Where To Put Chlorine Tablets In A Pool
Between researching how to get rid of algae to skimming leaves and bugs away, its not a stretch to say that your primary job as a pool owner is to protect your water from microscopic intruders. When it comes to managing the level of bacteria in your pool, its important to recognize that sanitizer is foundational to basic pool chemistry. Using chlorine tablets is an easy way to sanitize your pool. But can you just toss them into the water and call it a day?
Chlorine tablets should never be thrown directly into the pool. When chlorine tablets sink to the bottom of the pool and dissolve there, they can cause damage or leave a permanent bleach stain. Instead, consider placing tablets in a floating dispenser, pool skimmer, or automatic pool chlorinator.
No one wants a pool that is filled with bacteria, pollution, and toxicity. Chlorine tablets are a convenient way sanitize your pool, especially because they disperse chlorine more steadily than chlorine granules. Before we delve fully into why you should be using chlorine tablets, lets look at how and where you should be adding chlorine tablets to your pool.
Qualco Giant 3inch Chlorinating Tablets Swimming Pool
Qualco Giant is a 3-inch, chlorinating tablet for swimming pools designed to clean, clear and sanitize all kinds of pools, with a guaranteed assurance of a bacteria and algae-free pool.
The model is an easy-to-use 3-inch tablet designed to prevent chlorine loss through a sunlight-protected formulation, which allows the chlorine tablets to dissolve slowly while yielding fast and effective results.
The stabilized chlorine tablets feature concentrated 99% trichloro-s-triazinetrione and 90% chlorine. These, and chlorine tablets are suitable for gunite pools, for vinyl pools, for large pools, and small pools alike.
Pros
- Perfect for killing bacteria and algae
- UV inhibitors prevent chlorine loss
- Sanitizes water and keeps them clean
Cons
- More expensive than most tablets
- Tablets are not individually sealed
In The Swim Chlorine Tablets
In The Swim is also bringing a popular option for chlorine tablets on our list today. This brand also focuses on apparatus and accessories designed for pool owners such as pool chemicals, and cleaners.
In 2nd place, we are putting the In The Swim Stabilized Chlorine Tablets. As the name suggests, these are stabilized chlorine tablets to avoid any future problems caused by UV rays that are observed with non-stabilized methods. Plus, this option is more suited for large pools since you will get a 50 lbs in quantity of 3 inches chlorine tablets with this pack. To make it an even better option for large pools, In The Swim has managed to make the available chlorine with these tablets about 90%.
These are slow-dissolving chlorine tablets that might take a long time to take effect but will offer long-lasting results compared to smaller tablets. Plus, the effective increase in chlorine content of the pool water is quite noticeable. Each of these 3 inches tablets offer the Trichlor chlorine addition method and are individually wrapped to avoid damage in transit. And these tablets are designed in such a way that they can be used with any automatic feeder or floater with ease.
Best Features
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Are Chlorine Tablets Better Than Granules And Liquids
For proper maintenance of pool water, manufacturers produce chlorine tablets and granules or chlorine dust for use, as well as liquid chlorine. While the tablets are chlorine in tablet forms, the granules are more powdery and loose, and the liquid ones are simply liquified chlorine.
On many levels such as ease of use, cost, impact on the water chemistry like the spa chemicals, there is almost no difference between the granules, the liquid and the tablets as both have almost the same active ingredient.
The main area where a chlorine tablet surpasses the granules or liquid is based on the fact that the tablet dissolves slower than the granules, while liquid compared to granules also dissolves at a slower rate as it is already in liquid form. The liquid chlorine is also generally unstable compared to tablets. However, choosing which of the two is best is a matter of personal choice.
How Long Will Chlorine Tablets Last
The time-frame of chlorine tablets always falls within a week, with some lasting between 2-3 days and for the slowest dissolving chlorine tabs lasting about 4-5 days.
Also note that the factors behind a tablet lasting include the size of the tablets, the active ingredient present in the tablets, the gallon capacity of the pool, and where the tablets are placed like in the floater, feeder, or chlorinator.
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Clorox Pool & Spa Active Chlorinating Tablets
Clorox is synonymous with cleaning products, and this bucket of chlorine tablets contains enough three-inch tablets to keep your pool sparkling and shiny all summer long.
An individual tablet will disinfect a 5,000-gallon body of water and slowly melt into your pool water over time . Cloroxs chlorine tablets are individually wrapped to help protect your fingers and skin from burning.
Fun fact: Chlorine tablets come in stabilized and unstabilized forms. If your pool is outdoors, use the stabilized tablets.
The trichlor tables also include a stabilizing agent that helps reduce the UV breakdown of chlorine, making it especially ideal for outdoor pools. Clorox also has a free app that you can use in conjunction with these tablets to properly assess your pool acidity and cleanliness.
Win-win!
Way #: Automatic Chlorinator
An automatic chlorinator is a unit thats installed in the filter system, and its the best way to keep your pool water sanitized using chlorine tablets.
