Genesis Canada FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Genesis Salt Water Systems
» ELM Sales and Equipment distributes Genesis Salt Water Bromine Systems in Canada.
View the Genesis Demo Video to see how it works!
Q: How exactly does the GENESIS system work for hot tubs?
A: The Genesis system fits neatly inside most spa cabinets. There are 3 components:
* The Digital Control Box
* The Bromine Generating Electrode Cell
* The PVC Cell Chamber
The PVC cell chamber contains the electrode cell and is easily installed into the circulation system of your spa.
After a special salt (sodium bromide) is added to the water, you simply set the control box to the desired bromine production level. As the hot tub water circulates, a small amount of the bromide salt contacts the electrode cell and is broken down into bromine.
Later, as part of a perpetual cycle of bromine production, the bromine will revert to salt again for circulation through the electrode cell...creating an endless supply of the bromine your hot tub needs for properly sanitizing the spa water..
Q: What are the some of the special features of GENESIS?
A: * Adjustable output - full digital control
* Automatic polarity reversal (for extended electrode life)
* Overload protection w LED indication
* 120/240VAC-50/60hz (Installer-selectable)
* NEMA 4X-IP66 waterproof enclosure
* Composite electrode cell
* 5 Year replacement warranty
* ETL listed to ANSI/UL 1081 USA/Canada
* Health Canada PMRA registration # 27890
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Q: What are some of the greatest benefits to using GENESIS?
A:
- Fewer chemical additives building up over time
- Longer water changeover intervals
- Crystal clear water
- Soft, non-irritating water
- No handling of sanitizer
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Q: My husband wants to know the science behind GENESIS…
A: Certainly…the following might appeal to him…
“Electrochemical Bromine Generating Technology for Hot Tub and Spa Sanitation”
The GENESIS Device is an in-line halogen generator, used to produce bromine from a precursor
of sodium bromide (NaBr). GENESIS technology is designed for use in hot tubs and spas ranging in size from 200-800 U.S. gallons.
GENESIS technology utilizes a digital controller that stimulates a pair of non-metallic electrodes
comprised of an anode and an cathode which consists of a patent pending composite material.
The controller has ten different power settings. The power is not increased or decreased, but rather
the time that the power is made available is either increased or decreased. This process is known
as “digital duty cycle control” and is highly efficient with respect to current distribution to the reduction ( anodic reaction ).
The electrode cell is fitted into a custom 2” PVC T’ (slip x slip x thread) fitting housed within the circulation system of a hot tub in such a manner as to always be in contact with hot tub water that has been charged with a specific amount of NaBr. As the electrolyte enriched water passes through the electrode cell chamber, small amounts of the NaBr are reduced on the anode into free bromine which is then carried by the flow of water into the spa’s bathing area to act as a sanitation agent..
Furthermore, by eliminating brominating tablets the resulting buildup of TDS (total dissolved solids) from the disintegrated tablet by-products is also eliminated, greatly extending the time between draining and filling of the tub, thus conserving water.
GENESIS is ETL, CSA certified and has achieved Health Canada PMRA sanitizer registration. It has been laboratory tested by an independent U.S. EPA environmental lab for bromine production in terms of grams per hour / grams per day and has demonstrated the ability to produce up to 20 grams per day or 1-1/2 lbs of pure bromine monthly.
The GENESIS Device produces bromine on-site, in-line on the primary circulation plumbing
of a hot tub reducing consumer exposure to pesticidal chemicals while at the same time ensuring continuous, controllable production and dispensing a reliable residual of bromine. It removes the task of a spa owner’s having to remember to fill tablet feeders or to return the tablet floater to the bathing area of the tub.
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Q: Why a bromine generator? What does it do?
A: Technically speaking, a bromine generator electrolytically stimulates a pair of in-line (usually and preferably) electrodes to activate a bank of sodium bromide (a special type of salt), converting it into hypobromus acid (bromine). This bromine circulates, sanitizing the water. Subsequently, the residual from this conversion process reverts back to bromide ions, which are then recycled by the electrodes into bromine once again, perpetually repeating the sanitization process. Simply speaking, a bromine generator makes bromine automatically so you don’t have to add it manually to a spa. It’s a higher-tech version of the traditional 2-step bromine sanitizing system, with the sodium bromide acting as step 1 and the bromine generator acting as step 2.
The method is convenient, clean (no fillers/binders normally found in bromine “pucks”), and adjustable (generators can be adjusted either by system settings or modification to filtration times). A marvelous additional benefit is enhanced water quality. Ask anyone who has ever been in a bromine-generator-equipped spa to tell you about the water clarity and the soft feel of the water (resulting from the addition of bromide salt to the water). Oh, and best of all – you can dramatically extend water changeover intervals because the accumulation of bromine puck residual is eliminated. Great money and time saver in that respect.
