Chlorine into the bone of every pool sanitation, playing a vital role and keeping your pool, water, clean, clear, and safe for swimming. However, when it comes to choosing the right chlorine for your pool, you might be faced with several options. Among the most common are liquid chlorine, such as sodium hypochlorite, granular chlorine, and chlorine tablets the variety often leads to the question whether regular chlorine can be used in your pool and what exactly constitutes regular chlorine.
We will explore what is meant by regular chlorine, whether it can be safe to use in your pool, the pros and cons of each type and how to decide what’s best for your pool.
What is “regular chlorine”?
In terms of regular chlorine, it can be a bit vague as it might mean different things to different people. Generally, when pool owners referred to regular chlorine, they are talking about chlorine in the most accessible form.
- Liquid chlorine sodium hydrochlorite often refers to bleach liquid chlorine is a fast acting sanitizer commonly used for both commercial and residential pools.
- Granular chlorine is a dry powder form of chlorine that dissolves in the water. It is a popular choice for shocking pools or quickly, raising chlorine levels.
- Chlorine tablets their solid tablets that dissolve slowly and provide a steady release of chlorine. Often used and chlorinators floaters or skimmers for ongoing sanitation.
Each of these forms of chlorine has its own set of advantages and consideration, we will explore more detail.
Can you use regular chlorine in your pool?
Yes, you can use regular chlorine in your pool, but the choice of which type depends on the specific need/pool type and maintenance routine. We can break down the different forms of chlorine to help you make an informed decision.
- Liquid chlorine has some pros Liquid chlorine accident a quick to sanitize the water and kill back bacteria, algae, and any other microorganisms.
- It dissolves completely in water, leaving no residue behind
- Liquid chlorine is easy to measure and pour directly into the pool
Now we have some cons for liquid chlorine
- Liquid chlorine has a high pH level usually between 11 and 13, which can raise the overall pool pH requiring additional balancing chemicals.
- This type of chlorine has a short shelf life. It loses its potency relatively quickly, especially when exposed to sunlight or high temperatures.
- It needs to be carefully stored and handled due to its corrosive nature and potential cause of spills.
- Liquid chlorine is ideal for pool owners that want to powerful and quickly sanitizer and don’t mind the frequent maintenance required to balance the pH levels
Granular chlorine
Granular chlorine is up and we’ll talk about the pros.
- Granular chlorine is a strong oxidizer, which makes it excellent for shocking pools and dealing with high levels of contaminants or algae.
- Unlike liquid chlorine granular chlorine has a long shelf life. Making it stable less likely to lose effectiveness overtime.
- It can be used as a regular chlorination or shock treatment, depending on the pool needs.
Now let’s talk about the cons of granular chlorine.
- Granular chlorine must be predissolving in the water before it’s added to the pool to prevent it from settling at the bottom and causing stains or damage.
- It increases the calcium hardness in the pool, which can lead the scaling if levels become too high.
- Like all chlorine products it requires careful handling and storage to prevent accidents.
- Granular chlorine is best for pool owners that want a versatile product for both daily chlorination and occasionally shock, especially for pools the need for additional calcium.
Chlorine tablets
Now let’s talk about chlorine tablets.
- Tablets, dissolve slowly, providing you studying consistently of chlorine, making it ideal to maintain imbalance chlorine levels.
- It’s easy to use with automatic, chlorinators, floaters or skimmers and requires less frequent manual doses.
- Chlorine tablets have a long shelf life, making them economically and practical for regular use.
Let’s get into the cons of chlorine tablets.
- Chlorine tablets have a low pH and can lower your pH level overtime requiring regular testing and balancing.
- Most chlorine tablets contains CYA which stabilizes chlorine, but can build up to high levels and reduce chlorine effectiveness, potentially requiring partial draining and refilling of the pool.
- Using too many tablets, or adding them directly to the pool can cause localized areas of high chlorine, concentration, potentially damaging the surface or the equipment of your pool.
- Chlorine tablets are best for pool owners that prefer a low maintenance approach to pool care and have pools that can handle the gradual addition of CYA.
Considering your chlorine factors
When deciding which type of chlorine to use for your pool, consider the following factors.
- What is your pool type? If you have a larger pool, you might want the benefits from the constant doses of chlorine tablets, with a smaller pool or an above ground pool you could be better suited with liquid or granular chlorine.
- Water chemistry, understanding your pools, current water, chemistry, including pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness can help you choose that appropriate chlorine type.
- If you have available time for pool maintenance will also influence your choice. Tablets are less frequent with attention while liquid and granular chlorine might need more regular maintenance and balancing.
- Storage and safety is something that consider. Do you have the space available to store the pool chemicals and have the safety precautions needed for each type. Liquid chlorine, Aires, careful, handling and secure storage, while granular chlorine tablets are easier to store.
- Think about the climate and warmer climate during the summer, you may need a more aggressive chlorine approach, such as using liquid chlorine or frequent shock treatments with granular chlorine.
Using regular chlorine in the pool is common and effective way to maintain the cleansing of the water and safety. The key is to choose the right type of chlorine that she pulls needs and maintenance routine and local conditions. Liquid chlorine, granular, chlorine, and chlorine tablets have their own unique, benefits, and drawbacks, so understand elements will help you make the best choice for your pool.
Regular testing of chlorine
Regular testing, and balancing of your pool water chemistry will ensure that no matter which type of chlorine you use your pool were well remain clean, safe and inviting for all swimmers and activities. If you are unsure of what type of chlorine to use or how to manage your chemistry we always encourage you to consult a professional pool service for personalized advice or you can find a handyman near you to treat your pool.
