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As owner and operator of a retail site selling pools and
everything to do with pools and spas I am constantly amazed by the need for
information on many of the basic products used by pool owners.
Since chemicals are a universal, this and subsequent articles will
hopefully give pool owners a better idea of what they’re putting in their pools
and how it will perform.
Chlorine is still King of Sanitizers for swimming
pools. Chlorine and its relative Bromine are members of the halogen
family of chemical elements. Halogens share the characteristic of
being powerful oxidizers, which makes them ideal for swimming pools and
spas. The oxidizing property breaks apart chemical contaminants
from swimmers and the environment making the pool unattractive for infestation
by algae and bacteria. Having said this swimming pool chlorine is
available in a number of different forms each possessing unique
properties. This article will discuss each popular type.
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is a liquid form of
chlorine identical to the bleach used for laundry but in a more concentrated
form. Laundry bleach usually provides 4-5 percent available
chlorine while pool bleach is 10 percent or a little more. Bleach
isn’t a very good pool product compared to other types of chlorine available
today. It’s expensive; chorine in other forms delivers 56 to 90
percent available chlorine compared to 10 percent for bleach.
Bleach also has a pH of over 13. This will tend to raise the
pool pH unless pH reducer is added regularly. Bleach is
unstabilized and easily broken down by the UV rays in sunlight.
Once added to the pool it will be gone in about 2 hours.
Bleach may also add dissolved solids that can make pool water cloudy and
unattractive. Given the drawbacks and availability of better
sources of chlorine bleach shouldn’t be an option for use in a swimming
pool.
Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal Hypo) is usually sold in
granular form although tablets are available, typically for use in septic
systems. Cal Hypo is most commonly found in 1 lb. bags sold as pool
shock. Cal Hypo provides a healthy 65 percent available chlorine
but as it is unstabilized sunlight quickly burns it out. If used as
a regular source of chlorine, stabilizer (cyanuric acid) is usually added to the
pool to keep the Cal Hypo from disappearing so quickly. Cal Hypo
makes an effective shocking agent because it does its job and quickly
disappears. There are several drawbacks to Calcium
Hypochlorite. It is the most powerful oxidizer (Class II) available
for pool owners and the most dangerous to store and handle. It can
react explosively when mistakenly mixed with other chlorine products.
It must also be pre-dissolved before use to avoid bleaching out vinyl
liners.
Sodium Dichlor (Dichlor) is always sold as a granular
product and provides 56 percent available chlorine. Typically more
expensive than other forms it doesn’t lend itself well to automatic feeders and
provides a little less bang for the buck in available chlorine. On
the plus side it is a Class 1 oxidizer and somewhat less dangerous to handle
than other forms of chlorine especially bleach and Cal Hypo. It
also makes an excellent shocking agent as it dissolves in water quite
well. Dichlor has cyanuric acid added during production to
stabilize the material so it stays around up to 6 hours in direct sunlight.
Sodium Trichlor (Trichlor) is the most widely used
form of chlorine for swimming pools. Almost always sold in the form
of tablets or sticks Trichlor provides 90 percent available chlorine.
This is the highest percentage available which makes this type of
chlorine the most cost effective. One 3 inch Trichlor tablet
provides nearly seven times as much chlorine as a 4 gallon case of bleach.
The formed product is ideal for automatic feeders and because it is also
stabilized Trichlor will stay around for a while. Like its cousin
Dichlor, Trichlor will not affect pH nearly as much as other products.
Trichlor is also ideal for feeders because it requires flowing water to
dissolve.
Each of these types of chlorine, except bleach, has its place
in keeping pools clean and sanitary. Knowing the characteristics of
each will help save money, time and effort caring for a swimming pool.
Rob "Dr. Duck" Coxworth is the driving force behind http://www.webfoot leisure.com/, an
on-line retailer of swimming pools, supplies,equipment and accessories. Rob has
spent many years in the pool industry in a variety of roles; CEO, manufacturers
rep, consultant, National Sales Manager and part time pool float. Dr. Duck likes
to write about pool issues and share the information he's gained from working
with pool industry firms over the years. |
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