Pool Sanitisers

Salt chlorination uses dissolved salt and electrolysis to chlorinate pools and spas, overcoming the limitation of hand dosing by producing chlorine on site through a generator. Current estimates place salt chlorination in over 85% of all pools in Australia and New Zealand.

Pros:

1. Easy to use – with inbuilt timers giving the ability to schedule regular cycles

2. Chlorine output is easily adjustable depending on the time of year or bather load

3. Inexpensive to run.

4. Minimal maintenance required.

5. Able to be used for mineral pools and salt pools

Cons:

1. The salt level needs to be tested monthly, or after heavy rain, and salt added if required. The salt level MUST be kept within the manufacturers’ guidelines. 

2. pH level increases as chlorine is added to the water, adjust with acid

3. Salt chlorinators are not ideal for super chlorination (shocking) as the chlorine making process is slow. Use of a shock treatment is a better alternative.

4. Salt cells need to be cleaned from time to time. Reverse polarity cells are self-cleaning but may need to be cleaned if a build-up of calcium is visible on the cell.

5. Salt cells have a life span of 3-5 years

These systems are typically a hybrid solution that combines two traditional methods of sanitising water. Ionisation and Oxidisation are combined together to deliver crystal clear water that is very soft to swim in and has no smell, feel or taste of chlorine or high salt and minerals.

Pros:

1. Programmed to size of your pool making it simple to use

2. Ideal for asthmatics, psoriasis and eczema sufferers

3. Up to 50% less chemical and 80-90% less salt/minerals

4. Longer lasting pool equipment and pool surrounds

5. Water saving – re-use water for garden or grey water

6. More environmentally friendly

Cons:

1. Very high copper levels can cause staining

2. Electrodes will need replacing (average 3-4 years)

3. Phosphate levels should be checked every 8-12 weeks

There are many mineral blends that provide an alternative sanitation system based on electrolysis technology. Minerals are added to the pool water and the chlorinator generates the chlorine in the pool water. This system typically uses Magnesium and Potassium based products as an alternative to Sodium only systems.

Pros

1. Enhanced bather comfort for swimming

2. Gentle on skin and eyes

3. Suitable for those with skin allergies

4. Enhanced water clarity due to natural flocculants

Cons

1. Chlorinator may need to be changed to be compatible with a mineral system

2. More expensive to maintain due to higher cost of minerals

Note: After start-up, refer to the documents provided with your particular system for information on operation and maintenance of your Mineral Pool.

Liquid Chlorine is a cost-effective way to sanitise your pool. It is safe enough to sanitise drinking water and powerful enough, in the right concentrations, to kill bacteria, germs and viruses. It also oxidises as it sanitises, helping to keep your pool clear.

Pros:

1. Cost effective sanitising option - Usually use between 0.75 and 1.5 litres per 50,000 litres of pool water, per day, in a stabilised pool, depending on temperature

2. Can buy in bulk 15 litre drums

3. Suitable for use in liquid chlorine feeders

4. Totally soluble – no residue

5. Safe for pool surrounds, such as tiles

Cons:

1. pH level increases as chlorine is added to the water, adjust with acid

2. For longer lasting results requires use of a stabiliser

3. Short shelf life, keep out of sunlight and hot environments

4. Classified as a dangerous good

A concentrated form of chlorine it has a strength of 65-78% chlorine. Calcium Hypochlorite is supplied as a granular product and has a long shelf life.

Pros:

1. Most cost effective of the granular chlorines - usually use up to 200 grams per 50,000 litres of pool water, per day, in a stabilised pool, depending on temperature. 

2. Can buy in bulk containers

3. Does not contain a stabiliser - so can use indefinitely

4. Long shelf life

5. Easy to source from pool shops, hardware stores and supermarkets

Cons:

1. Calcium based product can turn the pool cloudy if not dissolved

2. pH level increases as chlorine is added to the water, adjust with acid

3. For longer lasting results requires use of a stabiliser

4. Can bleach the colour from interior lining if granules are not dissolved

5. Long term use will raise calcium levels

A concentrated form of chlorine it has a strength of 50-63% chlorine and contains cyanuric acid (stabiliser). Supplied as a granular form, it has a long shelf life. A user-friendly way to achieve consistent chlorine and stabiliser levels for better protection.

