Automatic Liquid Bleach Dispenser

[tmmort]

I'm enjoying reading this! You've explained the chemistry more simply than most.
...

Sorry, didn't mean to give the impression it was my site. Just googled "linux+pool+control" and came up with it. Perhaps we can invite the author over here - he also has some interesting comments about CYA in pools.

[Amir]

CWSTNSKO,
Where did you find it online? It seems like an elegant simple solution worth a $150 try and easy to remove and install. I live in Mayland and our pool is not in a very sunny area so my cl does not dissipate as fast. I would like to see if I can use this with a very low CYA (max 20 ppm) - a compromise between the Linux controled and higher cya needs of manual bleach control.
Amir

[duraleigh]

The "liquidator" intrigued me as well so I called both the manufacturer and a dealer.

The manufacturer said it worked perfectly and you only had to clean it somewhere between 6 months and five years.

The dealer gave me a much better balanced scenario. In essence, there's no free lunch. You get to trade off adding bleach every day for cleaning the unit thoroughly around once a month....depends somewhat on the hardness of your water.

Second drawback....once you set up the unit to meter out the Cl evenly, you must constantly adjust it because the Cl is diluted continuously as the pool water is passed over it. That may not be a big deal, but for me, that's a deal breaker.

The website is hasapool.com and there is a dealer list to the right on their home page. I still think it's a nice idea but, when I add up the additional work it presents me, I'll just stay with Clorox.

[Amir]

The constant adjusting will be a problem for me too. That must be the reason the guy with Linux used a pump. I wonder what will be the response form the manufacturer. As far as low level of chlorine, we have a very light bather load and as I said not much sun – lots of trees. As long that I can maintain 1 pmm level with low CYA I think it will be safe. I had in mind - if using a chlorine feeder system – to run the pump several times (5-8) a day for 1 to 2 hour intervals rather than just running it for 6-8 hours constantly. What attracted me to this device was the simplicity and if the CL levels are kept at around 1-1.5 and have a variance of +/- 0.5 I think it will be safe (please correct me if I am wrong) – given our light load of bathers.

Amir

[cwstnsko]

This is the place I found it for sale online. Just type liquidator into the search box and hit search.

http://poolandspawarehouse.t324.com/search.asp

I still need to experiment with maintaining water and bleach in a container without having them mix like the ezpool site describes. This would be the key to consistant behavior from the liquidator

[CarlD]

I keep thinking of getting a peristalitic pump and a timer. A rate that would add about 1-2 FC/day would probably keep it VERY clear.

[drumr]

Just thought I might chime in. I work in an aluminum extrusion factory with an anodizing line, which is basically a water and liquid chemical based line that puts a coating on the aluminum extrusions. In our various tanks we use these small metering pumps to add whatever chemical that the tank gets in precise dosages. We had several old ones lying around so I asked my boss if I could have one and he let me. It's called a Flex-Flo electric metering pump and it is adjustable from about 1 gallon per day all the way up to 74 gallons per day. All I do is stick one of the hoses in the bottle of bleach and the other I have got going into my skimmer. I have it turned down as low as it will go and it will empty a 96 oz bottle of bleach in about 16 hours. I was actually surprised at how well it works. It is very heavy duty (made for sulfuric/hydrochloric acid use). I have used it for the last 2 seasons and have been very pleased with it.....

And best of all....it was free!!

[Hawksnestbay]

Greetings All- I actually am beginning my 3rd season using a "Liquimate" with a 5 Gallon barrel of Sodium Hypo 12.5. I have a 35,000 gallon vinyl lined pool. I am not in the pool business in any way. It works great for me.

I started using it after I went to the BBB method, and saw how clear my pool can be. I have a high mineral {mangenese} content/low PH {5.5} coming from my well water in Massachusetts. I have reduced my stabilizer level to 35, and can increase my PH to about 7.2, so the high PH of "Pool Bleach" is just one less thing to drive down my PH.

The Liquimate, set at the #1 {lowest setting}, meters just enough bleach for me to keep my FC at 1.0 continuously, supplementing my levels with 1/2 to 1 gallon of 12.5% in the evening, depending upon bather load. I run my pump 6 hours/ on 6 hours off from May till September. My pool is crystal clear. No polyquat, no clarifier, no voodoo.

I know Carl D. does not like this unit, and he is extremely knowledgable, but for $89.00 it has been fool proof for me. I even bought a back up, thinking it would break, but it has not missed a beat.

[CarlD]

Hey, Hawk!

I WISH it worked for me as it has worked for you. It would have been great. Believe me, I would have liked that. I'm glad at least it works SOMEWHERE.

[Amir]

Hawksnestbay,
I have the same size pool and similar conditons. How many Gallons of Sodium Hypo do you use per week (12.5%)?
Thanks