Sanitize Alternatives

Download a copy of the "Sanitize-Wise – Alternative Options and Ways to Reduce Sanitizer Demand" consumer brochure to share with your customers. Or to order a pack of 5 brochures, contact your local Sales Center. The item number for this brochure is MKG-88-1162.

While the pandemic has resulted in a huge DEMAND for new pools, remodels, and pool usage overall, other combined factors have also resulted in a shortage in the supply of trichlor tabs— a product that many consider to be the lifeblood of the pool industry.

But we want you to know that your local SCP and Superior Sales Centers—working with POOLCORP’s Retail and Chemical Team and many key suppliers—are here to help us all get through this shortage, keep pools clean, and keep pool owners happy.

We asked members of the team to share advice about alternatives to trichlor for sanitization, as well as how to help boost the effectiveness of your sanitizer.

Exploring Options

Some sanitization methods may be a better fit over others given the environment in which a pool is installed, along with the frequency it is used, and the level of involvement of the homeowner or service company. Finding the right program based on the average pool use and homeowner’s needs is important for ease of ownership and maintaining clean, clear water.

While chlorine is by far the most economical and efficient way to sanitize a pool, there are other options available. If you find that you need to offer alternatives, you should ensure that your sales staff is fully familiar with the products and program as well as how to present them to consumers. Besides chlorine tabs, some of the most popular methods of chemical sanitization include:

• Cal hypo tablet programs such as the Sustain 3 Step Program or CCH Endurance Feeder System are also great alternatives to a trichlor tablet. Cal hypo tablets provide the same level of sanitization but, unlike trichlor tablets, will not contribute to cyanuric acid, making it easier to control that level in pool water. Cal hypo is also available in a granular form. There are granular cal hypo products that are labeled for maintain daily chlorine levels and these products are another option for sanitization instead of trichlor chlorine tabs.
• Liquid chlorine and granular cal hypo are two products traditionally used for shocking, or super chlorinating, pool water but can also be used for daily sanitization. But be sure to follow the dosage instructions and use only products labeled for routine chlorination as well as super chlorination. While both of these products can provide regular sanitization when applied properly, keep in mind that they are both unstabilized and establishing and maintaining an ideal stabilizer level is important.
• Salt systems are a popular method for chlorinating swimming pool water. Specialty equipment is used to convert salt (sodium chloride) into a steadily maintained chlorine level.

Stronger Together

At times, different sanitization methods can be used in conjunction with one another—but be sure to pay attention to all warnings on product labels—and it’s important not to combine chemicals (i.e., a pool that is sanitized daily with liquid chlorine could benefit from a weekly dose of cal hypo shock and vice versa but these two products should never be mixed and added together). Different chlorine products may also be easily substituted. For instance, a pool that has historically used trichlor tablets for sanitization can also be routinely chlorinated by simply adding a liquid chlorine or granular cal hypo product that are labeled for daily use. When substituting sanitizers, make certain that your sales staff and customers clearly follow instructions on the product labels.

Reducing Demand

There are many different products available to help reduce the amount of chlorine required to maintain a swimming pool.

• A routine application of preventive algaecide is an easy and effective way to prevent algae growth and reduce the additional chlorine necessary to control it.
• Phosphates are a favorite food source for algae. Applying phosphate removal products helps prevent algae growth and reduce chlorine demand.
• These ancillary products help to increase sanitizer effectiveness and subsequently reduce use:
  • Enzyme products break down and remove organic waste and build up.
  • Clarifiers free water of particulate matter that could tax chlorine levels.
  • The use of filter cleaners not only decreases chlorine use by removing build up and waste, but also improves sanitizer performance by increasing circulation.
• Specialty units, such as UV or Ozone generators, can be installed in addition to the pool’s circulation and filtration equipment.
  • UV units stunt the growth of bacteria preventing it from being able to reproduce and stress chlorine levels.
  • Ozone generators reduce chlorine use by oxidizing pool water and freeing it of buildup and contaminants.
• Mineralizers are supplemental units that establish mineral levels in pool water, helping to prevent bacterial growth and kill algae that would normally require additional chlorine to manage.
• Blended chemicals (such as EZ Pool) help lower chlorine consumption by oxidizing contaminants, killing algae, and buffering water chemistry with one product.

No matter what method you recommend to your pool owner customers, you should always stress that it is extremely important to follow chemical product label instructions. Some products are incompatible with others and any considerations would be listed on the label. Different sanitization methods may also have specific water chemistry requirements. And as always, the recommended pool water chemistry levels for the chosen sanitization method should be maintained by testing and balancing on a weekly basis.

Supplier Support

In this issue of The Quarterly - Sanitize Wise, many of our vendors have also provided articles about their own alternatives. Be sure to check out articles from Hayward, Fluidra, Pentair, Haviland, and Sigura for more information.

We have numerous liquid chlorine vendors located throughout the country. Attached are directions to a few of these vendors.

Please utilize the vendors in your markets to get any additional information you may desire.

Vendor flyers for Sanitizer Options & Chlorine Enhancers.

Includes:

• Using Re-Fresh and Shockwave
• CCH Endurance
• Sustain 3-Step System
• Seasonal Head start
• APi – ENZyme PRO, Revive!, and E-Z Pool
• Frog Pool Sanitizers
• PoolRX Mineralizers

These sanitizers should only be used per label directions.

1. Shock-It Directions for Use

   Includes Directions for use for the following: Swimming Pool Water Disinfection, Spas and Hot Tubs, and Winterizing Pools

   Download PDF

2. Using Re-Fresh and Shockwave for Routine Chlorination

   Includes: How to Use, Water Balance and Dosage

   Download PDF

3. Hasa Sani-Clor Product Information Sheet

   Includes: Product description, Helpful Hints, Directions for Use, Packaging and Contact Information

   For more information – HASApool.com

   Download PDF

4. Smart Advanced Pool Systems Pro Chlorinizor Information Sheet

   Includes: Directions for use for the following: Swimming Pool Water Disinfection, Spas/Hot Tubs, Winterizing Pools, and Hydrotherapy Tanks

   Download PDF

5. Brenntag – Sodium Hypochlorite 10.5% by Weight Information Sheet

   Includes: New Pool Start Up, Pool Maintenance Dosing, SuperChlorination, and Pool Draining Recommendations

   Download PDF