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Making sure that the salt cell of your pool works correctly is essential. If it is not clean and functional, you will end up with levels of chemicals that are not optimum. The salt cell is responsible for producing chlorine, without you adding it into your pool. But the salt cell is also a magnet for calcium and other minerals that could clog it. Vinegar can help you keep such problems away, though.

If you are wondering how to clean salt cell with vinegar, you came to the right place. We will discuss all the essential aspects of this process! So, keep on reading and get rid of that calcium or mineral deposit on your salt cell!

What causes scale build-up in a Salt Cell?

You will notice that scale can quickly appear on the surfaces as well as on the salt cell. This scale comes when you have a wrong pH level, outside of the 7.2 to 7.6 range. It also develops when you have a calcium level that is too high for your pool. You will also find out that hot temperatures of the water can facilitate scale development faster. Increased water temperature will also increase the calcium level, which results in the appearance of scale.

But how do you recognize this scale formation to treat them as soon as they appear? The scale is easy to identify as it looks like gray, white, or even beige and yellow rough spots on your salt cell or surface. As we will further learn in this article, it is just as easy to eliminate scale build-up.

How to prevent scale build-up to the salt system

As with many other problems that might appear in your pool, you should do your best to avoid scale build-up rather than treat it. If you stay on top of it, you will not have to worry about investing in products to treat it, and prevention is always the more natural path.

The best way to avoid scale build-up is to keep your salt cell clean. Check on it regularly and several times in a season to notice the amount of calcium deposits present. As soon as you see some residue, please do your best to remove it by using proper cleaning products. You might be able to get rid of specific waste by using your hands too.

You should clean your salt cell once every six months for minimum maintenance. However, if you want to avoid significant deposits build-up, you should consider cleaning it as often as every eight weeks. If you use hard water in your pool, you have bigger chances of getting your salt cell damaged by residue. So, monthly inspection is a must in such cases, and you will have to clean the salt cell accordingly.

Also, checking the quality of your water, including its pH level, will help to avoid scale build-up too. As we mentioned, the scale will develop harder and slower in the right pH level. There are test kits that you can purchase at budget-friendly prices to check the standards of the chemical in your pool.

There are also salt cells that are part of an automatic pool cleaning system. If you own such a pool system, you will not have to worry about cleaning it. But these are the newest systems on the market and the pricier ones. You can also find pool systems that notify you when the deposits start to build up. These salt cells come with an alert that you should pay attention to and clean them as soon as you get the notifications. Ignoring these alerts will only lead you to more complicated scenarios that require more work to get rid of the debris!

How to clean the salt cell and remove scale buildup

If you find yourself in need to clean your salt cell, know that you can do it quite easily. You have the option to use salt cell protectors and cleaners, but you can also use plain vinegar. Using a vinegar solution is not only cheaper but also more accessible to pool owners. 

Step 1: Check the Salt Cell

The first thing you will have to do is check the state of your salt cell. This step will help you identify if there are any mineral or calcium deposits on it and if you need to clean it. 

• Turn off the power

It is essential to turn off the power before starting to deal with your salt cell, so you stay safe. You should never try to unscrew the system when the power is on! You can turn the power off by using the switch on the filter or by using the control panel of your filtration system. 

•  Disconnect the salt cell

You will need to look at the amount of deposit present on the salt cell. To do that, take the cell out of the housing. Unscrew the sides of the cell and take it out. The only thing you need to pay attention to when you do this step is potential water leak outs. 

• Check the salt cell

It will be reasonably easy to identify mineral deposits or calcium deposits on your salt cell. They look hard, dry, flaky, and they can be white or gray but also yellowish. Even if your salt cell is not entirely covered in these deposits, you should still clean it. If you ignore the problem now, you will have to work a lot more in the future. 

Step 2: Using Physical Methods to Clean the Salt Cell

Depending on the amount of calcium or mineral deposits, you might be able to eliminate them with your hands. It is not one of the most straightforward steps in this process, but it is a necessary one. If you don’t remove the big pieces of the residue by hand, you will not be able to move to further and deeper cleaning phases. 

• You can use a garden hose

Try to get rid of the most significant pieces of deposits by using your hands. For the debris that you can’t remove by using your hands, you can try with a garden hose. Add the garden hose to the unit and turn the water on at high pressure. You have to be careful not to let water get in the plug unless it is waterproof. 

• Scrape off the residue

If using the water hose will not get rid of all the deposits of your salt cell, you can scrape the rest of them. To scrape off this residue, you can use any tool. Both wood tools and plastic tools will work just as beautiful. However, avoid metal tools because you can damage your salt unit in the process.  

Step 3: Use Vinegar to Clean the Salt Cell

To completely clean your salt cell, you should consider using vinegar as it is one of the most efficient solutions. 

• Get the vinegar mix ready

You can find vinegar mixed solutions on the market that come ready to use. But if you want to save money and get this process over with fast, you can prepare your cleaning mix. All you have to do is mix a strong vinegar with water. Make sure you don’t dilute it too much. The standard ratio used for such a mix is one part vinegar with one part water. Put this mix in a container that is large enough for your salt cell. 

• Use the vinegar to clean the salt cell

You will have to place the salt cell in the container with the vinegar and water mix. You don’t have to do anything else but let the salt cell sit in this solution for one night. During this time, the vinegar will work to eliminate any deposits left on the salt cell. It will remove both calcium deposits and mineral deposits quickly and without the need to interfere with the process at all. 

• Clean the vinegar mix off your salt cell

Now that you let the salt cell soak in the vinegar and water mix, you will have to rinse it. All you need for this final step is water. You can use the garden hose to eliminate all the residue of the salt cell. Use the proper water pressure to make sure that your salt cell is completely clean when you are rinsing it. You might need to repeat this process before your cell is entirely free of any deposits. 

Conclusion

When it comes to how to clean salt cell with vinegar, the process is straightforward. By following the steps in this guide, you shouldn’t have to deal with any hassle. Keep in mind that prevention remains the best strategy to keep your salt cell clean. Check the state of your cell and the water quality regularly and take measures as soon as possible! Keeping your water chemicals under control is going to save you from potential deposits that could damage your salt cell. 

