Difference Between Free Chlorine and Total Chlorine

Free chlorine involves the amount of chlorine that's able to sanitize contaminants, while combined chlorine refers to chlorine that has combined directly with the contaminants. Total chlorine is basically the sum of free chlorine and combined chlorine.

1. Should free chlorine and total chlorine be the same?
2. Why is free chlorine higher than total chlorine?
3. How do I raise the free chlorine in my pool?
4. Why is there no free chlorine in my pool?
5. Does shock raise free chlorine?
6. What happens if free chlorine is low?
7. What does free chlorine mean on test strip?
8. What should free chlorine be in pool?
9. What is free chlorine and residual chlorine?
10. Can I add shock and chlorine at the same time?
11. Is free chlorine dangerous?
12. Why is my chlorine level so low?

Should free chlorine and total chlorine be the same?

Put It All Together. If total and free chlorine levels are the same, there's no combined chlorine in your water, meaning none of it has been used up yet. ... In order for your pool to be properly sanitized, the free chlorine level must remain higher than the combined chlorine level.

Why is free chlorine higher than total chlorine?

What could cause free chlorine measurements to be higher than total chlorine? ... Higher amounts of bicarbonate in the water can cause small bubbles (looks like turbidity) to form which will increase the free chlorine results.

How do I raise the free chlorine in my pool?

Raise the Level of Pool Chlorine

Simply adding chlorine in the form of chlorine tablets, granular chlorine, liquid shock or powder shock will increase the total amount of chlorine within the pool.

Why is there no free chlorine in my pool?

Chlorine lock can occur when there is too much cyanuric acid (also referred to as conditioner or stabilizer) in the water. This occurs when too much stabilizer is added to the water or when the swimming pool isn't being partially drained and refilled periodically. ... if they don't you likely have chlorine lock.

Does shock raise free chlorine?

Free chlorine is just that, free. ... Shocking then releases the combined chlorine and off-gasses the contaminants, increasing the amount of free chlorine in your pool or spa. The question of whether to use a chlorinated or non-chlorinated shock will depend on how much total chlorine you have in your pool or spa.

What happens if free chlorine is low?

Microbe and bacteria growth. When the chlorine level is too low, microorganisms like bacteria are able to multiply faster. With harmful bacteria like e-coli, this will quickly cause your pool to be unhealthy, risking any swimmers potentially getting sick. Algae growth.

What does free chlorine mean on test strip?

Free Chlorine is the amount of chlorine that has not yet combined with chlorinated water to sanitize contaminants. ... The easiest way to check your chlorine levels is with test strips. However, ideal free chlorine levels are dependent on cyanuric acid levels.

What should free chlorine be in pool?

Ideal Levels of Free Chlorine, Combined Chlorine, and Total Chlorine. The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals recommends free chlorine levels be kept between 2.0 and 4.0 ppm. The Center for Disease Control recommends free chlorine stay above 1 ppm in pools and 3 ppm in hot tubs.

What is free chlorine and residual chlorine?

The presence of free chlorine (also known as chlorine residual, free chlorine residual, residual chlorine) in drinking water indicates that: 1) a sufficient amount of chlorine was added initially to the water to inactivate the bacteria and some viruses that cause diarrheal disease; and, 2) the water is protected from ...

Can I add shock and chlorine at the same time?

Yes, you can add both shock and chlorine to a pool. However, you should not add them at the same time. The best thing to do is to shock your pool first. Then, once the chlorine levels go down to a certain threshold, you can add more chlorine.

Is free chlorine dangerous?

Having too much chlorine in your pool water can be dangerous. Exposure to high levels of chlorine can cause lung irritation, skin and eye damage, and provoke asthma. ... It can also damage pool accessories and anything else that goes into your swimming pool water.

Why is my chlorine level so low?

If you test your pool water and can't get a chlorine level reading at all it may be due to a very high chlorine demand. ... Contamination, low pH or low chlorine stabiliser levels could cause this situation. The water might appear cloudy, the pool walls be slimy or the pool may look relatively OK.