We all enjoy soaking or swimming in a warm crystal clear pool or hot tub yet at times keeping that sparkle can be a trying experience. Keeping your pools chemicals in the proper range is not only necessary to maintain that sparkle but also to keep your pool or hot tub safe for swimmers.
There are three basic ways to keep your pool clean and safe for swimming the traditional chlorine system, biguanide and mineral systems each are safe and effective for use in outdoor pools and hot tubs. Each system needs to be used independently of the other so which ever system you start using you must continue to use that system. You will also need to purchase the proper testing equipment for your system.
The old standard chlorine is available almost every place from your local pool supply store to Wal-Mart it is relatively cheap and easy to monitor and use. The big drawbacks of chlorine are it is harsh on your skin and can cause bathing suits and hair color to fade. Stabilized chlorine should be used in a pool or hot tub that is exposed to sunlight if your spa is inside or is not in direct sunlight non stabilized chlorine can be used.
The next type of pool sanitizers...