ionization unit and chlorine

[ourfirstpool]

Can we use chlorine tablets in a floatng dispenser with a copper ionization unit? My husband actually likes the chloriney-pool smell. Thank you.

[Watermom]

Are you aware that contrary to popular belief, it is not chlorine that stains pools and fingernails, and turns blonde hair green, but rather it is copper that does it?

You do NOT want copper in your pool!

Get rid of the unit and just use chlorine. How long have you been using it?

[PoolDoc]

1. You have to chlorinate pools with ionizers, because copper+silver do not inactivate viruses and kill bacteria only very slowly. Without chlorine, your pool will be unsafe.

2. As WaterMom noted, we don't recommend ionizers. Copper causes stains and green hair, and the problem gets worse, if you have to raise chlorine levels above the bare minimum.

3. If you follow the instructions here (BBB Method), chlorinated pools will have a 'chlorine smell' only very rarely, if at all. Normally, there will be no odor on outdoor pools exposed to sunlight, if you follow the BBB Method.

[ourfirstpool]

We just bought the house and it came with the pool system. The whole thing has only been "up and running" two weeks. Was neglected for quite some time, so two shock treatments got rid of the "swamp thing" water and it's nice and clear now. We were told by the guy who came and "opened" the pool for us that it's a top of the line ionization system. So should we just put the 3" tablets in the skimmer or the float dispenser too? Really not looking forward to spending $$$ to take out the system. Stains and green weren't on my mind...just ease of care. Just the two of us using the pool.

[PoolDoc]

1. You can't control your pool, and we can't give you especially good chemistry advice . . . till you have good test results. Get a K2006.

2. "Top of the line" ionization units are just more expensive ways to mess up your pool; they work the same as 'bottom of the line' units.

3. You don't have to take it out; just turn it off.

4. Tablets are fine . . . depending on CYA levels. See #1 above. Bleach is the safe bet for clean up, right now. (PLAIN household Walmart bleach works great.)

[Watermom]

Another comment regarding tablets ......................... tablets are fine as long as they are not the kind that have copper in them. Check the ingredients.