How To Lower Chlorine Levels in Your Pool (4 Methods)
Lowering chlorine levels in your pool is a task any pool owner should be proficient in to ensure a safe, enjoyable swimming experience.
Excessive chlorine can lead to skin, eye, and lung irritation, while too little can compromise the sanitary conditions of your pool.
This guide will walk you through simple yet effective methods to manage and reduce chlorine levels in your pool, as well as some preventative chlorine reduction methods to help stop the problem returning!
Key takeaways:
- Chlorine levels should always be maintained between 1-3 ppm, as levels exceeding 5 ppm can be dangerous.
- To reduce excess chlorine levels, the best methods include to partially drain and replenish the pool water or to use a chemical neutralizer or chlorine reducer.
- Regularly test and monitor chlorine levels to prevent any issues.
Why understanding pool chlorine levels is important
Chlorine is a chemical used to sanitise and disinfect swimming pools, keeping them free from harmful bacteria and algae. While chlorine is essential for maintaining a clean pool, it’s crucial to keep its levels in check.
High chlorine levels can cause discomfort and health issues, such as dry skin, eye irritation, and respiratory troubles. On the other hand, low chlorine levels can encourage the growth of bacteria and algae, resulting in a green, murky pool and possible skin infections.
Another important pool chemistry factor to understand is the different types of chlorine in your swimming pool water.
Free chlorine is the active form that sanitises your pool, while combined chlorine (chloramines) is a byproduct of chlorine reacting with contaminants like sweat, urine, and sunscreen. High levels of combined chlorine can also contribute to irritation and unpleasant odours.
Pool products containing hydrogen peroxide can also react with chlorine, resulting in high levels of chloramines. Therefore, it’s best to avoid using such products in your pool.
How do I know if I have too much chlorine in my pool water?
To find out if your pool water has excessive chlorine levels, it is essential to regularly test your pool water. Here are some key tips for doing this:
- A DPD testing kit is a valuable tool for accurately measuring the levels of free and combined chlorine in your pool water. It harnesses the power of diethyl-p-phenylenediamine, a chemical that reacts with both free and combined chlorine to create a visual indicator of the levels present. With this kit, you can easily monitor and maintain the ideal balance of chlorine in your pool for optimal water quality.
- Ensure that your test strips are within their expiration date, or consider acquiring a reliable chemical test kit or photometer. This prudent investment will undoubtedly spare you ample inconvenience in the foreseeable future.
- To discover excessive chlorine with a DPD testing kit, fill the test tube with pool water, add the DPD reagent or tablets, and then compare the colour of the water to the colour chart provided with the kit. If you’re using a photometer, the handheld machine will read the reagent’s water reaction with a test tube and tell you the precise reading.
- If the colour appears darker than the highest level on the chart, it’s a red flag! Resist the temptation to dive into the pool and backwash right away. Once the chlorine levels have plummeted with the addition of freshwater, it’s time to test the waters again. Stay vigilant!
How to lower chlorine in pool: 4 best methods
There are a number of different methods to reduce pool chlorine levels, including:
- Stop adding chlorine
- Use a chlorine reducer
- Partially drain & replenish
- Utilise the sun & wind
Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of these chlorine reduction methods and when they might be appropriate for you.
Method 1: Stop adding more chlorine
First things first: the most straightforward method to lower chlorine levels in your pool is to simply stop adding more. Stop the automatic chlorinator and remove chlorine tablets from floaters.
If your chlorine levels are only slightly elevated, this pause will allow the chlorine to naturally dissipate over time, which could take a few days depending upon sunlight and temperature conditions.
Method 2: Use a chlorine neutralizer or reducer
If chlorine levels in your pool are excessively high, you may need to utilise Sodium Thiosulfate, commonly referred to as chlorine reducer, to effectively lower the chlorine concentration. This chemical reacts with chlorine and significantly reduces its levels.
It is essential to meticulously follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using this chemical to prevent abrupt alterations in the pool’s chemical composition.
Blue Horizons Chlorine Reducer is a highly sought-after solution utilised to decrease bromine or chlorine levels in pool water following shock treatment procedures. It also serves as a reliable problem solver in instances where the pool inadvertently becomes “overdosed” with chlorine or bromine, thus reducing the chlorine level in your pool water.
How to use Blue Horizons Chlorine Reducer to reduce chlorine levels
- Dissolve the product in a clean plastic container, using a maximum rate of 100g per 2.2 gallons (10lts) of clean warm water. Ensure thorough stirring to achieve complete dissolution. Gently add the resulting solution to the pool while the pump(s) are running, preferably near the water inlets to facilitate even distribution.
- After conducting shock treatment, it is crucial to allot a minimum of 8 hours for shock chlorination. This time-frame allows for the effective oxidation of bather wastes from the water before further application can take place.
