Chlorine works by producing hydrochloric and hydrochlorous acids. These acids work at killing bacteria, algae and microorganisms that can cause illness in swimmers. If you have a swimming pool or spa, you will need to keep it clean and clear of bacteria to prevent your water from becoming a breeding ground for disease. Dirty swimming pools commonly cause eye and ear infections as well as other diseases.
To help you decide which form is best for you, let’s take a look at two of the most popular forms of chlorine, granular chlorine and chlorine tablets.
Granular Chlorine
Granular Chlorine is available in three different types; Di-Chlor, Lithium Hypochlorite and Cal-Hypo. It is reasonably priced and can be used to treat your swimming pool or spa regularly, and can also be used to shock your pool when necessary.
Granular Chlorine is easy to use and dissolves much quicker than tablets. Granular chlorine can be used daily if you have a busy swimming pool.
To use granular chlorine simply add the chlorine to a bucket of pool water, mix it and then pour the bucket into the swimming pool. When working with any pool chemicals, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
Chlorine Tablets
Chlorine tablets are called Trichlor. They are very similar in price to granular chlorine. The biggest advantage to using chlorine tablets is that they cut back on the maintenance for you. Chlorine tablets have the highest available chlorine which is 90%. Chlorine tablets come in one inch and three inch sizes.
Chlorine tablets are easy to use. Simply add the tablets to a floating dispenser or in an automatic feeder once a week. Be sure to do it the same day each week. The one-inch tablets are perfect for spas and for smaller pools. The three-inch tablets are perfect for larger pools.
Before adding chlorine to your swimming pool, test the water using a test strip. Free available chlorine should be between 2-4 ppm. No one should use your pool when free available chlorine is above 4 ppm.
Make sure that you read and follow all of the directions on the label and store your pool chemicals out of the reach of small children and your pets. Granular chlorine and chlorine tablets are both easy to use and reasonable priced. Either form will work great on keeping your swimming pool clean and free of algae and microorganisms.
