The Complete Guide to Types of Chlorine for Pools
How do you ensure your pool doesn’t get dirty after a few uses?
Is there a way to keep your pool crystal clear and looking fresh year-round?
Many bacteria and other bugs love to make standing pool water their home. Setting up your pool with the proper defenses like chlorine powder and tablets and other chemicals makes keeping your water clean easy. But finding the suitable swimming pool chlorine for your pool setup requires knowing your options.
If you’re asking, “What kind of pool chlorine do I need?” then we have you covered. Here is our complete guide to the significant types of chlorine for pools.
Unstabilized vs. Stabilized
Hypochlorite
There are three primary types of unstabilized hypochlorite chlorine chemicals. “Unstabilized” means that these products don’t contain cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid helps prevent chlorine from being broken down by UV rays from the sun but isn’t present in these products.
Sodium hypochlorite is excellent for pools that have a higher calcium hardness. It contains about 10-12% chlorine.
Calcium hypochlorite is a good choice for small pools because it is safe and easy to use when treating your pool. In addition, it dissolves into the pool water quickly and is considered safe.
Another option is lithium hypochlorite. Lithium hypochlorite is more stable and doesn’t injure the soft surfaces underneath your pool water. In addition, it is more resistant to degradation from temperature and hard water.
Dichlor and Trichlor
Dichlor and trichlor are different from the above chemicals in that they are stabilized, containing cyanuric acid. As mentioned above, this chemical helps protect chlorine from sun degradation.
Trichlor is the most popular choice of chlorine for regular use in home pools. It does, however, have a higher (and potentially more effective) chlorine saturation and can alter the pH of the pool slightly.
However, dichlor has a neutral pH level. This means it won’t affect the natural pH of the pool. It also has a high chlorine saturation, making it a good choice for smaller bodies of water like hot tubs or spas.
What Kind of Pool Chlorine Do I Need?
Chlorine tablets are essential to keeping any home pool or spa clean and safe for guests. Stabilized and unstabilized options for chlorine treatment exist and depend on the homeowner’s planned use.
When shocking the pool, liquid and powder chlorine can be used.
So to answer the question: “What kind of pool chlorine do I need?” – it depends!
You need to know how the size, shape, and use of your pool or spa affect the goal of water treatment. If you have a pool already, it is a good idea to check with your local pool service for advice on which chlorine option is best for the size of your pool.
Escape Pools Can Help
At Escape Pools, we build luxury swimming pools right in your backyard. All our spas offer a modern look that naturally fits into your home patio setup. We also take care of the little details, giving you all the advice you need on things like the types of chlorine; liquid chlorine vs. powder, pool covers, and long-term supplies.
It is important to us that your pool is built to last, functions well, and matches the architecture of your home. Our goal is for you to come home and relax in your custom pool or spa after a long day.
If you have questions about the types of chlorine and which is best for your inground swimming pool or are interested in building a new custom pool in your backyard, contact Escape Pools today!
