Ecosmarte Pool

Chemicals
Chlorine is the dominant form of pool sanitation but Bromine, Bacquacil, and Sodium Tetraborate sanitation has a statistical presence.

Those pools using an alternative form of chemical sanitation will most likely be required to drain the pool to convert back to chlorine or install an alternative sanitizing device. The number of alternative chemical pools is falling dramatically while the percentage of pools with a device is increasing.

Bromine users will operate the pool testing free bromine, total bromine, pH, calcium hardness and total alkalinity, all critical as with chlorine.

Bromine users will typically use non-chlorine shock to respond to cloudy water and often need weekly algaecide treatment.

Bromine salts themselves typically cloud water and movement to a copper sanitizing device will require draining the pool to avoid copper salts which can be toxic as well as cloud the water.

Bromine has better microbe kill rates on hot water (versus chlorine), has become the dominant sanitizer for spas but very few pool companies inventory the larger packaging to support a swimming pool or employ the expertise to operate one.

Bacquacil (and private label bioguanides)

By far the dominant chemical other than chlorine in swimming pools is Bacquacil. The sanitation chemical itself (and the shock) is considerably less irritating and is more expensive than chlorine, requires regular algaecide supplement and annual filter media change out but does provide some economies on alkalinity up and calcium hardness increase. Bacquacil is much less corrosive than chlorine or bromine, although some evidence exists that each year the pool water is in the pool, the more sanitation chemical is required regardless of weather. Bacquacil users should consider draining and refilling the pool (in addition to filter media change out) every 3 to 5 years instead of the 7 to 10 year window with chlorine.

Sodium Tetraborate Pools: PROTEAM

These pools are referenced because a statistical presence exists. The manufacturer of this patented system, The John Girvam Company in Florida should be contacted directly for assistance in operating these pools and updating proprietary test kits. Materials are generally shipped from Florida.