Pool clarifier buying guide

Pool clarifier is used to deal with cloudy or milky white water but is not designed to tackle green water, for which you will need a product designed to combat algae. That said, algae remover products do sometimes contain a form of clarifier.

Pool clarifier is often called for after the use of a specific pool treatment such as a flocculant, shock treatment or an algae remover. While these products help to rebalance your pool water, they can affect the clearness of the water. Pool water may also become cloudy when the pH level is slightly off or if you've accidentally mixed the wrong ratios when using a disinfectant product or shock treatment. Even a simple storm can throw your pool water out of balance.

Often sold in liquid form, pool clarifiers are easy to use, provided that you pay attention to measurements (which are set out by the manufacturer according to pool size) and a few precautions for use.

Before using a pool clarifier, you need to check the pH level of the water and ratios of disinfectant products. It's also important to clean the pool filter. Next, simply pour the pool clarifier in front of the pool inlets and wait around 24 to 48 hours for the product to take effect.

Another benefit of pool clarifier: unlike shock chlorination, which will irritate your skin, you can swim in the pool while the clarifier is working.

The difference between pool clarifiers and flocculants may not be immediately obvious; in fact, both are designed to optimise pool filtration to improve water clarity in cloudy water.

Pool clarifiers vs. flocculants

Contrary to flocculants, pool clarifiers don't clump together pool debris but rather work to coaggulate tiny particles.

Pool clarifiers work much more slowly and won't clog up your pool filter. They can therefore be used with all types of filter, with the exception of diatomaceous earth pool filters.

Pool clarifiers: prevention over cure

Pool clarifiers are best used as a preventative measure or when the water is only slightly cloudy. This is why some algae or limescale removers are mixed with a pool clarifier.

Liquid or tablet pool clarifiers

Pool clarifiers generally come in liquid form. However, it is possible to find capsules or tablets. These products are extremely concentrated.

Always be sure to check that you are purchasing a clarifier and not a flocculant as these products don't play exactly the same role, as explained above.

The main reasons for cloudy pool water

Pool clarifiers are designed to make cloudy pool water crystal clear. They can be used in a number of cases to prevent or deal with cloudy water. Here are the most common reasons for cloudy water:

1. A high pH level can lead to cloudy water. The ideal pH level for pool water should be around 7.2 to 7.4.

2. Excessive calcium in pool water will not only cause cloudiness but can also affect the functioning of filters and lead to the appearance of impurities and algae.

3. Excessive use of flocculant can also degrade water quality and pool clarifier may be required to fix it.

4. Shock treatments involve adding a high-strength dose of disinfectant to the pool to improve poor quality water. While this can be very effective at eliminating bacteria and algae, it can lead to cloudy water.

Mixing ratios

If you are not using high enough ratios of pool treatment products (chlorine, bromine, salt, activated oxygen, etc.), microorganisms will quickly develop and affect the quality of your water. After adjusting your doses, you'll have to use a pool clarifier.

Rainfall

A storm can cause your pool water to turn cloudy in just a few hours. This is because the rain that falls during a storm tends to be acidic and contain contaminants such as atmospheric pollution, dust and pollen which will degrade the quality and pH level of the water. In addition to using a pool clarifier, you can help to prevent the issue in the first place by covering up your pool when storms are forecast.

Pool clarifier: precautions for use

Checking the pH level and water quality

Before using a pool clarifier, you must check the pH level of the water. Use products to lower or raise pH level as required.

If your water contains excessive amounts of calcium or algae, start by treating each problem individually.

Make sure that your filter system is working as expected and that your filter doesn't need to be changed. Drain and rinse your skimmer systems or baskets.

A step-by-step guide to using pool clarifier

Once you have completed all these steps, proceed as follows:

1. Place your pool pump on a recirculate setting to allow the pool water to move without passing through the filter.

2. Dilute the required amount of pool clarifier in a container with water. Consult the manufacturer's instructions to find the correct dose for your pool.

3. Pour the pool clarifier mix directly into the pool in front of the inlets.

4. Leave the inlets on and allow the pool clarifier to work for 24 to 48 hours. This is the minimum amount of time it takes for the water to become transparent again.

5. If you have a small pool without a filter system, leave your cleaner on to allow the water to circulate as much as possible. As pool clarifiers are not harmful for skin, you can swim while the product takes effect. This will even help to mix up the pool clarifier with your pool water.

6. Use this time to clean your pool walls and the base of the pool in order to remove all debris. Work slowly to ensure that all debris is removed by the pool cleaner or robot, and not simply released into the water.

7. If your water looks good, follow through with your usual disinfecting routine and don't forget to put your pool pump back into filter mode.

8. If your water still isn't perfectly clear, you can repeat the treatment as required by simply pouring in more pool clarifier and following the same instructions.