Swimming pool chlorine

Advantages and disadvantages of chlorine 36 and chlorine 48

Chlorine 36 is less concentrated , therefore less aggressive for pool equipment and bathers' skin. Suitable for small and/or lightly used pools . Generally lower cost than chlorine 48. Suitable for small and/or lightly used pools. Linked to the lower concentration, the cost per liter is of course less expensive than chlorine 48. Chlorine 36 is of course less effective than chlorine 48 in eliminating bacteria and impurities and may require a greater dosage to obtain the same results as chlorine 48.
The choice between chlorine 36 and chlorine 48 depends on several factors, such as the size of your pool, how busy it is, water quality, temperature and weather conditions.

Stabilized and unstabilized chlorine

It is important to note that chlorine 36 and chlorine 48 may be available as stabilized or unstabilized chlorine. Stabilized chlorine contains a stabilizer (cyanuric acid) which protects the chlorine from degradation by UV rays, while unstabilized chlorine does not contain a stabilizer.

Focus on the different forms of chlorine for swimming pools

Chlorine gas
Chlorine gas is a toxic gas delivered in bottles and very rarely used in private or collective swimming pools, rather intended for municipal swimming pools.
Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)
Sodium hypochlorite, better known as bleach, comes in liquid form and is mainly used in public swimming pools. It is available in different concentrations, including professional concentrations of 36 and 48 degrees.
Calcium hypochlorite
Calcium hypochlorite is used for fresh water swimming pools and does not contain a stabilizer. It is available in solid or liquid form.
Lithium hypochlorite
Lithium hypochlorite is suitable for all types of water, regardless of hardness. It does not contain stabilizers and is compatible with bromine treatment.
Chlorocyanurates in pebbles, granules or effervescent tablets
Chlorocyanurates are the most common forms and compositions of chlorine for private swimming pools because they are simple to use and effective. They are available in the form of pebbles, granules or effervescent tablets.

Chlorine slow roller

The chlorine tablet should be placed in the skimmer or in the discharge doser. These pool chlorine pebbles slowly decompose in pool water, generating hypochlorous acid. In this case of treatment, the chlorine level in the swimming pool must be checked daily with chlorine / pH / Bromine testers. In the case of a significant chlorination defect, you can quickly rectify it by using shock chlorine which comes in powder form to be put directly into the pool water and thus quickly raise the chlorine level. This is generally done at the start of the season, after intensive use of the pool or in the event of strong heat and storms. Using a chlorine stabilizer will allow you to limit this loss. Be careful not to add too much chlorine stabilizer because your pool would then be "overstabilized", which is not the desired objective.