A: Chlorine tablets work in conjunction with a dispenser or chlorinator to rid your swimming pool of harmful bacteria.

Q: Where can I use them?

A: The tablets can be used in swimming pools, spas, Jacuzzis. Indeed any body of water where multiple persons are going to be swimming or sitting in.

Q: Where can I buy them?

A: Numerous online stores stock these supplies. Please see the post Where to Buy Chlorine Tablets for more detailed information.

photo credit: teammarche

Q: Are chlorine tablets harmful?

A: Despite scare stories in the press claiming chlorine in swimming pools is related to a number of ailments, these have never been proved. Indeed, chlorine has been used as the main cleaning agent for swimming pools in the US for many years now and no hard evidence has ever been produced.

Q: Do I need any additional materials?

A: You will need at least a dispenser to use the tablets properly. Some people prefer a chlorinator, however, it’s a matter of personal preference. Whichever method you decide to use, always read the instructions carefully.

Q: Are there any alternatives to using chlorine to sanitize my swimming pool?

A: Ozone has traditionally been used in some areas of Europe for years now, however, the infrastructure is not in place in the US for large public pools and it would be considered too costly for private users.

Q: How will I know how many to use?

A: This will depend on the size and volume of your pool. Always read the manufacturer’s instructions and use a yard stick if necessary to measure your pool.

Q: Are chlorine tablets dangerous?

A: Not if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Also never let them come into contact with family pets or small children.

Q: How much do they cost?

A: For up to date pricing, click on to any of the websites listed on the post Where to Buy Chlorine Tablets. Tablets nowadays can be bought for very reasonable prices. For a comprehensive price search, try using a shopping comparison site like Kelkoo, NexTag or BizRate to give you a good look at the prices on offer. Tablets usually come in a large bucket and volume discounts, coupon codes and free delivery may be available on some websites, so keep your eyes open and you may pick up a bargain.

Happy swimming! We hope this FAQ has been of interest to you.

Doheny’s Water Warehouse offers free next day delivery on selected swimming pool chemicals and boasts savings of up to 50% when compared to retail prices. They have a very wide selection of pool chemicals available and the website is well designed, pleasing to the eye and easy to navigate. Their top selling products are; Super Shock, Concentrated Algaecide, 3 Inch Chlorine Tablets and the Swimming Pool Chemicals Start-Up Value Kit.

Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Supply has a more text based website layout when compared to Doheny’s traditional e-commerce product based layout. The design is clean and conforms to the smaller 800×600 screen regulations as opposed to the previous website’s 1024 x 768. This online store also offers free shipping and has a clearance corner for any bargain hunters.

photo credit: chris_hau

Best Buy Pool Supply has a very basic rather old-fashioned text based layout, however, it does have a Macafee secure badge for the online shoppers peace of mind as well as offering live customer assistance. Best Buy Pool Supply also offers free premium warranty support on most products.

In the Swim claims to be America’s number one source for pool supplies and also offers $10 instant savings when using a home page promotional code on purchases over $50.

Tri-State Wastewater Equipment has a large selection of items available and the website has a traditional e-commerce layout with lots of products on display. The website assures users they can shop with confidence and displays a number of authorized secure certificates for the online shopper.

In summary, there is an abundance of online stores to buy your chlorine tablets and swimming pool maintenance supplies from. It’s really just a matter of shopping around and finding a site where the price is right for you and you are happy with delivery rates and speeds. As with most online stores, you will probably find a favourite and stick to that. Don’t forget, customer service should also be taken into consideration, especially when ordering more expensive items. The discerning online shopper can also use an online shopping comparison website such as Kelkoo, NexTag or BizRate to compare prices, but be aware that these sites are not necessarily displaying the best prices on the web. They are only displaying prices from stores who have paid to be on their site. As well as this, preference is sometimes given to merchants who pay more money. Having said that, shopping comparison sites may be a good starting point for your swimming pool shopping.

The element chlorine has the atomic number 17 and appears in the periodic table between Sulfur and Argon. Chlorine was first discovered in the sixteenth century and is today one of the most widely used chemicals in both residential and industrial settings around the world. Chlorine is the most widely used method of disinfecting swimming pools in the world today, although there are other, less popular methods available on the market.

Chlorine’s natural form is a yellowish gas. Chlorine is a hazardous chemical to deal with and must be handled with caution at all times. In the specific application of being used for the cleansing of swimming pool water, chlorine usually comes in tablet or granulated form. The manufacturer will always provide very detailed instructions on how to use said chlorine tablets and these must be followed to the letter.

photo credit: rharrison

Chlorine gas has previously been used in 20th century warfare, most notoriously in the trenches of the First World War. The use of chlorine gas in warfare was pioneered by a German scientist named Fritz Haber of Berlin’s Keiser Wilhelm Institute and was first used by German forces in 1915 . It was subsequently used by both sides before being replaced by the more lethal mustard gas. Chlorine gas has also been used in conflicts in Iraq in the form of chlorine bombs and caused horrendous casualties.

Some adverse health effects of chlorine gas include coughing, vomiting and aggrivation to the respiratory system and eyes. Chlorine’s most devastating feature is that it can change to hydrochloric acid when coming into contact with water, which is obviously why it causes so much damage when breathed in.

It should be stressed however, that when used in controlled conditions, chlorine and chlorine tablets represent a robust and cost-efficient method of disinfecting swimming pools, spas and such like and the benefits far outweigh the small risks associated.