Liquid Chlorine has the shortest shelf life of all your pool chemicals, losing up to 50% or half of its potency six months from when it was first opened and up to 90% after a year.
Liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) is the most unstable pool chemical, losing 50% of its potency within the first six months and 90% after a year; when exposed to extremely hot or cold temperatures, or sunlight, it degrades even faster.
Liquid Chlorine
Sodium Hypochlorite, or chlorine bleach is a comparatively unstable form of chlorine, in that it can lose up to 50% potency within the first 6 months, and 90% within one year. If subjected to hot or cold temperatures or direct sunlight, degradation occurs more quickly.
Properly stored chlorine tablets should last three to five years. The storage site should be cool, dry and well-ventilated, such as in a basement. Never leave chlorine tablets in the direct sun, even in a covered bucket, because the heat will accelerate the degrading process of the tablet and its ingredients.
As a general rule, liquid acids and dry pool chemicals can last for several years if they're properly stored away from heat and moisture while most chemicals in liquid form have a shorter expiration date. For example, granular chlorine has a long shelf life, but chlorine in liquid form does not.
All pool chemicals, aside from unstabilised liquid chlorine, are good for up to three to five years as long as they're stored in a cool and dark place away from sunlight and they're packed in air-tight containers. Granular chlorine can be re-packed to extend its shelf life.
You can use half tablets too, score them with a screwdriver, and break it in half with your hands, underwater in the skimmer basket.
Tablets will last approximately 5-7 days depending upon temperature and amount of water flow.
Typically, a 3-inch pool chlorine tablet is designed to chlorinate from 7,500 to 10,000 gallons of water per week, meaning it'll take seven days to dissolve. If you have a 30,000-gallon pool, you'll need to place three 3-inch pool chlorine tablets in a chlorinator or floater.
So how long it takes for a chlorine tablet to dissolve really varies for every pool. As a general rule, we see stabilized chlorine tablets (also called trichlor tablets) last anywhere from two to three days. Slow dissolve cal-hypo tabs may last four to five days.
The drawbacks of chlorination are:
Relatively low protection against protozoa. Lower disinfection effectiveness in turbid waters. Potential taste and odor objections. Must ensure quality control of solution. Potential long-term effects of chlorination by-products.
You might have an infestation of algae, fungus or bacteria that can deplete normal chlorine levels and it is possible for this to occur without many visible signs. Your pool may appear to have a dusty look on the pool bottom. If you brush it and it clouds the water, then it is most likely a Mustard Algae.
Also, aeration helps chlorine evaporate, but chloramine will remain in water. Boiling your water for 15 to 20 minutes is a great option to get rid of chlorine. But as in the case of aeration, boiling will leave the chloramine in your water for much longer.
Liquid chlorine is preferred over chlorine tablets by pool professionals however home swimming pools will benefit too. Liquid chlorine quickly raises or maintains chlorine levels without raising stabilizer. Chlorine tablets maintain chlorine levels and add stabilizer to the pool water.
Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.
There is no harm in using liquid chlorine after storing it through the winter, but it will be less effective than when initially purchased. Pool chlorine comes in different forms with differing levels of stability.
In most cases, you're best off with 3-inch chlorine tablets, as one single tablet can treat up to 5,000 gallons of water. On the other hand, 1-inch tablets contain far less chlorine (about half as much as 3-inch tablets), so they're better suited for smaller indoor pools and spas.
Add one tablet for every 5,000 gallons of water and always round up. For example, if your pool has 21,000 gallons of water, add five tablets per week. If it has 8,000 gallons, use two tablets.
How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.
Do i fill the whole thing up till filled with tablets? or do i stick one tablet in for a 10ft summer wave pool. thanks:-) Answer: One tablet is all you need.
Floating pool dispensers can be used in aboveground and inground pools, but make sure your pool manufacturer says it's safe to use one. The chlorine floater must be removed from the water when people are in the pool.
You can swim with chlorine tablets in the pool if the chlorine tablets are in a container. Getting in touch with those tablets can cause rashes, irritation and eye problems. However, to be in a safe zone it will be better if you wait for 3 to 5 hours till the chlorine levels touch 4 to 6 ppm.
Chlorine tablets are slow dissolving and therefore need to be placed in either a floating dispenser, in-line chlorine feeder or a skimmer basket.