What Is The Best Chlorine For Pools

Which Chlorine Alternative Is Right For You

With multiple options for a chlorine-free swimming pool, the choice can be confusing.

Every situation is different, so youll have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each chlorine alternative system.

Salt system pools are very popular, and the most common non-chlorine option, but their high installation cost and potential to damage pool equipment may make you think twice.

A mineral or ionator option seems to be more of what most people are looking for when it comes to chlorine alternatives. The smooth and silky feeling they offer is a big plus, as no one wants to come out of a pool feeling like they just bathed in harsh chemicals.

Meanwhile, you cant really go wrong with the actual chlorine-free options: bromine and biguanide.

Bromine works just as well as chlorine , and biguanide does an impeccable job as well. The only downside to these is their price tags.

Easy To Monitor And Measure Out

While applying chlorine to your pool, there is the possibility of overdoing it and totally upsetting the pH balance. Fortunately for you, this is not an issue when you use chlorine tablets. Since they come in tablet form, you can easily measure out the amount that your pool will require. You dont have to weigh or mix anything they are ready-made. All that is required on your part is to select the right number of tablets to put inside the pool, and you are good to go.

Can You Use Chlorine Tablets To Shock A Pool

Chlorine tablets are not suitable for shocking a swimming pool. They are too slow to dissolve and will not raise the chlorine levels high enough and fast enough. Plus given they have stabilizer in them, your stabilizer levels will shoot through the roof.

Cal-hypo or liquid chlorine is a much better choice for shocking. Although liquid chlorine is an expensive choice.

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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

What Is Free Chlorine

Free Chlorine is the amount of chlorine that has not yet combined with chlorinated water to sanitize contaminants. In effect, free chlorine is the amount of chlorine that is free to kill harmful microorganisms in your swimming pools water. Free chlorine is the most important type of chlorine to monitor because it is responsible for actively sanitizing your pool.

The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance recommends keeping free chlorine levels between 2.0 and 4.0 parts per million . InTheSwim recommends 2.0 to 3. 0 ppm for a stabilized pool. The easiest way to check your chlorine levels is with test strips. However, ideal free chlorine levels are dependent on cyanuric acid levels. We recommend using the pool calculator to manage your pools entire chemistry. When your free chlorine levels get too low, we recommend using calcium hypochlorite to raise them back up.

PRO TIP: We recommend testing free chlorine every day and adding chemicals as you need to keep your free chlorine in recommended ranges. We also recommend adding your chemicals at night. UV rays from sunlight cause chlorine compounds to break down faster. Adding chemicals at night is a great way to save money on chlorine costs.

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Can Chlorine Tablets Be Stored Outside

Yes, chlorine tablets can be stored outside, as it is written on the package to be stored in a cool dry space. Storing them in places like the garage will over time lead to heavy rust even when located in properly and tightly sealed containers.

Hence, it is best to store the tablets outside while in well-sealed water-tight containers. But note that while outside, they should be stored in cool places out of the heat to avoid reducing the effectiveness of the tablets.

Using Liquid Chlorine Vs Tablets In Swimming Pool

Keepingyour swimming pool clean is no laughing matter. A pool suffering from neglectcan easily harbor organisms that can make swimming an unpleasant – not tomention unhealthy – affair. Algae can bloom in stagnant pool water whileconstant use can attract a variety of harmful microorganisms and viruses thatyou don’t want to be anywhere near your skin. It is thus imperative that youregularly sanitize your pool, and the good news is that this task is not whatyou would figuratively call rocket science. Often, this simply involvesdissolving tablets in your pipes or using liquid chlorine. In pool maintenance,these two options are the go-to solutions for sanitizations which begs thequestion: is liquid chlorine better than chlorine tablets, or is it the otherway around?

How DoesLiquid Chlorine and Chlorine Tablets Differ?

Firstoff, though, let us tackle the differences between liquid chlorine and swimmingpool chlorine tablets. Unsurprisingly, the differences go beyond the state ofmatter that these chemicals are in. Each has its own unique chemicalcomposition, methods of application, advantages, disadvantages, and so on andso forth.

