subject: Swimming Pool Clarifiers, should you use one? Is there a difference between pool clarifiers? [print this page] TO CLARIFY OR NOT TO CLARIFY YOUR POOL TO CLARIFY OR NOT TO CLARIFY YOUR POOL
How do you know if a clarifier is necessary or is working? One subtle way to tell is if you can see particles floating in front of your pool light. Another obvious way is a haze or cloudy pool.
Will a clarifier clear up a cloudy pool? For most clarifiers the answer is no.
Most clarifiers only work on positive and negative ion charges. Thus, the clarifier only works on dead particles. Most clarifiers are polymeric coagulants and have a positive ionic charge and are called cationic clarifiers. The particles that they remove from the pool have a negative electrical charge. The good old opposite attracts principle works here. The particles lump together large enough to filter out.
What happens if the particles don't have a negative charge? The clarifier doesn't work. Algae and many other particles/organisms won't filter out with cationic clarifiers. Are there clarifiers that work on multiple types of cloudiness? Yes, some clarifiers are more complex and can pull algae out of the water, along with other particles that cause hazy or cloudy pools.
Problem: The clarifier did not clear up your pool.
There are many reasons for cloudy water:
1) Poor filtration. Make sure you meet the required turnover rate for your pool. Most commercial pools require a 30 minute turnover for the spa, and a minimum of 6 hours for the pool.
2) Poor circulation
3) Low chlorine levels. Most commercial pools should run at least 2 PPM chlorine. The ideal range for most commercial pools is 3-5 PPM.
4) High pH levels
5) High TDS levels
6) High cyanuric acid levels
7) Bather loads are too heavy for your pool
8) You used the wrong type of clarifier
Swimming Pool Clarifiers, should you use one? Is there a difference between pool clarifiers?
