What is a Pool Chlorinator?
Pool chlorinators are devices that add chlorine or bromine to your pool water, either manually or automatically. They can use different forms of chlorine, such as tablets, granules, liquid, or gas, but most commonly use tablets. We will discuss the pros and cons of each type of chlorinator so you can decide what is the best pool chlorinator for your pool.
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Types of Pool Chlorinators
There are four types of chlorinators: floating, sinking, automatic and salt. Floating chlorinators use slow-dissolving tablets. Sinking chlorinators use tablets and sit at the bottom of the pool so not to take away from the aesthetics of the pool. Automatic chlorinators dispense chlorine based on dials or sensors that adjusts the pool chemistry. Salt chlorinators transform salt into chlorine and release a set amount of chlorine based on the settings.
Floating Chlorinators
Floating chlorinators are devices that float on the surface of your pool water and hold 1″ or 3″ chlorine tablets. They have adjustable openings that allow you to control the amount of chlorine released into the pool water.
Some pros of floating chlorinators are:
- They are inexpensive and easy to use
- Dispenses chlorine 24/7 regardless of whether or not the pump is running
- They don’t require any installation or plumbing
- They are suitable on any type of pool
- They can be removed when not needed
Some cons of floating chlorinators are:
- The can be unsightly to look at
- They can get in the way when swimming
- They may pose a risk to children or pets if they open or tip over
- They may stain some pool linings if allowed to rest on it
Sinking Chlorinators
Sinking chlorinators are devices that sink to the bottom of your pool water and holds three 3″ chlorine tablets. They have pre-set openings that allow the right amount of chlorine to be released into the pool water.
Some pros of sinking chlorinators are:
- They are relatively inexpensive
- They are easy to use
- Dispenses chlorine 24/7 regardless of whether or not the pump is running
- They don’t require special installation or plumbing
- They are removeable when not needed
- They sink to the bottom of the pool and do not affect swimmers
Some cons of sinking chlorinators are:
- They are 2 to 3 times more expensive than a traditional chlorine float
- They may pose a risk to children or pets if they open
- They are not suitable for all pool types and materials
Automatic chlorinators
Automatic chlorinators are devices that attach to the return line of your pool’s plumbing system. The return line is what sends water back into the pool after it runs through the pump, filter and heater. They have large canisters that store up to 9 pounds of 3″ chlorine tablets, and automatically release a controlled amount of chlorine into your pool water based on a dial or a sensor that adjusts based on the pool chemistry. There are automatic chlorinator options that offer the ability to use liquid chlorine instead of tablets.
Some pros of automatic chlorinators are:
- You can set the chlorination levels automatically
- They are suitable for both above ground and in-ground pools
- They save you time and hassle of manually adding chlorine
- They are aesthetically pleasing as they don’t have additional hardware on the pool
Some cons of automatic chlorinators are:
- They only dispense chlorine when the pool pump is on
- There is an increased expense with purchase and installation
- The equipment upkeep includes O-ring and gasket replacement from acid damage
- When you open the automatic chlorinator, chlorine gas will float up
- They may not work well with high water flow rates or low water pressure
- They may not be compatible with some types of pool filters or heaters
Salt Chlorinators (Salt Cells)
Salt chlorinators are devices that use electrolysis to convert salt into chlorine. They have a cell that is installed in the return line of your pool’s plumbing system, and a control unit that regulates the amount of chlorine produced. Salt will need to be added to the pool water for it to reach and maintain a level of around 3000 ppm.
If the salt cell is attached to a pool that has a heater, it is recommended to install two items that will help prolong the life of the heater and insure that any warranties are not rendered useless. The first item is a sacrificial anode. It will need to be replaced every couple of years and will prevent the corrosive nature of the salt from damaging the heater. The second item is a check valve. It should be installed between the heater and the salt cell. The purpose of the check valve is to prevent any chlorine that has been generated within the salt cell from back-flowing into the heater whenever the pump is turned off.
Some pros of salt chlorinators are:
- They feel softer on your skin, eyes, and hair than chlorine pools
- They tend to have little or no chlorine smell
- They reduce the need for some maintenance chemicals
- They are more environmentally friendly
Some of the cons of salt chlorinators are:
- They are more expensive to install and replace
- They use more electricity for operation
- They require routine cleaning and maintenance for peak performance
- They may damage some pool equipment or surfaces
- They may not work well in cold water or high calcium levels
- They still need occasional shock treatments and pH balancing
- They only generate chlorine when the pool pump is running
Conclusion
Choosing the best chlorinator can be an overwhelming decision, but now that you know the difference between the different types of pool chlorinators the decision should be easier. If you still find yourself struggling to come to a decision, consider factoring in items such as: cost (initial and maintenance), aesthetics (visible or non-visible) and type of chlorine (tablets, liquid or gas). This will help narrow down your choices so you can pick a chlorinator that is best suited for you and your swimming pool.
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