Keeping your pool clean is very important, but, let’s face it, it’s also a chore. An automatic pool chlorinator can mean you never have to worry about chlorinating your pool again!
There are many different kinds of automatic pool chlorinators. Some are very expensive, while others are cheap.
Automatic pool chlorinators come in various sizes, shapes, and colors. You’ll need to decide if you want something big or small, and what kind of shape you prefer.
Table of Contents
About Automatic Pool Chlorinators
A pool without a chlorinator sounds like a terrible idea. Chlorine keeps pools clean by killing off harmful bacteria.
Having a pool without chlorine means there is a risk of dangerous bacteria growing in your pool.
Your local frogs might enjoy hanging out in your pool, but they could also be carrying disease. You should get a pool chlorinator to make sure your pool stays healthy.
Chlorinators are used to purify water by removing impurities such as chlorine or other chemicals. There are many different kinds of chlorinators available, including mechanical, chemical, and UV-C.
Chlorinators remove contaminants from water using various methods. Mechanical chlorinators use gravity to separate particles from water.
Chemical chlorinators use chemicals to break down contaminants. Ultraviolet (UV) -C uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and viruses.
What Is An Automatic Pool Chlorinator?
An automatic pool chlorinator is an automated device that dispenses chlorine into your swimming pool.
You can use this device to add chlorine to your pool without having to pour it yourself.
Chlorine generators are used to produce chlorine gas. Salt chlorinators use sodium chloride (salt) as an oxidizer to create chlorine gas. This process requires heat and pressure.
Why Use A Chlorinator In Your Pool?
Pool chlorine is an effective way to eliminate bacteria and other microorganisms that may cause illness. However, it should be used sparingly because it can also damage the pool’s surface.
Chlorine is dangerous if used incorrectly. You should always use an automatic chlorinator when adding chlorine to pools.
Too much chlorine can cause skin irritation, eyes redness, and other unpleasant side effects. Excess chlorine can be caustics to your body systems.
Chlorine levels should be kept between 1.0 and 2.5 ppm. You’ll want to keep your pool clean by using a pool chlorinator.
Pool chlorinators are available in many different models, but there are several important factors to consider when buying one.
We’ve included some helpful information here to help you choose the right model for your needs.
How Does An Automatic Pool Chlorinator Work?
An automatic pool chlorinator plugs into your pump and filter. Chlorine is released steadily from outside the pool instead of being placed inside the pool.
This type of pool chlorinator works well for above ground pools but may not work as well for in-ground pools.
Chlorine is added to pools (see also ‘Raise Or Lower Level Of Pool Chlorine‘) by either tablets or liquid, but an automatic pool chlorinator does both.
It adds the right amount of chlorine when you want it, and removes excess chlorine when you don’t need it. This saves time and money.
To use an automatic chlorinator, you’ll need to know how to operate it correctly.
Your pool needs the right amount of chlorine to stay clean. Plug your automatic chlorinator right into your pool pump and filter system (see also our guide to adding DE to your pool filter) .
Pool Volume
Automatic pool chlorinators will sanitize pools of up to 40k gallons.
Some pool chlorinators can sanitize pools of over 40k gallons, but most are designed for smaller pools. Be sure to check this part first before buying.
Don’t know how many gallons are inside your pool? You’ll need to multiply the length of your pool times the width to get the total surface area.
Then divide the average depth by 2 to get the approximate amount of water in your pool.
What Type Of Chlorine Does An Automatic Chlorinator Use?
Chlorine comes in four forms: tablet, granules, powder, and liquid. Your automatic chlorinator works with dissolvable pool chlorination tablets or sticks, like trichlor tablets.
Types Of Automatic Chlorinators
Chlorine dispensers work automatically, even when you’re away from home or out-of-town. You can set up different rates of chlorine dispensing depending on what type of pool you have.
There are two options for installing the dispenser: inline or offline. This product works with all three types of pools.
Inline chlorinators are easier to install than offline ones. They’re also cheaper because you don’t need to buy an extra piece of equipment.
However, if you want to use a different type of chlorine generator, you’ll need to purchase another unit.
Inline chlorinators are used when you want to use chlorine as your disinfectant. Offline chlorinators are used when the water source does not contain enough chlorine to kill bacteria.
Inline Chlorinator
Inline chlorinators are plumbing devices that dissolve chlorine tablets and disperse them into the water.
You’ll want to get these installed before your pool is built or renovated so that you can easily access the pipes for cutting.
The inline chlorinator makes it easier to clean out the tank. It’s a lot more reliable than the old system. It’s also cheaper than the old system.
Offline Chlorinator
Chlorinators are devices used to make sure your swimming pool water stays clean by adding chlorine or other chemicals.
You’ll need to cut a hole in the pipe if you’re installing an offline chlorinator. This means cutting into the pipe. Inline chlorinators are better because they require less space than offline chlorinators.
Automatic Pool Chlorinator vs Automatic Chemical Feeder
Automatic chemical feeders are similar to but different from automatic chlorinators. Chlorinators only work with chlorine while chemical feeders also work with bromine.
Chlorinator and chemical feeder are both used to make chlorine gas. Chlorinator is a machine that makes chlorine gas by reacting chlorine with water. Chemical feeder is a machine that feeds chlorine into water.
