Definations

[jrv331]

I know I should know these things but what are:
A) Calcium Hypochlorite
B) Cal-Hypo

Thanks
John

[waste]

They are the same. Usually it's granular chlorine, but some 'slow' tabs are also cal- hypo, as opposed to trichlor - they aren't as long lasting as the trichlor, but at least they don't add to cya. If you're thinking of using some in your liner pool (the granular) you want to premix it in a bucket of water, stir it and let it dissolve for a few minutes - then slowly pour it in front of the return until you see the undissolved stuff start to enter the water - then stop pouring and refill the bucket, stir and let sit a few minutes - at this point all the 'solid' stuff that you may see as you pour it in will only be the 'ash' (binders) and it's OK to let that into the pool. The reason for the predissolving is because any of the solid stuff that still has chlorine in it that settles on the floor can bleach out and weaken the liner.

[jrv331]

Im looking at alternatives to adding bleach when I go on vacation that wont raise my CYA to much. I had a friend adding the bleach last year and all I heard when I got back was about the clothes he ruined.
Thanks for the help
John

[Phillbo]

Get brighter friends

[aylad]

If you're going to use it during vacation, I would get your friend to add it via granular version following Waste's directions rather than use the tabs....the old tabs were pretty good, but the newer ones go to mush after the second day in the pool and are not worth the plastic they're packaged in.

Janet

[jrv331]

I have an inline chlorinator(?) thats still in the box. I was thinking of it installing this year for times when I wont be around for a few days. I got a Leslies catalog and they have chlorine tabs that say they wont effect PH much. I was going to try this and see how it goes.
Thanks
John

[CarlD]

I have an inline chlorinator(?) thats still in the box. I was thinking of it installing this year for times when I wont be around for a few days. I got a Leslies catalog and they have chlorine tabs that say they wont effect PH much. I was going to try this and see how it goes.
Thanks
John

I guess it's true depending on how you define "much".

Tri-chlor tabs are extremely acid and push pH down. Di-Chlor tabs are much harder to find and while they are neutral, adding chlorine has an acid effect that pushes pH down.
Bleach is very basic, but the acid effect of the chlorine in the water negates it giving a virtually zero-change effect to pH.
Cal-Hypo tends to be very basic too, and seems to actually help pH rise. It also adds calcium and calcium hardness to your water.

This is why in general bleach or liquid chlorine (same thing in different concentrations) are the best chlorination over the long term.

[aylad]

Keep in mind too that you cannot use the cal-hypo tabs in an inline feeder. The feeders are made for trichlor. There is a difference in the amount of heat and gas that is generated when cal hypo dissolves versus trichlor, making it dangerous to use anything but the trichlor tabs in the feeder. (I don't know about dichlor tabs--don't think I've ever seen them).

Janet