CHLORINE
Its sole function should be to kill bacteria, however if you do not use any algicide and oxydIzer, it spends 40% of its energy to kill algae, 40% to oxydize, then there is only 20% left to kill bacteria, which means you need lots of chlorine and you are spending more money than you should.
Since chlorine is the most expensive of these 3 products, it would be cheaper in the long run to buy chlorine, phosphates remover or algicide and an oxydizer.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GRANULAR OR POWDER, TABS AND STICKS.
The granular will be effective for 6 to 8 hours. High impact when applied, short period. Daily dose, whether you use or don't use the pool.
The granular chlorine will go either in the skimmer, the pool or pre-dissolved. CHECK THE LABEL.
The tabs will last longer since they are slow-dissolved. Equal amount for anywhere between 3 to 4 days, depending on the quality of the tabs, If the tabs left a sticky black film in the skimmer, it's the glue some manufacturers use to get the tab to maintain its shape, so change brands.
Tabs go either in a chlorinator or in the skimmer.
Sticks are slow-dissolve and will last up to 7 days, depending on the product.
Sticks go either in a chlorinator or in the skimmer.
THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF EACH.
GRANULES - CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE
GRANULES, TABS & STICKS - TRICHLORO
GRANULES - DICHLORO
CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE – Lowest concentration on the market, varies a lot.
TRICHLORO – Between 65% and 90% concentration. Varies with the quality of the product.
DICHLORO – 100% concentration
The cheapest is calcium hypochlorite. Only comes in granules. Better known because available anywhere, from your local pharmacy to the corner hardware store. It is also the most dangerous as it will explode if the container is dropped a few feet or if there is a fire. Calcium hypochlorite has a pH of 13, twice the ideal level for pool water. It also has a high concentration of calcium which will eventually accumulate everywhere and scale removal will eventually have to be done. It's expensive and takes time.
Trichloro, comes in granules, tabs or sticks. No danger of explosion it dropped or in a fire. Neutral pH, no calcium.
Dichloro comes in powder form only. No danger of explosion if dropped or in a fire. Neutral pH, no calcium. Ideal for inflatable pools which do not have a skimmer.
REMEMBER THAT YOU PUT CHLORINE IN WATER, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND OR IT WILL EXPLODE!!
In winter, do not store chlorine in your home, garage, shed. It will erode all metals (bikes, tools, cars, etc.). As long as it stays dry, there is no danger of leaving it outside.
So you should ALWAYS read the label to find out the type of chlorine, its concentration, where and how to use it.
BROMINE
Bromine is used to kill bacteria in pools and hot tubs/spas just like chlorine.
The differences :
- The smell, which is not as strong
- The price, higher
- Comes in tabs only for the pool
- Ph higher, so Ph – must be added weekly.
SO YOU CAN USE EITHER CHLORINE OR BROMINE, BUT NOT BOTH.
CHLORINATOR / BROMINATOR
The chlorinator or brominator should be filled up with pucks or sticks. That's when you get best results and need to add pucks or sticks less often. Be careful not to breath in when you open that lid!
The chlorinator / brominator is installed on the return line, between the filter and the pool. It has to be the last piece of equipment on the line. IE: filter, heater, chlorinator and then pool.
If the pucks or sticks don't seem to dissolve at all, there may be some residue in the small lines, so remove the pucks or sticks and add some boiling water until it empties quickly.