When it comes to the maintenance and the cleanliness of the pool water, there are a lot of factors to consider in keeping it clean and crystal-clear. The sanitation, pH level, and alkalinity of the pool water are just a few that the pool owners need to monitor regularly. Furthermore, the need to buy and used different chemicals to keep these factors at the normal and desired level is the usual routine that the pool owners do.

However, there are other ways such as the BBB method of swimming pool care that can be used to keep your pool water free from unwanted organisms and making it fresh and clear. This unique method will let you do the unconventional way of using supplies that are normally found in our home instead of buying over-the-counter chemicals and pool maintenance supplies.

A lot of the pool owner is not aware of the existence of the BBB method in maintaining the cleanliness of the pool water. But this is a nice method that will also give pool owners the opportunity to save some money in buying expensive chemicals in maintaining the pool water.

What’s a “BBB” Method?

“BBB” stands for bleach, borax, and baking soda, three ordinary cleaning materials that are usually found in our home. Apparently, these three familiar chemicals can also be used as an alternative of those over-the-counter chemicals in your pool cleaning and maintenance especially in cleaning the pool water.

The biggest question about the bbb pool treatment is if these regular cleaning materials can be used in cleaning and maintaining the swimming pool? And how effective it is compared to those commercial products that are available in the market? All these questions will be answered as we go through this article.

When it comes to cleaning your pool particularly the pool water, there are two things that play important roles in pool care, water sanitation, and the pH level. Chlorine plays an important role in sanitizing or cleaning the pool water particularly algae and other types of germs. The chlorine level is determined by the amount of Cyanuric acid (CYA) in the pool water. Meanwhile, the pH level determines if the water is acidic, basic, or neutral which determines the quality of the pool water.

However, these two things are also being affected by two factors, the alkalinity, and the stabilizer. The alkalinity of water can influence the pH level of your pool and the need to monitor and achieve the right alkalinity is also important.

Meanwhile, the stabilizer affects the effectivity of the chlorine in the swimming pool and the need to achieved the right amount is also important. When the stabilizer is less in the pool, there is a big chance that the sunlight will just eradicate the chlorine quickly. However, when there is too much stabilizer in the pool, there is a tendency that chlorine will also fail to work. So, the need to put the right amount of stabilizer is also important.

With all of this information in mind, a lot of pool owner uses different types of chemicals from pool care manufacturers and companies in maintaining and cleaning the swimming pool. However, the bbb method of pool maintenance uses regular materials found in our home in doing pool care and maintenance. How it is being done will be discussed later.

Benefits of the BBB Method

The BBB method of pool cleaning and maintenance is a good alternative in doing pool care and maintenance particularly the pool water. It gives a different and unique way of using simple materials instead of buying expensive chemicals in the market. Furthermore, the BBB method offers the following benefits:

Less effort and easy application – when you know the whole procedure of the BBB method, you will be surprised that it does not take too much of your time. The procedure is so easy and all you have to do is put the chemicals into the pool. However, it is important to put the right amount based on what the swimming pool needs.

Affordable – the BBB method uses chemicals that are ordinarily found in our home which means it is more affordable compared to its commercial counterparts. The good thing about this method is it will reduce the pool maintenance expenses significantly if found effective.

Safe to use – the BBB method of pool care uses chemicals that are all safe to use. Bleach, borax, and baking soda are all chemicals that do not bring any harm or danger to the pool user if being applied in the swimming pool.

Pool maintenance year-round – If found effective in your swimming pool, the BBB method can be used for the pool cleaning and maintenance throughout the year regardless of the season. Since it is affordable and the materials can be easily purchased, it can be a good alternative in your pool cleaning and maintenance throughout the year.

How does it work?

Before we will show the procedure on how to do the BBB method of pool care, we will first take a look at the different things that contribute to the whole procedure.

Baking Soda – This is one of the chemicals that will be used in this method and is mainly responsible for increasing the alkalinity of the swimming pool water. As discussed earlier, the alkalinity of the pool water plays an important role in regulating the pH level of the pool water. Furthermore, once the desired level is achieved, the easier it is to remove germs and other contaminants in the swimming pool.

Bleach – this is one of the chemicals in the BBB method and is mainly responsible for killing contaminants and germs in the pool. In other words, it plays the role of chlorine in the swimming pool as it helps in sanitizing the pool water while eradicating all dangerous organisms found in the pool.

Borax – this chemical is used to improve or boost the pH level of the swimming pool.  Maintaining the pH level to its desired amount is equally important as it increases the effectivity of the pool sanitizers particularly the bleach in killing contaminants inside the swimming pool.

Muriatic Acid – Aside from the chemicals mentioned above, muriatic acid is an alternative and probably the safest way to decrease both the pH level and the alkalinity of the pool water. Always remember that pH level and alkalinity are interconnected with each other which means as one of them goes down, the other one follows the same.

Testing Kit – When doing the BBB method, it is important for you to know the chemicals needed in maintaining the pool water’s alkalinity and pH level. For this one, you need a good test kits in testing the pool chemistry. There are a lot of testing kit out there such as the Taylor test kit and the basic 5 in 1 test kit that you can choose from. The testing of your pool can be done daily or weekly depending on the size of your swimming pool.

The size of your swimming pool – It is important for you to know the size and the capacity of your swimming pool when doing the BBB method. This because it will determine the right amount of chemicals needed in your swimming pool. It is important for you to get the right measurements using the bbb method pool calculator as the success or failure of the process largely depends on it.

Cleaning the Swimming Pool Using the BBB method

The primary goal of this method is simple, to keep the pH and the chlorine level at the desired amount because it affects the quality of water in the swimming pool. By doing this, the chemicals in the pool will be more effective in sanitizing and cleaning the pool water free from contaminants to make it safe from the pool users.

The two important factors to maintain are the chlorine and the pH level which should be at the desired amount. This will be achieved by getting the right level of stabilizer and alkalinity. The stabilizer’s desired level should be from 30 to 90 ppm while the chlorine level should be at 2 ppm or 5 percent of the CYA level. For the pH level, the desired rating should be from 7.2 to 7.8.

To start with, it is important to sprinkle the right amount of baking soda to keep the pH level of the pool water at a stable condition. Then used the bleach to sanitized the pool while the borax to raise the pH level of the swimming pool. The muriatic acid will be responsible if you want to reduce the pH level if it is needed. It is important for you to use the testing kit to monitor the chemistry of your pool accurately and know the size of your pool to be able to use the right amount of chemicals.

