, No packaged chlorine or bromine to buy and store, Extremely low cost to operate, Health benefits when using mineral salts, Safe for equipment, Easily adjusted sanitizer level, Low maintenance, and Lower maintenance costs.

While some marketers tout salt systems as chemically free, that’s really not honest advertising and misses the point. We live in a world of chemistry, and life itself could not exist without chemicals. Salt is a chemical. Water is the most common chemical on our green Earth’s surface! Salt systems are an advanced method to utilize natural chemistry in a better way.

Many people previously convinced that they had an allergic or other aversion to chlorine, found no such problems after switching to a salt-based system. Perhaps the additives in packaged chlorine were more to blame. In any case, a salt system allows the user to more precisely control the sanitizer output, often requiring lower levels to achieve water purity. The mineral salts have many health benefits of their own, as explained below.

Salt is sodium chloride (NaCl). Through a controlled process in a low-current electrolysis cell, chlorination is produced in just the right amount to sanitize spa water.

As saltwater enters the cell, a safe, low-voltage current passes between special rare-metal plates, producing pure chlorine (Cl) from the saline solution. In water the chlorine instantly becomes hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is its disinfecting form.

In conjunction with its control unit and programmable timer, the Nexa Spa cell pictured here will sanitize any size portable hot tub. It is incredibly efficient, using only about as much energy as a 50-watt light bulb, often running less than an hour a day.

You’re probably wondering how often the salt needs to be replenished. One of the beauties of these systems is that as the hypochlorous acid is used up, the chlorine recycles back into salt. So with a salt chlorine generator, the salt only has to be topped off occasionally due to hot tub water splash out, and replenished when the water is changed. Very economical!

When we think of saltwater, the ocean usually comes to mind. Seawater has a strong salty taste of course, and it can cause metal corrosion. So you might be wondering if salt systems are safe for spa equipment. Fortunately, the levels of salt used with Nexa Spa systems are very low by comparison, and safe for equipment.* The table below shows some approximate saline levels to give you a perspective:
Salinity Comparison - parts per million
Ocean Water 35,000 ppm
Human Tears 9,000 ppm
Ability to Taste Salt 5,000 ppm
Modern Salt Pools 3,000 ppm
Nexa Spa System 1,500 ppm