What is an simple and economic way to automate adding liquid chlorine and perhaps pH-?

[wverboom]

Hi there,

I'm looking @ options to make my pool maintenance easier and like to do this in an economic way.
Currently using liquid chlorine and liquid ph- to maintain the water quality.
Adding and measuring of chlorine automatically will make is easier and perhaps more economic that SWG what is also an option.
I also read thing about hydrolysis but don't know if this is a path to go.

Hope someone can help me here. Cheapest is adding chlorine automatically I think.

Thanks, Wouter

 

[JamesW]

I also read thing about hydrolysis but don't know if this is a path to go.

Can you explain what hydrolysis is?

I recommend a SWG.

 

[wverboom]

Can you explain what hydrolysis is?

I recommend a SWG.

This is part of the description of some of the models:

Hydrolysis breaks the water molecule thus generating oxygen-based disinfection agents (O³, O², OH...). Electrolysis uses the chlorides present in the water (no need to add salt) to produce HClO (disinfectant). As a third disinfection system, it uses the ionization of copper and silver, producing an algicide, bactericide and flocculant effect to produce a residual disinfectant.

 

[JamesW]

I recommend a SWG.

 

[sande005]

Unknown as to what is available in your part of the world, but there have been a variety of commercial and home built dosing systems to add liquid Cl. But the ones I looked at here in the States were expensive, and had a poor track record for reliability. Plus you still have to buy and store a larger amount of liquid chlorine on a routine basis.
Various "hydrolysis" and "mineralizer" systems are also marketed here. They frequently have issues with not being able to keep the pool free of algae, and in some cases the copper/silver additions cause problems of their own (green hair, stains, etc.). There will be the rather expensive need to replenish the minerals adding function moderately frequently.

The SWCG is the only real way to go. It too works by "hydrolysis" as you described, just without the unneeded (and possibly detrimental) mineral additions. A recent post here detailed that the daily chlorine cost to run one was about 1/3rd the cost of using liquid chlorine. If you have a system you are interested in, and can give use the appropriate data (your local cost for liquid, specifications and cost for the unit, etc.) we can help with determining whether it is economically advantageous for you. Although I used a different method (tablets) for adding chlorine for years, my time spend maintaining the pool dropped from several hours per week to about 1/2 hour per week. The only negative to having extra salt in the pool is that I can slightly taste it - but none of the others that have used the pool can.

 

[wverboom]

Unknown as to what is available in your part of the world, but there have been a variety of commercial and home built dosing systems to add liquid Cl. But the ones I looked at here in the States were expensive, and had a poor track record for reliability. Plus you still have to buy and store a larger amount of liquid chlorine on a routine basis.
Various "hydrolysis" and "mineralizer" systems are also marketed here. They frequently have issues with not being able to keep the pool free of algae, and in some cases the copper/silver additions cause problems of their own (green hair, stains, etc.). There will be the rather expensive need to replenish the minerals adding function moderately frequently.

The SWCG is the only real way to go. It too works by "hydrolysis" as you described, just without the unneeded (and possibly detrimental) mineral additions. A recent post here detailed that the daily chlorine cost to run one was about 1/3rd the cost of using liquid chlorine. If you have a system you are interested in, and can give use the appropriate data (your local cost for liquid, specifications and cost for the unit, etc.) we can help with determining whether it is economically advantageous for you. Although I used a different method (tablets) for adding chlorine for years, my time spend maintaining the pool dropped from several hours per week to about 1/2 hour per week. The only negative to having extra salt in the pool is that I can slightly taste it - but none of the others that have used the pool can.

Sounds promising . The negative of slightly tasting salt is no negative downside for me. The sea is tasting much more salty . Please help me out with more data about the system u are using

 

[trivetman]

Stenner pumps are used by many to provide regular daily doses of liquid chlorine and/or muriatic acid. There are a number of threads available on tfp about how to install. Stenners provide regular automated additions but do not monitor the water chemistry so that is still required as regular maintenance.

If for some reason you don’t want to install an swg a stenner is a good option. I have an swg for chlorine and use a stenner for acid.

No system will automatically balance the water without one taking the time to test and adjust the dosing.

 

[sande005]

Mine comes from a U.S. company named Circupool. Many here have that brand and like them. I have no idea if they ship internationally or how electrically compatible it may be.
I did a quick google search, and there are a few that came up for Spain. There are probably many others in the EU. I get a sense that a dual system that uses both a salt water generator and a monitor/injecting system for acid are popular in Europe. Users here have found that if total alkalinity can be controlled (not excessive from the water used to add to the pool), then the need for adding acid is very small. I likely will only need 2-3 liters for the entire summer. So not much need for a monitoring or adding system.

 

[wverboom]

Sounds promising . The negative of slightly tasting salt is no negative downside for me. The sea is tasting much more salty . Please help me out with more data about the system u are using

i'm buying now liquid chlorine 20 liters à € 28,95. With my current level of acid (80) I need to have a minimum of 6 chlorine (ideal is 9-10) so need to put quit a bit .
I'm convinced the best way is to go for SWG. Need to find out the best solution that I can buy here in Spain.
Found this one.... but not shure if it is a good solution for my 85m3 pool (approx 23k gallons): Innowater Salt SMC 30

Regards, Wouter