THE 411 ON CHLORINE

Chlorine is the essential ingredient for keeping any pool clean and sanitary for your swimming pleasure but did you know that there are many different types of chlorine? Finding the right one to use for your pool water may be a trial and error experience but the information below should be able to help you make decisions on what will work best to maintain your waters.

Liquid Chlorine
Arguable the most commonly used type of chlorine; liquid chlorine is the choice selection for large public pools and high-traffic private pools (like swim clubs and other aquatic centers). Since the delivery format of this chemical is already liquid, it easily mixes with water and requires very little pool-pump action in order to disperse throughout the pool. Also, a large amount of this type of chlorine can alleviate and augment a heavy pool-cleaning schedule.

Chlorine Tablets
Chlorine tablets are used in small to medium-sized private pools. Chances are this is the format of chlorine most pool owners are familiar with! Chlorine tabs go into floaters as well as off-line and on-line feeders (not just floaters). These feeders vary but some can hold a week’s worth of chemicals or others, a few months worth for those that travel regularly.

Powdered Chlorine
Getting into the powdered format of chlorine is for heavy use pools that are in need of a deep cleaning. However, there is an upside to this format of delivery, since the powder concentration is so strong, it’s also known as a powder shock when it hits the pool. Shocking a pool is NOT just a once a month process. It can be an every other week process, but should be adjusted based upon bather load and weather to maintain the clean and clear waters you are looking for.

Granular Chlorine
Granular chlorine works like the chlorine tablets above but instead of a floating dispenser, the chlorine can be put directly into the pool water. It will then settle on the bottom of the pool and dissolve to do its work.

When asking yourself what type of chlorine is right for your pool, you should consider the size and location of your pool. Then examine cost and quality of the chlorines suitable for your equipment and use and you should have your answer. If you select a type of chlorine and are unhappy, you can always change methods.  Whichever you choose, the mainstay is that chlorine is critical to ensuring a safe, clean, and swim-ready pool!