The chlorinator gets filled up with tablets and chlorine is then slowly released, feeding the pool a steady stream at all times via the return jets.
As mentioned earlier, there are both stabilized and unstabilized tablets you can choose from. Youll have to make sure the chlorinator you buy is compatible with the tablets youre using.
Most trichlor tablets are 3 wide, and the chlorinators are built to this spec. However, some calcium hypochlorite tablets are only 1 wide, and will need the proper sized chlorinator, as theyll dissolve too quickly in a 3 model.
Still, this is the best way to add chlorine to the pool, although admittedly, its a bit expensive, as units can cost anywhere from $50 to $300.
Pros:
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The Composition Of The Tablet
Depending on the manufacturer, chlorine tablets might contain different chemicals. Before purchasing something, though, you should be 100 percent sure that the tablet contains roughly 90 percent chlorine. The disinfecting properties of chlorine are highly acknowledged.
This will make the tablet highly efficient at killing viruses, bacteria, fungus, algae, yeast and other naughty elements that might be present inside your pool water.
Consider The Tablet Composition
Chlorine comes in different types and each type of tab uses a specific type like sodium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, and others.
The important thing is to choose the tablet that has about 85-90% chlorine composition as these are more effective at ridding pools of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms.
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Clorox Pool& spa Chlorinating Tablets
These chlorinating tablets are also manufactured by Clorox. You can use these if you have a pool whose capacity is of 5,000 gallons of water or less than that. However, note that you should purchase a floater separately. Thats because they arent meant to be used in a pools skimmer.
You can use them for sanitizing your pool or a spa area. This would eliminate the need to buy two separate products, which could be slightly inconvenient. In comparison with the other tablets reviewed, these arent individually wrapped.
All you have to do is take one out of the container and throw it in the floater. If youre concerned about the environment, then youll see as an advantage the fact that they arent individually wrapped. It depends on how you put it.
However, because theyre not individually wrapped, you should be doubly careful whenever you open the container. Its important to ensure that it is adequately secured. If the tablets enter direct contact with humidity, this will impact their efficacy.
In regard to the texture of the tablets, they are a tad crumbly. This is why we advise you to wear gloves and a mask when handling them.
Pros
- You can use them in pools and spas
- A good option for inflatable pools
Cons
Rx Clear Chlorine Tablets
The Rx Clear Chlorine Tablets get high marks for affordability and effectiveness. While the tablets are smaller , and correspondingly will have to load up your skimmer or dispenser with more of them, these stabilized chlorine tablets get the job done.
Recommended dosage is 6-7 tablets per 2,500 of water, with each dose lasting up to a full week of clean, cool swimming fun. Rx Clear notes that sometimes tablets will break over the course of shipping, but that this doesnt reduce the potency of the tablets.
Fun fact: Most chlorine tablets used for private swimming pools are actually sodium hypochlorite, a mix of chlorine and sodium hydroxide.
These tablets get crazy-good reviews on Amazon, with over 1,500 five-star ratings, with owners of both pool and hot tubs noting how fast they clean and how long they last.
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Way #: Floating Dispenser
A floating chlorine dispenser is another way to slowly add chlorine to the pool. Also known as a chlorine floatie or chlorine feeder, this is an inexpensive accessory at under $20.
After filling up the unit with tablets, you put the lid on it and place it in the pool. It naturally floats around, slowly dispensing chlorine as it goes.
Its another convenient distributor, but it has two major drawbacks that prevent most people from using it.
First, it can get stuck behind things such as ladders, steps, or in corners of the pool, leading to a massive dose of chlorine in that area if no ones around to monitor it.
Second, as its constantly moving around and brushing up against the pool walls, the chlorine can bleach them. This is especially true for vinyl liners, so steer of this option if thats the type of pool you have.
Pros:
- Not recommended for vinyl liner pools
Note: A floating chlorine dispenser is only good for tablets, and not to be used with liquid chlorine or granules.
Which Chlorine To Use For An Above Ground Pool
It is exciting to finally have a pool installed in your backyard and enjoy the ever-hot summer swimming. And having an above-ground pool is an easy-go way of owning a swimming pool on a budget and in the comfort of your home.
However, that doesnt exclude it from the regular like adding chlorine. You probably already know there are several types of chlorine. So which one should you use for your pool? Can the wrong chlorine damage an above-ground pool?
For everyday chlorination of an above-ground pool, liquid chlorine or dichlor is are good choices. Use unstabilized chlorine if you have an outdoor pool with high stabilizer levels. Use stabilized chlorine if you have low stabilizer levels or an indoor pool.
Lets take a closer look at what makes a good choice of chlorine for above-ground pools.
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Best Chlorine Tablets For Keeping Your Swim Pool Sparkling Clean
Nuke bacteria and algae and keep your pool clean and sparkling with the best chlorine tablets for swimming pools. Lets do this.
Theres a lot of fun and enjoyment to be had with your swimming pool.
Its tough to beat those long summer days, feet dangling in the cool water with family and friends.