LiquidChlorine

Using an Automatic Liquid Chlorine Feeder by HASA can remedy this problem. It will supply a steady flow of liquidchlorine to your pool water.

PoolChlorine Tablets

So Whichof the Two is the Better Pool Sanitizer?

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How Much Liquid Chlorine Should You Add

Now you know exactly how to add liquid chlorine to your pool. But how much of it do you need? It depends on the size of your pool. Youll want to add roughly 50-100 ounces of liquid chlorine for every 10,000 gallons of water your pool contains. So, how do you know if you added enough? You can check the pH of your pool water shortly after adding the liquid chlorine.

For proper sanitation, youll want the water to reach a chlorine level between 5 and 10 ppm . You wont want to swim in that, though the high level is just for cleaning purposes. Youll need to wait for it to drop below 3 ppm before you get in the water.

Since most liquid chlorine products come in gallon form, youll have 128 ounces to work with. Depending on the size of your pool, this could treat your pool several times, or it may not even be enough to treat it once. Before you purchase a liquid chlorine, determine how many gallons of water your pool contains so that you can get the proper amount of chlorine for a pool that size.

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How Much Chlorine Should You Use

The amount of chlorine you need depends on the size of the pool, how much debris you get in the pool and the type of pool you have. Typically, the right amount of chlorine tablets depends on the gallons that your swimming pool can hold. The general rule is that a single tablet can cater to the chlorinating needs of 5,000 gallons.

One thing you should always do is round off the number of gallons you are adding to the next 5,000 when you add the chlorine tablets. For instance, if your pool has 16,000 gallons, add four tablets to it or the amount equivalent for 20,000 gallons. If it is 15,000 gallons, add three tablets. This way, you will not have less chlorine per gallon in the swimming pool.

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How To Chlorinate Your Pool

Your pool must be protected from germs, bacteria, algae and a variety of other organics. Without reservation, chlorine is simply the best sanitizer for your outdoor pool. There are other sanitizers available but, in one way or another, they all fall short of chlorine. Adding chlorine to your pool can be done by using household bleach in your pool, liquid pool shock, or many other forms. Lets take a few minutes to learn more about adding chlorine to your pool.

Okay, youre convinced. Now, lets get some chlorine in your pool. It is important to understand that chlorine is a consumable item that is constantly being consumed and must constantly be replenished. Usually you must add about 2-3 ppm daily to keep the pool properly sanitized. Here are the various ways you can do that:

Dohenys Swimming Pool Chlorine Tablets

Furthermore, these chlorine tablets are individually wrapped, and they arrive in a bucket that is easy to open. The tablets feature powerful stabilized chlorine, which will keep your pool sanitized and clean.

In addition to that, the ingredients have an active function in order to deter the growth of bacteria and algae. Another important function of the tablets is that they dont let the detrimental UV rays of the sun to lead to swimming pool chlorine burn-off.

That is to say, the chlorine remains locked in the water of the pool. Therefore, you dont have to use so many chemicals. Since each tablet is individually wrapped, this allows you to easily handle them before adding them in the water. They also dissolve at a slow pace.

Something we have appreciated is that the texture of these tablets is not overly crumbly. This means no excess of dust! You should still wear gloves, regardless of the texture of the tablet.

The price is also competitive, which can be an attractive point if youre shopping on a budget.

Pros

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How To Understand And Choose Between The Different Types Of Pool Cleaning Chemical

Using chemicals to battle contaminants in the water is a necessary move. This ensures that the water of the pool is clean and safe to swim in. These chemicals should be used properly and responsibly similar to how medicine has dosages and instructions that we take when we are ill. A chemical imbalance due to improper use may render the solution ineffective or be more harmful. Understanding the chemicals used will help you determine the best pool chemical.

There are three different types of chemicals used in cleaning pools:

1. Sanitizers

Sanitizers are used to disinfect the swimming pool. Specific chemicals used as sanitizers are Chlorine and Bromine. Chlorine is the most commonly used chemical when cleaning swimming pools. Chlorine usually comes in liquid or tablet form. Using chlorine can be harsh to the eyes when it directly touches the eyes and can cause irritation. It is also harsh to the skin and hair when soaked for an extended period of time. Chlorine is a strong disinfectant but is not recommended for warmer areas as chlorine tends to disintegrate in warm temperature.

