The best part about having a pool is that you get to spend some relaxing and fun time by the pool, have a pool party in the summer, dip into the water to refresh your mind, and get rid of all your worries and tiredness. But at the same time, the worst part of being a pool owner is you have to shoulder the responsibility of keeping it clean and hygienic.
Having unclean and murky water in your pool not only affects your health but your mood as well. The accumulation of algae and debris, and other pollutants from the environment can depreciate your pool’s condition if you do not clean it regularly.
The only way to get rid of such a situation is to use pool clarifiers. This can do wonders and keep your pool clean and pristine with crystal clear water. In this article, I will dive into the significance of using pool clarifiers and discuss some of the top-rated products in the market.
Table of Contents
What Is A Pool Clarifier?
A swimming pool clarifier is a product that helps in accumulating the unwanted floating materials in the pool so that they may be easily disposed of by the filter of the pool.
It comprises a concentrated chemical substance that helps in condensing the dirt particles and bacteria and forming large clumps. It helps in the cleaning process as the filter picks these clumps. This would clear up the cloudy and dirty water.
The pool clarifier comprises coagulants like polymer that attract the floating particles. It includes positively charged ions. When these ions are added to the water, these positively charged ions get attracted to the negative charge in suspended particles, leading to clump formation.
The cloudiness formed in the water enhances the difficulty of the swimmer by reducing visibility. It also makes the pool look unhygienic. So, to clean them, clarifiers and flocculants are used. Often these two products evoke confusion.
However, they are different. The pool clarifier is the best option to ensure long-term maintenance of your pool while the flocculants require greater effort in accomplishing the task. However, they remove a greater number of particles at once.
Why do we need a Pool Clarifier?
We need pool clarifiers because gradually, the pools start collecting dirt, debris, dust, and pollutants from the natural environments.
Again, the accumulation of organic oils, skin cells, pollen grains, compounds, and other tiny particles begin to sediment in the pool, and the pool water gradually becomes cloudy.
This may not be directly harmful to the skin if there is an adequate amount of chlorine in the water, yet it might lead t allergies in some people. However, it ruins your mood when you are swimming in unclean pool water and ruins the experience. Thus pool clarifiers are needed to remove these unwanted particles from the pool, using a pool filter to restore the pool to its crystal clear water.
If the cloudiness is more in the pool water, it can cause health hazards. Thus it should be used to prevent water-related illnesses. The unclean and cloudy water may contain disease-causing germs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the two most common bacteria found in muddy pools are E. Coli and Giardia. These generally cause health issues like diarrhea, pink eye, ear infections, and respiratory infections, etc.
Besides, unclean water attracts pests and mosquitoes that further lead to dengue and malaria and other health problems that have a negative impact on your life.
Moreover, it also jeopardizes the safety of the swimmer. The low visibility in the pool caused by the cloudiness of the murky water increases the chances of pool accidents or drowning.
Swimmer safety: Murky water and low visibility increase the risk of pool-related accidents or drowning. Imagine jumping in and hitting someone who is swimming underwater or, worse, not being able to see someone who needs help beneath the surface.
What’s The Difference Between Flocculant And Clarifier?
Irrespective of their similarities, there are specific differences between these two products:
- Clarifiers help in clumping the debris together so that the filter can absorb it while the Flocculant (or pool floc) grabs these cloud-causing particles and makes a bundle which then sinks to the bottom of the pool.
- Flocculant requires greater effort. Although it finishes the task faster, the person cleaning the pool has to collect the waste from the bottom of the pool manually.
At first, the water has to be removed, and then these particles are collected. In this process, a vacuum cleaner can not be used. However, the advantage is that it works speedily in de-clouding the pool, unlike a clarifier that takes a few days.
Why Does the Pool Water Become Cloudy?
The lack of water sanitizers, like chlorine, often causes cloudiness in pools. So it is necessary to measure the amount of chlorine regularly to evade such a situation.
