Ever wondered how swimming pools are maintained to keep them clean and clear? Well, this is when pool chlorinators are employed. These are small devices that help to regulate the chlorine levels in a pool.
Being more technical, pool chlorinators are a costlier alternative than manually adding chlorine. Since everything has a price, these devices are reliable and prevent all microbial invasions.
Table of Contents
Types of Pool Chlorinators:
In general, there are three variants of pool chlorinators: dispensers, automatic pool chlorinators, and saltwater chlorinators. Each of these devices has a specific operating procedure that you have to follow. Moreover, each variant has its pros and cons.
● Chlorine Dispensers
Chlorine dispensers are the simplest pool chlorinator available. These devices are not submersible; instead, they float around your pool to provide a continuous supply of chlorine.
Compared to the other variants, chlorine dispensers are cheap and have better durability. Under proper maintenance, these devices might last for decades. However, chlorine dispensers are not stagnant.
If these devices get stuck in any corner of your pool, that region might be intensely chlorinated. To ensure rational chlorination, it would be wise if you have an adequate pump system.
● Automatic Pool Chlorinators
Automatic pool chlorinators are trending in the market. As the name says, these devices are automated and are attached after the filter. It provides the required amount of chlorine to the filtered water before its ejection.
Being convenient, you might spot an automatic pool chlorinator in any event. Automatic pool chlorinators reduce chlorine corrosion. It is probably the most liked advantage of purchasing the device.
However, you must take extra care when it comes to refilling the device. The storage chamber of an automatic pool chlorinator remains sealed. Opening this chamber for refilling might release excessive chlorine gas on your face.
● Saltwater Chlorinators
If you want to get rid of handling chlorine, saltwater chlorinators are just for you. It is one of the most widely used because a lot of people hate handling chlorine. Saltwater chlorinators save you from the disgusting smell of undiluted chlorine.
Unlike those automatic pool chlorinators, refilling these devices is never an issue. The process is simple where all you have to do is dissolve some salt in your pool water. Also, make sure to note the recommended measure.
Why Use A Chlorinator Device in Your Pool?
It might not be a new fact to you that chlorine kills germs. However, some like to keep chlorine out of their waters, but that’s not advisable. Chlorinator devices help you to add chlorine to your pool proportionately.
There are reports of microbes making swimming ill with ailments such as fungal infections and diarrhea. However, there are other means to sanitize your pool, but a pool chlorinator is an ideal choice.
Using an automatic chlorinator is the safest way to chlorinate your pool. You can easily regulate and monitor the chlorine input without any difficulty. An inappropriate chlorine level might invite unpleasant experiences.
Besides external damage, chlorine can also be a significant threat to your insides. If you accidentally consume chlorinated pool water, you might suffer from ailments like diarrhea. Overexposure to chlorine is not only harmful to your skin but also to your intestines.
To make things easier, you can choose an automatic pool chlorinator for a saltwater chlorinator. Besides, maintaining a pool without a pool chlorinator is very time-consuming and requires extra effort.
How to Choose the Right Pool Chlorinator?
There are several aspects to consider in choosing the right pool chlorinator. Moreover, choosing the right pool chlorinator is very critical, as safety is associated with it.
First, you have to take the volume of your pool into account for choosing a chlorinator. It is because different chlorinators have different sanitizing capabilities. For example, if your pool can hold 35,000 gallons of water, a dispenser won’t help.
The next aspect you must consider is your budget. Depending on your budget, you will get pool chlorinators of a specific quality. Therefore, decide your budget before making your purchase.
The last but not minor aspect you must consider is the package. Consider all the accessories that the company provides in their pool chlorinator package. It is because the accessories will determine the installation process.
Besides, it is essential to know how simple will be the installation, as you might need an expert beforehand.
How to Set the Appropriate Chlorinator Rate?
To receive the optimum benefits of a pool chlorinator, you’ll have to set the appropriate chlorinator rate. However, you will also need a detailed description to help yourself grasp the idea.
Before setting your chlorinator rate, you will need to know about your pool’s volume. Only then can you release the appropriate amount of chlorine into your pool? If you are not aware of the figure, calculate the volume with an expert’s help.
Make sure that you chose the suitable chlorinator to sanitize your pool. Once you are sure about the above expectations, set the output at 50%. For three days, inspect the chlorine levels in your pool to ensure the proper functioning of the equipment.
Also, inspect the water clarity so that you can adjust the setting as per your requirements. In case of any modifications, you can adjust the levels. In general, you can keep your chlorine levels between 1 to 3 ppm. to maintain a hygienic and harmless pool environment.
If you find the chlorine levels of your pool to be too high, lower the percentage immediately. On the other hand, increase the percentage if the chlorine levels are too low. Regulating the chlorine levels in any digital pool chlorinator is a simple task.
