Top 5 Chlorine Alternatives For Pools!
When it comes to swimming pools, most people would opt to wait until the pool is crystal clear before swimming. I don’t blame them. You’d be shocked at how many contaminants and harmful pathogens can enter a pool, causing it to cloud up, turn green, or worse, affect swimmers. Chlorine is the most popular type of sanitizer used in pools of all kinds to keep them clean and clear, but it is not the only type of sanitizer on the market.
Chlorine is a very safe chemical, but unfortunately, many people are sensitive to chlorine on their skin, and some people just prefer to use an alternative option. But what kind of options are there? I’m glad you asked. After 20 years of business, we here at Royal Pools G2 Outdoor Designs have seen and tested our fair share of alternative sanitizing methods for pools, and we’ve narrowed down a list of several great options for you! In this article, we’re going to take a look at the five best sanitation alternatives to traditional chlorine and break down the individual pros and cons of each.
Bromine
Let’s start off with a simple one, bromine. Bromine and chlorine are derived from the same chemical group, think of them as cousins. With that being said, it is not a good alternative for those with chlorine allergies, since it does contain trace amounts of chlorine. It should be noted that the chlorine and bromine that you use in pools are not true chlorine or bromine in their original state, both are diluted with water and other chemicals making them safer to handle.
Bromine and chlorine essentially perform the same function, acting as oxidizers, sanitizers, and algaecides, but their processes are slightly different. When chlorine is deposited into a pool, the chemical cleaning process known as oxidation occurs. Bromine, on the other hand, performs a process known as ionization, in which the bromine chemical rips apart contaminants in the pool. It is still classified as an oxidizer, but the specific oxidation process occurs much more naturally in chlorine. Bromine actually works slower than chlorine, thus killing more contaminants over a longer time.
Bromine is typically used more often in spas and hot tubs, as it works better in warm water than chlorine does, but it can be used for pools as well. Like chlorine, bromine for pools can be found in tablet, granular, and liquid form.
Pros:
- Easier on skin and eyes than chlorine.
- Works in vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete pools.
- Less aggressive odor.
- Longer working.
- Heat resistant.
- Lower pH than chlorine leads to less chemical adjustments.
Cons:
- More expensive than chlorine.
- Still can cause chemical rashes.
- Susceptible to dissipation due to sunlight.
- Weaker oxidizer than chlorine.
- Contains chlorine, thus not ideal for those with chlorine allergies or sensitivity.
Baquacil
Baquacil CDX Pool Care System is a specialized pool maintenance programed designed to control bacteria and algae growth. The sanitizer/algistat component of the system, scientifically known as preservative-free polyhexamethylene biguanide, is a chlorine free sanitizer that is paired with a Baquacil brand oxidizer providing crystal clear, silky-smooth, odor-free swimming water!
Baquacil sanitizers latch on to contaminants and clump them together, making it easier for the the skimmer to suck in the debris. The downside to this is that the filter can be clogged much quicker. Poolowners using baquacil will most likely have to clean their filters more often than they would using traditional chlorine. The biguanide alone is not the best oxidizer, which is why it is paired with an oxidizer.
Pros:
- Odor free.
- Softer, silkier water,
- Less harmful to skin and eyes.
- Compatible with all the pool types.
- Unaffected by sunlight.
Cons:
- Much more expensive that traditional chlorine.
- More maintenance required due to filter cleanings.
- Multiple products make up the one system.
- Longer, slower sanitation process that can diminish over time.
E-Z Pool
A favorite of ours here at RPG2, E-Z Pool is an all in one pool mix that eliminates the need for constant chemical adjustments and significantly cuts down chlorine demand. Specifically created to curtail customer confusion about pool balancers and other chemicals, E-Z Pool contains just about everything that a pool needs to stay clean and crystal clear. This concentrated pool blend contains balancers (pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness), algaecide, stable oxidizer, clarifier, scale inhibitor, and water conditioner. E-Z Pool is best used in combination with chlorine tablets. It is not a full chlorine replacement, but it does lower the need for excessive shocking required by regular chlorinated pools.
