Heat Pump and Trichlor tabs

[richmgreen]

Hi. For the first 2 weeks of pool opening, I won’t start my salt generator until the chemicals stabilize. I raise my stabilizer level with with stabilizer and by using stabilized tricolor tabs (for chlorination as well). Usually put the tabs directly into the skimmer. Seems more effective that way. Again, it’s only for the 1st week or so. I was told the tricolor is not good for the heat pump. True? For that short a period of time ??

Any thoughts?
Thanks

 

[1poolman1]

Hi. For the first 2 weeks of pool opening, I won’t start my salt generator until the chemicals stabilize. I raise my stabilizer level with with stabilizer and by using stabilized tricolor tabs (for chlorination as well). Usually put the tabs directly into the skimmer. Seems more effective that way. Again, it’s only for the 1st week or so. I was told the tricolor is not good for the heat pump. True? For that short a period of time ??

Any thoughts?
Thanks

There are two types of people that like owners to put tabs in the skimmer: those that replace skimmers and those that replace equipment. For even a short time get a floating chlorinator for the tablets.

 

[richmgreen]

I do have the floater. When I use it, It just seems to dissolve too slowly to keep the chlorine level up.

 

[richmgreen]

I also have non-stabilized tabs. I’m guessing it’s better to just use those.? No damage to equipment with those ?

 

[1poolman1]

I do have the floater. When I use it, It just seems to dissolve too slowly to keep the chlorine level up.

If you never turn the pump off you're almost OK. Tri-chlor tablets were never meant to be the sole source of chlorine in a pool. When the pump is off they still dissolve in the skimmer. That highly concentrated, very low pH, solution will fall to the main drain if the pool is plumbed that way and damage a liner or plaster. When the pump starts it will hit the shaft seal and will work on the spring, continue through the system to the heat exchanger.

I also have non-stabilized tabs. I’m guessing it’s better to just use those.? No damage to equipment with those ?

Non-stabilized? Calcium hypochlorite? Different animal. Usually safe for short term. Much higher pH. Can still have the issue with the solution flowing to the main drain and damaging a liner. NEVER mix it with anything Tri-chlor tabs have been in. Why not just use liquid? Safest of all.

 

[oldprophet]

I also have non-stabilized tabs. I’m guessing it’s better to just use those.? No damage to equipment with those ?

Tri Chlor tabs have a ph of 5.9, so they are acidic and therefore will corrode the copper coil in your heater as they dissolve in the skimmer. Use a floater or liquid chlorine

 

[richmgreen]

Yes, the calcium hypochlorite tabs.

 

[JamesW]

Tri Chlor tabs have a ph of 5.9

 

[oldprophet]

Thanks, I stand corrected. It is 2.9 not 5.9

 

[sktn77a]

It's the concentrated chlorine from the tabs that ruin the heater and other equipment (from putting them in the skimmer). Same as backwash from an in-line chlorinator).

 

[proavia]

Do NOT use the same floater for Trichlor tabs and CalHypo.

 

[mknauss]

concentrated chlorine

Chlorine is not the issue. It is the low pH when the trichlor tablet dissolves.

 

[JamesW]

It's actually the combination of low pH and chlorine that is most corrosive.

Low pH prevents the formation of a protective layer and chlorine oxidizes the copper.

 

[JamesW]

https://www.chemedx.org/JCESoft/jcesoftSubscriber/CCA/CCA3/MAIN/CUNACID/PAGE1.HTM

Of the four industrially important strong acids, only two, nitric and sulfuric, are strong enough oxidizing agents to dissolve copper. The concentration of copper(II) ions is larger with the nitric acid, because it is a stronger oxidizing agent than sulfuric acid.