FAQ’s

1. Do I have to use bleach, borax, or baking soda to use the BBB method?

The three are just representations of chemicals that can be used in the BBB method. There are other chemicals that can be used also such as cal hypo and dichlor which are also alternative chemicals for chlorine source and the muriatic acid which is use to decrease the pH level.

2. Are there chemicals I can’t use?

The BBB method was formulated in order to use simple materials and chemicals found in our home. If you use other chemicals especially commercial products, then it might affect the effectivity of the method.

3. What chemicals are they saying I should avoid?

There are a lot of chemicals you should avoid including chemicals that work just the same but may not be effective compared to others. You should also avoid decorated and dyed chemicals, as well as oxy-shocks products and other non-chlorine defoamers.

4. I can’t really trust my pool dealer?

It is all about finding the right fit for your swimming pool. If you find the BBB method effective, then use this for your maintenance but if not, there are commercial products that are always available for purchased.

5. My dealer is dishonest?

The dealer has two primary objectives, to help you and sell their products. I cannot really say that they are being dishonest if their product can help greatly in the pool cleaning and maintenance.

6. What about the swimming pool chemical manufacturers — are they dishonest?

It is hard to tell, after all, we are talking about big business and industry. They are there to develop products to help the pool owners. However, the developer of the BBB method comes up with a much cheaper alternative that the pool owner can use.

7. Aren’t you afraid to say some of this stuff?

The BBB method was not intended to destroy an industry as this was developed to find alternatives in maintaining the pool water using different types of materials.

Conclusion

There are a lot of ways that the pool owner does to maintain and clean their swimming pool. The BBB method of swimming pool care is an alternative way that these pool owners can do using simple materials and chemicals found in our own homes.

As a pool owner, managing the water chemistry of your swimming pool is one of the hardest things to do in all of the pool cleaning and maintenance activities. Although difficult, achieving the desired pH level is important in order for the chlorine to be effective in sanitizing the pool.

Furthermore, when dealing with the chemistry of the pool water, the most difficult challenge is probably on how to raise pH without raising the alkalinity of the pool water. It is a fact that these two factors are related to each other and somehow any changes from one of them also affect the other.

In addition, when a pool has low pH which means its acidic, there is the tendency that it can cause damage to the pool. Meanwhile, having a high pH can greatly affect the effectivity of chlorine and can cause eyes and skin irritation to the swimmers.

With this information, the alkalinity of the pool water is equally important in achieving the desired pH level of the pool. This article will discuss a process on how to raise the pH level of the pool without raising the alkalinity of the pool water.

Why pH and Alkalinity are important?

When it comes to pool cleaning, chlorine plays an important role in sanitizing and cleaning the pool free from unwanted contaminants and germs. However, the effectivity of chlorine is greatly affected by the pH level of the pool water, thus the importance of maintaining the desired pH level is important.

As earlier mentioned, when the pH is low, the water is acidic and it will cause a lot of damage to the swimming pool such as corrosion of the metal parts, damage to the pool liners, and discomfort to the swimmers. However, having a high pH is also not good as it can affect the performance of chlorine in sanitizing the pool and can cause skin and eye irritation to the pool users. So, the need to achieved the desired pH level is important which should be between 7.4 to 7.6 level.

Meanwhile, a lot of pool owners know that the pH level always goes up and down as it always has a chance to fluctuate all the time. This is where the alkalinity of the pool water plays an important role because having the right amount of total alkalinity can help stabilize the pH level.

If you are not familiar, the total alkalinity of the pool water is the measurement of all the alkaline materials which were dissolved in the pool water. All these substances help in shielding the pH level through offsetting the acids in the pool water. Whatever the measurement of the total alkalinity of the pool water greatly affects the pH level of your pool which in turn affects the sanitation of the pool water and many other effects to the swimming pool.

FAQ’s

1. Pool pH is always high

The pool pH level is considered high when it is more than 7.6 when being measured. There are a few reasons why this happen such as the increasing temperature of the pool water. Too much chlorine stabilizer can also affect the performance of chlorine which in turn raises the pH level.

2. Pool pH is always low

The common cause of always having a low pH level is when the pool water has low total alkalinity. This usually happens when an acid rain occurs or there is heavy precipitation. Using stabilized chlorine or chlorine in tablet form can also make the pH level low consistently.

3. Pool pH is Low, Alkalinity is High

When the alkalinity of the pool water is more than 120 ppm, it can affect the resistance of the pH level. Adding chemicals that increase the pH level will only magnify the problem by making the alkalinity higher.

4. Pool pH is High, Alkalinity is Low

The pH level will become unstable and unpredictable when the alkalinity is below 80 ppm. To address the issue, use a chemical that increases the alkalinity of the pool water.

5. Pool pH and Alkalinity are both high

When the pH level and alkalinity are both high, you need chemicals the decrease the pH to address the issue. Muriatic acid is the most popular chemical that lower both the pH and alkaline level of the swimming pool.

6. Pool pH and Alkalinity are both low

When this happens, it is highly suggested to raise first the alkalinity using the alkalinity increaser. The idea is to raise the alkalinity to 100 ppm then add a pound of alkalinity increaser to every 10 thousand gallons of pool water to raise it to 10 ppm. The pH level will automatically increase without doing anything.

7. Pool pH will not increase (or decrease)

There are times when you keep on adding chemicals but still does not affect the pH level after the application. This is probably caused of a high total alkalinity level which usually measured at 120 ppm and will prevent the pool cleaner from adjusting the right pH level. To address the issue, use a pH decreaser or other chemicals that can affect both pH level and alkalinity.

8. Is it safe to swim in high or low pH or alkalinity?

The answer to this question depends on the effect of the pH and alkaline level on the performance of chlorine in the swimming pool. When there is a high pH level, the chlorine is slow to react and affect its activity. But the pool water can still be considered clean and safe to use when there is a proper and effective filtration system in the pool and the presence of the right amount of free chlorine.

How to Raise Alkalinity in Pool without Raising pH?

