The pros & cons of a chlorine pool are listed below to prove that chlorine is the easiest, most effective sanitation system.
A swimming pool that uses the most basic sanitation, chlorine to disinfect the water, is a chlorine pool. The chlorine is added manually or automatically from a chlorine dispenser that is plumbed into the filtration system.
A saltwater pool has salt added to the pool water. The salinity of the water is about the same level as the tears in the human eye so you won’t be able to taste the salt. Also, it won’t hurt your eyes if you open them underwater. A salt water chlorinator unit is plumbed into the filtration line. The chlorinator automatically generates chlorine from the salty water. It costs more upfront for the chlorinator unit but saves money and time over the longer term – you don’t need to feed chlorine into your pool.
However, occasionally, a chlorine pool needs to be shocked with extra chlorine. The term “shocking your pool” is pool industry slang language for super chlorinating your pool. All it means is giving your pool an extra dose of chlorine to ensure the pool is adequately sanitized by killing bacteria, viruses and algae that may exist in the water.
Table of Contents
Advantages of Chlorine Pools
Chlorine is an Effective Sanitizer
Chlorine, in the form of sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), is used to sanitize swimming pool water. Sodium hypochlorite solution is unstable and rapidly decomposes releasing aqueous chlorine which kills bacteria, algae and other microbes in your pool water.
Chlorine, in the correct concentration, is very effective at killing bacteria in water. And the concentration required to kill bacteria is very low so it will not adversely affect people.
Free, Combined and Total Chlorine
Chlorine is Inexpensive to Use
Chlorine is the least expensive option for pool sanitation. Pool chlorine is available at many retail shops including hardware and department stores. Chlorine is available in liquid and solid form. The solid tablets are the safest and most convenient to use.
Chlorine Pools are Less Expensive to Install
Chlorine pools do not require any extra equipment. The homeowner can manually add chlorine to the pool.
However, most pool experts will recommend an automatic chlorine dispenser to ensure the pool water receives the correct dosage and frequency of chlorine.
A fully automatic saltwater chlorination system is more expensive and needs to be pumped in to the filtration system.
Chlorine Won’t Damage Pool Surrounds
Once chlorine is mixed into the pool water it is diluted to a low-level concentration. Splashing pool surrounds, furniture, plants etc. will have no effect. If pool surrounds have been exposed to a lot of chlorinated pool water, wash the surrounds with fresh water from a garden hose.
Salt Chlorinator Automatically Generates Chlorine
A salt water chlorine generator is the last piece of equipment in a pool filtration system. It connects inline into the plumbing after the filtration unit and water heater (if you have one). Water comes from the outflow of the filter and passes through the salt chlorine generator before it flows back into the pool.
There are two parts to a saltwater chlorine generator – the control panel and chlorinator cell.
The control panel mounts on the wall above the filtration system and connects to the mains power supply. The control panel contains an electronic timer and is connected to the pump to automatically switch it on and off according to the timer settings.
This controller panel also contains a control to adjust the amount of chlorine produced. The controller has an electric cable that connects to the salt generator cell. It passes a low voltage, high electric current through the cell to produce chlorine by way of chemical electrolysis.
The salt chlorinator cell contains a number of charged metal plates that splits the salt water into chlorine which immediately dissolves in the water. The cell unit is installed inline with the filter outflow so filtered water flows through the salt generator cell before going back to the pool.
Benefits of Salt Water Chlorine Generators
Chlorine can be Automatically Dispensed
An Automatic Pool Chlorinator is a device which is configured to dispense a dosage of chlorine into your swimming pool every day. These chlorinators are for fresh water swimming pools.
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 has the correct level of sanitization 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 refilling.
Automatic chlorinators are useful in both above ground and in-ground pools.
Most units are for either in-ground or above ground but not both so please ensure you select the right type for your pool.