2. Balancers

3. Specialized Chemicals

Specialized chemicals are used to further enhance the effect of the sanitizers and balancers, achieve certain water clarity or hardness, or address specific pool concerns such as algae.

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.

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Buying Guide For Best Pool Water Test Kits

If you’ve ever seen a pond covered with algae and swarming with mosquitoes, you know how important it is to maintain healthy water in your swimming pool. If left unchecked, pool water can quickly turn your dream into a nightmare. In order to be sure your backyard oasis stays swimmable, you need a pool water test kit.

The best pool water test kits are easy to use and produce consistently accurate results. Although there are only a few essential tests you need to perform routinely, a pool water test kit that can provide you with a more in-depth analysis of your water is a better option.

Can You Buy Liquid Chlorine

There are lots of options on the market for liquid chlorine. Prices will vary depending on the brand you choose and the size of the product you purchase. For the strength of the liquid chlorine, you may not need as much as you normally would with chlorine tablets. Most commercial pool owners will use a pool supplies company to have larger containers of chlorine delivered to their location.

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How Many Chlorine Tablets Do I Need

Most pool owners will need about 1-3 chlorine tablets a week to maintain a chlorine level of 1-3 ppm.

If you are looking to raise your chlorine ppm by 1, it is a little trickier than liquid chlorine because of its slow to dissolve nature.

However, on average if you were looking to increase your chlorine by 1 ppm and you owned a 10,000 gallon pool, you would need about 1.44 ounces of a three-inch tablet.

Keep in mind one three-inch tablet weighs about 8 ounces. However, a one-inch tablet weighs only 0.5 ounces. Using these weights, three one-inch tablets would raise your free chlorine levels about 1 ppm if you owned a 10,000 gallon pool.

But it would take some time as the tablets are slow to dissolve.

A Quick Comparison Of Our Favorites

Chlorine isnt the cheapest chemical. It takes quite a bit to keep your pool free of bacteria and looking clean and clear. Luckily, the Kem-Tek Chlorinating Liquid is a more economical option that includes three gallons of product for roughly the same price as other companies charge for a single gallon of their liquid chlorine. Because you get so much chemical for the price, we think the Kem-Tek is the best liquid chlorine for the money. Its only 10% concentrated, but youre still getting far more for the price. Its also calcium-free and it wont cloud your pool water.

Because of the slightly lower concentration of chlorine in the Kem-Tek formula, its a perfect option for daily maintenance. It kept our pool sparkling-clean while we used it and the water never clouded up like some products cause. Our biggest complaint pertains to the shipping. One of the gallons we received was damaged and leaking when we pulled it from the box. We didnt lose too much, but it was still disappointing.

While using the Pool Tech Shock, our pools never developed any visible signs of algae, bacteria, or anything else. But our pool did have a pretty strong chlorine smell from how much of this product we were using. Our water remained completely clean though, and we were all satisfied with its performance.

• Requires 1-lb per 10,000 gallons of water
• Can make the water cloudy

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Star Plus Wrapped Chlorinating Tablets

These chlorinating tablets will also do an excellent job at keeping your pool in top condition. They will help you keep the water disinfected and very clean. At the same time, they wont have an irritating effect on your eyes or skin.

It is worth noting that they have been certified by EPA. Hence, you can rest assured that they are safe to use, not to mention that they provide the results you expect.

Its good to know that these particular tablets wont make the water inside your pool cloudy or anything of the sort. In addition, they are compatible with both floaters and feeder baskets.

They are highly concentrated, so they dissolve in the water rather slowly. But this is important as it deters the buildup of minerals. If youre on the lookout for chlorinating tablets that are compatible for both hot tubs and pools, these might be a good pick, due to their versatility.

Pros

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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Whats So Great About Chlorine Tablets

You may be wondering why were focusing specifically on tablets rather than just chlorine in general. Its simple. Chlorine tablets are easier to use, and they dispense chlorine at a steadier rate than tossing a few scoops of chlorine granules into the pool.

But before we get further into the benefits and use of chlorine tablets, lets take a look at chlorine in general.