Pool Alternative Sanitizers
Check out these great alternatives to traditional chlorine.
Alternative sanitizers are the most popular way to sanitize your swimming pool while reducing or even eliminating the use of traditional chemical chlorine. If you're wondering why you would want to limit the use of chlorine, there are a few answers to that question. First of all, traditional chlorine adds an unpleasant smell, taste and even feel to pool water. It contains chloramines which are the component of chlorine that cause red eyes and irritated skin. Chlorine is also infamous for fading bathing suits and pool liners, and turning blonde hair to a lovely shade of green. Aside from these issues, there are increasing health concerns regarding exposure to chlorine and many pool owners are looking for alternative methods of sanitizing their pools.
So
which pool
alternative sanitizer is the best? It depends on the
goal you have in mind. We'll discuss four types below
- salt chlorine generators, ozonators, ionizers and mineral
purifiers.
Salt Chlorine Generators
Chlorine
can be produced in a softer, more natural form by using
a salt
chlorine generator. This purer form of chlorine does
not have the smell or irritants normally associated with
traditional chlorine. Salt chlorine generators essentially
manufacture chlorine for your pool using fine solar salt.
This salt is added to the pool water in a quantity that
is far below the human ability to taste it. The salt water
then passes through what's known as the cell of the generator.
The cell unit, which is plumbed inline between the filter
and the pool, contains coated blades which create a small
electrical charge as the salt water comes into contact
with them. This creates chlorine which is then returned
to your pool.
Salt chlorine generators feature a power supply unit that is installed at the electrical source for your pool equipment. The power supply features an LED or digital display that shows your salt and chlorine levels and helps you monitor your water. This unit can be used to “shock” or super-chlorinate your pool if needed. A salt chlorine generator will produce all of the chlorine you need to keep your pool properly sanitized, thus eliminating the need to repeatedly purchase pool chemicals.
Your initial investment for a salt chlorine system is the generator and the salt. Since salt does not evaporate, you will rarely need to add more salt unless heavy rains dilute your pool water or significant water is lost from excessive splashing. The salt cell will eventually need to be replaced as the coating on the blades wears off over time. Cells last about 4 -7 years depending on the manufacturer and how much coating they put on the blades. The cell is not an inexpensive part to replace however, as chlorine prices increase, you will lik ely save money even if you need to purchase a new cell every four years. And it is difficult to put a price on soft, silky water that just feels, smells and tastes better.
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We recommend the AutoPilot Salt Chlorine Generator for two reasons. The first is that the AutoPilot cell has more coating on the blades which means that it will last longer than other brands. The second is its bypass manifold feature which limits the amount of water flowing through the cell. This also prolongs the life of the cell. AutoPilot offers two power supply options, either the Soft Touch which has an LED display or the Digital which provides a full digital read-out of salt and chlorine levels, water temperature, etc.
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Ozonators
Ozone is a natural purifier created in nature by the combination of oxygen in air and the ultraviolet rays of the sun, or by the corona discharge during a lightning storm. Ozone is the clean, fresh scent noticed after a rainstorm. As a natural sanitizer, ozone destroys bacteria, viruses, mold, and mildew and eliminates spores, cysts, yeast, and fungus. Due to its purifying capability, ozone can be used to keep pool water clean and sparkling, providing an alternative to traditional chemicals such as chlorine and bromine.
In the quantities needed for water purification, ozone has no noticeable odor, taste or color. It is not irritating to humans and will not damage pool equipment. Ozone purifies water and air very quickly and efficiently, 3,000 times faster than chlorine, and leaves no by-products except pure oxygen. For over 65 years, ozone has been used to sanitize pools and spas all over the world. Since 1984, all Olympic Games competition pools have been purified with ozone.
Pool
ozonators and spa
ozonators generate and inject ozone into the water,
reducing the need for chlorine or bromine by 60 – 90%.
Some residual of traditional chemical is still recommended
for complete sanitization but the common complaints of
red eyes, irritated skin and harsh odors are eliminated
with the use of an ozonator. Some homeowners do use ozonators
alone as residential pools are not required to use chlorine.
While ozonators represent an upfront investment, they
greatly reduce the amount of money spent on chlorine and
other chemicals. As concerns increase regarding traditional
chemical use, alternative sanitizers such as ozonators
are an investment in your family's health and safety well
worth considering.