Read more on Automatic Pool Chlorinator
Disadvantages of Chlorine Pools
Chlorine Needs Careful Handling
Chlorine, in concentrated form, is a corrosive, reactive chemical that can burn and explode if not handled correctly. The liquid form is the most dangerous to handle as it easily splashes and burns. The granules are much safer to handle but never mix with other chemicals as they can cause fire or explosion. Sodium hypochlorite is strongly alkaline and corrosive, so you need to protect your skin by wearing gloves when handling this chemical.
Requires Ongoing Water Testing and Monitoring
Your pool water may still be clear but you need to check that the chlorine level is within the correct range of concentration.
If you have a salt water pool you need to check that the chlorinator is functioning correctly and generating sufficient free chlorine. Otherwise, you need to add more chlorine to the pool and check your maintenance routine.
Produces Chloramines that Irritate Skin and Eyes
When chlorine reacts with contaminants in the water it forms chloramines which smell and are ineffective against bacteria. Chloramines are the chemical residue after chlorine has reacted and bound with dirt, sweat, sunscreen, urine, bird droppings, decaying insects, bacteria, algae and anything else that invades your pool water. If you pool water smells like bleach, then you have too many chloramines in the water and it’s time to shock the water.
The chloramines disintegrate with shock treatment and dissipate over time.
Why Does My Pool Water Smell Like Bleach?
Non-Chlorine Pools
Bromine Sanitation
You may already know from your high school chemistry lessons that Bromine is a chemical element directly underneath chlorine on the periodic table of elements. So Bromine has similar properties to chlorine in that it sanitizes water by killing bacteria, algae and other contaminants.
Chlorine oxidises contaminants in the water by destroying them whereas bromine ionizes contaminants breaking them apart.
Bromine works better and is more stable at higher temperatures than chlorine so add it to spa pools and hot tubs.
Bromine is a less powerful oxidising agent than chlorine so it’s not as effective as chlorine requiring more bromine to achieve the same level of sanitation.
Bathers really need to wash their skin and swimwear after bathing in a bromine spa or hot tub because the chemical smell tends to stay on your skin and swimwear.
Note: Regarding the pros & cons of a chlorine pool, Bromine is more expensive than chlorine.
Is Bromine Better than Chlorine in a Pool?
Biguanide Pool Chemistry System
Biguanide (polyhexamethylene biguanide PHMB) is a chlorine-free and bromine-free alternative sanitizing product for swimming pools. It was originally developed for use as a surgical disinfectant but has been developed for the pool industry. The most common brand name products are Baquacil and SoftSwim.
This pool chemistry system works by combining with contaminants in the water to produce insoluble particles. The filter traps these soluble particles. Add hydrogen peroxide to the pool for this system to work.
Some pool owners love using Baquacil, which is the most common product on the market that contains biguanide. Many have reported that their pool water is clean, clear and perfect for swimming. It seems to be for fresh water above ground pools than other types of pools.
The Baquacil brand comes with test strips and a whole range of compatible pool chemicals. You need to use their range of compatible products otherwise you would be dangerously mixing pool chemicals together.
If your chlorine pool is causing skin irritation or other adverse reactions try converting to Baquacil. The chemicals are for a swimming pool, spa, or hot tub.
Note: Regarding the pros & cons of a chlorine pool, Baquacil is more expensive than chlorine
Read more about Biguanide Pool Chemistry System
Ozone Sanitation
Ozone sanitation systems are much more expensive and have a more difficult installation process compared to chlorine-based sanitation systems.
Also, there are much fewer pool contractors with experience of advanced oxidation systems.
Conclusion
After examining the pros & cons of a chlorine pool it is clear that there are many more advantages to using chlorine than any other sanitation system.
I have over 30 years’ experience with swimming pool care and recommend chlorine sanitation for outdoor pools and bromine sanitation for hot tubs or indoor spa pools. Outdoor spa pools adjacent to a swimming pool can use chlorine as the sanitizing agent as sometimes the pool water spills over from the spa into the pool and it makes sense to use the same routine for both pools. If the outdoor spa pool is salt water then it will have chlorine sanitation.
