You are a pool owner with a 10 ft. Intex inflatable pool. You will probably want to know whether you have to bother with adding chlorine tablets to your pool. The amount of chlorine you add to your pool depends on the size and water chemistry of the pool.
However, for your 10ft inflatable pool, add about 2-4 tablets of chlorine sanitizer of about 1”. To avoid having excess chlorine in the pool, make sure you test and monitor the chlorine level in the pool until you get the right balance for your pool.
By reading further, you will learn some important things you need to know before adding chlorine sanitizer to your pool.
Do you need chlorine in a 10 ft. pool?
A 10 ft. Intex pool can contain between 960 and 1018 US liquid gallons. This volume is on the upper spectrum of inflatable pools.
One can classify this pool as a large inflatable pool, as opposed to other kiddie pools, which might fall into a range that is below 500 gallons. Due to this size, it is permissible to use chlorine. There are a number of reasons for this.
Due to the size of this pool, you might not be able to refill it daily. Water costs can prevent you from emptying and refilling such a large amount of water every day.
Also, the place to be draining such a large amount of water every day without causing water logging is an issue. Due to these facts, the water in your inflatable pool will stay for longer, and this is where chlorine must come in. You will need the chlorine to sanitize the pool.
The second consideration is the fact that more people can use the pool. During the summer, temperatures can be warmer than usual. Due to this, it is very likely that the kids will want to have a dip more often than not.
When there are more people in the pool, this introduces more pathogens and other organic matter. As a result, the demand for chlorine increases.
How much chlorine do I put in my 10ft Intex pool?
For an Intex pool that is 10 feet in diameter, adding 2-4 tablets that are 1 inch in diameter is the recommended dosage. This you can do on a daily basis. In addition to this daily chlorination, you can shock the pool.
In shock, you intend to raise the chlorine concentration to about 10 parts per million. The reason you are doing this is to remove combined chlorine and free up some chlorine for it to work effectively. Shocking can be done once a week.
How do you chlorinate a 10 ft. pool?
You can chlorinate your pool in the following easy steps:
- Calculate the size of the pool: Before you get started, the first thing to do is calculate what the volume of the pool is. In this case, since there is already a pool 10 feet in diameter, all you need to do is find the area and multiply by the height. The formula for this is A = πr². Then the volume equals area × height.
- Get protective gear: It is advised that you wear goggles and hand gloves to protect your eyes and hands, respectively. Chlorine can give off harmful fumes, so it is best that those parts of your body are properly protected. Also, ensure that the chlorination is done in a well-ventilated area.
- Get long-lasting chloride tablets: Tablets are a better option for chlorinating Intex pools. This is because of how easy it is to use. They also last longer and can be more evenly distributed in a pool. They are also gentler on pool liners than liquid shock. You can easily get chlorine tablets in different variants. There are the 1-inch and 3-inch variants. The larger tablets are usually a preferred option. Apart from lasting longer, they are actually less expensive than the smaller variant.
- Test your pool water to determine how much chlorine to add: It is critical to know how much chlorine is present before chlorinating. Free available chlorine levels should be between 1-3 parts per million. Your test kit should give you readings for both free and combined chlorine levels. Remember, the free available chlorine is the chlorine that is available for killing germs. On the other hand, combined chloride is the chlorine that has been used in killing germs, forming compounds called chloramines. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions on what dosage is required for any volume of water. Below is a table showing how much chlorine to add to certain volumes of water.
Intex Pool Type | Volume | Recommended dosage of 3-inch Tablet |
10 ft X 30 Intex Pool | 1,018 gal | ¼ |
8 ft X 30 Intex Pool | 639 gal | ¼ |
6 ft X 20 Intex Pool | 232 gal | ¼ |
- Use a chlorine dispenser: You can use an automatic chlorine feeder or dispenser. Another option is using a chlorinating skimmer. This equipment helps the chlorine tablets dissolve slowly and get distributed evenly. This ensures that there is a constant supply of chlorine in the pool. All you need to do is simply place the tablets in the cartridge of the dispenser. This way, it will dissolve slowly, a process that can take a few days.
