Chlorine Products Used Today
Most pool owners are familiar with chlorine types such as calcium hypochlorite, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), lithium hypochlorite, dichlor, and trichlor. The first three are unstabilized and break down quickly when exposed to sunlight, while dichlor and trichlor contain stabilizer, making them more popular for pool use.
You may also be familiar with salt water pools, or saltwater generators (SWGs), which convert salt into chlorine. In other words, saltwater pools are still chlorinated pools. While properly maintained SWGs can reduce the need for frequent shocking, they may contribute to corrosion over time and still produce the same chlorine-related disinfection byproducts.
As more people become concerned about environmental toxins and seek healthier lifestyles, interest in chlorine alternatives continues to grow. While the topic of chlorine allergies remains debated, some people may be sensitive to chlorine, and concerns about indoor chlorinated pools have increased interest in alternative pool sanitation methods.
Chemical Options
Bromine
Bromine is in the same halogen family as chlorine. It does have its advantages and disadvantages. Unlike chlorine, it cannot be stabilized with a product such as cyanuric acid. This is a problem with outdoor pools since the sun will quickly burn off the bromine. Bromine would need to be constantly added which would become costly.
Now it have advantages over chlorine for indoor pools. Bromine with not produce a gaseous byproduct like chloramines which are very irritating to the eyes and can cause a strong odor. Chloramines have also been linked to an increase in asthma for swimming athletes. The byproducts of bromine and its effects are not fully known at this time.
Baquacil, Aqua Silk, and Softswim
Baquacil, Aqua Silk, and Softswim use polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) as the active ingredient. The main advantage PHMB has over chlorine is it is not an oxidizer and it is not significantly affected by sunlight. Therefore, PHMB residuals are much more stable in both pools and spas than chlorine.
The disadvantage is that it is not an oxidizer and a 27% hydrogen peroxide shock treatment is necessary for clarity. These products do not irritate the eyes or skin. These products are by far the most expensive choice in maintaining your swimming pool. Expect to pay more than double to maintain biguanide pools.
PristineBlue
PristineBlue has an active ingredient of copper sulfate pentahydrate. Copper is a very effective algaecide. Like the aforementioned products, it is not an oxidizer so you will need periodic shock. The problem is that anything that you need to maintain the pool, you should stick with its complementary and proprietary products. This can get expensive but perhaps not quite as expensive as biguanide based products. Not all stores carry this product so one may spend a lot on gas trying to locate it.
Non-Chemical Options
Non-chemical pool treatments would include pool ionizers (copper, copper/silver, copper/zinc), mineralizers (Pool Frog, Nature 2), ozonation, and U/V Light.
Mineralizers, ozone, and UV lights do not provide a “residual” for sanitation and the biocide component is short lived making it a poor choice as a primary sanitizer. Do not get me wrong, they do offer wonderful benefits. They all reduce the amount of chlorine that is necessary to maintain a pool.
Ozone and U/V are becoming more popular with the combined use of chlorine to reduce the disinfection byproducts (DBP such as chloramines) and can reduce the frequency of using shock treatments. Of these non-chemical alternatives, only ionization has a long lasting disinfection which makes it the most attractive option. Ionization can be used with anything listed above including chlorine. If pool ionizers are size and the water chemistry is maintained properly, then you can have a “chlorine free” pool.
Ozone
Ozone is a very strong oxidizer and is used for many applications. Intec has used ozone quite a bit for treating high levels of iron, iron bacteria, as well as hydrogen sulfide. I traditionally have not been a huge fan of ozone for swimming pools. It is quite expensive and does not offer all the benefits I am seeking.
It can reduce chlorine levels required for swimming pools and is effective at reducing chloramines which also reduces how often one might need to shock a pool. Ozone still cannot sanitize a pool on its own, but when combined with copper ionization it can be a great clarifier and offer a multi-barrier sanitation approach.
The best technology that is compatible with the copper ionization is ozonation. There are several quality manufacturers of ozone and AOP technologies.
UV or Ultraviolet Light
UV or ultraviolet light is a concept I still do not see how it made it into the swimming pool market. I do like UV light being used in a closed loop system such as point-of-entry for a home. I have sold quite a few of them.
The sanitation takes place inside the quartz sleeve (a clear tube water flows through running parallel with the UV bulb). So if a pool recirculates every eight hours, you have one chance to inactivate bacteria, virus, or algae spores. Bacteria and algae do replicate a lot faster than a UV system can destroy these microorganisms.
UV light can convert chloramines to chlorides and I can understand this advantage to a point. However, calcium will scale over the quartz sleeve making it not as effective after a few weeks. It is just another widget being sold so more money can be made.
Mineral Pool System
A mineral pool system is a popular alternative pool sanitation method that uses minerals such as copper and silver to help control algae and microorganisms in swimming pool water. Instead of relying entirely on traditional chlorine, these systems introduce mineral ions into the water, which can help maintain cleaner and clearer pool water while reducing the amount of chlorine needed.
Mineral systems are often used as a chlorine-reducing solution rather than a completely chlorine-free system. Depending on the product and pool setup, a small amount of chlorine or another sanitizer may still be required to maintain proper water sanitation. For pool owners looking to reduce their dependence on traditional chlorine while maintaining water quality, a mineral pool system can be considered a practical chlorine alternative.
Copper Ionizers
Copper ionizers is the best chlorine alternative on the market today. Copper ionizers are a popular chlorine alternative that uses an electrical current to release metal ions from an electrode into pool water. Copper, copper/silver, and copper/zinc electrodes can help control bacteria and algae when maintained at recommended levels, while high-purity metals help prevent staining and impurities.
When choosing a copper ionizer, consider the manufacturer’s experience and the long-term cost of replacement electrodes. Low-cost systems may require frequent electrode replacements, making them more expensive over time, while advanced systems can have electrodes that last two years or more and provide stronger performance.
Small or solar-powered ionizers may not provide enough power for larger pools despite their claims. A reliable system should be capable of maintaining proper copper levels efficiently, especially when algae is present, as underpowered and inexpensive systems can negatively affect the reputation of pool ionization technology.
Looking for a Chlorine Alternative?
Explore copper ionization as an effective option for reducing your pool’s reliance on traditional chlorine while maintaining clean, clear water. Contact us today to learn more about the right pool ionization solution for your needs.
