Less Chlorine, more Algaecide?

[Mark Shvitz]

I just paid $340 for two buckets of chlorine tablets, and that was a great price for these times. I don't know if it will ever be reasonable again. I used to pay $95 for one bucket, if memory serves. I mean the stuff with no calcium.

Is anyone out there cutting back on chlorine and relying more on algaecide?

I had an algae problem while my pump and filter were in need of work, and I dumped a lot of algaecide in the pool. It seems to do a great job of killing algae and keeping it from coming back. I used the cheap stuff from Walmart. It makes bubbles, so I added some defoamer which was also cheap.

This is a very low-use pool. I am not very concerned about killing germs. If someone wants to use the pool, I can always toss a bag of shock treatment in it to jack up the ppm temporarily.

 

[mknauss]

Time to revisit the basics
Pool Care Basics

 

[Donldson]

I'm sure a lot of people are doing what you are suggesting.

You won't find them here.

 

[Newdude]

You won't find them here

Yes you will, but after the fact.

 

[Donldson]

Yes you will, but after the fact.

Good point!

 

[Mark Shvitz]

So what evils await me if I try this approach? Also, is there any reason not to use the algaecide and defoamer if I maintain a high chlorine level? Seems like good insurance.

One more thing: I have never drained this pool. This is my 7th year here. The chlorine is a little low at around 2 ppm, the pH appears to be perfect, the acid demand test called for something like 3 pints, and the total alkalinity is in the ideal range. Should I pump out some water and fill it back up? I have read I'm supposed to be dumping 1/3 of the water occasionally.

 

[PoolStored]

So what evils await me if I try this approach? Also, is there any reason not to use the algaecide and defoamer if I maintain a high chlorine level? Seems like good insurance.

Higher FC demand, and a lighter pocketbook. Why do this if you are properly chlorinated, nothing else is needed for sanitization and keeping Algae at bay.

Really the only time to replace water is when your CYA, CH, or Salt are too high. No other reason to replace water.

 

[Mark Shvitz]

I'm interested in it because I am paying $160, on sale, for what was an $80 product not long ago.

Thanks for the info.

 

[Bperry]

I'm interested in it because I am paying $160, on sale, for what was an $80 product not long ago.

Thanks for the info.

Once the copper laced algecide stains the pool the $80 wont be so bad.

Ideally you should be using liquid chlorine or a salt chlorinator if you want to save money. The tablets increase the CYA too much which forces you to add more chlorine to keep the water clean. Maybe in FL you get enough rain to refill the pool to not worry about that.

 

[Newdude]

Also, is there any reason not to use the algaecide and defoamer if I maintain a high chlorine level? Seems like good insurance.

The more algecide you use, the more it depletes your FC, making you need the algecide. So you add more FC but that depletes the algecide so you add more algecide which depletes more FC.

It's entirely counterproductive during the season.

If you need to run a higher FC for algecide use, just run the dang higher FC and not need the algecide.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

@Newdude has the numbers on hand to show the cost/benefit of different forms of chlorination. What it boils down to is this - if you’re willing to pay the upfront cost of an SWG (which is basically equivalent to buying all your pool’s FC needs up front) and you’re willing to balance and maintain your pool water chemistry according to TFP guidelines, then the SWG is usually the most cost efficient means of chlorinating a pool. Even with the most expensive brands of SWGs, it still comes out better than tabs, shock, or liquid.

What you don’t get on the economic analysis is this - if you install an SWG, then you will never have to go bargain shopping again for tabs, shock, or LC. You’ll never need to use algaecide. And the FC will pretty much take care of itself as long as you regularly test your pool water and adjust the parameters as needed. They literally make pool water care BORING.

Up to you, but the algaecide/FC yo-yo game seems like a silly idea.