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SWIMMING POOLS
ALTERNATIVE SANITIZERS - MISC.
Chelated Copper As A Sanitizer? (8/3/98)
Electrolytic Salt Chlorinator (6/23/98)
Sildate (6/1/98)
Salt Water Sanitizing Systems (5/28/98)
Pool Water Irritating Eyes (5/6/98)
Using Salt In The Pool? (5/6/98)
Chlorine Free Chlorinators (3/19/98)
Sildate (3/18/98)
Chelated Copper As A Sanitizer? (8/3/98)
Q:
A company on the web is hyping chelated copper as the best way to go with pools today, cheaper and safer than chlorine. I know the British used copper on boats years ago and there is a company that markets a chelated copper solution for use in swimming ponds and irrigation systems. Will you offer your opinion?
B.W. - Tampa, FL
A:
Copper is not a stand alone system for maintaining swimming pool water. Copper can offer performance as an algaecide but is not recognized as an effective bactericide. It must be used with other products such as chlorine, bromine or other oxidizers. Without these products organic wastes cannot be destroyed.
The copper in the marine application helps to control the marine growth on the hull. Not applicable in a swimming pool.
Aqua Clear Industries, LLC has over twenty years of experience in the manufacturing and marketing of a chelated copper algaecide. These popular products are sold nationally under the SUN, Swim-Free, Pro-Chlor, CPC and Aqua Clear Brand names. The product, you are referring to, is used in a similar manner.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely,
Alan
Electrolytic Salt Chlorinator (6/23/98)
Q:
My wife and I are building a house and trying to decide on what type of pool to install. Both of us are working parents and we want maintenance to be as simple and inexpensive as possible. We shopped around for fiberglass pools, but the market is terrible in Central Florida for these dealers. A friend of mine said she uses a salt-filtration on her gunite pool. She claimed the chemical costs were extremely minimal and since she is using salt instead of chlorine that there was less odor, no fading of bathing suits and her skin is softer from using this system. Are these valid claims? What is this system called and what are the negatives associated with it?
L.D. - Winter Park, FL
A:
There is equipment that will generate chlorine by electrolytically breaking down salt into its components.
The only such unit that I am familiar with requires salt additions of 20 pounds per 1,000 gallons. The salt is broken down as the water passes through a series of electrically-charged, platinum-coated titanium plates. This produces the chlorine.
Using such equipment still requires all of the other chemicals normally associated with chlorine pools: shock, pH control chemicals, total alkalinity, hardness, mineral control, algaecides, clarifiers, etc.
While there are savings on chlorine, the units are not inexpensive and have "cells" requiring replacement on a periodic basis.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Sildate (6/1/98)
Q:
A friend of mine mentioned to me a new product called "sildate". It's suppose to replace all chlorine tablet treatments. How effective is this product? Is it long lasting? Possible complications?
J.F. - Yaphank, NY
A:
I've heard mixed reviews.
While it does replace chlorine, it does not replace most of the other chemicals needed to maintain the pool water chemistry. It does not eliminate the need to shock the pool on a regular basis.
It will probably cost more over the course of the season, than will a chlorine maintained pool.
The only specific negative comment that I have heard of involves dark stains - probably caused by silver precipitation.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Salt Water Sanitizing Systems (5/28/98)
Q:
I'm planning to install a new pool soon. I recently heard about salt water pools that have a mild salt water solution to keep the water sanitary and free of algae. What is your opinion of this technology?
R.B. - Placerville, CA
A:
It is not the salt water that keeps the pool sanitary.
The devices that you are describing break down salt electrolytically to form hypochlorous acid. This forms the basis of the sanitizing system.
There are several different versions of the technology. All require that the chemistry be maintained as would any chlorine pool. They offer convenience, but at a considerable investment.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Pool Water Irritating Eyes (5/6/98)
Q:
FOR THE LAST TWO SUMMERS MY POOL HAS BEEN IN GOOD SHAPE, WITH ONE EXCEPTION. ALTHOUGH EVERYTHING CHECKS OUT WELL WITH WHATEVER TEST STRIP OR KIT I USE, I STILL CANNOT OPEN MY EYES UNDER WATER. WHEN ANYONE TRIES, THERE IS A VERY BLURRED SENSATION ALONG WITH BURNING. I AM PRESENTLY USING BAQUACIL CHLORINE FREE CHEMICALS! ANY SUGGESTIONS?
D.M. - North Tazewell, VA
A:
Is there a possibility that your levels of Baquacil or the Hydrogen Peroxide are too high???????
The fact that the irritation is affecting all the bathers is unusual. Baquacil belongs to a class of compound (cationics) that affixes itself to organic matter and as such can cause irritation based upon the circumstances. While there is no specific evidence pointing to the Baquacil as the source of the problem, it might be prudent for you to switch to a chlorine sanitizer. It is also possible that there has been a buildup of irritants over the course of the past few years. Baquacil is not necessarily effective in destroying chemical compounds.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Using Salt In The Pool? (5/6/98)
Q:
MY SON CALLED ME AND TOLD ME HIS FRIEND OWNS A SWIMMING POOL, AND USES SALT TO KILL BACTERIA INSTEAD OF Cl2. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THIS METHOD? AND IF SO, HOW DOES IT WORK?
L.G. - Dracut, MA
A:
Close but no prize.
Your son is not using salt to kill bacteria. He is using salt, either in the water at 20 pounds per 1000 gallons, or in a concentrated solution, in conjunction with a device that electrolytically breaks the salt into elemental components including chlorine. Thereafter, the pool is maintained as any other pool.
If I am wrong, I would like to know more.
I hope that I cleared up the mystery.
Sincerely,
Alan
Chlorine Free Chlorinators (3/19/98)
Q:
I just had a 20'x40' built-in pool installed and I did not get a chlorinator because I was planning to use Baquacil. My Question; Do I have other options ? ... Are there other products that are chlorine free that compete with Baquacil and do you have products that I can use ?
E.M.- Midlothian, VA
A:
There are several choices other than Baquacil if you are interested in something other than chlorine. All of the alternatives, including Baquacil are more expensive than chlorine and each has its drawbacks.
Sildate is a non-chlorine system based upon a silver compound.
Various ionization units are available and are based on copper/silver.
Ozonation units are available for pools.
Bromine is available. Its chemistry is similar to chlorine but has several advantages.
All non-chlorine systems require separate products for shock treatment and all still require that a residual of sanitizer of some sort be maintained. Chlorine is really a more versatile product and its use with an automatic chlorinator is very convenient.
I do not have specific information to provide you with relative to the alternatives. I suggest you confer with your local pool professional for more detailed information.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Sildate (3/18/98)
Q:
I'm looking to get away from chlorine and someone recommended a product called Seldate. I'm not sure if that is the chemical name or product name. My pool is 36000 gallons. Could I use seldate, what are the pros and cons?
A.B. - Harrisburg, PA
A:
The product that you are seeking is SILDATE.
The product is offered as a chlorine substitute and has been on the market for a few years. The only negative feedback that I have heard of is a tendency to cause staining. My expectation is that it will be more expensive to use over the course of a season.
My suggestion for a sanitizer would be chlorine. For ease of use, cost and convenience: chlorine is still number one.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan |
