Overview
The audio provides guidance on selecting, storing, and using 3-inch chlorine tablets for pool maintenance, including safety tips and best practices for optimal water chemistry and equipment longevity.
Choosing and Storing Chlorine Tablets
- 50 lb buckets of 3-inch tablets generally offer the best value.
- Quality varies by brand; cheaper tablets may dissolve faster due to less binding paste.
- Recommended brands include Pool Season and Leslie’s Pools for their reliable quality.
- Tablets are oxidizers with acid content; avoid storing them in garages to prevent metal corrosion.
- Store tablets outside in a tightly sealed container to avoid water intrusion.
Using Tablets in Pool Maintenance
- Use a floater or automatic (offline) chlorinator to dispense tablets, not the pool skimmer.
- Adjust the number of tablets based on pool size and water temperature; hotter water makes tablets dissolve faster.
- Ensure some tablet residue remains after a week to maintain chlorine levels and prevent algae.
- Regularly check and refill the floater or chlorinator to avoid chlorine depletion.
- Most chlorinators allow for adjustment to control how quickly tablets dissolve.
Safety and Equipment Care
- Always secure the floater lid; replace if it no longer locks to prevent tablets from falling into the pool and causing stains.
- Do not place tablets directly in the skimmer, as high acid concentration during system off-times may corrode equipment.
- Tie the floater in the deep end to prevent staining steps or shallow surfaces.
- Replace worn or broken floaters promptly to avoid accidental tablet spills.
Water Chemistry Considerations
- Tri-chlor tablets contain acid, which can lower pool pH over time.
- For vinyl or fiberglass pools, regularly add pH Up (e.g., soda ash) to prevent dangerously low pH.
- These tablets also provide stabilizer, reducing the need to add separate conditioner if used year-round.
Action Items
- TBD – User: Secure floater lids and replace if locking mechanism fails.
- TBD – User: Tie down floater to prevent drifting onto steps or shallow areas.
- TBD – User: Monitor and adjust pH, especially in vinyl or fiberglass pools, adding pH Up as needed.
- TBD – User: Check chlorine and tablet residue levels weekly and refill as required.
- TBD – User: Replace old or broken floaters to prevent equipment failure.