NON-HALOGEN SYSTEMS

Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Hydrochloride – PHMB – Biguanide

Biguanide is a man-made polymeric compound and works as a bactericide and algaestat. A PHMB molecule looks and works differently than does a chlorine molecule. It is a microscopic long, thin, and twisted shape. It attracts bacteria to itself instead of seeking out and killing the bacteria. It works like flypaper and holds the bacteria to itself puncturing the bacteria cell wall. Unlike chlorine or bromine, PHMB is not an oxidizer; therefore filter cleaning is essential. SOFTSWIM and BAQUACIL are examples of PHMB based systems. Halogen chemical compounds (chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc.) are not compatible with any biguanide. Spas and Things usually does not recommend a Biguanide based program to our customers because of several factors. First, it is more expensive in the long haul due primarily to the second reason, an alga in our local market area develops a tolerance for this product over a period of time and you must convert to chlorine to remove that algae before returning to the program. Third, you must follow the instructions exactly for the treatment to be effective. If there is a concern or a medical reason for not having any contact with chlorine compounds, the Biguanide program or the Pristine Blue programs are available. Of the two, we think you would prefer the Pristine Blue in our part of the south.

Copper sulfate pentahydrate Pristine Blue

Pristine Blue is a non-chlorine chemical system providing residential pool owners with advantages over chlorine. It is gentle on the eyes and skin. It won’t bleach vinyl liners or colored plaster pools. You may swim immediately after chemical application. Pool owners can treat their pool water with the same chemical used to control algae and bacteria in many drinking water supplies. Pristine Blue is applied once every two weeks. It does not evaporate and is not affected by sunlight. One major advantage of the Pristine Blue system when compared to the Biguanide is the compatibility of Pristine Blue with chlorine compounds. This adds another chemical in the fight against algae. Algae are a living organism and are constantly evolving. Chemicals that would normally kill the algae may be rendered ineffective if used in the same concentration for extended periods of time. This is especially true of the Biguanide compounds.

GENERATORS

There are now devices to make a supply of chlorine from salt and electricity, ozone from a special UV producing light, or copper and silver ions from electrodes and/or catalysts.

CHLORINE GENERATOR: Chlorine generators come in two basic types.

One unit uses a tank to contain the salt solution and the other type has salt added to the pool water itself. Both systems use special salt (not the household kind with all the additives) and DC current to separate the Chlorine from the salt. Initially the unit is more expensive than a chlorinator and the electrodes must be replaced every three to five years under normal conditions. Chlorine is the sanitizer – you are actually making your own with a machine. However, the convenience of not having to handle concentrated Chlorine compounds and the ease of use are attracting more and more owners to joys of a “salt water” pool.

OZONE GENERATOR: There are also two types of Ozone makers.

Most residential models use a special UV lamp lit by electricity. Ozone is an unstable oxygen molecule and is not a really good sanitizer because it lasts in water for only a few seconds and then dissipates. Ozone is an excellent method of shocking or oxidizing organic matter, but some form of bromine/chlorine is needed to have an assured measurable sanitizing residual. Ozone has a clean, sharp smell – like the air after a thunderstorm. Initially the unit was expensive, and the lamp would have to be changed every few years. As with a good many electronic products, the cost has come down over the years and the reliability of the units have improved. The other ozone generator is a corona discharge unit that generates miniature lightning. These units also were expensive, but their price has also improved with the years.

ION GENERATOR: Again, there are two types.

One type uses no electricity, but generates ions from a “cartridge” that is used and replaced. (See Mineralizer/Nature2 write up.) The other uses electrodes powered by DC current. The electrodes are designed to release controlled amounts of copper and silver into the pool water – copper to prevent algae growth, and silver to kill germs and bacteria. These units were developed by NASA to generate safe drinking water for astronauts. Correct chemical balance must be maintained or possible staining can result from pH “bounce.”

* Contrary to some claims, all generators require the use of balancing chemicals and oxidizers.

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