How often do you put chlorine in a pool?
As mentioned above, ideal free chlorine levels should be between 1 and 3 parts per million. So the addition of chlorine will depend on what the level of free chlorine is. If the levels of free chlorine get below 1 ppm, then you know it is time to chlorinate again.
How do I keep my 10ft pool clean?
- Skim your pool on a regular basis: Pool water is only enjoyable to swim in when it is clean and appealing. Debris and other matter can make this a less attractive prospect. This is why, on a daily basis, you must ensure you skim the pool surface of any fallen debris or litter. This will also help to reduce the chlorine demand in your pool water.
- Test for chemical balance: Testing for chemical balance in your water is very crucial. The pH and alkalinity of a pool go a long way in determining how effective the chlorine you are adding will be. Test for the presence of other chemicals. Do you know when you need to chlorinate?
- Use chlorine on a regular basis: chlorine is an excellent sanitizer. It will help to kill germs and other foreign bodies introduced into the pool by users. Algae buildup can be prevented by chlorinating your pool on a regular basis. This is especially useful when you know you can’t be emptying and refilling your pool every day.
- Vacuum your pool: You must vacuum your pool to remove any debris that could either. 3. Use chlorine on a regular basis. Chlorine is an excellent sanitizer. m. You can use a wet vac to target every piece of debris. This works effectively.
- Use a pool cover when not in use: It is recommended that you use a pool cover when not in use. The pool cover prevents debris and other falling matter from entering the pool. This will prevent the introduction of unnecessary organic matter into the pool, thus preventing the use of your free chlorine.
- Always use tap water to fill your pool: When filling your pool, always use tap water. This is recommended because well water or water from other sources might contain some minerals that can react with chlorine, thus discolouring your pool.
How do I keep my inflatable pool water clean naturally?
- Salt sanitizers: With the advancement of technology, the use of salt sanitizers has become popular. It has proven to be a good alternative to adding chlorine directly to the pools. This method makes use of electrolytic inverters, which draw in saltwater and, by the process of electrolysis, convert the saltwater into chlorine gas. In this way, it kills bacteria, algae, and other microbes.
- Ozone purification: Ozone is a compound made up of three atoms of oxygen. It’s much more powerful than chlorine as an oxidizing agent. The advantage of using ozone is that it is naturally occurring and it reverts back to oxygen after use. It doesn’t leave any harmful chemical by-products after use. The water is passed through ozone generators where bacteria and pathogens come into contact with the ozone and are easily killed.
Where do you put chlorine tablets in an Intex pool?
It is advisable to put the chlorine tablets in a chlorine dispenser or skimmer. As stated above, this dispenser will help distribute the chlorine evenly.
How long can you leave water in an inflatable pool with chlorine?
For inflatable pools, it is recommended that you change the water every two weeks at a minimum. But if there’s no chlorine added into the pool water, the pool should be changed on a daily basis.
Can I use bleach to shock my inflatable pool?
Yes, you can.
Bleach contains chlorine, but to a lesser level than pool grade chlorine.
How long after shock can you swim?
The general rule is to wait 24–48 hours after shocking before entering a pool. This is the time taken for the shock to work properly and also for the chlorine levels to come down to normal levels.
What time of day should I shock my pool?
It is always advisable to shock a pool during dusk or dawn when the sunlight levels are low. This is because sunlight degrades chlorine easily and could make it less effective.
What happens if you swim in a shocked pool?
When you don’t wait for the chemicals used in the shock to come to an acceptable level, you are putting yourself in harm’s way. You are exposed to skin, eye, and lung irritations. Also, if you mistakenly drink pool water that has such chemicals in a high concentration, it could be fatal.
Can you swim in a pool with chlorine tablets?
Yes, you can.
But just ensure that you test the chlorine levels and know that they are at normal levels before diving in.