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SWIMMING POOLS
SANITIZER COMPARISONS
Chlorine Vs. Biguanide Sanitizers (5/12/98)
Choosing A Chlorinator (5/6/98)
Chlorine, Bromine, or Biguanide? (3/10/98)
Chlorine Vs. Biguanide Sanitizers (5/12/98)
Q:
I have a jacuzzi and a 25,000 gal. inground pool. Can I use the same cleaner for the sides of the pool and the jacuzzi?
Also, last year we used Baquacil in our pool, but this year are considering using chlorine. What are the positives and negatives when changing over?
M.K. - Claremore, OK
A:
Not all cleaners are compatible with Baquacil. Check the label and ask the local dealer.
Biguanide sanitizers offer the consumer freedom from chlorine odors and possible sensitivity for some individuals. However, they have certain drawbacks. Biguanide sanitizers can cause unsightly foaming, may interfere with certain types of D.E. filters, will require the use of Hydrogen Peroxide Shock (considered by many to be a dangerous chemical to handle), and will cost more that a pool utilizing chlorine. It does appear that some pools using Biguanide sanitizers suffer from diminishing effectiveness, after a few years.
Chlorine offers the advantage of cost, convenience and an unparalleled history of safe and effective use.
To switch from Biguanide to chlorine requires that the pool be shocked with either 4 pounds of Swim-Free OXY-SHOCK or SUN Brite or 1 gallon of liquid chlorine per 10,000 gallons of pool water. Test the water for FREE CHLORINE, after 12-24 hours. If not present repeat shock treatment. After a Free Chlorine level has been established, the water should clear. At this point maintain as a chlorine pool.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Choosing A Chlorinator (5/6/98)
Q:
I have an 18,000 gal. gunite pool with a sand filter. I've been on Baquacil for the last two years and haven't been pleased with water clarity.
Would you suggest? a.) Chlorine b.) Bromine c.) Baquacil
S.S. - Canyon, TX
A:
My choice would be chlorine. A automatic chlorinator using SUN 3" Trichlor tablets will be both convenient and less expensive than the other two choices.
To switch from Baquacil, you must add 1 pound of Sun Brite or Swim-Free OXY-SHOCK or 1 gallon of liquid chlorine per 5000 gallons of pool water. Test for Free Chlorine the next day and add additional chlorine if you do not have a positive reading. Once you have established a stable free chlorine level, you can continue as with any chlorine-maintained pool. Adjust all other pool water parameters.
Try using a product such as Sun Tru-Blue or Swim-Free XTRA-BLUE on a weekly basis to help with the water clarity.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan
Chlorine, Bromine, or Biguanide? (3/10/98)
Q:
Trying to decide the advantages of chlorine, bromine, liquid, eg: soft swim stc. (inground pool with vinyl liner).
Rich
A:
Given a choice between Chlorine, Bromine or Biguanide (Softswim), I would choose Chlorine. Chlorine tablets are competitively priced, high in active content, stabilized against sunlight, can be used with all type of automatic feeders and have a long history of safe and effective usage. Bromine does not offer as many choices and is not stabilized against the sun's UV rays and ultimately will cost more to use. It does have the advantage of reduced odor. However, the use of non-chlorine shock with chlorine can achieve less odor than with other types of shock. Biguanide is more expensive to use than chlorine and requires shock treatment with Hydrogen Peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is considered to be a dangerous material. Long term use of biguanide seems to produce cases of diminished effectiveness - at which point many users opt to switch to chlorine.
I hope that I have been of assistance.
Sincerely,
Alan |
