Why Are Stabilized and Unstabilized Chlorine Not the Same Thing?

You have probably already asked yourself the question: why are there stabilized and unstabilized chlorine? What is the difference between them? Why use one rather than the other? We tell you everything you need to know in this article.

The Types of Chlorine

These include organic and inorganic chlorines. These represent stabilized and non-stabilized chlorine respectively. The difference between these two types of chlorine in it is the presence of isocyanuric acid. 

What Is Isocyanuric Acid?

It protects chlorine against UV rays, which allows a longer action in time. In fact, UV rays can double or even triple the consumption of chlorine. However, it is important to note that this stabilizer is not a disinfectant. It is only combined with chlorine to maintain its effect. More info inside this article.

Consequences of Stabilizer

When you treat your pool with stabilized chlorine, the chlorine is consumed but not the stabilizer. The latter accumulates in the water. It is therefore important to respect a certain concentration of this product in your pool. Ideally, the stabilizer level should be between 20 and 30 mg/L and should never exceed 70 mg/L. Above this level, the action of the chlorine is blocked and its effectiveness is therefore reduced.

If a stabilizer is present in your chlorine, it is advisable to maintain a higher concentration of chlorine. Why? Because stabilizer reduces the amount of active chlorine. For water with a stabilizer, an active chlorine level between 0.4 and 1.4 mg/L is recommended. If there is no stabilizer in the water, the level should be at least 2 mg/L. 

Removing Stabilizer 

As we explained earlier, the stabilizer accumulates in the water. The simplest way to reduce the concentration is to replace part of the water (30 to 50% is usually enough). In order to avoid over-concentration, it is recommended to alternate the types of chlorine according to the need. 

Of course, if you need chlorine for your pool treatment, you can find the finest quality in our shop.