Aeration is the process that lets you raise the alkalinity of the pool water without raising the pH level. In this process, you will need muriatic acid, a pool test kit, and protective gear such as goggles, gloves, and long sleeves shirts. It is also important to know your ideal alkalinity level which should be at 100 ppm and the target pH level should be between 7.4 to 7.6.

1. Take accurate measurement of the pH and the alkalinity level

The first step is to take accurate readings or measurements of the pH and alkalinity level of your swimming pool. This is the reason why it is important to use a reliable test kit in taking up the measurement.

2. Setting the target of the alkalinity level

When you set a target of your alkalinity level, always remember that both the pH and alkalinity will be affected by the use of acids. Used the highly-dependable pool calculator will give you a clue on the right amount of acid to be used on your targeted alkalinity level.

3. Add Muriatic Acid to the Swimming Pool

The next step is to put the muriatic acid into the swimming pool. Depending on your targeted alkalinity level and the capacity of your swimming pool, you should be able to distribute evenly the acid into the swimming pool. After doing this, the natural process of aeration starts and the pH level will begin to increase.

4. Testing the pool water after the application process

There are three testing schedules that should be done to monitor to pH level and the alkalinity of the pool water. Testing should be that first after 6 hours from the application. The next testing should be done after 24 hours and the last should be after 2 days in which it is being expected that the alkalinity should already be on the targeted level while the pH should be around 7.4 to 7.6.

Conclusion

Aeration is the solution on how to raise pH without raising the alkalinity. Many think that it’s too complicated to increase the pH without affecting alkalinity but this natural procedure offers a simple yet effective solution.

It is the primary responsibility of the pool owner to maintain the cleanliness of the swimming pool. Apparently, using and enjoying the pool is easy but the challenge lies in the difficulty of keeping the pool healthy.

One of the challenges or problems that giving headaches to pool owners is when their pool water turns cloudy. But what cause cloudy pool water and how do the pool owner can make it crystal clear again? These are just some of the questions that will be answered as we go through this article.

We will also tackle the analysis of each cause while suggestions are also available to solve the problem. So, if you are a pool owner who wants to turn your cloudy pool water into crystal clear again, I am advising you to read this article from top to bottom.

So here it is, the top ten reasons that cause your pool water to become cloudy:

1. High Concentration of Chlorine

Chlorine plays an important role in making the pool water safe as it kills bacteria and other microorganisms found in the swimming pool. However, the amount of chlorine in your swimming pool is constantly changing due to the weather or the different condition of the swimming pool.

The chlorine levels of your swimming pool fluctuate during the rainfall. It can also be affected when there is too much exposure to sunlight as it lowers its concentration. Low levels of chlorine in your pool can give all microorganisms a chance to multiply, thus making your pool water cloudy. When the chlorine level is too high, the chance of the pool water to turn cloudy is also a probability.

To address the issue, it is important to test your chlorine levels regularly. When there are too many people using your swimming pool, then it is advised to test your pool’s chlorine concentration frequently. In general, the desired chlorine level in the swimming pool is from 2 to 4 parts per million.

2. High Level of Calcium

The hardness of your pool water can also influence the cloudiness of its appearance. Apparently, the amount of calcium in your pool water determines how hard it is. The more calcium is in your pool water, the greater the chance it will turn murky or cloudy.

Aside from turning the pool water cloudy, it can also affect different parts of your swimming pool. Too much calcium deposits can destroy or damage your pool plumbing and even your pool filters, hence the need to maintain enough calcium levels is important. Even after shocking, it does not help in turning around the cloudy pool water. So, it is important for you to check the calcium levels of your pool at least every other week.

If your calcium level is too high, you have the option to remove some of your pool water and replace it with softer water. If you do not remove the pool water, you can use a flocculant in order to attract the excess calcium. Another option is to add muriatic acid which will help in the balancing of your swimming pool. However, if your calcium level is low, you can add a calcium increaser to raise its level.

3. Problem in Filtration

Your filtration system plays a vital role in your swimming pool’s cleaning and maintenance. Ideally, the pool’s filter should run at least eight hours per day to do its job properly but it also depends on the size of your swimming pool. The bigger your pool is, the more hours it is required to run.

However, when your pool filter does not run the proper amount of time, it will cause the pool water to become stagnant. Stagnant water will allow small particles and other debris from building up in the swimming pool which will contribute to the cloudiness of the pool water.

To address this issue, it is important to regularly check your pool filtration system. Make sure that it is running perfectly and is working in the right amount of time to ensure that it does its job well. This will also in making your pool water crystal-clear.

4. High/low pH Level

In its simplest terms, the pH level determines the acidity of your pool water. Acidity levels of your pool can contribute significantly to the quality of your pool water as it can also affect other chemicals.

When the ph level is below 7, this means that your pool water has too much acidity and this can bring a lot of problems such as damaging your lining pool. The pH level is basic when it is measured above 8. When it is too basic, it can also affect the effectiveness of the chlorine in the swimming pool.

Pool experts are saying that the ideal pH level of the swimming pool is from 7.2 to 7.8. If you want to lower or raise the pH level of the swimming pool, you may need to add alkalis or acids into the pool water.

5. Rain, rain, and lots of rain

The rain, as normal as it is, can also contribute to the cloudiness of the pool water. As mention earlier, the rainfall can contribute to the fluctuation of chlorine levels in the swimming pool. Furthermore, when there is too much rainwater, it can also bring a negative impact on chemical balance of your pool water.

It is hard to control the rain, and most of all it is too unrealistic to cover the whole area of your pool to protect it from the rainfall. The better option for you is to regularly check the chemical level of your pool water and adjust if the need arises.

6. The Presence of Algae

The presence of algae can also contribute to the cloudiness of your pool water. However, the presence of algae in the swimming pool may be a sign of a bigger problem in your swimming pool. There may be an issue with your pool cleaning and maintenance that causes these unwanted organisms to bloom in your swimming pool.

Getting rid of algae away from your swimming pool is an important factor to make the pool water crystal clear again. Cleaning the pool free from dirt is an important part of removing the algae. There are other swimming pool owners who use algaecides to completely clear these organisms away from pool water.

7. Other Environmental Factors

You may not want to hear this but everything that surrounds your swimming pool can contribute to the cloudiness of the pool water. Whether it’s the trees, birds, the weather, the garden, all can have an impact in turning the pool water cloudy.