Common replacement parts for ozonators are corona discharge (CD) chips or UV lamps (depending on the model), check valves and tubing. CD chips and UV lamps are both rated for 9,000 hours of operation. Although you can wait for the unit to completely fail before replacing the ozone components, it is better to replace them annually to insure water quality. CD chips have an easily detectable glow indicating that ozone is actually being created. This glow will fade or disappear when ozone output has been diminished. On the other hand, UV lamps will continue to light up for years after the ozone capability has been diminished so the light is not a true indicator. This is why regular replacement is recommended. When a chip or lamp is replaced, it is also a good time to replace the check valve and tubing. Kits are available which contain all of the parts for easy maintenance.
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Inyo Pools recommends the Del ozonators for their quality, reliability and solid customer support. One of their newest models is the Del TrioPure which is a combination ozonator and salt chlorine generator. The TrioPure generates ozone for the majority of the sanitization and then the salt chlorine generator kicks in to provide the recommended chlorine residual. This unit eliminates the need to use any traditional chlorine and also the need to purchase a separate ozonator and salt chlorine generator.
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Ionizers
Electrolytic mineral ion systems, such as copper-silver ionization, are a proven, effective, non-chemical method to help control bacteria, algae and viruses. The principal of using metals for water purification dates back hundreds of years but the technology really began to develop in the 1960's when the Johnson Space Center conducted a research aimed at the development of a water purifier that required minimal power and no human monitoring. This program produced an electrolytic silver ion generator used to sanitize the potable water supply and waste water system of a spacecraft. NASA released the design information to the industry and ionization has since been used for pools, spas, cooling towers and other applications.
Pool
Ionizers typically consist of two electrodes, one
anode and one cathode made of a proportion of copper and
silver. These are placed in a chamber that is mounted
in the existing water recirculation system. An electronic
controller sends low-voltage, DC current to the electrodes.
This voltage causes some of the outer atoms of the electrodes
to lose an electron, turning these into positive ions.
These ions attempt to flow from one electrode to another
but instead, are carried to the pool or spa by the flow
of water. Since both copper and silver have algaecidal
and anti-bacterial properties, these ions sanitize the
water while posing no threat to human health.
Advantages of ionization include improved water quality, effective algae and bacteria control, reduced chemical usage, automated operation and an environmentally friendly method of water sanitation. As with the ozonators, a low level of chlorine is also recommended with the use of an ion system. Together, chlorine and an ionizer sanitize better than either method will by itself. When used in conjunction, the chlorine level is basically unnoticeable at less than .5ppm and the ion system is much more effective due to the presence of a low level of halogen which provides constant oxidation. Ionizers are somewhat less expensive than ozonators and salt chlorine generators and offer a good value in alternative sanitizers. In addition, ionizers do not require hundreds of pounds of salt, as with salt chlorine generators, which further reduces expense.
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As for ionizer replacement parts, the anode is what you would eventually need to replace. The life span of the anode depends on pool usage. In warmers climates where pools are kept open year round, the anode will typically last 12 – 18 months. In colder areas of the country where the pools are closed in the winter, the anode should last about three years. The anodes range in price depending on the size of the ionizer unit. At Inyo Pools, we carry the Thomson Tec brand which is made by a small manufacturer that specializes in ionizers for both pools and spas.
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Mineral Purifiers (Nature2)
Nature2
products use natural minerals to trap bacteria and algae,
reducing the need for harsh chemicals to keep your pool
or spa water balanced. Nature2 purifiers can reduce chlorine
usage by 50 - 80%. As with other alternative sanitizers,
a small residual of chlorine is recommended to keep the
water properly balanced and sanitized. While Nature2 does
trap bacteria and algae, it does not replace your pool
filter which is necessary to collect larger particles
and debris. Nature2 systems are available for both inground
and above ground pools as well as spas.
Another innovative option from Nature2 is the Swimpure cartridge which fits inside the core of many of the common Hayward filter cartridges. As water flows through your filter, it also passes through the Nature2 cartridge to trap bacteria and debris.
The Nature2 systems use a mineral cartridge that eventually needs to be replaced. Under normal operating conditions, the cartridge will last six months and should be changed in a timely manner as the low chlorine residual alone is not enough to properly sanitize water.
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We like the Nature2 Pro G Plus which combines the mineral vessel with a chlorinator that holds chlorine tablets, feeding both purifying minerals and chlorine into your pool. The combination unit makes sanitization simple, using silver and copper in conjunction with just .5ppm of chlorine to destroy bacteria and algae. The silver is an effective bactericide, while copper is used to combat algae, and the chlorine oxidizes dead bacteria and other organics.
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Alternative Sanitizer Questions
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