All you have to do is monitor the chlorinators consistently over time to prevent any inconvenience and discomfort.
Some Advantages and Disadvantages of Pool Chlorinators
Advantages:
The presence of chlorine in your swimming pool is not only safe but also luxurious. Everyone wants their pool to be free from microbes and chemical odor. Pool chlorinators save you from chlorine’s raw disgusting smell.
Chloramines are irritable, and people often replace them with pool chlorinators. These advanced devices give rise to the “softening” effect by undergoing an electrolytic reaction. Also, chlorine dissolves alkali minerals in your pool to make the water cleaner and clearer.
Saltwater chlorinators are hassle-free, and dispensers are the most cost-effective. These devices are easy to maintain and require less monitoring. If you want to get rid of those awful commercial chloramines, get a pool chlorinator now.
Disadvantages:
Well, some of the issues you might face with a pool chlorinator are maintenance and accessories cost. The replacement cells of pool chlorinators are pretty expensive because they are built from titanium.
Since salt is corrosive, it will damage some metallic parts of the equipment. On the other hand, the ideal molarity of a chlorinated pool is very low. Therefore, there are chances of damage to your equipment due to improper functioning of the electrolytic cell.
As the cells are costly, you might have to spend more frequently. If you buy a stainless pool chlorinator, you won’t probably find any manufacturer’s warranty. It is because stainless pieces of equipment are resistant to corrosion.
The chances are that there will be a deposit of alkali precipitates on the chlorine chamber. This is because sodium gets isolated from chlorine when chlorine is extracted from common salt. You’ll be more disappointed when you find these precipitates on the corner of your pool.
Some Best Pool Chlorinators Available in The Market
#1 Pentair 520554 IntelliChlor IC20
The Pentair 520554 IntelliChlor IC20 is one of the best chlorine generators to keep your pool sanitized. Being feature-loaded is the best advantage in purchasing this device. It has an easy-to-view display that allows you to check salt levels.
Besides salt levels, the display notifies you about the chlorine output and water flow. You can easily manage the Pentair 520554 by using its ergonomic buttons embedded on the body. It helps also helps you to regulate the chlorine levels in your pool.
As a whole, you can set the hours of operation, cleaning cycles, regulate chlorine levels, and other settings. The Pentair 520554 IntelliChlor IC20 is cell-operated, where you can track the device for real-time updates.
To protect your device from damage, the company introduced automatic shutoff technology. So, even at low temperatures, your cell life will remain unaffected. Other technologies introduced in the system are SunTouch, Easy Touch, and IntelliTouch automation systems.
Pros:
- Certified by UL 1081
- Prevents calcium deposition
- Durable cell life
Cons:
- Powering device sold separately
#2 Circupool CORE35
One of the advanced Salt Chlorinator in the market is the Circupool CORE35. To be more specific, this device is a 4th generation salt chlorinator system. The Circupool CORE35 is specially designed for swimming pools having a capacity of up to 35,000 gallons.
Like every Salt Chlorinator, this device requires a sand filter pump to turn common salt into chlorine. The core 35 model allows you to sanitize your swimming pool with advanced technology. Checking the water flow and cleaning status is very easy with this version.
It regulates the salt levels too low that provides a silky smooth and clear pool water. With this device in operation, you can enjoy swimming in your luxurious pool. The core 35 comes with ergonomic LED displays and a touch keypad.
You can have a close eye on the chlorine output by watching the display. The system also notifies whether to raise or lower the table salt levels. It also notifies you of the specific period to add salt to regulate chlorine levels.
Pros:
- It has a portable power supply cord
- It has an eight-year warranty card
- It has a decent weatherproofing rating
Cons:
- It has a high selling price
- Hard to operate
Frequently Asked Questions
#1 Which Pool Chlorinator is best for home use?
For home use, you’ll find saltwater chlorinators to be more helpful. All you have to do is add the necessary amount of table salt to sanitize the pool. Besides, you can also try the automatic pool chlorinators for better convenience.
#2 Which Pool Chlorinator is the most affordable?
Out of the three standard variants, chlorine dispensers are the most affordable. You’ll get a chlorine dispenser even for $10.
#3 How should you buy the best pool chlorinator available?
To buy the best pool chlorinator, you must consider several aspects: durability, built quality, features, and many more. If your requirements match with your budget, make the purchase soon before the stock gets empty.
Final Thoughts
You should never forget that automatic pool chlorinators are a financial investment. However, it will save you a lot of time and energy in maintaining your pool. So, by using pool chlorinators, you can spend more relaxed time in your hygienic pool environment.
Also, you can save yourself from the disgusting smell of undiluted chlorine and not smelling like it. If a pool chlorinator saves you time, it is an asset that is worth investing in.