What type of chlorine should I use?

[seabee1]

Hey everyone,

We just had a 16x28 above ground installed.It's about 14,000 gal. My readings seem to be pretty much right on, except for my FC. What I am looking for is some opinions on the type of chlorine to use. Right now I am using Poolife Instant Clear Cleaning Granules. It says it is a stabilized chlorinator. Should I still be using a stablizer with this? My FC is still low, almost non existant. I am thinking either I am not using enough or maybe I should switch to something else, maybe something more effective?

[CarlD]

You need to learn to test your water. You need a good test kit--the PoolSolutions.com one is the best, but the Taylor 2006 and the Leslies Chlorine FAS-DPD Service Test Kit are pretty close to it. Some of the WalMarts still stock the HTH 5-way test kit (uses drops) and that's the best bargain in test kits.

Then you need to read lots on this forum so you know what to test.

"Stabilized Chlorine" adds Cyanuric Acid, called CYA or Stabilizer to your water. None is bad, some is good, too much is bad again.

Most of us use ordinary laundry bleach (unscented, regular bleach) to chlorinate. It's probably the best way to chlorinate--doesn't add anything else. If we need stabilizer, we add CYA separately.

[Simmons99]

Most people on this forum use plain old bleach to sanitize the pool. Whether your chlorine comes from bleach, ganules, liquid shock - its all chlorine.

The stabilizer keeps the chlorine from being destroyed by the suns UV rays - but too much is bad - do as Carl says - get good numbers and the experts can help you