Of course, along with the fun and good times that come with your swimming pool is the frequent cleaning and maintenance required.
Whether its attending to your pool vacuum, using a robot pool cleaner to automate cleaning, or collecting leaves with a pool skimmer, keeping the pool water clear and clean can feel like a full-time job.
Chlorine tablets are a way to keep your water sparkling clean, avoiding obnoxious algae blooms and restricting yucky bacterial strains from infecting people swimming in the water. Although chlorine is an assassin when it comes to bacteria and even insects, its safe for humans when kept at appropriate levels and the pool water is probably balanced.
Fun fact: While other pool disinfectants exist, including bromine and iodine, chlorine is by far the most effective at killing bacteria like E. coli and strep.
Chlorine tablets are great as they dissolve slowly over time, are premeasured , and can be added to a floating chlorine dispenser for ease of application.
In this round-up of the best chlorine tablets for backyard pools , we are going to take a deeper look at the best-reviewed tablets on the market.
Type Of Chlorine Tablet
Before you start looking for a chlorine tablet for your pool, you should first understand how many types of chlorine tablets are available in the market. And after that, you have to decide which option seems perfect for your pool. For common water bodies such as swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs, there are a few most commonly used chlorine tablets that are listed below.
2. Sodium Hypochlorite
Sodium Hypochlorite can be a great option for your pool if your pools filtration system is comparatively weaker and might have a hard time with the hardness level of other tablets. These tablets usually offer 10 to 12% chlorine which might not be as effective as other options when it comes to killing harmful organic material such as algae or bacteria. Plus, these tablets introduce a non-stabilized method of chlorine addition that might degrade slowly under direct sunlight.
3. Lithium Hypochlorite
Lithium Hypochlorite is a comparatively stronger option than Sodium Hypochlorite as it contains about 28 to 35% chlorine. So, it can increase the chlorine level of your pool very effectively and maintain its chemical balance with ease. But, this is also a non-stabilized method of chlorine addition and it is vulnerable to UV radiation produced by the sun. After a certain period of time, it can create chloramine which causes irritation to eyes and skin for the user.
4. Calcium Hypochlorite
5. Dichlor
6. Trichlor
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What Are The Drawbacks Of Chlorine Tablets
When it comes to drawbacks, we should point out some aspects. For one thing, when you add a tab in the skimmer, this will lead to an acid buildup. This is especially prone to happen when the pump is off. Over the course of time, the acid will damage o-rings and gaskets.
What is more, if the build-up occurs during the summer, this might prevent you from using your swimming pool. Not to mention that youll have to substitute all the affected parts.
Another aspect that could qualify as a drawback is that you cannot drop the tablets directly into your swimming pool. You need to get a floater. Without a floater, the tablets will inevitably stain the plaster. In addition to that, this might result in the fading of liners.
There is also the possibility for the tablet to get sucked in the drain this is where it is likely to dissolve at a faster pace. Not only that this would mean that the tablet is wasted, but it might also create an imbalance of chemicals in the water.
The Size Of The Tablet
This is another feature you should consider, and the size of your pool should impact your decision. Usually, chlorine tablets are available in two options: 1-inch and 3-inch variations.
Not only that you should consider the size of your pool to make this decision, but you should also assess the type of dispenser you use. There are specific floating chlorine feeders that can hold a certain type of chlorine tablet, and only one. On the other hand, the bigger versions have space for more.
Its rather easy to calculate how many tablets you need for your pool. Usually, the manufacturer provides a label that indicates the number of tablets necessary for 10,000 gallons of water. Always follow these instructions.
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Why Pools Need Chlorine
As mentioned earlier, chlorine is what keeps your pool safe and swimmable. It sanitizes your water and kills the germs, bacteria, and other contaminants that would otherwise pose health hazards.
But for those of you who want the nitty gritty details, here they are:
Chlorine s sanitization process starts when it enters your pool. As it begins mixing with the water, chemical breakdowns occur. During these breakdowns, two important compounds are formed: hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions.
Both compounds actively sanitize your water by oxidizing the contaminants in your pool. But while hypochlorite ions are more slow release and oxidize over long periods of time, hypochlorous acid begins working on contact. Together, they keep your water germ free and safe for swimming in a variety of situations.
So if youve ever wondered how its possible for a bunch of people to swim in a single rectangle of water without anyone getting sick, you can thank chlorine for that.
And on that note
Is The Chlorine Tablets For Above Ground Pool Worth It
The chlorine tablets for above ground pool is a good value because it offers minimal compromises. The product does not compromise on quality for increased convenience or ease of use but offers high quality without any drawbacks associated with its design.
The chlorine tablets for above ground pool offers what customers want, and above all, it ensures that they are getting their moneys worth on top of all this extraordinary performance. The producer behind the product first asked how it could improve its existing services without breaking any barriers or limitations. To achieve this, they first need to understand what people demand most to generate greater profits and deliver sustainable growth with less effort and the best product.
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