I think this was discussed a couple of years ago, but I can’t find it
in the old postings.
Can someone explain the differences in the various “chlorine” tablets
and shocks? Some are sodium tri chlor blah blah and others seems to
have other chemical names. I would really appreciate knowing what
the difference is. I have noticed that the same ingredients can vary
quite a bit in price from one store to the next.
I should note that I have felt it important to buy my supplies from
my local pool shop since they test my water and everything. But
lately the service has not been good and they often are out of
whatever I need. If I can go to the local discount store and get the
same thing, I see no reason to go out of my way to do business with
the pool shop 100% of the time. If they are out and I need it, I
would like to know I am going to be OK buying the same chemical
somewhere else.
Thanks,
Dave Dazer
different types of chlorine
June 25th, 2004 · 1 Comment
Tags: pumps
1 response so far ↓
1 janis_40 // Jun 26, 2004 at 7:02 am
In a message dated 4/30/2003 8:00:19 AM Central Daylight Time,
davedazer@… writes:
Dave, you are not alone in being confused about the different types of
chlorine on the market today but here goes a short primer.
trichloroisocyanuric - also known as trichlor comes in a tablet form either
1″ or 3″. It has somewhere betweeen 88% and 90% available chlorine plus
cynuric acid which is the stabilizer. 3″ tabs are generally used in pools
under 18K to 20K gallons because the rate at which it dissolves can be
controlled and 1″ tabs are for larger pools because they offer more surface
area which will allow a greater release of chlorine into the pool.
There is also a product that is new to the market and that is trichlor shock.
This is a good product to use when you need a shock that will dissolve
quickly and dissipate quickly.
Trichlor has a very low pH of less than 3.
sodium dichloroisocyanurate - also known as sodium dichlor is available as a
granular product but I have seen ads with a tablet product. Dichlor is good
in above ground pools as well as fiberglass and those with delicate finishes.
It dissolves quickly and leaves no residue and is stabilized so it can be
used for regular chlorination. The downside is that you must put it in
yourself or purchase an expensive feeder and has generally a 50% to 55%
available chlorine content.
Dichlor pH is neutral around 7.
calcium hypochlorite - or cal hypo is a shock product and is available in a
powder form. Some companies do make a tablet form but it requires a feeder
to work. Based on calcium it dissolves slowly and put in a pool with a
colored finish it can leave white spots.
sodium hypochlorite - or liquid chlorine is cheap stuff and dissolves
instantly but only has about 11% to 13% available chlorine. It is popular
with pool maintenance contractors because it will not make the pool cloudy.
Because it has such a low chlorine content there is a lot of inert material
in the mix, mostly salt.
lithium hypochlorite - just like cal hypo but based on lithium and has about
a 35% available chlorine content and dissolves very fast.
There are many products on the market that say shock on them and some do not
contain chlorine. They are non chlorine shocks or simply put they are
“oxidizers”. Chlorine is also an oxydizer but it is also a sanitizer.
Hope this helps!
Ken (electricjet)
You must log in to post a comment.