An Automatic Pool Chlorinator is highly recommended for busy people who want a low maintenance swimming pool.
The chlorinator will automatically dispense the right amount of soluble chlorine into the pool to keep the water sparkling clean and clear. There is no requirement to manually add chlorine to the pool.
The chlorinator provides a high level of assurance that your pool is correctly sanitized every day even when you are on vacation.
Most automatic chlorinators hold enough chlorine to sanitize your pool for at least three to four weeks before requiring a refill.
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What is an Automatic Pool Chlorinator?
An Automatic Pool Chlorinator is a device which is configured to dispense a dosage of chlorine into your swimming pool every day. Only fresh water swimming pools use automatic pool chlorinators.
Swimming pools need constant chlorination to disinfect the water. The chlorination process kills most bacteria, virus and other contaminants keeping your pool water sparkling clean and safe for swimming.
What is a Salt Water Pool Chlorinator?
A salt water swimming pool has salt dissolved in the water making a very mild saline solution.
The saltwater chlorinator cell automatically sanitizes your pool so you don’t have to add chlorine.
The saltwater chlorinator cell passes a very low voltage, high electric current through the saline pool water to produce free chlorine. This free chlorine sanitizes your pool water by destroying algae, bacteria, viruses and other contaminants.
Turn up or down the chlorine control dial to alter the amount of chlorine the electrolytic cell generates. In the summer season or during a period of frequent use turn up the dial for more chlorine. During the winter dial down the chlorine production as required.
All saltwater pools contain chlorine. The chlorinator unit produces chlorine to sanitize the pool. However, the chlorine level in saltwater pools is lower than a freshwater pool because the chlorinator unit is constantly generating chlorine throughout the day and night whenever the pump is running. So, a salt pool water will be gentler on your skin, eyes and swimwear.
Please read our article on Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
Types of Automatic Pool Chlorinator
Automatic chlorinators are suitable for both above ground and in-ground pools.
Most units suit either in-ground or above ground pools but not both so please ensure you select the right type for your pool.
Inline Chlorinator
An inline pool chlorinator connects inline into the return pipe after the filtration system and water heater.
Pool water is always filtered first then the water is chlorinated and returned to the pool.
Note: Never run chlorinated water through the filter as it causes corrosion in the filtration equipment.
Offline Chlorinator
An offline pool chlorinator adds chlorine to the pool independently of the filtration system. A water line runs as a bypass around the filter through the offline chlorinator and back into the return pipe after the filter.
The advantage with an offline unit is it’s easier to install as you don’t need to build the unit into the plumbing pipes.
The disadvantage is that the unit is chlorinating unfiltered water and returning it to the pool.
Configure the Automatic Pool Chlorinator
The volume of your pool determines the amount of chlorine required every day to correctly sanitize the water.
Purchase a chlorinator that’s right for the size of your pool.
A chlorinator that’s too small will not adequately sanitize the water causing dirty pool water that’s not safe for swimming.
Most units have a dial control valve that allows for easy feed rate adjustment. Once you have the correct feed rate for your pool you never need to change it.
Type of Chlorine to Use in an Automatic Chlorinator
Most Automatic Pool Chlorinators use chlorine tablets. Some dispense bromine tablets or sticks for indoor pools.
Tablets are long lasting and dissolve slowly in the water.
They require less refilling compared to granules or liquid chlorine.
The tablets are enough to supply three weeks of chlorine sanitation for large pools and longer for smaller pools.
Recommended Automatic Chlorinators
We recommend the Hayward brand on Amazon.
Don’t rely unsubstantiated product reviews.
The best way to select any product is to check out the real customer reviews for the product on Amazon. Amazon sell large volumes of products and collect real customer ratings and reviews.
When a product has a high rating and good reviews from many customers you will have a high degree of comfort knowing that it’s regarded as a good product. A high rating helps to ensure that the product works well and meets your requirements.