Chlorine question

[Russo221]

Question: I wanted to know what is the best way to distribute the granular chlorine in the pool? I have been putting in a dispenser and let it float around but sometimes it doesn't all come out. Then I started spreading it around and looks like it cakes up on the bottom and sits there. I was wondering i heard that dumpling it thru the skimmer and letting it go thru the filter and out the out part? It's that a good way do that? Not sure if putting it thru the filter like that is good for the filter

 

[kellyfair]

I would definitely not dump it in the skimmer, nor would I let it sit undissolved on your liner. What type of granules are you using?

 

[Texas Splash]

Definitely not through the skimmer to the filter. Besides adding stabilizer to the water (or CH if using cal-hypo), you see that broadcast spreading isn't an exact science for those products either. You have to watch to ensure they don't just sit and clump which could be a problem. You do have the option of pre-dissolving in a bucket. But overall this is one reason why liquid chlorine is preferred for non-salt pools. It's so easy to dispense and you know it's going to mix well in the water. Plus, no side effects (i.e. CYA).

Hope that helps.

 

[Russo221]

Definitely not through the skimmer to the filter. Besides adding stabilizer to the water (or CH if using cal-hypo), you see that broadcast spreading isn't an exact science for those products either. You have to watch to ensure they don't just sit and clump which could be a problem. You do have the option of pre-dissolving in a bucket. But overall this is one reason why liquid chlorine is preferred for non-salt pools. It's so easy to dispense and you know it's going to mix well in the water. Plus, no side effects (i.e. CYA).

Hope that helps.

I used to do the liquid chlorine but I had to use a lot of it, I constantly had to run to the pool store to get the 1 gallon bottles. The liquid chlorine is 12.5 in strength were the granular was 68 percent. I felt like the liquid chlorine was being consumed a lot quicker that's why I went to granular

 

[Russo221]

I would definitely not dump it in the skimmer, nor would I let it sit undissolved on your liner. What type of granules are you using?

 

[Texas Splash]

Regardless of the method of chlorine (Trichlor, cal-hypo, liquid), the water's FC level should be somewhat consistent and predictable day by day unless you have a large pool party or something. A summer FC loss of 2-4 ppm is expected. You certainly can use any method you wish, and in your area with a relatively short season and perhaps a decent water exchange between seasons, you may be okay with that cal-hypo. But when you add 3-4 ppm of liquid on a Monday (as an example), you should only have to add that same amount the next day. Before I went salt, our ~18K pool required about 1/2 gallon of 10% liquid each evening (2.5 ppm) like clockwork. Whenever I needed more chlorine, i looked for problem areas and considered an Overnight Chlorine Loss Test. You know your pool and area conditions better than anyone, so go with what seems best.

 

[phonedave]

I used to do the liquid chlorine but I had to use a lot of it, I constantly had to run to the pool store to get the 1 gallon bottles. The liquid chlorine is 12.5 in strength were the granular was 68 percent. I felt like the liquid chlorine was being consumed a lot quicker that's why I went to granular

Once it is in solution in your water, chlorine is chlorine. 4 ppm of FC is 4 ppm of FC regardless of how it got there.

What does make a difference is that the granular form that you are using also adds CYA to your water. CYA does not dissipate over time. Eventually (and rather quickly) you will get to a CYA level where maintaining FC at a level that provides sanitation will become effectively impossible.

In summary: You cannot keep using granular (or solid) chlorine as your only source, it will quickly get out of hand.

 

[ILSBJ]

Once it is in solution in your water, chlorine is chlorine. 4 ppm of FC is 4 ppm of FC regardless of how it got there.

What does make a difference is that the granular form that you are using also adds CYA to your water. CYA does not dissipate over time. Eventually (and rather quickly) you will get to a CYA level where maintaining FC at a level that provides sanitation will become effectively impossible.

In summary: You cannot keep using granular (or solid) chlorine as your only source, it will quickly get out of hand.

Cal-hypo is without CYA... (but increases CH)

 

[phonedave]

Cal-hypo is without CYA... (but increases CH)

Yes, you are correct. I am guilty of the blanket statement of all solid forms have CYA. Cal-Hypo does not (but it does have other drawbacks)

Technically Lithium Hypochlorite does not have CYA either - but nobody makes Lithium Hypo anymore.