In the effort to maintain your pool, you'll most likely have to add some form of chlorine to the water. Chlorine is considered a halogen chemical that dissolves into the form of hypochlorous acid or 'free chlorine' in water. As a sanitizer, chlorine is able to eliminate the bacterium, viruses, algae, pollutants and other micro-organisms in your pool water. Chlorine is in a stabilized granule form called dichlor or trichlor depending on the number of atoms of chlorine bonded to the nitrogen on the molecule. If you start to notice a chlorine odor, you'll need to test of chlorine level to ensure enough free chlorine is available to sanitize your pool. A by-product of dissolving granules is called cyanuric acid or a stabilizer for the chlorine granules. When a great build up of the stabilizer occurs it can interfere with the ability for the free chlorine to kill the micro-organisms. If this happens, the long term solution is to add more fresh water to the pool. Proper testing and maintenance of chlorine levels in your pool will assure many hours of clean, clear and refreshing water in your pool. Dichlor - (di - chlor) hypochlorous - (hypo-chlor-ous) Trichlor - (tri - chlor) cyanuric - (cy-a-nuric)

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