Water Sanitation by Backyard Fun Pools Lexington
Bromine and chlorine are the most popular pool water sanitizer for your Pool. Alternate sanitizer are available and can be effective. Contact your Dealer or pool professional regarding alternative sanitizer.
Bromine and chlorine kill bacteria and control algae in pool water when maintained at relatively low but constant levels. At higher levels, they become shocking agents that kill algae and oxidize organic waste such as body oil, urine, perspiration and air borne contaminants.
Bromine is less caustic and aggressive than chlorine resulting in reduced eye and skin irritation. Bromine will not fade bathing suits or yellow blonde hair. Bromine adds gentle action will prolong the gel-coat pool finish and equipment. The primary advantage of chlorine is lower product cost.
If bromine or chlorine levels are allowed to fluctuate from low to normal, algae has an opportunity to flourish at the lower levels then become uncontrollable at the normal levels.
Do not use your pool skimmer as a sanitizer feeder. Not only can this lead to damage to your pool equipment, it is inefficient and costly. Bromine and chlorine can both be fed to your pool water through relatively inexpensive in line feeders. Chlorine can also be fed through a floating chlorinator. Do not use chlorine on indoor pools. The gases from chlorine in water are carcinogenic.
Bromine Sanitation. Fill your brominator with bromine tablets and set the feeder to full open. Run the filtering system 24 hours a day and periodically test the bromine level until the bromine readings reach 3 P.P.M. then adjust the bromine feeder to half open and set your pump time clock to the selected operation time. Check the bromine level 24 hours later. If the bromine reads high or low, adjust the feeder accordingly and recheck 24 hours later. Bromine levels should be checked at least bi-weekly after the initial adjustments.
Chlorine Sanitation. There are 4 generic types of chlorine readily available for residential pool applications.
| Chlorine Type | Package | Primary Use | Ingredients |
| Calcium Hypochlorite | Granules Tablets | Shock Feeder |
65% calcium 35% chlorine |
| Sodium Hypochlorite | Liquid | Shock | 12% Chlorine 88% Saltwater |
| Trichloro | Tablet | Feeder | 95% Chlorine 5% Cyanuric Acid |
| Dichlor | Granular | Shock | 85% Chlorine 15% Cyanoric Acid |
In line, Off line, and floating chlorine feeders are available for dispensing chlorine to your pool water.( See bromine sanitation for chlorine feeder instructions)
Chlorine is rapidly exhausted by ultra violet light. This results in excessive consumption in summer's direct sun. Cyanuric acid (stabilizer or conditioner) may be added to your pool water. Cyanuric acid acts like an invisible blanket that stops U.V. attack, and is most effective when kept at 40 to 60 P.P.M. Cyanuric acid does not degrade or evaporate so caution should be used not to add too much. High levels of cyanuric acid reduce chlorine effectiveness and distort water chemistry values.