Everyone loves to hit the pool on those hot days, but we often forget the work that needs to go into pool maintenance. One of the easiest ways to maintain water quality and safety is through use of pool chlorine, but where should you put those chlorine tablets in your above ground pool? There are three main options--here are some tips to help you choose.
What Is Chlorine?
You may be wondering what chlorine is and why is it the most important component to a clean pool? Chlorine helps keep swimming pools safe and is the most largely used pool sanitizer all over the world. According to Chemical Safety Facts, chlorine-based disinfectants help keep the water safe by destroying waterborne pathogens that can result in illnesses, such as diarrhea, swimmer’s ear, and skin rashes, including athlete’s foot.
Why Are Chlorine Tablets Your Best Option?
Chlorine tablets are easy to use, and they dispense the chlorine into your pool water at a much steadier and consistent rate compared to the granules option. Using the granules is much more time consuming because you have to measure and estimate the correct amount.
How To Add Chlorine Tablets To Your Pool
Adding the tablets to your water is simple and effortless. You can add them in a few different ways, so it is best to learn your options and pick one that is best for you and your family.
Floating Chlorine Dispenser
These floating dispensers are convenient and low maintenance so many people love this option. While floating around in your pool, the dispenser scatters the dissolving chlorine tablet. The only drawback of this option is they may sometimes get caught in one location and won’t disperse the chlorine evenly. Which may result in a bleaching effect to your pool liner.
In The Skimmer
It has long been believed that the ideal place to put your chlorine tablets is in your pool’s skimmer. As the water filters through, it will disperse the chlorine and keep your water at the appropriate level between 1-3 ppm. This is true, as long as the filter is running, but most filters are only run 8-12 hours per day. The problem with using the skimmer as your dispersal system is the fact that when the filter is turned off the tablet continues to dissolve. This will result in highly acidic water at the skimmer location, which can damage the lining in that area read this guide.
Floating Dispensers
Not only are chlorine floaters easy to use, but they are inexpensive and now come in many fun shapes and sizes. You simply place your chlorine tablets in the floater (based on gallons of water in your pool), and it does the work for you. The downside to a chlorine floater is that it is a passive system, so sometimes it can get stuck in one spot for a period of time. As with the skimmer, this can result in a higher concentration of chlorine in that one spot, and again cause damage to your pool at that location.
Chemical Feeder
The most consistent option is a chlorine dispenser, or chlorinator, that will evenly and consistently keep your chlorine at the level at which you set the equipment, the optimum again being between 1-3 ppm. Chlorinators are separate devices that usually run at the filter site, and can use granular chlorine, chlorine tablets, or liquid chlorine, depending on chosen equipment. With a chemical feeder you should have no spikes in chlorine levels or acidity, nor should you experience a low- or zero-reading that can result in the growth of bacteria and green algae.