When it comes to swimming pools, there are two main sanitizers that people use: chlorine and baquacil. Both of these products have their own set of pros and cons, so it’s important to know the difference before deciding which one to use.
Chlorine is the most common type of pool sanitizer. It’s effective at killing bacteria and algae, and it’s also relatively inexpensive. However, chlorine can be harsh on the skin and eyes, and it can cause staining on swimsuits and pool linings.
Baquacil is a newer type of pool sanitizer that is gaining popularity. It’s gentler on the skin and eyes than chlorine, and it doesn’t cause staining. However, baquacil is more expensive than chlorine, and it’s not as effective at killing bacteria and algae.
So, which one should you use? It depends on your personal preferences and needs. If you’re looking for an affordable option that effectively kills bacteria and algae, then chlorine is the way to go. However, if you’re concerned about the harshness of chlorine or the staining it can cause, then baquacil might be a better choice for you.
What is Chlorine?
Chlorine is the second-lightest halogen after fluorine, found in the periodic table in group 17. Carl Wilhelm Scheele first isolated the element in 1774.
Chlorine is a yellow-green gas at room temperature that evaporates readily to form similarly colored dioxide. When cooled, it condenses to a deep red liquid and freezes into white crystals at −100 °C.
In water, it forms hypochlorous acid, HClO, a weak acid that is 20 times more acidic than acetic acid; chlorous acid (HClO2), a stronger acid; and hydrochloric acid (HCl), a strong acid. All three acids are corrosive and kill living tissue on contact.
Chlorine is used in pool water to disinfect and kill bacteria, viruses, and other germs that can make swimmers sick. It’s also used in hot tubs and spas for the same purpose. Chlorine is added to pool water using either chlorine tablets, granules, or a liquid chlorine solution.
What is baquacil?
Baquacil is a non-bleach, non-chlorine white solid that is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Baquacil is used as a disinfectant and sanitizer. It is an alternative to chlorine for pools and spas.
Baquacil is used in pool water to disinfect and kill bacteria, viruses, and other germs that can make swimmers sick. It’s also used in hot tubs and spas for the same purpose. Baquacil is added to pool water using a baquacil tablet or granules.
What are the pros and cons?
Chlorine
Pros:
- It’s effective at killing bacteria and algae,
- Relatively inexpensive.
- Chlorine pool is crystal clear.
Cons:
- Chlorine can be harsh on the skin and eyes,
- It can cause staining on swimsuits and pool linings.
- Chlorine can harm your grass and plants. Do not let it go into your yard if you need to drain the pool water.
Baquacil
Pros:
- Baquacil is a newer type of pool sanitizer that is gaining popularity. It’s gentler on the skin and eyes than chlorine, and it doesn’t cause staining.
- Baquacil is environmentally friendly as it does not release toxins into the air like chlorine.
- Baquacil can be a solution for people with allergies to chlorine as it does not produce chloramines.
- Baquacil is stable in sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor pools.
- Baquacil does not affect the pool PH levels.
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Cons:
- Baquacil is 5-10X more expensive than chlorine.
- It’s not as effective at killing bacteria and algae.
- A baquacil pool also requires more frequent testing and balancing than a chlorine pool.
- You may have difficulty to keep pools with baquacil clean and clear, especially after several years of use, because of white water mold and other microorganisms that can develop a resistance to baquacil.
- Baquacil pools may have algae problems after a few years.
- You may need to test the water every few days and use chemicals in the pool more frequently than with a chlorine pool after several years.
Which one should you use?
When deciding between using chlorine and baquacil in your pool, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each.
Chlorine is a very effective disinfectant and is relatively inexpensive. It also does a better job of killing bacteria and algae. However, it can also be harsh on the skin and eyes.
Baquacil is more expensive than chlorine, but it is gentler on the skin and eyes. However, baquacil pools may require more frequent testing and balancing than chlorine pools. They may also have problems with algae growth after a few years. In addition, microorganisms can develop a resistance to baquacil over time, making it more challenging to keep the pool clean.
Unless you have a specific chemical reaction to chlorine, chlorine is usually the best choice for sanitizing your pool. You may spend less effort and money maintaining a chlorine pool over the long run, and you are less likely to have problems with algae growth.
FAQ
Does sunlight affect chlorine in pool?
Chlorine is an effective disinfectant and will kill bacteria and algae in your pool. Your chlorine levels might fall by 90% in two hours of sunshine. You can combat this by adding more chlorine to your pool or by using a pool cover to keep the sunlight from hitting the water.
What happens if you mix Baquacil and chlorine?
You should not mix chlorine and baquacil; it is not recommended. Doing so can result in some pretty significant problems, including:
- The pool water turning strange colors
- The water taking on a curdled appearance
- Major issues with the pool’s filtration system.
Can I switch from Baquacil to chlorine?
Here are a few tips for switching from baquacil to chlorine:
1. you should Drain the pool and clean it thoroughly.
2. Clean the Filter. If you have a Sand Filter, it is recommended that you change the sand in the tank.
You should replace the cartridge, or at least clean and soak it in the cartridge filter cleaner and rinse thoroughly.
3. Shock the Pool with NON-Chlorine pool shock, also called potassium peroxymonosulfate, to oxidize the remaining traces of peroxide in the water.
4. Slowly add Chlorine, very slowly.
