Converting Swimming Pools – Alternative Sanitizers

The majority of swimming pools use stabilized chlorine as a sanitizer to keep their pool clean and free of algae. Regular maintenance of the pool, cleaning, chlorination, and shock will ensure that your pool never turns green with algae or even gets cloudy. Some consumers have found alternatives to chlorine which are environmentally approved and react less with your skin when your are swimming in the pool. Converting swimming pools to the new sanitizer is easy and straightforward, however the conversion needs to be done in specific steps.

Converting a swimming pool, or changing from chlorine to an alternative sanitizer such as biguanide involves a number of easy steps that can be accomplished over a few days. The first step is to ensure that your pool is clean and all algae, dirt and debris is removed from the pool. Scrub the walls and sides of the pool with a brush, vacuum any debris and backwash your filter. Next check your water balance and ensure that the PH levels are ok and within the appropriate ranges. Then remove all existing chlorine sources, tablets and unused chlorine that may still be in your chlorinator.

All chlorine must be neutralized to finish converting the pool. Adding hydrogen peroxide to the pool in a ratio of once gallon per 10,000 gallons of water in your pool will effectively convert all of the chlorine. After you have neutralized the chlorine check one last time for any residual chlorine that may remain in the pool. Once you have completed this step your conversion is finished and you can begin using your new chemicals in your swimming pool. Converting and changing is easy and your pool water should be maintained on a daily basis.

Author Notes:

Paul Richardson contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.pools-n-pool-accessories.com. A great resource for pools and pool supplies including reviews, how-to's and news.