CyprusLiving

Hi,

My pool water has reached a highish level of stabilizer and I would like to sort that out before the summer. Rather than change the water completely, I want to slowly hoover to waste and replace smaller quantities of water regularly over time and at the same time use non-stabilized chlorine until my levels return to normal.

Can anyone recommend a good quality non-stabilized product (I gather there are 3 different descriptions/chemical names that apply, or possibly more), and who might be the best local supplier for something like this in modest quantities.i.e.not needing to buy a massive great tub of it.

Thanks in advance.

MoJo

I did exactly the same thing two years ago and it worked but is higher effort level than putting a couple of large slow release tablets each week or two. ShipShape (not on commission!) do a 10kg bucket of 5g tablets for around €50. During the heat of summer you may need to put a scoop or more in the skimmer every night to avoid algae attacks.

Thanks for your reply 'big dutch', that sounds good to me. When you say put a scoop or 2 at night, do I assume that you mean normal stabilized chlorine granules, or something else? The slow release non-stabilized tablets otherwise sound a good idea and I will look into those.

Thanks,

MoJo.

I meant scoops of the non-stabilized stuff 5g tablets as they will disintegrate with an hour and be circulated around the pool during the evening but with stabliser they will 'burn out' during the following day's heat and sun and need replenishing so that there is some protection the following day. Anyway, it worked for me and after a year or so the stabliser level was right down so i went back to the slow release stablised larger tablets.

What a pity; you've missed the oportunity to do free big water-changes all winter!
Our pools have ALL averaged 24" of water-change, done in regular 4" vacuums to waste beacause of the heavy rain. that equates to 6, 10% changes; it's not 60% obviously, but as the chlorine usage is so low in winter, all have pretty much halved in stabiliser level...
I don't know how you've managed your pool over the winter, (was it winterised or covered, maybe?) but it may still be possible to do one big water change now, before your irrigation is in use, and not need to use non-stabilised chlorine? IMO, although it works, the problems associated with calcium build up (and the regular additions of acid AND ph+ that are required to manage this) make the big water-change a far more practical, and normally cheaper, option.
Calcium Hypochlorite is a horrible product to use; it needs far more careful management, as it is unforgiving. With the greatest of respect, but being horribly blunt, if you've alowed your Stabiliser to get to the levels where this action is needed, I seriously doubt that you (or your pool-cleaner?) is going to monitor the calcium level successfully!
It's sold to be used on hotel-type pools, where levels should all be controlled automatically, and the pool has an enforced "closed" period overnight for maintenance.
If left unchecked, the calcium released, will build up on liners, inside pipework, and even inside pumps and filters and on the filter material itself! it will force drip/leaks apart, so if there's even the slightest chance that you won't monitor (and correct) the level,... please DON'T use it!