I'm still coughing after sitting in my spa. I just got it, and am trying to get used to the chemicals. After a few days, there was a funky odor in the water and my bromine levels were too low, despite having put my starter bottle of tablets in the water. So I shocked the water and put the floating dispenser in, and now I'm getting max. readings for both chlorine and bromine and the chlorine is so strong it burns!

Soo, I think my questions are:
1) Should there be chlorine in the water at all with a bromine system? How do I get the level down to acceptable?
2) With the floating dispenser-- do I fill it all the way and hope the right amount dissolves in the water, or do I only put one or two tablets in at a time? Will the excessive bromine dissipate over time?

Whatever you did, this thing has gone from normal water to a very harmful concoction. You need to post here exactly what you started with, as in, 1. I filled the spa. 2. I put in x amount of chemical A, 3. I put in x amount of chemical B... etc.

In any event, you need to drain this thing and start over and whatever you do, don't repeat what you did the first time. You've either been instructed wrong, or misinterpreted the instructions. If you can remember what you did... then please post back what you did.

Also it would help to know if your spa is equipped with an ozonator or other alternative sanitizer system.