Furthermore, insects and other types of animals can invade your pool and make it look cloudy. The birds that regularly visit your pool can leave their waste into the pool water which may cause the water to become dirty and cloudy. What about during a storm? The running water from heavy rainfall can bring a lot of dirt and even chemicals to the swimming pool which turns the pool water cloudy.

All of these factors contributing to the cloudiness of the pool water are coming from the environment which is beyond our control. The best thing to do is to have the highest system of pool cleaning and maintenance to protect your pool from these environmental conditions.

8. The Alkalinity of your Pool Water

How does the alkalinity of your pool water contribute to its cloudiness? To answer the question, when the water is cloudy or murky, there is a higher possibility that the pool water is suffering from high alkalinity levels.

Furthermore, high alkalinity can also bring calcium deposits into your filtration system and making it plugged. The result is a damaged pool filter that may contribute to the cloudiness of your pool water.

Water alkalinity serves as a buffer to make the pH level of your swimming pool neutral. This is an important factor that prevents other pool problems from arising such as water cloudiness. So, the need to maintain water alkalinity is important to every pool owner.

For pool experts, the ideal water alkalinity should be between 80 and 120 parts per million. So, it is also important to monitor it from time to time. Using a muriatic acid can lower the alkalinity levels of your pool water and a baking soda is what you need to raise it.

9. Chemical Imbalance

The presence of imbalance chemicals can turn your crystal-clear water into a cloudy and murky one. The chlorine levels, the calcium hardness, and the pH level of your pool water all contribute to the cloudiness of your pool water if not adjusted properly. The need to monitor the level of chemicals in your swimming pool is necessary as it may lead to a bigger problem in the future.

There are other things that you can do when suffering from chemical imbalance. When your pool water lacks chlorine, shocking the pool can be done. You can also use a much easier chlorinated tablet to address the issue.

10. Presence of Tiny Particles

Aside from algae, the presence of dirt and tiny particles can make your pool water cloudy and looked dirty. Moreover, these tiny particles are so small that it is difficult to remove them because oftheir near invisibility. Failure to remove these tiny particles can bring a lot of problems and can make the pool water look dirty.

For the pool owners, using pool clarifiers and flocculants can remove these small particles. Clarifiers and flocculants cause these small particles to bond to make it bigger. This is the best time for you to remove these particles and make your pool water crystal clear again.

Bottomline

There are many reasons on what cause cloudy pool water and there are also many ways to make it crystal-clear gain. We are hoping that the causes and the solutions that we provided from the articles can help all pool owners to address this issue. Overall, cleaning and maintaining your pool is a difficult challenge but having a good system will ultimately solve all the difficulties and challenges.    

When you own a swimming pool, it is your primary responsibility to keep the swimming pool clean and the pool water healthy. The primary challenge for the pool owner is to keep the water sparkling and safe to all pool users.

This is the reason why pool owners must use the best chlorine tablets for swimming pools together with the other sanitizers and algaecides to perfectly blend with each other. The result should be a well-maintained swimming pool with the proper chemical composition. Failure to do this will open the possibility of bacteria and other organisms to move and live in the swimming pool.

Buying chlorine tablets for your swimming pool is essential and will bring a lot of benefits in terms of making the pool water safe and healthy for all users. It is responsible for preventing the formation of algae while keeping the walls of the pool free from stains and bad odors.

In this article, we will review the top ten chlorine tablets that you can use for your swimming pool. We will be detailing the pros and cons of each product and the other benefits that you can get when using each chlorine tablets.

10 Best Chlorine Tablets for Swimming Pools Reviews

1. Clorox Pool & Spa Small Pool 1″ Chlorinating Tablets

The first chlorinating tablets that we are going to review takes pride in functioning or working just like other chlorine that can be purchased commercially. I also like the capacity of this product as it can be used for swimming pools with up to 5,000 gallons of pool water.

This chlorine tablet was also made to withstand the effect of the sunlight and will not dissolve easily. You may need a dispenser, a floater, or any material that you can use to carry the tablets while applying in the swimming pool.

While this chlorine tablet was made to prevent algae and kill bacteria in small pools, it can also be used to maintain hot tubs. Economically, this is a good tablet to use because you do not need too much quantity when applied to the swimming pool.

However, one downside about this product is it cannot be use on bigger swimming pools. It is basically designed to be used in small pools and other similar places such as hot tubs or inflatable pools.

Pros:

• Kills bacteria efficiently
• Can withstand the effect of ultraviolet rays
• Perfect for small pools
• Does not dissolve easily and can last longer

Cons:

• A little bit pricey
• Cannot be used on larger pools

In terms of effectiveness, this chlorinating tablet prevents algae from growing and kills bacteria with ease. I highly recommend this product for purchase if you are looking for an effective chlorinating tablet to be paired with your sanitizers and algaecides.

2. Clorox Pool & Spa Active99 3″ Chlorinating Tablets

This is another chlorinating tablet coming from Clorox Pool and Spa, one of the leading companies manufacturing pool cleaning equipment and accessories. The product features tablets that are individually wrapped to clean and sanitize your pool water.

I also like how the product is being made to make it last long under the heat of the sun using the so-called UV protection technology. This will ensure that the tablet will stay for a while even under the scorching sunlight to be able to sanitize the pool water.

One more thing that you need to know about this product is its very effective in inground pools. It will not only kill the bacteria found in the pool water but it also controls the algae growth of your pool. Furthermore, these chlorinating tablets can be applied to your pool’s feeder, floater, and skimmer.

Meanwhile, if you want this chlorination tablet to be more effective, an application frequency of twice a week should be done in your pool. One downside about this product though is the tendency to be delivered in broken pieces. There were a few complaints like this by some customers due to delivery issues which should be addressed by the company itself.

Pros:

• Effective in inground pools
• Price is affordable
• Individually from for easy usage
• Uses the UV protection technology to last long under the sunlight

Cons:

• Tablets might be broken into pieces if not handled properly during delivery

In any product, it is all about the effectivity and this chlorinating tablet can definitely help with your swimming pool cleaning and maintenance. I will highly recommend this for purchase and be a part of products that you can use for your swimming pool.

