Chlorine is the most popular way to sanitize/disinfect your
water in the pool industry, although using chlorine is the most misunderstood.

What is chlorine

Chlorine is produced by the electrolysis of saltwater. Chlorine is created in many different compounds that are used for sanitizing, bleaching, production of plastics, and more related products. If not handled properly chlorine can definitely be dangerous. At appropriate levels found in a pool
water, chlorine poses no danger to swimmers.

How does a chlorine pool work?

When chlorine is added to pool water it produces various chemicals. The most important would be hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid kills bacteria and dangerous pathogens (cause of illness or disease) that may thrive in your water. When talking about chlorine levels, most people are not aware of the different types of chlorine that are present in your water. Chlorinated water usually contains 3 types known as Free Chlorine, Combined Chlorine, and Total Chlorine.

• Free Chlorine is the amount of chlorine still available to sanitize/disinfect
  your pool water or non­combined
• Combined chlorine is the amount that has already been used to
  sanitize/disinfect.
• Total Chlorine is just the sum of both.

When chlorine reacts with urine, sweat, and other organic wastes, it forms what is called chloramines. (also called combined chlorine) The chloramines become less active when killing bacteria. Too many chloramines can give off a strong unpleasant odor and also be very irritating to swimmers’ eyes. Many people will say “there is too much chlorine in my water” but in reality there is not enough. To destroy and
control the chloramines you must shock!

How easy is a chlorine pool to maintain?

Many pool owners find that using chlorine chemicals is usually the easiest. The most efficient way to keep your pool safe is to shock your water on a regular basis and keep your balancers within the appropriate range. This makes controlling chlorine levels easier. Cyanuric acid will most likely have to be added to the pool as this will help prevent the breakdown of chlorine due to sunlight. Weekly testing of the water is recommended.

Chlorine – 2.0 to 5.0

PH – 7.2 to 7.6

Alk – 80 to 120

Hardness – 200 to 400

Cyanuric Acid – 20 to 60

What chlorine products to use?

Shocks come in liquid gallons or granular form in many different sizes. Our pressed chlorine stabilizer is used for holding your chlorine level longer comes in slow dissolving tablets or sticks. Many algaecides to choose from based on your pool surroundings. Lots of options!

Many unwanted substances can be introduced to your pool water. Some in which could harm you, make the water look unappealing, make it unsafe to swim in, cause chemicals not to do what they are supposed to, or all of the above situations. It is very important to understand the chemicals and what needs to be done on a regular basis in order to keep your pool sanitized and
safe.

If you have any questions please let us know!!