5 Types of Chlorine to Balance a Pool

You’ve finally invested in the pool you’ve always wanted. Now you can spend summer days and nights relaxing with a good book or swimming with your kids. However, you also have to know how to properly maintain your pool—including which types of chlorine balance your pool. 

 

Knowing what kind of chlorine to use and when to use it can be one of the biggest hurdles for a new pool owner. In many cases, deciding which type and what works best for your pool comes down to personal preference. Thanks to the professionals at Family Pool Maintenance of Delaware, you can know the best type of chlorine to balance your pool.

 

1. Liquid Chlorine

Liquid chlorine or bleach is the most common and widely available type of chlorine to balance your pool. Despite recent challenges with chlorine supply, chlorine is still one of the cheapest and safest solutions on the market. 

 

Liquid chlorine is fast-acting and works well to raise the pH and balance your pool. Usually coming in plastic jugs, liquid chlorine is used much like the liquid bleach you would use on your clothing. 

 

Application of liquid chlorine is as simple as pouring some of the liquid in front of your pool’s jets and letting it circulate throughout the pool. In most cases, there is a management process for using liquid chlorine to balance your pool. You may have to use multiple bottles, and you need to check the pool’s pH levels as liquid chlorine causes quick elevations in pH.

 

Despite this measurement and monitoring process, its ease of use makes liquid chlorine an obvious choice for balancing your pool. 

 

2. Chlorine Tablets

Another way to balance your pool is by using chlorine tablets. These tablets work much in the same way a toilet bowl cleaner tablet works: You drop in the tablet, and as it dissolves, it releases a chemical cleaning agent. 

The tablets are great for those looking for a lower maintenance solution to sanitation, as the tablets typically contain about 90% chlorine for balancing your pool. The tablets are great for maintaining a pool’s health over time and are a preferred method of many owners.

 

However, the tablets cannot perform a pool shock, which kills major bacteria. Because of the slower method of delivery, the tablets are best used when the initial shock is complete. For those looking to maintain an already balanced pool, chlorine tablets are the preferred choice of many professionals.

 

3. Calcium-Hypochlorite

Calcium-Hypochlorite, also known as Cal-Hypo, is one of the most-used pool sanitizing solutions. This solution has a long shelf life, works optimally in fresh water pools, and is a popular type of chlorine to balance pools. 

 

Cal-Hypo commonly comes in bags or a tub. It’s granulated, making the mixing and utilization process easier than measuring liquid chlorine. Following application, Cal-Hypo does its work over a few hours or days and provides significant sanitizing capacity. 

 

Pools with an already high pH level or hard water may experience excess calcium buildup from using Cal-Hypo. However, this type of chlorine is a favorite treatment solution for its powerful shock capacity and ease of use. 

4. Trichlor

Trichloroisocyanuric Acid, or Trichlor, is another popular sanitizer for pools. It has active chlorine levels, and the powder shock is good for a week, reducing maintenance levels significantly. 

 

Trichlor usually comes in tablets the size of hockey pucks or as granules in a bucket. This chemical is known for doing a great job at keeping algae out of the pool and is the most powerful of the pool shock options. 

 

Because of their strength, Trichlor tablets are a more expensive option than liquid chlorine or Cal-Hypo, but the results delivered are well worth the expense. From a sanitation and long-term maintenance standpoint, there may not be a better option.

 

However, Trichlor has been known to stain a pool’s liner and create significant pH balance changes. It’s best to consult your local pool professional, who can guide you as you administer and maintain Trichlor. 

 

5. Dichlor

Finally, Dichloro-s-triazinetrione, otherwise known as Dichlor, is another popular choice of pool sanitizer in the industry. While not as strong as Trichlor and not as cheap as liquid chlorine, Dichlor has a long shelf life and effective pH maintenance power.

 

Dichlor itself has a neutral pH level and typically comes in tablet or granular form. It dissolves quickly, treats for extended periods, and doesn’t significantly alter the pool’s pH level if administered correctly. 

 

While Dichlor can become problematic in pools that struggle to maintain adequate CYA levels, the benefits are usually acceptable to those seeking a middle road when it comes to value, storage, and effectiveness. 

 

Like Trichlor, Dichlor has a long storage shelf life. Due to its lower chlorine content and higher stabilizer presence, Dichlor can be even more expensive than Trichlor tablets. However, this shouldn’t deter the pool owner who is looking for a high-quality sanitizer with minimal pH effect. 

 

Find Chlorine to Balance Your Pool

The team at Family Pool Maintenance of Delaware knows exactly how to keep your pool in peak condition. With their expertise, they can diagnose a solution to meet the demands and needs of your pool and its environment.

 

Family Pool Maintenance also offers a custom maintenance plan and cost solutions that work with your unique budget. If you have a treatment plan in mind or are still choosing chlorine to balance your pool, give the team a call at 302-270-3700.