3. Kem-Tek 2815-6 Chlorinating Tablets 1-Inch Pool and Spa Chemicals

When it comes to the super chlorination and sanitation of your swimming pool, this Kem-Tek chlorinating tablet is highly recommended. This tablet was designed and manufactured to be more concentrated and to dissolved slowly for a long-lasting cleaning and sanitation activity.

In terms of its stability, this tablet was made to minimize the chlorine loss when it is under the scorching heat of the sunlight. This will also enable the chlorinating tablet to help in maintaining a steady and strong chlorine residual from the time of the application.

Furthermore, cleaning your small pool and preventing the algae from growing and multiplying will be easy using this chlorinated tablet. I am also amazed at how this tablet can be used in the pool without leaving a strong chlorine odor or scent.

Meanwhile, as good as this product is, this was only designed to be effective in small above ground pools and other similar places. This chlorinated tablet was not designed and may not be effective if it will be used in large swimming pools.

Pros:

• Heavily concentrated and dissolved slowly to last long
• Assist in maintaining a steady and strong chlorine residual
• Does not leave a typical strong chlorine scent
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Cannot be used on large swimming pools

Looking for a chlorinated tablet for your small pools will be easy with this Kem-Tek chlorine tablet. I will highly recommend this for purchase if you are looking for effectivity in terms of cleaning your swimming pool and controlling the algae.

4. Swim Best Swimming Pool Chlorine

If you are looking for a chlorinated tablet that you can use for a long period of time, this product from Swim Best is highly recommended. This chlorine tablet will assist your sanitizers in disinfecting your swimming pool and preventing the algae from growing without making your pool water cloudy.

I am also amazed at the product’s ability to be used on skimmer baskets, floaters, and feeders. This was also designed in such a way that it will be dissolved slowly in water for a lasting but effective application. Furthermore, this chlorinated tablet when applied to the pool water does not leave any mineral build-up in your swimming pool.

Last but not least, this pool chlorinated tablet can be used to treat 15, 000 gallons of pool water using about 5 tablets a week. This is enough to disinfect your pool and prevent the algae from growing. It also does not require any assembly which characterizes its easy usage features.

However, there one downside about this product that needs to be addressed and that is its packaging. There were a few complaints about the poor quality of the shipping box which might damage the products inside.

Pros:

• Provides value for your money
• Easy usage feature
• Does not requires assembly
• Heavily concentrated and dissolved slowly for a long-lasting treatment

Cons:

• Poor quality of packaging

This is a great product that also offers affordability to its pricing. If you are looking for a chlorinated tablet that combines affordability and effectivity, then this the right product for you.

5. In the Swim 3″ Inch Pool Chlorine Tablets

The next product that we are going to review is produced and manufactured by In the Swim, one of the leading companies in pool cleaning equipment and accessories. This highly-concentrated and wrapped chlorinated tablets are composed of 90% chlorine which provides immediate treatment of your swimming pool.

What I like best about this chlorinated tablet is its stability where it slowly dissolved while providing a long-lasting cleaning activity in the pool. In terms of its packaging, I also like that it is individually wrapped and comes with an easy-open bag for easy usage.

In terms of its application, you can use between 1 to 2 tablets of chlorine tablets to be used on 10,000 galloons and should be increased when there is rain, warm temperatures, or even after heavy usage of the swimming pool.

However, one downside of this product is the quality of its wrappers. There were a few complaints about how the wrappers crushed or break the tablets when the product is not properly handled. This issue should be handled by the manufacturers immediately especially during the delivery.

Pros:

• Highly-concentrated and individually wrapped
• Composed of 90% chlorine that provides stability during the treatment
• Comes with an easy-open bag that provides comfort
• Manufactured to last long even under the scorching heat of the sun

Cons:

• The wrapper has the tendency to break the tablet into pieces

Despite of the issue, I will still recommend this product for purchase because of its effectivity in disinfecting your pool. This is a high-quality product from one of the best companies in the industry that protect and clean your pool for a long time.

6. Leisure Time RENU2 Renew Non-Chlorine Shock

The next product that we are going to review is not a chlorinated tablet but a non-chlorine shock oxidizer. I included this product on the review because it works the same in clearing cloudy water and eliminating contaminants and odors.

However, this product can also be used to be paired with your chlorine and other purification systems such as bromine, ozone, and mineral. It can also be used as a buffer to prevent pH fluctuations and is best used in a spa.

When it comes to its usage, this product can be used to kill or destroy small organisms and breaking down deodorants, soaps, and oil residue. Furthermore, it also helps in the prevention of chloramine build up in your spa. Aside from working best in the spa, it can also be used in hot tubs, small pools, and other similar places.

As good as this product is, I found one minor issue with its packaging. The quality of its container is poor that it has the tendency to leak when not handled properly. There were a few complaints of leaking by some customers right after receiving from the delivery box.

Pros:

• Ability to kill and destroy microorganisms in your spa
• Can also be used to break down soaps, oil, and deodorant in spa water
• Provides value for your money
• Easy usage feature

Cons:

• The tendency to leak if not handled properly during delivery

If you own a spa, hot tub, or even a smaller pool, I highly recommend this product for purchase especially if you want to clean these places from oils, soaps, and deodorants right after using. This works best if combined with the other products made by Leisure time.

7. DryTec Calcium Hypochlorite Chlorinating Shock Treatment for Swimming Pools

If you are looking for a pool sanitizer that acts fast and dissolves quickly, then this product is highly recommended. The product comes in a massive 24 bags with each bag weighing a pound each.

In terms of its dosage, a bag of this product can treat 10,000 gallons of pool water. So, all in all, one product can kill bacteria, destroy contaminants, and prevent algae from growing in 240,000 gallons of pool water. As an additional information, the treatment is best done during the evening where the swimming pool’s filter pump is working.

I also like that this product comes with 68% of calcium hypochlorite with just enough cyanuric acid additives in its components. This is because the more cyanuric acid is in the product, the lesser the effectivity of the chlorine during the cleanup. This product has more chlorine in its content which is good in terms of its effectivity during the shock treatment.

However, one downside of this product is the tendency to clogs the filter of your swimming pool. It is best for you to check your filter from time to time to prevent this situation from happening.