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Q: After a bromine generator is installed, do we still have to check a hot tub's chemistry?
A: Absolutely! A bromine generator is just that – a BROMINE generator. It is not designed nor intended to manage water chemistry. You will still need to assure the correct amount of sanitizer is in the water. The system makes it much easier.
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Q: Can I still test the water for Bromine with my regular test kit or test strips?
A: Yes, a bromine test strip or a standard liquid reagent will read the actual bromine level in the spa's water. The bromine being generated is the same as the bromine that would be distributed by a bromine “puck” (minus the fillers/impurities).
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Q: Do I still need to shock?
A: Most definitely! Again, a bromine generator is simply introducing bromine sanitizer into the spa water. Just as with traditional sanitizing methods, oxidizing or “shocking” is required occasionally (weekly, and in some cases more often depending on bather load and water conditions) to oxidize larger waste, reduce demand on bromine and restore spa water’s sparkle and clarity.
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Q: Is the sodium bromide salt as corrosive as the chloride salt used with chlorine- based salt generators?
A: There are numerous reasons why chlorine and chloride salt don’t belong in hot tubs. Chlorine is not as effective a sanitizer as bromine is in hot water. And chlorine off-gassing results in bleaching/degradation of hot tub covers, bathing suits, etc. This off-gassing at spa water temperatures also results in corrosion potential. Fortunately, bromine is much more stable at high temperatures and doesn’t present the same risk. Additionally, chlorine-based generators require a much larger bank of sodium chloride – 3500 to 4000ppm vs around 2000ppm for bromine generators. I am not aware of ANY reports of corrosion issues resulting from use of bromine generators.
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Q: Will the bromine generator keep increasing the level of bromine if the spa is not used for a while?
A: It can, but generators are designed so that output can be controlled. If left unattended for extended periods of time, the bromine generator’s output setting simply needs to be turned down.
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Q: Will the bromine generator lower the ph and total alkalinity as the tablets will do if the levels of bromine increase?
A: This question is a good one and the answer depends on who you ask. Water chemistry is such a complicated thing and there are so many variables to consider. Any discussion about this would likely revolve around the introduction of the bromide salt into the water. Of note, bromine “pucks” introduce an accumulation of this same bromide salt into the water over time. So a reasonable conclusion would be that bromine generators have a similar effect on water chemistry to that of pucks. Personally, I find that pH will, if anything, tend to creep UP when a generator is utilized. Regardless of effect on balance, generator manufacturers recommend balancing of the spa water BEFORE adding the sodium bromide.
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Q: I have been told that if I install a GENESIS I don’t have to drain my spa as often as I’ve done in the past. Why is that possible?
A: Because there is no more buildup of tablet by-products (like the glues and binders used to hold bromine tablets together). GENESIS converts salt into bromine and then back into salt again, leaving your spa free of the cloudy, flat water usually attributed to the buildup of the these chemical byproducts. With the GENESIS, your water change interval can be extended considerably – for some people even up to a full year, although in practise you can change it every 3-6 months depending on use..
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Q: I was told that Genesis operates in conjunction with the spa’s pump. Does it matter which type of pump is on my hot tub?
A: Genesis operates effectively with both standard pumps and 24-hour circ pumps.
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Q: Why is it important that GENESIS is registered for use by Health Canada?
A: In Canada, it is illegal to sell a bromine generating system that has not been tested and determined safe for use by Health Canada’s “Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency” (PMRA). GENESIS has been granted this approval so the system is ideal for any spa located in Canada..
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EXACTLY HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS!
First you add 1 liter of Tru Blu per 190 liters (50 US gallons) of water added to your spa (sodium bromide is the kissing cousin of table salt). As the water circulates through your plumbing it comes in contact with a Bromine generating cell that converts the Tru Blu into Bromine, sanitizing your spa.
The GENESIS Device-
* Converts Tru Blu sodium bromide (NaBr) into Bromine, then back to
sodium bromide
creating a perpetual treatment cycle.
* Makes quarterly draining a thing of the past (usually once a year is all
that is necessary with the GENESIS Device).
* Simplifies spa water sanitizing.
GENESIS Beats Traditional Bromine Sanitation-
- No aggravating Bromine floater.
- No puck binders or bi-products introduced into the spa water. This means water that’s more pure and that doesn’t need changeovers as frequently.
Bromine is the # 1 Choice for Sanitizing Spas!!
* Chlorine Evaporates at 97 degrees and most hot tubs are kept at 104 degrees. Not so for Bromine!
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Contact ELM Canada for further details, to find a nearby dealer or to become an ELM dealer in Canada.
