It is common to think that the classic chlorine is the only method of treating the water in small pools, but there are other equally valuable options that are less dangerous and have less harmful effects on bathers.
We are talking about the chlorine dioxide, a dilution of sodium chlorite and hydrochloric acid with which to treat the water in your pool will be much simpler and more convenient.
While the classic chlorine has characteristics that, if misused, can cause harm to bathers, chlorine dioxide used in swimming pool water has a better impact both on the people who enjoy it and on the water itself.
Differences between classic chlorine and chlorine dioxide for pool water treatment
The differences between these two products are notable for the following reasons:
- ToxicTreating water with classical chlorine produces trihalomethanes, which are toxic and associated with cancer. This does not occur when water is treated with chlorine dioxide, as there is no harmful effect on health.
- EyesChlorine dioxide: Classic chlorine causes eye irritation, which is not the case with chlorine dioxide.
- SkinChlorine dioxide: while classical chlorine produces skin irritation, chlorine dioxide does not interact negatively against the skin and is even beneficial for wounds and other skin problems.
- OverdoseIn the case of a 2-fold increase in the dose of classic chlorine, the harmful effects are multiplied considerably. In the case of chlorine dioxide, it would take a 50-fold increase in the dose before the first symptoms would be felt.
- Waiting timeSometimes it can be cumbersome to have to wait several hours for the classic chlorine to take effect in the water, while if we treat it with chlorine dioxide there is no need for this waiting time.
In Dioxvitae we are clear about which is the best option when choosing between classic chlorine and chlorine dioxide because we care about the health of our customers and the health of their family and friends.
Use of chlorine dioxide for water treatment in small pools
The overall dose for the treatment of swimming pool water every 24 hours is about 20 ml of Dioxvitae water treatment kit (10 ml of chlorite + 10 ml of activator) per 1000 liters of water.
This is the reference to be taken when calculating how much chlorine dioxide should be added to pools according to their capacity and dimensions.
To better illustrate how chlorine dioxide should be used, an example has been made of how the treatment should be carried out in a swimming pool of 1000 liters.
The first step is to obtain 2 kits of 1 liter of the products that make up the water purification kit, This will provide us with a mixture sufficient for 100 days (the whole summer).
In addition, and to store both products of the water purification kit, it is interesting to buy 2 CDS containers with dispenser of 600ml, always indicating which product is inside each container with a permanent marker. For filling, it is essential to use a funnel and, between the filling of one product and the other, to clean it.
When treating the pool water, it is necessary to do it at the beginning of the night (22:30), having at hand the two dosing containers and a plastic container (glass) of the necessary volume to mix the two components. Mix 20 ml of activator and another 20 ml of sodium chlorite in the glass, shake lightly for 10 seconds and, subsequently, mix the two components, introduce the glass with the mixture into the water. In this way, the glass will be clean after the dilution is added.
After this series of steps, the pool will be treated and completely usable as soon as the mixture is applied.
There are several factors to take into account when using the chlorine dioxide for water treatment of small pools:
- It is important to make the mixture outdoors next to the pool so that, once diluted, it can be poured directly into the pool.
- The mixture should not be inhaled. It is essential to stand with your back to the wind during the whole mixing and reaction process.
- In case of splashing of the activator, chlorite or the mixture, do not wait too long to rinse the splashed area with water. Once the pool treatment is finished, rinse with the pool water.
- Finally, it is important to rinse the container where the mixture was made before bringing it back into the house.
- Always do the treatment after sunset (22:30), so that the product remains working throughout the night. After direct sunlight in the morning, the product degrades quickly, leaving no odor or taste in the water.
- After 3 hours of direct contact of the sun's rays with the water, the water is free of product. The water is suitable for those allergic to chlorine.
- In heat waves, increase the dose by 20%.
- If you are going to be absent several days, apply sodium chlorite alone (without activator) doubling your dose for the days you are going to be absent. For example, if your dose is 100 + 100 and you are going to be absent for 5 days, apply 100 x 2 x 5 = 1000 ml of chlorite.
- In case the water has been damaged, apply a dose of choc multiplying by 10 the recommended dose.
- Chlorine dioxide treatment is ideal for small pools (up to 10,000 l), without automated dosing systems and without pH measurements.
INDICATIVE TABLE
| Capacity (liters) | Daily dose Chlorite + activator (ml) | Needs throughout the summer | Product required | Cost (2025 rates) |
| 500 | 10 + 10 | 1 l + 1 l | 1 kit 1 l | 83,49 |
| 1000 | 20 + 20 | 2 l + 2 l | 2 kits 1 l o 1 kit 6 l | 150,28 167,71 |
| 1500 | 30 + 30 | 3 l + 3 l | 1 kit 6 l | 167,71 |
| 2000 | 40 + 40 | 4 l + 4 l | 1 kit 6 l | 167,71 |
| 3500 | 70 + 70 | 7 l + 7 l | 2 kit 6 l | 335,42 |
| 5000 | 100 + 100 | 10 l + 10 l | 2 kits 6 l o 1 kit 20 l | 335,42 352,84 |
| 7500 | 150 + 150 | 15 l + 15 l | 1 kit 20 l | 352,84 |
| 10000 | 200 + 200 | 20 l + 20 l | 1 kit 20 l | 352,84 |
Do not hesitate to count on the products of Dioxvitae for the water treatment of small pools.