If you’ve been around many private pools during the summer, you likely understand that there are different kinds of pools. We aren’t talking about the shape, size or purpose of the pool, but what kind of pool it is chemically. Whether it’s to inform a family whether or not it’s safe for kids to open their eyes under the water or some other pool-related conversation, it’s not rare for pool owners to tell others what types of chemicals are used in the pool. This is a conversation that pool builders also have with potential buyers as they consider what chemicals they want in their hypothetical pool. While there are several different options, two are more common than the others: chlorine and bromine. However, what is the difference and is one better than the other?
Similarities
It may be obvious that both chlorine and bromine are types of chemicals that help kill bacteria and other harmful contaminants, but are they more similar or different from one other? They really may be more similar than they are different, but how they are used and when they are used is where most differences are found. However, whether you have bromine or chlorine, you need to check your pH levels for both, they come in tablets, and can be dispensed through a floating dispense-feeder. Further, in terms of results, honest pool builders can tell you that both can get the job done, but they may have a preference between the two. Don’t worry, we’ll come back to preferences and which might be better.
Differences
Now, even though bromine and chlorine are similar in results and some dispensing methods, chlorine comes in more variety and with more dispensing techniques. While bromine tablets are always dispensed in a floating feeder, chlorine can also be added in pool skimmer baskets or feed through an automatic chlorinator that is installed into your pool’s filter system. In addition, chlorine not only comes in tablets but also in a powder form that requires manual dispensing by hand. Pool builders can tell you which might be the easiest or best for you, but a lot of people will agree that the automatic chlorinator is the most convenient for chlorinated pools.
Which is Better
The question then is, which option should you go with? As we’ve said before, there are pool builders that may tell you one might be better than the other, but both are efficient ways to kill bacteria. However, depending on your circumstance and diligence in maintenance, you might be able to find your preference. Bromine is known to be better in hot water because the heat doesn’t destroy bromine as easily as it does chlorine. So if you have a heated pool, bromine might be your thing. Further, there are some cheap versions of chlorine that might leave marks and break up easier, something you want to avoid in your personal maintenance.
If you have any other questions about chlorine and bromine, our pool builders can give you more details for each option. In addition, if you are looking to build a pool, you won’t find a better group of pool builders than the ones here at Odyssey Pools. Call us today!