- To determine the levels of free chlorine, combined chlorine, and total bromine in the water, and subsequently calculate the precise total amount needed, refer to the dosing table provided with the product.
- Divide the total amount into four smaller doses. Apply each dose, ensuring sufficient circulation time (2-3 hours for commercial pools / 6-8 hours for domestic pools) before retesting the chlorine/bromine level. If needed, add additional doses.
Method 3: Partial draining & replenishing
Diluting the pool through partial draining and replenishing it with fresh water is often an effective solution for reducing chlorine in a pool. This method is particularly useful if your pool’s chlorine levels are excessively high, and manual treatment methods have failed.
Before proceeding with this method, ensure that you test the water for chlorine concentration to determine how much water must be drained or replaced. It is also important to keep in mind that a complete change of pool water can throw off its entire chemical balance, so partial draining is preferable.
Method 4: Use the sun and wind
Mother Nature herself can help you lower chlorine levels too. UV rays from the sun break down free chlorine molecules, while the wind increases evaporation, speeding up the chlorine dissipation process.
Allowing sunlight exposure is an effective method to lower chlorine levels in your pool, so consider leaving the pool cover off to facilitate dissipation. Similarly, if you have any misting or fountain features, turn them off to avoid introducing more chlorine into the pool.
Preventive measures to lower swimming pool chlorine levels
Regular testing & dosing
Regularly testing your pool’s water is key to maintaining an optimal balance of chemicals. Test kits and strips are readily available and simple to use. It’s recommended to test your pool at least once a week, but more frequently during heavy use, after a heavy rainfall, or when the water appears cloudy.
Using stabilised chlorine
Stabilised chlorine products contain a stabilising agent that protects the chlorine from the sun’s UV rays, slowing down the rate at which it dissipates. This means you will not need to add chlorine to your pool as frequently, reducing the chance of exceeding optimal levels.
A chlorine stabilizer, such as Rapid Dissolving Chlorine Stabiliser & Conditioner can also be added to your pool to prolong the life of chlorine and reduce the amount needed. This prevents chlorine loss to sunlight. This is especially useful where an unstabilised chlorine product is being used.
Pool volume knowledge
Knowing your pool’s volume can help you accurately calculate the amount of chemicals you need to add, which can prevent over-chlorination. Regular testing, using the right products, and understanding your pool’s volume are key to maintaining the perfect balance – particularly if you have a small pool that will over-chlorinate easily.
A quick way to work out your pool volume is to multiply the length x width x median depth of your pool. This will give you the volume of litres, in thousands, of your pool. For example a 10m x 6m pool, with a depth of 1m in the shallow end and 2m in the deep end, giving a median depth of 1.5m will work out as below.
10 x 6 x 1.5 = 90, so this pool volume is roughly 90,000 litres.
Understanding your pool’s volume can also help you only use the perfect amount of each product to maintain a healthy chlorine balance. For example, high levels of cyanuric acid (over 150 mg/litre) should be avoided as it causes chlorine lock, so knowing your pool’s volume can help you calculate the right amount to use.
Use a chlorine feeder
A chlorine feeder is a device that dispenses chlorine into your pool water at a consistent rate. This allows for more controlled and accurate dosing, preventing over-chlorination. There are various types of feeders available, such as floating feeders, automatic inline feeders, and offline erosion feeders.
One of the most popular chlorine feeders on the market is the Perform-Max Feeder by Sani King. This tool has a patented performance valve that ensures excellent water quality by allowing a constant feed of chlorine or bromine.
Alternatively, our personal favourite is the Rainbow Chlorine & Bromine Feeder, which can eliminate any potential future problems with the screw lid function of the Perform-Max.
With a specialised valve, this chlorine and bromine feeder offers a comprehensive selection of settings, granting you precise control over chemical levels and effectively preventing excessive chlorination.
Schedule a professional pool water treatment or ongoing maintenance
If managing your pool’s chlorine levels seems like a daunting task, consider hiring a professional to handle pool water treatments for you. Not only will they have the expertise and experience to effectively manage chlorine levels, but they can also provide ongoing maintenance services to ensure your pool stays in optimal condition.
This takes the stress and guesswork out of maintaining your pool and allows you more time to simply enjoy it. Remember, a well-maintained pool is a happy pool! So don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed.
In addition to managing chlorine levels, regular maintenance can also prevent other issues such as algae growth, cloudy water, and equipment malfunctions. A professional will have the necessary tools and knowledge to keep your pool in top condition, without too much chlorine, all year-round.
Make the most out of your pool with Blue Cube Pools
At Blue Cube Pools, our pool maintenance professionals have years of experience in keeping pools clean, safe, and functional. We offer a range of services including:
Whether you’re looking for a one-time treatment or ongoing maintenance plan, we’ve got you covered. Our team is dedicated to providing the best pool care possible so that you can relax and enjoy your pool without any headaches.
Chat with us today to learn how we can help you make the most out of your pool!
