How Do Slow Release Chlorine Tabs Work?

There is a science to chlorine tabs and swimming water that pool owners need to know about. Chlorine is a useful substance for destroying bacteria, but it can also be harmful, and even toxic, if used incorrectly. If you’re new to swimming pool care, the first thing you should do is learn as much as you can about chlorine, and how to keep the water clean. Read more…

What is Chlorine?

In its natural state, chlorine is a chemical gas. It has a wide range of uses, especially as a disinfecting agent. Not only is chlorine a key component in household bleach, it is manufactured into a water soluble substance that can keep your swimming pool sanitary. It is complex, being strong enough at times to serve as a lethal weapon against humans, yet can be modified to be used as a way to make water safe for consumption. However if you are using chlorine for the first time then you may want to look for a professional or an individual who has either potentially completed 40 hour hazwoper training or has experience with using chlorine, if you felt unsure about completing the task yourself.

There are 4 ways that you can add chlorine to your pool water:

• Tablets can be placed in the skimmer

• You can use an automatic chlorinator

• Chlorine granules can be sprinkled directly to the water

• You can use a chemical floater

Chlorine tablets can be placed in either a chemical floater or inside of the skimmer. The only trouble with some of the chlorine floating dispensers is that if they get stuck in a corner or alongside the wall, they could bleach stain your liner. This may not seem like a big deal, but that bleach is also breaking down the material and could cause holes. If you are using a slow release chlorine tabs, placing them inside of the skimmer is the better option.

The best time to add chlorine tabs is when your swimming pool’s filtration system is running. This prevents a build up of chlorine in one area, and helps to make sure that it is disbursed evenly. With the water moving quickly over the tablets inside the skimmer, they will dissolve safely and quickly. Keep the pump going until the tablet has completely dissolved, or remove what is left after turning the filters off. This will prevent a build up of chlorine from ruining the lining or the equipment.

3 inch chlorine tablets are good for up to 5,000 gallons of pool water, so you will have to add according to your swimming pool size. If yours is 20,000 gallons for example, it will take 4 3-inch chlorine tablets to effectively keep your water sanitized.

Using a Chlorinator

Most swimming pool experts will recommend the use of a chlorinator. This is a part of the filtration system that adds chlorine to the water before it is released back into the pool. This should be the last step in the process. Chlorine tabs are not used here, but you adjust the amount of chlorine being released using a special dial on the device.

If you are new to swimming pools and chlorine use, ask a pool expert to show you the best methods for sanitizing your pool water using the chemical. Too much and you can hurt the lining and your swimmers, while too little will allow bacteria to grow rampant. Each pool and filtration system should be looked at uniquely to find the best approach for chlorine addition.

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