Liquidator Quesitons

[kamishki]

i'm looking for some updated opinions on the liquidator....my pool is about 25,000 gallons and I have been using bleach for the past few years....I have gotten tired of dealing with it so frequently and with adding acid all the time.

I have an old pool, from the early 60's. It has an 8 foot deep end but no floor drain (anymore). two returns, a single skimmer and a suction line. I use a sand filter and an old 3/4 HP pump.

What do you think,

*4 gallon vs. 8-are both equally effective.

*Are people still pretty happy with the unit. Are there any other similar products out there.

*and...one more maybe silly question....Would I get twice the run time with 12% vs. 6% liquid-does the Bleach sit in it's entirety at the bottom or does mix somewhat and settle at some concentration (I hope that makes sense)

Thanks

[PoolDoc]

Hi Keith;

I've never used a Liquidator unit, because all my work with bleach was on large pools. But, after years of setting up bleach feed systems, I'm pretty familiar with how the LQ unit works. So, with that caveat, here are some answers:

1. Given the way the units work, there should be no difference in effectiveness, just in capacity.
2. Can't answer that. I *can* tell you that the trend is toward SWCGs and away from all other types of feeders.
3. Maybe. If your 12% bleach was fresh, and actually 12+%, then yes. In s. Florida where lots of pool companies sell bleach from tanks that are filled daily from a manufacturer's tank truck, you can get full strength fresh bleach. In my area (Chattanooga), the only way to get fresh bleach is to take a tanker truck delivery (5,000 gallons) from the nearest manufacture, about 70 miles south of here. It appears you are in New York. If so, bleach 'cook off' (it breaks down rapidly when liquid temps are 90 degrees or higher) would not be as bad as in Chattanooga, or points south.

Finally, about SWCGs -- you want to look carefully at your pool before you get one. If you have steel pipes, I would recommend against it . . . and I'd also recommend keeping an eye on your salt levels, just from chlorine use.

[waterbear]

I know there have been some problems with the liqudator clogging because of a buildup of 'white stuff' on the float valve and in the tubing so it is not a maintenance free solution. I do know that an online retailer of the liquidator (and test kits based on Taylor reagents) stopped selling it a few years back because of some type of problem but I am not sure of the details. I have never used one but when it works it seems to be an inexpensive, if not perfect or trouble free, way to automate bleach addition to a pool.

As far as having to add acid all the time, the main cause of pH rise in a pool is from outgassing of CO2. The use of the liquidator will not change this. A SWCG might actually increase the aeration and outgassing of CO2 and cause faster pH rise. If your pH is rising too fast you might want to try lowering your TA if it is high (above 80 ppm) and you might want to consider adding 50 ppm borate to add a secondary pH buffer system.