Hydropool SwimSpa 19'

[bluehole]

Planning to install AquaTrainer fX 19' from Hydropool in new construction (indoor) and use well water for filling it which is quite high of Iron. Would that be practical with some filtration between well and pool or use water delivered in cystern? The objective is to stay as far away from Chlorine as possible; mulling over some alternative sanitation solutions but did not come to conclusion. Very sensitive to chlorine though

[aylad]

You'll do yourself a favor to remove as much of the iron as possible before filling the pool. As far as chlorine goes, it's pretty much the only thing you can use that will truly sanitize the water, including viruses as well as bacteria. With an indoor pool you don't need to keep it very high, since you won't be using any stabilizer. Are you sure that it's the chlorine that you're sensitive to? Many people that have burning eyes, dry skin, etc often blame chlorine when it's not always the real culprit....

[PoolDoc]

As Janet said, you've got to get the iron out . . . unless you are willing to swim in a spa with dark brownish orange stains. (That is an option: iron stains are not in any way dangerous or unhealthy, and won't affect sanitation.)

Also, as she noted, chlorine allergies / senstivities and the like are more often condemned than confirmed. Here's what you need to keep in mind: people who are TRULY allergic to chlorine cannot bathe or shower in ordinary tap water in most of the US and Canada. Once people begin testing, "chlorine allergies" usually turn out to be something else: allergies to soap, water treatment chemicals, disinfection by-products (ie, chlorine + dirt), bromine 'stabilizer' (hydantoin), non-oxidizing forms of chlorine (ie, monochloramine) and so on.

Please note that I'm not just speaking as a pool guy here. My older son (now 25 and married) nearly died when he was 3 from allergically triggered asthma. I've been through all sorts of testing with him, gave him allergy shots myself for 5+ years, carried Epi-pens, and more. My younger son is currently dating a girl who can die if someone rubs a peanut against her skin.

Anyhow, most people who think they are allergic to chlorine, are not. BUT, virtually everyone is sensitive (ie, irritated by) the disinfection by-products -- various chloramines, etc -- that form in pools, and even more so, in spas when the pool or spa is poorly operated. The situation is made MUCH worse on indoor pools, which do not receive the UV exposure that outdoor pools do.

The best solution is almost always adequate, properly applied chlorine + UV (ie, outdoor pool).

EVERYTHING else is 2nd best. Most effective alternatives are more expensive AND more complicated AND harder to operate. Many widely advertised systems, such as low dose oxone (ie, UV ozonators) are BOTH more expensive AND NOT effective.

In your case, I'd buy a DPD-FAS chlorine testkit, and TEST water that you or your wife find irritating. You need to check for BOTH chlorine and chloramines. If you find that water with chlorine, but without chloramines, is irriating, then you can proceed to use chlorine in your pool, and we can help you avoid chloramines.

But, if you are genuinely sensitive to uncombined chlorine . . . then probably the most practical system would be one based on PHMB (Baquacil, etc). I can tell you how to use that, but we won't support that on an ongoing basis here. Using PHMB effectively will require (1) more $$'s, (2) annual draining & refilling, & (3) use of a DE filter OR annual cartridge or sand replacement on your pool. Also, PHMB is not effective against viruses, so don't let friends or neighbors with a cold or worse use your pool.

Good luck!