Pros:

• Dissolves very fast while acting quickly
• Easy usage feature provides comfort to the user
• Less additives which means more chlorine and a much better treatment result
• One item can treat huge amount of pool water

Cons:

• Tendency to clog the pool filter

This is just a minor issue and does not really affect the effectivity of this product as a chlorine shock treatment. I will highly recommend this for purchase because of its effectiveness and its capacity to treat thousand of gallons of pool water.

8. In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock

This product is another chlorine shock treatment that provides a powerful effect to your swimming pool. It works best especially in killing harmful contaminants such as algae and bacteria in the pool water.

The product actually contains 24 bags with each back weighing 1 pound each. Each bag can treat approximately 10,000 gallons of water which means a single item alone can treat a grand total of 240,000 gallons of water in your swimming pool.

I also like that this chlorine pool shock contains 68% of Calcium Hypochlorite as an active ingredient while a smaller amount of cyanuric acid serves as an additive. This will enable the product to quickly sanitize your pool water during the shock treatment.

Meanwhile, shocking the pool must be done periodically to be able to oxidize the pool water and eventually killing invisible bacteria and germs that are living in your pool. Ultimately, this product is perfect for this type of maintenance.

As good as this product is, this chlorine pool shock has the tendency to not dissolve immediately. So, it is important for you to follow the procedure found in the packaging to prevent this from happening.

Pros: 

• Can treat up to 240,000 gallons of pool water
• Contains more chlorine in its components to quickly sanitize your pool
• Provides value for your hard-earned money
• Easy to use provides comfort to the user

Cons:

• Does not dissolve quickly

This is just a minor issue and does not affect the overall quality of this chlorine pool shock treatment. I will highly recommend this for purchase and include this in your cleaning and maintenance of the swimming pool.

9. Swim Best U009025025 Swimming Pool Chlorine

In my opinion, this next chlorinated tablet that we are going to review is one of the best in the market in terms of quality. This product will serve as a stabilizer for skimmers and chlorinators and will play a big part in your pool cleaning and maintenance.

I like that this chlorinated tablet is individually wrapped and is made with 90% stabilized chlorine. This was also made to slowly dissolve during the treatment for a longer period of time. In terms of application, it can be used to floaters, feeders, and pool skimmers, depending on what is available in your pool.

Aside from disinfecting your pool effectively, I am also amazed at how this product will not make your pool water cloudy. Furthermore, its high concentration provides safety to pool users and does not leave any mineral scale buildup during the cleanup.

As good as this product is, the quality of the container needs to be improved as there were some complaints with leakage during the delivery. This is just a minor downside but still affects the overall quality of the product.

Pros:

• Dissolve slowly for a longer treatment process
• Can be used in pool skimmers, feeders, and even floaters
• Competitive pricing
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Poor packaging

This is only a minor issue and does not reflect the overall quality of this product. I will still recommend this product for purchase if you are looking for high-quality chlorinated tablets to be used in your swimming pool.

10. In The Swim 3″ Inch Pool Chlorine Tablets

The last product that we are going to review is from In The Swim, one of the leading companies for pool products and accessories. With 90% chlorine as its component, this chlorinated tablet provides an effective result during the treatment.

I also like that this tablet is individually wrapped and also comes with an easy-open bag. This will enable the user to use it with ease during the treatment. Furthermore, these 3-inch chlorinated tablets have the best size to be used on floaters and chlorine feeders.

In terms of its usage, 1 – 2 tablets must be applied to 10,000 gallons of pool water. Furthermore, it is highly recommended that you test the chlorine level at least once a week to know where your pool stands in terms of its chemical composition. Meanwhile, during warm temperatures, rainy season, or heavy usage, the need to increased the dosage is advisable.

However, there is one minor issue that this product needs to be addressed and that is the quality of its packaging. The wrappers have the tendency to break the tablets when not handled properly.

Pros:

• Slow-dissolved property provides longer treatment
• Affordable pricing
• Easy usage feature provides comfort to the users
• Can be used on chlorine feeders and pool skimmers

Cons:

• Poor quality of packaging

When it comes to the effectiveness of this chlorinated tablets, I can say that this is one of the best. I have personally used it and will highly recommend to other swimming pool owners.

What to look for when buying a chlorine tablets for swimming pool?

Chlorinated tablets play an important role in your pool cleaning and maintenance and the need to buy the right one for your pool is equally important. With a lot of brands available in the market, there are things that you need to consider to choose the best one for your swimming pool.

Size and Dosage – Chlorinated tablets comes in two sizes, 1 inch and 3 inches. The one that you will use purely depends on the size of your dispenser as well as the volume of water in your swimming pool. There are dispensers that can hold only one tablet while there are others that can hold more than one. In terms of its dosage, you may refer to the label of the product to know the actual number of tablets you need.

Active Ingredients – With thousands of brands available and to choose from, it is actually difficult to choose the right chlorine tablet for your swimming pool. It is all about doing your research and going to the labels of each product and examining it. From there, you will know the active elements found in the product that might be needed in your swimming pool.

Stick or Tablet – Chlorinated tabs actually comes in two forms, the stick and the tablet form. Depending on the type of your swimming pool, you can immediately decide on what you need. The chlorinated tablets can work together with chlorinators while the sticks are best applied for swimming pools found outdoor.

Needs of your pool – Buying of a chlorinated tablet will largely depends on the needs of your pool. It is important to consider how many times you will chlorinate the pool weekly. In order for you to save money, time, and effort, it is best to purchase chlorinated tablets in bulk to get discount and save some money and minimize your effort.

Chlorine Percentage – Another factor that you need to consider before buying a chlorinated tablet for a swimming pool is the amount of chlorine found in a particular brand. The higher the chlorine percentage, the better the result in terms of sanitizing the swimming pool.

Stabilized Chlorinated Tabs – Aside from chlorine as a major ingredient, there are also other additives that are being added to a chlorinated tablet. One popular additive is known as Cyanuric Acid which is being added to make the tablets last long even after the scorching heat of the sun. In other words, the Cyanuric Acid is used to protect and stabilize the tablet from the effects of sunlight.

However, there were some experts who claim that this chemical actually reduces the effectivity of the chlorinated tablets in terms of sanitizing your swimming pool.

