While chlorine tablets can be a great tool to help maintain your chlorine reading, you should be sure you are using them properly. Misuse of chlorine tablets can cause a list of issues for your pool water and equipment. Here are some tips on how to use them correctly!
1. Use a floater or chlorinator for chlorine tablets.
We recommend using a floater or a chlorinator to hold your chlorine tablets. A chlorinator will automatically dispense chorine into your pool at the rate you set it to. There is an adjustable setting on the unit that you should be able to change when needed. A floater has a similar concept. It is a plastic vessel that holds your tablets and floats around in the pool. These can also be adjusted to let more or less chlorine be released into your water. A common mistake is adding chlorine tablets directly to the skimmer or pump. If you do this, it can cause acidic pool water. This acidic water can go straight into the filter and compromise its internal parts. This will force you to replace these internal parts earlier than necessary.
2. Add one three inch tablet for every 10,000 gallons of water.
Instead of filling your chlorinator or floater to the top with tablets, use one three-inch tablet for every 10,000 gallons of water in your pool. Chlorine tablets should only be used to help maintain a chlorine reading. A common mistake is relying on chlorine tablets for a chlorine reading. This will cause your chlorine reading to be way higher than necessary and it will also cause your water to become acidic which causes another list of issues for your pool. You should be shocking your pool weekly with liquid or powder shock. If you are keeping up with this, 1 tablet for every 10,000 gallons should be perfect to help maintain a healthy chlorine reading.
3. Check your chlorinator/floater weekly and refill as needed.
Adding chlorine tablets to your chlorinator or floater should be part of your weekly maintenance. Every week when adding your other maintenance chemicals, you should be checking your chlorinator or floater to see if any tablets need to be added. If your chlorinator or floater is empty, you should refill it with the appropriate amount of tablets. A common mistake pool owners make is filling their chlorinator or floater to the top with tablets. This would be considered overuse of tablets which plummets your pH, causing your water to become acidic. This can cause burning eyes, itchy skin, and ruined pool equipment. You will also begin to save money once you realize that one tablet for every 10,000 gallons is effective!
