November 2011
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Changing Your Hot Tub Water in 4 Simple Steps
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How to Choose the Right In-ground Pool for You
in Maintenance
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Choosing the best sanitizer for your pool can be a tough but important decision. There are a number of considerations: pool usage, its location, your family’s life style just to name a few. That’s why consulting with your professional pool and spa retailer is a good idea. She or he will take these into consideration when suggesting a sanitization system for you.
Let’s take a quick overview of the two most often used products to keep swimming pools clean and clear. The most commonly used pool sanitizer in the world is chlorine. It’s been around a long time, is safe, economical and easy to use. POOLIFE® and POOL Breeze® products are two popular brands sold by the pros. There’s been quite a buzz recently about salt generated chlorine. This system uses electrolysis to separate the chlorine and sodium atoms in common table salt (NaCl). The chlorine combines with water and forms a compound that kills bacteria and algae. Sounds easy! No tabs, no sticks, no pucks, no shocking. But, there’s a little more to it. First, add 300 to 600 pounds of salt to your pool. The electrolysis units are quite expensive, require maintenance every four to six weeks, last for about four to five and years and are expensive to replace. In addition, you still have to maintain the remaining water balance factors of your pool, shock, plus run your pump about 12 hours per day. Get all the facts before you commit to this system.
What about those “old fashioned” sticks and tabs? Well, they’re not your dad’s stick and tabs anymore. Recent advances in technology have greatly improved their efficiency, erosion rates and overall performance. With any system, you will still have to shock the pool water by adding a product specifically designed for that function such as POOLIFE® TurboShock®. Contaminants enter the pool water in a number of ways: atmospheric, organic and human borne. They tie up the chlorine and will cause the water to have a chlorine-type odor. The shock product oxidizes these waste materials and gets your pool water looking and smelling great.
Another popular sanitization system is the use of biguanides. This is an all liquid, chlorine-free maintenance system sold under the BAQUACIL® brand. Many people choose to use this in their pools because it gives the water a soft and luxurious feel, or they may be sensitive to chlorine. Because it’s chlorine free, there are no chlorine odors; swimsuits retain their true colors longer, as does your vinyl liner. Contaminants are still an issue and they must be oxidized weekly, but in place of chlorine, hydrogen peroxide is added to complete this task.
Still undecided? Visit the professional Arch retailer in your community. Bring in a sample of your pool water and ask questions. Both biguanide and chlorine systems will do a great job of keeping your pool clean and clear. Both are EPA registered products that you and your family can use with assurance, safety and convenience.