Apart from this, there are other reasons for the accumulation of dirt and debris in the pool. The sources of them being:
- Sunscreen or body lotion from swimmers
- Pet hair from your family dog
- Algae growth
- Dirt, mud, or dust particles in the air
- Organic material like leaves, grass, or flowers
- Recent rains or water runoff
The presence of unclean water may also be caused by a chemical imbalance in the pool water. The excess or lack of certain chemicals may also lead to the imbalance of the pH of your pool water.
The improper functioning f the pool filter may be another reason behind the pool cloudiness. If the pool filter is clogged or broken or has some complications, clean water can not be circulated in the pool.
These are the probable causes of the cloudiness in your pool water.
What is the Solution?
To get rid of this situation, the ideal solution is to use Pool clarifiers. However, you need not use it all through the season. Instead, at the beginning of the swimming season, you can use it.
Again if you are using it after the long gap f winter, you can use it at that time. Due to the long period of unused during the winters, the water becomes murky.
Again after having algae bloom in the pool, you may use it. These require some time to get the work done. However, they ensure a perfect result in reinstating the pol to its previous condition.
How to Use Pool Clarifiers?
Each brand of pool clarifier has its method or techniques for use. To have a clear perception of the working of the pool clarifier, it is advisable to read the instruction manual that comes with the product.
The primary method of using a pool clarifier consists of the following steps:
- Firstly, it has to be ensured that the chemical balance of the pool water is in the right state and is safe for the swimmers. So, you need to check the pool and follow the process of pool shocking if required or add chlorine tablets to the pool.
- After that, you have to add the clarifier as per the instruction accurately. It is highly crucial to add it in the correct amount because it will fail to function appropriately if added in a lesser amount. Again, adding an excess amount might have the opposite impact. It might act as a dispersant and fail to pick up the dirt particles from the pool water.
- Then you have to run the pool filters repeatedly. The main purpose of the clarifier is to enhance the ability of the filter. Running the filter for an entire day while treating the pool water with a clarifier would guarantee the best result.
Run your pool filter as much as you can – Because clarifiers are meant to boost the performance of your pool filter, you should be running your pump for 16-24 hours per day while treating your water with a clarifier. This will ensure the best results.
- Again you may also take a bucket and dilute some clarifier and then pour the mixture around the pool edge, ensuring an even distribution of it. The clarifier will mix with the water thoroughly, which would promote its ability to catch the unwanted particles of the pool.
- When PSI hits 7-8, you have to backwash and clean the pool filter. The increase in the pressure in the filter indicates that the particles have clogged it, and so it has to be cleaned so that it may again filter the water with precision.
- You have to keep in mind that the chlorine level of the water should not sink during the process. So you have to carefully maintain the chemical level of the water to ensure the proper treatment f the pool.
- You also have to shoulder the responsibility of brushing and vacuuming the pool on a regular interval or daily for removing the settled dirt particles. In the case of the larger particles, they often settle at the bottom of the pool. It is crucial to remove them by vacuuming.
- In case the pool water is still cloudy, you can repeat the process after a week.
What are the tips for using a Pool Clarifier?
To accomplish this task seamlessly with perfection, you need some unique tips, which are as follows:
- If you have a main drain in the pool, you must turn it on or use a manual vacuum. Opening it will guarantee the water on the bottom of your pool to reach the filter.
- If you do not have a main drain, you have to focus fully on using a manual vacuum. You must keep it turned on and then leave it on the bottom of the pool. This will ensure the removal of the dirt particles.
- After adding a pool clarifier, you can increase the speed of the performance if by evenly spreading it in the pool by swimming. This activity will enable you to distribute it throughout the pool evenly. It will move the particles around, and they will get filtered easily. It will also improve the water circulation to the filter.
- You must keep the pool filter constantly running because it will filter out more particles if it runs for a longer period.