Automatic pool chlorinators are easy to use and maintain. Chlorine tablets should be added every week or two.
Chlorinators have many advantages but also some disadvantages. We’ve listed out the pros and cons of each type of chlorinator.
Chlorine tablets prevent staining of your pool lining. You may set the level of chlorination automatically. This product works even when you are away. It can be used on both above-ground and in-ground pools.
Chlorine tablets prevent staining of your pool lining. You may set the chlorination levels by yourself, or let the system do it automatically.
This product works even if you are away from home, and it doesn’t need any electricity.
How To Choose A Chlorinator
Chlorinators should be chosen based on the size of the pool. A large pool needs a larger unit than a smaller one.
Chlorinators come with accessories such as filters, pumps, and other parts.
You should consider these when planning your project. Your pool size will determine what size chlorinator you choose.
Using An Automatic Chlorinator
Chlorine is added automatically to your pool water at a preset time. The chlorinator pumps the chlorine directly into the pool instead of running through the filter first.
This protects the filter from chlorine corrosion. You may add a lot of chlorine to your pool at once and control the amount by using a dial.
Automatic chlorinators save you time by supplying your pool water with a constant level of chlorine.
Cons. Chlorine gas will rise when you open the automatic chlorination system. Be careful when opening and adding chemicals.
Chlorine is dangerous stuff. Don’t breathe chlorine fumes. Turn off the pool pump before you refill the pool chlorinator.
Wait 1 minute after draining the pool to make sure the chlorine fumes are gone. Stand away from the pool chlorinator feeders.
To recharge the pool chlorinator feeder add tablets according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use silicone lubricant on the o-ring, and replace the pool chlorinator cap.
After you turn the chlorinator back on, you can reset the control valve dial to the level required. Read the manufacturer’s recommendations for the settings as compared to your pool use and weather conditions.
Every time you recharge the feeders, check the lines for kinks and wear. You may need replacement lines every year. Don’t forget to check the leak around the pump.
What Type Of Chlorine To Use In A Pool Chlorinator
Chlorine tablets and sticks are used to kill bacteria and algae in swimming pools. They are also used to disinfect water before drinking.
Chlorine tablets and chlorine sticks are available in different sizes and shapes. You can buy them online or at your local pool store.
Chlorine tablets should be handled carefully because they may cause skin irritation.
How To Set Your Chlorinator Rate
Chlorinators are devices used to control the level of chlorine in swimming pools.
You must use a specific formula to calculate the proper amount of chlorine needed to maintain the right level of disinfection.
Your pool volume (check out our pool volume calculator) determines the amount of chlorine needed. A pool volume calculator is available here.
Chlorinators should be set at 50% for 2-3 days before adjusting the settings. You may want to test the chlorine levels before adjusting them. Adjusting the settings too high could cause damage to the pump.
Chlorine levels should be kept within 1-3 ppm. Adjusting the level by adjusting the percentage is very simple.
Facts And Tips
Swimming pools need to maintain a certain pH level to stay safe and healthy. Different types of chemicals are used to do this depending on what kind of pool you have.
Automatic chlorinators use a chemical called sodium hypochlorite to make sure the water stays clean. Skimmer baskets are used to catch debris before it gets into the filter system.
Chlorine tabs are used to make pools safe. They dissolve into a liquid form when added to water. This makes them easy to use. They are made up of different chemicals that help kill bacteria.
Chlorine tablets should be kept in a container. Placing them in the water will cause stains on the walls and floors.
Floaters should be removed when swimming, to avoid capsizing. Stringing the floater will keep it from floating around too much.
You can see if there are any extra chlorine tabs left over. Chlorine levels can be controlled by adding or removing chlorine tabs. There are fewer steps involved in opening and closing the pool.
Should I Use A Chlorine Tablet Floater?
Chlorine floaters are cheap but difficult to maintain. They break down over time if exposed to sunlight or chlorine.
Chlorine tabs are used to make swimming pools safe. These tabs dissolve quickly, so you must check the skimmer basket regularly to ensure that there are enough tabs left.
You also need to add more tabs if the water gets stagnant. If the water is too dirty, the tabs won’t work properly.
Your skimmer should be cleaned regularly. You should use a skimmer basket that doesn’t stay in one place near the pool wall.
You should also use chlorine tablets in your skimmer basket. Acid builds up when you use chlorine tablets in your pump.
If the critical acid build up occurs during the summer months, you’ll need to hire a pool technician and pay for replacement parts.
How Much Suction Should A Pool Skimmer Have?
A pool skimmer (see also ‘Steps For Installing A Thru Wall Skimmer On An Intex Pool‘) should be able to handle 100% of the pool’s desired water turnover. Flow depends on many factors including plumbing size, pool size, and skimmer design.
Generally, a public facility requires 1 skimmer per 500 square feet of pool surface area and 1 skimmer per 800 square feet of residential pool area.
Commercial pools require more skimmers than residential pools because of the amount of water used by the pool. A pool with heavy debris needs additional skimmers to keep the pool clean.
Final Thoughts
Automatic pool chlorinators are great because they make pool maintenance easier.
You won’t smell like chlorine anymore. And you’ll be able to enjoy your pool longer.