Quality – This is another factor to consider when selecting a chlorinated tablet in your swimming pool. With a lot of brands available in the market, the need to buy the product with the highest quality becomes inevitable. You should also check on the quality of a product by looking at reviews and comments online about the product. The better the reviews and the lesser the complains the highest is the quality of the product.

Other Important Factors to Consider

What are a chlorine tablets for swimming pool?

In order for a swimming pool to be safe for all users, it should be clean and maintain properly and one of the ways to maintain a swimming pool is to regularly chlorinate the pool water. Chlorine tablets, meanwhile, are one of those types of chlorine treatment that you can use to sanitize your pool and make it free from microorganisms and bacteria.

Chlorine tablets can be used not only in wiping out unwanted visitors in the swimming pool but can also be used to balance the chemical composition of your swimming pool. It takes a lot of effort in maintaining and balancing the chemicals especially with the used of algaecides, sanitizers, and other chlorine solutions. With a lot of patience, trial and error, and strategy, you can achieve the right chemical balance while using a chlorinated tablet as an option.

When the pH level of your swimming pool is unbalanced, it is a clear indication that there is a chlorine problem in your swimming pool. The problem with the lack of chlorine in your swimming pool is it brings a lot of negatives such as staining or corroding some parts of the pool. Lack of chlorine will also make your pool dirty as it loses the sparkle of your pool water.

Meanwhile, you can use a chlorine tablet in treating this chlorine deficiency in your swimming pool. It will not only bring sparkle to your swimming pool but also will help in the elimination of microorganisms and unwanted bacteria in the pool.

How to add chlorine tablets in the swimming pool?

The application of chlorine tablets varies depending on the brands that you are using. These chlorine tablets can be paired with a dispenser during the application or treatment. The ideal concentration that must be applied to a swimming pool is 1 part per million and should not exceed 3 parts per million.

This is the safest and the smartest way to balanced the protection against microorganisms and contaminants without putting too much chlorine in your pool water. The more chlorine you put, the more it will bring unwanted effects to the pool users such as eye and throat irritation.

Actually, there are many ways to add chlorine tablets in your pool but the most simple and convenient is through the use of floating dispensers. This is best used when you have floaters, pool liners, and other similar structures. Another method that you can use is through the pool skimmer. This is a much better method that dissolves the chlorinated tablet more effectively as the water directly flows to the skimmer basket.

The automatic chlorinator is probably the best way to add chlorine to your swimming pool. You will have more control over the levels of chlorination that you can do in the treatment process. The chlorine granules are another way and are actually an alternative version of the chlorinated tablets. In this method, you will just sprinkle the chlorine to the pool water during the treatment.

Type of Chlorine Tabs

There are two major types of Chlorine Tabs and that is the Stabilized and the unstabilized chlorine tablets. Stabilized chlorine tabs work best in the outdoor swimming pool while unstabilized chlorine pool tabs work best with indoor pools.

When it comes to its usage, stabilized chlorine tabs usually last long during the treatment process compared to the other type. This is because it was designed to withstand the scorching heat of the sun using an additive called cyanuric acid. This is the component that makes the stabilized tablets last longer even in hot conditions.

Meanwhile, unstabilized chlorinated tablets do not perform well when exposed to sunlight and their effectivity usually decreases when exposed to hot conditions.

Benefits of Using a Chlorine Tabs

There are a lot of benefits in using chlorine tabs and the list below summarizes it:

Easy Usage – Chlorine tablets are easy to use and applied to the swimming pool. You can use either a dispenser, your pool skimmer, or the automatic chlorinator during the treatment. Using any of these ways will provide a constant and steady supply of chlorine all over your swimming pool.

Affordable – Chlorinated tablets are the most affordable options for you in terms of chlorinating your swimming pool. It is inexpensive but one of the most powerful and effective way to sanitize your pool water to make it safe to pool users.

High-Quality Packages – Chlorinated tablets come in high-quality and big packages. Some of which will last for a full season which will greatly save you some money. There will be less effort on your part in terms of repeatedly buying it while exerting a lot of effort.

Versatility – Chlorinated tablets can be use in Jacuzzi’s, spa, and pools which make it more versatile compared to other sanitizers.

Easy measurement – As it comes in tablet form, measuring it during the treatment process is relatively easy. All you need to know is determine the quantity of the tablets that you can use to a particular or specific treatment process.

FAQ’s

How much chlorine should you use?

The volume of chlorine that you should use depends on the type of treatment that you will do and the actual size of your pool. To be able to determine the exact amount, you may refer to the instruction manual found in every product.

How to install and use?

Installation and the usage of chlorinated tablets largely depend on the type of tablets in your position. There are tablets that are used with dispensers during the treatment process. Another alternative is to use your pool skimmers and automatic chlorinator to do the job.

What is the best time for chlorination?

Normally, it is best to do the chlorination process during nigh time. This is because chlorine usually loses its effectiveness when exposed to the scorching heat of the sun. Furthermore, adding it during the night will give enough time for the chlorine to clean or sanitize your pool before the sun comes out again the following day.

Why you should not add chlorine tablets to the skimmer?

It is not advisable to put chlorinated tablets in your swimming pool skimmer because it will turn the water acidic which will go into the filter. Acidic water will greatly affect and damage the internal parts of the filter and will force you to replace it with a new one.

What’s the best way to chlorinate your pool then?

There are many ways to chlorinate the swimming pool and the best one largely depends on your preference. But the best one and the most popular one is using the chlorinated tablets as it distributes the chemicals equally into the swimming pool. You can also perform a chlorine shock treatment at least once a week as part of your pool cleaning and maintenance.

Chlorine Safety and Precautions?

For your safety, always follow the instructions indicated in the chlorinated tablets in your position. This will also help in increasing the effectivity of the product when used for treatment. Chlorine tablets should also be stored in a well-ventilated area that provides cool and dry conditions.

For everyone safety, it is important to keep these products away from children’s reach as it is poisonous. It is also important to use gloves when taking out a tablet during the treatment process.

Conclusion

We have reviewed 10 of the best chlorine tablets for swimming pools that are available in the market today. We certainly hope that our review provides information that might be needed while you select the right one for your swimming pool. All the information provided in this review was our way of helping before to finally decide to choose the best-chlorinated tablet for your swimming pool.