- Use a filter enhancer to improve the performance of the filter. In the case of a DE filter, it will function more effectively. Again in the case of sand filter, you can use BioGuard Sparkle Up. Before using these, you must be aware of the instructions, and only after learning those must you use these.
How Often Can A Pool Clarifier Be Used?
If your pool’s filter functions well along with other pool systems, you need not use this too frequently.
However, if your pool becomes cloudy too often, you may use it accordingly. For instance, if you observe that only after a few weeks of filtering your pool, the water has again become unclean and cloudy, it is advisable to check if all the pool systems are in order or not.
If everything is functioning perfectly and yet the water is unclean, you can add the pool clarifier. However, it does not happen in most cases, as after using it once, the pool remains clean for more than a few weeks.
Is it Safe to Use Too Much Pool Clarifier?
If a pool clarifier is used in excess, it does not harm the swimmers as the clarifiers are chemically inert, so it does not threaten the health and safety of the swimmer. However, it might jeopardize the entire purpose of adding it.
Excess addition of pool clarifier will make the pool more cloudy, reverse the cleaning effect. So you must follow the instructions and use the right amount for your pool.
After Adding Pool Clarifier, How Long Should One Wait Before Swimming?
You may swim immediately after adding the pool clarifier as it poses no threat to your health but it is advisable to wait for at least 20 minutes. This will ensure that the chemical s have dispersed evenly in the pool.
If you swim after a few minutes of adding the pool clarifier, it will further help circulate the water and improve the efficiency of the clarifier.
Our Top 3 Picks For Best Pool Clarifiers
After a thorough market survey, I have selected the following products which are top-rated in their performance.
#1 Robarb R20154 Super Blue Clarifier 1-Quart Crystal Clear Pool Water Polisher
The Concentrated Formula of this product allows only 1 oz. to treat around 5,000 gallons of water. It maintains the clarity of water and removes haziness. It functions well at different temperature levels, and it can be used for domestic pools and spas. The product does not clog filters and removes dirt particles seamlessly.
Robarb Super Blue Clarifier produces and maintains crystal clear pool water without affecting pH balance or other chemicals. Its thick, highly concentrated formulation works to clear cloudy water in any pool or spa without pre-shocking the water.
Pros:
- A small amount is adequate for gallons of pool water.
- Works well in different temperature levels
- It does not clog filters
- Saves the frequent use of chlorine
Cons:
- It is time-consuming. It requires the filter to work for long hours
- It is not effective in the case of algae growth
#2 Clorox Pool&Spa Super Water Clarifier 32 oz
This Concentrated pool clarifier works speedily on your pool water to make it crystal clear. After a pool party, this can be your go-to option to clean your pool. This clarifier is effective in removing algae.
It combines the small and the large particles so that they may be filtered together easily. Combines small particles into large ones for easy filter removal. You can use it per week for your pool maintenance.
Pros:
- 1 oz. is only required for clearing 5,000 gallons of water
- It ensures water clarity
- It works on algae as well
Cons:
- If it has to be used every week, it will enhance the cost of pool maintenance.
#3 Tidal Vision Crystal Clarity-32oz
This product is an entirely natural clarifier environment-friendly and biodegradable. This easily binds the debris and removes it easily. The presence of chitosan ensures better filtering of dirt.
Pros:
- This is safe for the environment
- It contains chitosan that improves its performance
- Contains no added dyes or fragrances
Cons:
- It is not much effective in the case of saltwater
- It has to be used repeatedly, which increases the cost of maintenance.
The Final Piece of Advice
I hope this article clarifies your perception about the pool clarifier and enables you to learn in detail about the process of using it.
Among the three products mentioned above, it is the first product- “Robarb R20154 Super Blue Clarifier 1-Quart Crystal Clear Pool Water Polisher, “which has been praised highly by the customers highly rated as well.
After reading this, I hope you are now prepared to set sail in your mission of pool maintenance. Keep your pool clean and stay healthy!