Chlorine vs. No Chlorine: Which One is Right for You?

Chlorine is one of the most commonly used pool chemicals in nz for sanitising swimming and spa pools. With the use of chlorine, your pool waters are free from bacteria and remain clear of algae, and maintained so you can have a safe pool year-round.

However, there are alternatives to using chlorine as a cleaning agent. Chlorine free pool chemicals can be an effective way to reduce chlorine use while still ensuring safe swimming waters. Today, we discuss the benefits of chlorine chemicals compared to the benefits of chlorine-free chemicals, and help you weigh your options with a more informed viewpoint.

Importance of Chlorine

Chlorine has three main functions—it sanitises your pool waters and kills bacteria and germs; it oxidises and controls organic debris that comes from body oils, and it inhibits algae growth. Essentially, using chlorine keeps your pool clean and clear, but it needs to be used with caution, as it greatly influences your pool’s pH balance. When you don’t understand your pool’s basic chemistry, you can easily disrupt your water’s pH balance and lead to a potentially dangerous environment when you come in contact with or ingest the water.

Using Chlorine Safely

With regular testing using water test strips, you can read your swimming pool water’s pH, so you can accurately determine the right chlorine dosage. If the pH balance is too high, your chlorine content may be too low, and this can make the pool cleaning process much more difficult. On the other hand, if the pH balance is too low, it may mean you have high chlorine levels, which can provoke skin and eye irritation. Remember that the ideal pH balance of your water should read between 7.0 and 8.0, and the ratio should be around 0.00013 ounces of chlorine per gallon of water.

Pools without Chlorine

There’s no denying the chlorine is one of the most powerful cleaning agents for pools, and using the right proportion of chlorine is the key to keep it clean, clear, and safe. However, there are swimming pool owners who are looking for ways to reduce their chlorine dependency for a number of reasons—they may be allergic to chlorine, they want to prevent overexposure to chlorine, or they simply want to go all-natural.

The truth of the matter is, not using chlorine opens the door to potential problems of unseen bacteria. Chlorine-free pools which aren’t well-maintained can become breeding grounds for whatever can cause water-related illnesses. There are a number of chlorine replacements one can use for an ultra-low chlorine pool to keep your swimming waters safe.

Chlorine Alternatives

  1. Bromine – Bromine is the next best thing to chlorine. It’s great for indoor pools and spas and can be an acceptable alternative to swimmers with allergic reactions to chlorine. Bromine provides the same level of protection as chlorine, but it may be a more expensive option than using chlorine.
  2. Ozone generators – Ozone generators assist in breaking down organic contaminants, and lower your chemical usage by as much as 60-90%. However, ozone generators can’t sanitise a pool entirely by themselves.
  3. Non-chlorine shock – Non-chlorine shock is great for oxidising organic pollutants. Your pool will likely also requires a sanitiser, and this may be more expensive than a chlorine shock.

Going Completely Chlorine-free

A 100% chlorine-free pool or spa pool needs proper water balance, effective pool or spa filters, and weekly shocking with non-chlorine shock and additional support from enzymes and clarifiers. If you’re a pool owner who wants to eliminate toxic chemicals and go for a truly chlorine-free pool, you can disinfect your pools waters with chlorine-free sanitisers such as Poppits Peroxsil 395 which uses silver and hydrogen peroxide.

At Crystal Clear, we provide you with both pool chemicals as well as chlorine-free pool chemicals to manage your pool’s sanitation needs. Contact us today to learn more!