How to Reduce Bromine in a Pool

Bromine granular or tablet forms are used in place of chlorine in a swimming pool. Chlorine becomes unstable when the water temperatures rise, but bromine has more stability in high water temperatures making it a good alternative to disinfecting and sanitizing pool water. The ideal reading of bromine in a pool is between 2.5 to 4.0 parts per million (ppm). If the bromine reading is consistently higher than 5.5 ppm, you will need to lower the bromine level to maintain the other chemical levels in the swimming pool water.

Bromine test strip kit
Garden hose

Instructions

- 1
  Test the bromine level in the swimming pool using the test strip kit, by dipping the strip in the water at the deep end of the pool. Dip the strip in the water at least 12 to 18 inches deep.
- 2
  Remove the strip from the water and compare the color of the strip to the color chart with the test kit. If the bromine level is over 5.5 ppm, remove the bromine floater from the water. If you have an automatic feeder, turn it off and do not add any bromine to the water.
- 3
  Test the water again in two days. If the level is still high, retest the water again in another two days. If after six or seven days, the bromine level is still over 5.5 ppm, you will need to remove some water from the pool.
- 4
  Backwash the pool filter to remove 2 to 3 inches of water from the pool. Use the garden hose to add new water to filter the pool up to the center mark on the skimmer faceplate. Allow the water to circulate for 24 hours.
- 5
  Retest the water after circulating the water. Assuming the bromine level is in the ideal range of 2.5 to 4.0 ppm, you are done. Do not turn on the automatic feeder or place the floater in the pool until the bromine level drops to 2.5 ppm or less.

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