Liquid Chlorine vs. Chlorine Tablets: Which is Better for Your Pool?
When it comes to maintaining a clean and sanitized swimming pool, a proper chlorine level is essential. For years, pool owners and pool professional alike have debated on which is best method, liquid chlorine or chlorine tablets. Both options have their pros and cons, and understanding them is crucial for making pool care painless. This is how the pool professionals at Village Spa & Pools think about this issue. Here, we'll compare liquid chlorine and chlorine tablets to help you determine which is better suited for your pool maintenance needs.
- Formulation and Concentration
- Liquid Chlorine: Liquid chlorine, aka sodium hypochlorite aka shock aka bleach, is a liquid solution containing sodium hypochlorite, the same active ingredient as clorox bleach. Ours typically has a stronger concentration of about 12% chlorine.
- Chlorine Tablets: Chlorine tablets, on the other hand, are solid, compressed forms of chlorine. They usually contain trichloroisocyanuric acid (trichlor) as the active ingredient along with secondary chemicals.
- Convenience and Ease of Use
- Liquid Chlorine: Liquid chlorine is easy to use and can be poured directly into the pool water. It dissolves quickly, making it ideal for shocking the pool or addressing sudden increases in chlorine demand.
- Chlorine Tablets: Chlorine tablets are convenient for long-term chlorination as they can be placed in a floating dispenser or a chlorinator. They dissolve slowly, providing a steady release of chlorine into the water over time.
- Pool Chemistry: pH and Stabilization
- Liquid Chlorine: Liquid chlorine tends to contribute to higher pH levels in pools. It also does not contain stabilizers, which means additional stabilizers may be required to prevent chlorine degradation from sunlight and UV rays.
- Chlorine Tablets: Chlorine tablets contain stabilizers (cyanuric acid) that help protect chlorine from degradation due to sunlight exposure. They also contain sulfuric acid and can cause a gradual decrease in pH levels over time, which can be a good thing for most pool owners when monitored properly . The overuse of tablets can also contribute to overstabilization of your pool water. Be careful to keep your pool’s stabilizer (or CYA) levels between 30 and 70 ppm. Going above 70 ppm will end up lessening the effectiveness of your chlorine.
- Cost and Long-Term Expenses
- Liquid Chlorine: Liquid chlorine is often more cost-effective initially when compared to chlorine tablets. However, liquid chlorine does tend to be used up more quickly and take up more space. It is all more difficult to handle as liquid chlorine is very heavy and can damage your clothes easily.
- Chlorine Tablets: We all know the price of chlorine tablets have risen considerably during the last few years. Luckily, the cost of tablets has recently started to come down to Earth. By using chlorine tablets in addition to liquid, you will also save money in chemicals to adjust high pH and stabilizer.
- Safety Considerations
- Liquid Chlorine: Liquid chlorine is highly reactive and should be handled with care to avoid skin and eye irritation. It also has the ability to permanently stain clothing.
- Chlorine Tablets: Chlorine tablets are more stable and safer to handle compared to liquid chlorine. However, they can release harmful gasses if mixed with incompatible chemicals, such as acids.
- Those who don't want to risk and hassle of putting these harsh chemicals in their car should consider utilizing our chemical delivery service.
In conclusion, both liquid chlorine and chlorine tablets are effective options for pool sanitation, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The choice between the two ultimately depends on factors such as current pool chemistry, convenience, cost, and personal preference. Some pool owners may prefer the ease of use and steady chlorine release of chlorine tablets, while others may opt for the quick-dissolving properties of liquid chlorine. Whichever option you choose, proper handling and storage are essential to ensure safe and effective pool maintenance.