Pros:

1. Totally soluble, fast dissolving and leaves no residue

2. No effect on pH 

3. Contains stabiliser – the chlorine will last longer in the pool

4. Calcium levels will not increase

5. Will not make the pool water cloudy

6. Easy to source from pool shops, hardware stores and supermarkets

Cons:

1. More costly product

2. Not suitable for long term use as stabiliser level will increase

A concentrated form of chlorine, these tablets have the strength of 90% chlorine. Available in tablet, stick or granular forms, they are most often used in smaller above ground pools in a floating dispenser or in-line feeder where they slowly dissolve. This form of sanitiser is also available in a powder form which is ideal for treating Black Spot Algae.

Pros:

1. Easy to use in a floater dispenser

2. Suitable for above ground pools

3. Contains stabiliser – chlorine will last longer in the pool

Cons:

1. Very acidic, alkalinity will need to be checked frequently

2. Cannot be used for super chlorination (shocking)

3. Not suitable for long term use as stabiliser level will increase

Pellets are a mix of Stabilised Chlorine and TCCA Chlorine (used in stabilised tablets and powder). These are great for boosting chlorine levels or super chlorination (shocking). 

Pros:

1. Totally soluble – no residue

2. Little to no effect on pH

3. Great product for shocking a pool

4. Contains stabiliser – the chlorine lasts longer in the pool but if this type of sanitiser is used regularly the water must be drained and replaced periodically

Cons:

1. Too expensive for regular use

2. Dose rate can be difficult to calculate, depends on water temperature (more will be needed in Summer than in Winter due to the heat)

Sold in a tablet form, this sanitiser is perfect for spas.

Pros: 

1. Easy to use in a floating dispenser

2. Totally soluble – no residue

3. Does not contain a stabiliser - so can use indefinitely.

4. It does not form “Bromamines “, the equivalent of Chloramines, so no sore eyes or itchy skin

5. Effective sanitiser at high water temperatures such as spas

Cons: 

1. Very acidic, alkalinity needs to be checked frequently

2. Expensive, mostly used in smaller bodies of water like spas

Ionisers use copper and silver anodes to sanitise water. The silver anode controls bacteria and the copper anode controls algae. Ionisers are supplied with a dedicated test kit to measure the levels in the pool.  

Pros: 

1. Inexpensive option for sanitising

2. Less chemicals

3. Chlorine free

Cons: 

1. Chlorine or a non-chlorine oxidiser will still need to used to oxidise the water

2. High copper levels can cause staining to the pool  

3. Electrodes will need to be replaced  

Ozone is a modified highly reactive form of oxygen (03), it is one of the strongest forms of oxidisers available, stronger than chlorine, bromine & hydrogen peroxide. Ozone is 25 times more powerful than chlorine

Pros: 

1. Powerful sanitiser 

2. Little effect on pH

3. Effective at high water temperature  

Cons: 

1. Ozone has a short life and leaves no residual sanitiser, unless the filtration is running 24/7 a secondary chlorinator such as a salt chlorinator or chlorine doser is required   

2. Expensive, mostly used in smaller bodies of water like spas, rarely used in domestic pools

A liquid sanitiser that is chlorine and bromine free it is gentle on skin, hair, and clothing, making it a good option for allergy sufferers. 

Pros: 

1. Easy to use, easy to measure, pour in

2. Very safe to use 

3. No effect on water balance 

4. Only added weekly 

5. Unaffected by sunlight 

6. Acts as a flocculant for clearer water

7. Inexpensive to use

Cons:

1. Used as a three-part system - used in conjunction with an oxidiser and an enzyme biofilm remover

2. Not compatible with chlorine or bromine 

3. The flocculent effect leads to more frequent filter cleans