Using Chlorine Neutralizer

[mattco]

I'm interested in performing the steps in this TFP article, and had a question about the first step:

Ascorbic Acid Treatment - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

1. Take your chlorine down to 0 ........ Let it decline naturally. Remove tablets, stop adding liquid chlorine, or turn off the SWG.

I was curious if I really needed to let the chlorine drop "naturally" or whether I could force it down with chlorine neutralizer so the process doesn't take as long. Is using chlorine neutralizer not recommended in this case?

 

[Newdude]

If you're in target range for your CYA, you're only a day or two away from 0FC this time of year. It's not like you're waiting for a SWG slam to drift down from 28.

 

[mknauss]

The Ascorbic Acid will consume the chlorine. But it is an expensive way to reduce the FC.

 

[JamesW]

You can use hydrogen peroxide, but don't overshoot because the H2O2 will consume the ascorbic acid.

You can also use sodium thiosulfate.

In my opinion, allowing the FC to drop on its own creates more risk of algae due to low FC.

I would use H2O2 for a quick drop when you are ready to go.

For a 12,000 gallon pool, 25 oz of 3% H2O2 will drop the FC by 1 ppm.

For example, if the FC is 8 ppm, you would add 200 oz of H2O2, which is 6.25 quarts.

H₂O₂ + OCl^- --> O₂ + H₂O + Cl^-

 

[mattco]

Thanks everyone!