Chlorinators and chlorine feeders make sanitizing your pool a breeze. Just fill the chlorine feeder with chlorine, and choose your setting. The idea of not having to add chlorine to the pool for a couple of weeks is very appealing to many people. The type of chemical feeder you use depends on the type and size of pool you have. Below is a summary of the major types of chlorinators available for the residential market.

Erosion Chemical Feeders

One of the most common types of chlorine feeders is the erosion feeder. Solid, compressed chlorine or bromine, (In the stick or tablet form) are placed in the feeder . Water flows over the chlorine and dissolves it for a slow release. Chlorine or bromine is then infused into the water. These feeders can be adjusted to regulate the amount of sanitizer induced into the water. There are two common types of erosion chemical feeders. Floating chemical feeders are filled with bromine or chlorine tablets and placed in the pool or spa. They float on the surface allowing the water to come in contact with the chlorine, therefore dissolving the tablets slowly to continuously add a small amount of chlorine or bromine into the water. The floating feeder can usually be adjusted by turning the adjustment collar on the bottom of the floater. The floating chlorinator is perfect for above ground pools and spas.

Another type of erosion feeder is installed at the filter system. It looks like a canister that (unlike a floating chlorinator), requires a certain amount of pressure supplied by the circulation system to dissolve the chlorine or bromine tablets or sticks. The flow and amount of chlorine introduced into the water is regulated by a flow control dial. This type of feeder can plumbed directly in line on a horizontal pipe at the filter system, or installed off line. The off line models are supplied by a hose that feeds untreated water from the pump discharge, into the chlorinator.

The water is then “pushed” over the chlorine or bromine tablets, dissolving them slowly. The newly chlorinated water is then “pushed” out of the chlorinator, through another hose, and is injected into the return line. The freshly sanitized water is then returned to the pool through the return line. It is very important that granulated chlorine is NEVER added to an erosion feeder. This could cause injury or even death!!

Liquid Chlorine Feeders

Probably, the most commonly used type of chlorine in the world is liquid chlorine (Sodium Hypochlorite). This chlorine is used on commercial pools that require a large amount of chlorine to maintain a safe sanitation level. Liquid chlorinators are usually mounted over a vat filled with liquid chlorine, and have their own small electrical pump which pumps liquid chlorine from the vat into the pool's plumbing by way of an injector. With an output control dial and a time clock incorporated into these chlorinators, it is easy to regulate the amount of chlorine injected into the water and the final chlorine reading on the test kit. These types of chlorinators are rarely used in the residential market.

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