chlorine tablets or just plain old bleach

[bponb]

Does the TFP not recommend using tablets and just using bleach? If so, why? I have an inline chlorinator and have always used the hockey puck type tablets. If I continue to use tablets, what am I looking for as far as ingredients? I live in south Texas where the weather is hot and humid.

thanks

 

[JVTrain]

If you continue to use tablets, use trichlor only (if that's what you have been using) and not any product that has copper or any other metal listed as an ingredient. Also, do not use cal-hypo tablets as placing them in the same vessel as trichlor can have explosive results.

All forms of solid chlorine have undesirable side effects with long term use. For cal-hypo it's climbing calcium hardness. Eventually the CH will get very high and cause scaling and possibly damage to pumping/filtration equipment. For trichlor and dichlor, it's climbing CYA. Eventually, the CYA will get very high and make any amount of chlorine you add to the pool ineffective for sanitation.

If you want to learn more, read through Pool School, starting with ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry

Also, add your location such as TX to your profile and the details of your pool to your signature in a similar fashion as mine so folks trying to help your here can see what you're dealing with.

 

[bponb]

So, I am guessing that you recommend using just bleach in a bottle for maintaining a pools chlorine level? Is this correct?

 

[JVTrain]

So, I am guessing that you recommend using just bleach in a bottle for maintaining a pools chlorine level? Is this correct?

Yep. Bleach in a bottle or liquid pool shock, which is just a higher concentration of bleach. A more convenient alternative is a salt water chlorine generator system. That has some trade offs as well but does not cause long term chemical problems like cal-hypo or trichlor.

 

[Billrector]

Yes....bleach does not add to the CYA JVTrain was talking about above. However, you need to check your FC levels daily and add bleach as required. Do you have a good test kit? TF-100 is what is recommended here.

 

[bponb]

I will be ordering a TF-100 test kit soon. Thanks for the info. Was very useful.

 

[jblizzle]

Welcome to TFP!!!

How much Pool School have you read? Start with these as they should answer some of your remaining questions:
ABCs of Water Chemistry
Recommended Pool Chemicals
How to Chlorinate Your Pool

 

[tim5055]

Read through the articles Jason has recommended and I think it will become clear to you that some form of liquid chlorine will be the way to go. You are lucky that higher percentages of chlorine are readily available in most areas of TX 10 & 12.5% are at most pool stores and many big box stores. This usually will save you money over 8.24% household bleach.