E-Z Pool is a once a week scoop(s) that is deposited into your pool on the same day every week. The amount of scoops you will need is contingent on the number of gallons of water in your pool, most pools use anywhere between 2-6 scoops weekly.
If you’re interested in E-Z Pool, check out our article for more information: E-Z Pool: All In One Pool Blend
Pros:
- Ease of use.
- Cuts down chlorine demand.
- Saves money by eliminating the need for balancing chemicals.
- Can work in any pool type.
- You can swim right after it is added to the pool.
Cons:
- Sponsors copper growth due to built-in algaecide.
- More expensive than chlorine.
UV/Ozone System
UV and Ozone systems are two tried and true sanitization methods that when combined perform at a higher efficiency than chlorine alone can.
UV systems are a fairly simple but effective tool used to kill contaminants in water. The system uses bright ultraviolet light to kill chlorine-resistant microorganisms. UV systems are great for pools that are susceptible to particle and debris buildup, as these systems have a kill rate of 99.9%.
Similarly to chlorine, Ozone systems oxidize the water in a bulb, killing all the contaminants and potential viruses it comes in contact with. Ozone alone is a great partial alternative to chlorine as it does essentially the same thing but with much greater efficiency.
When combined, these two systems work to kill just about every potentially harmful contaminant, micro-organism, pathogen and recreational water illnesses (RWI’s). RPG2 have installed hundreds of dual UV/Ozone systems over the years and have found it to be both effective and efficient, despite the need for small amounts of chlorine.
Pros:
- You will typically use 80% less chlorine than a traditional chlorine pool.
- UV alone reduces chemical usage by up to 50%.
- On average it costs less than a salt system.
- No automation is required.
Cons:
- Still have to handle chlorine (only 1 ppm to prevent algae).
- Have to change the UV bulb.
- Flow rate actually affects the production of ozone.
Ionizer Systems
You’ve never heard of ionizer systems? Fret not, they’re a less common method of sanitization, but a fine one nonetheless. Pool Ionizers are an electric disinfection system that is ran to the pool from your equipment pad. There are also ionizer dispensers that can float on the surface of the pool, but an in-line system is the most effective option. These systems are known for creating a smooth, silky water that feels great on swimmers skin.
Ionizer cells contain copper and silver electrodes that when energized by the device, begin to eliminate bacteria and microorganisms. Like our other options, ionizers are best used in combination with chlorine. But because the ionizer kills so many contaminants, you will only need about 1 ppm of chlorine in the pool for algae-killing purposes. Ionizer cells need to be cleaned regularly to prevent staining due to high ion output.
Pros:
- Silky, smooth water.
- Prevents algae growth.
- Decreases need for chlorine.
- Minimal damage to pool equipment over time.
- No odor.
Cons:
- Maintenance is required.
- Inconsistent lifespan. Some cells last a few months, some last for years.
- Metal oxidation can lead to staining.
- Chlorine is required.
- More costly in the long-run.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, most of the chlorine “alternatives” are best used when combined with small amounts of chlorine. The fact of the matter is that when it comes to pools, there is simply no perfect replacement for chlorine, it is simply the best for keeping pools clean. With that being said, these are all tried and true products that will greatly cut down the need for excessive chlorine.
Each of these products has their benefits and their drawbacks, like chlorine. It is important to note that when it comes to pools, it’s different strokes for different folks. Some people simply can’t feel the difference in water texture between a traditionally chlorinated pool, and a salt chlorinated pool.
If you have a lot of parties and swimmers coming into your pool, there’s probably not going to be many of them who can tell if you’re using E-Z Pool or Baquacil. At the end of the day, it is up to you the pool owner to decide what works best and feels best for you. Use this article as a launchpad for further research into pool sanitizers. Happy hunting!
Written By Logan Edgemon
Additional Articles to Research:
What Is A Salt Water Pool? Salt Water VS Chlorine And Pros And Cons