How to keep water clean from germs etc

S

Sailingsaves

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 Feb 2013
Messages
2,079
Visit site
Sorry not boaty, but experienced sailors probably have an answer for this from their water tank knowledge?

I have been forced to buy a large 'paddling pool' 4000 Litres near on for 10 foot diameter pool. As not likely to have an holiday, this may keep everyone happy this Summer.

Intend to cover it to keep warmth in at night and encourage water to absorb heat during day whilst kids at school.

What can I add to water to stop bacteria etc that apparently grows if no additive used?

Don't want to pay £4.99 for one sachet that treats 1000 L

http://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/acatalog/KiddiCare_Aqua_Water_Safety_Sachet.html

If I add salt, will that do it? Australia have salt pools I think. But then can't drain pool onto lawn as salt is a good weedkiller, but I could drain it down the drain - I don't know cost of salt or how much I would need yet.

Have thought about the sterilizing solutions used in baby bottles (very weak)

Surely I can't add bleach?

Any ideas?

Thanks
 
Sailingsaves said:
Sorry not boaty, but experienced sailors probably have an answer for this from their water tank knowledge?

I have been forced to buy a large 'paddling pool' 4000 Litres near on for 10 foot diameter pool. As not likely to have an holiday, this may keep everyone happy this Summer.

Intend to cover it to keep warmth in at night and encourage water to absorb heat during day whilst kids at school.

What can I add to water to stop bacteria etc that apparently grows if no additive used?

Don't want to pay £4.99 for one sachet that treats 1000 L

http://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/acatalog/KiddiCare_Aqua_Water_Safety_Sachet.html

If I add salt, will that do it? Australia have salt pools I think. But then can't drain pool onto lawn as salt is a good weedkiller, but I could drain it down the drain - I don't know cost of salt or how much I would need yet.

Have thought about the sterilizing solutions used in baby bottles (very weak)

Surely I can't add bleach?

Any ideas?

Thanks
Click to expand...
Bleach, we used to use it to sterilise our water tanks in the oilfield in Africa and the Middle East. Google for the right amount to use
S
 
skipper_stu said:
Bleach, we used to use it to sterilise our water tanks in the oilfield in Africa and the Middle East. Google for the right amount to use
S
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.

Nice cheap answer as I was hoping for.

I knew an experienced sailor would have an answer and this forum has a lot of experienced sailors such as yourself; the lounge is not frequented by as many experienced sailors - I think some of the posters have never sailed at all...
 
Many people claim to use ordinary household bleach in their swimming pools instead of "proper" swimming pool chemicals. It should work, but I just couldn't bring myself to swim in loo cleaner.

The real answer to your question is to use swimming pool chlorine at the correct concentration, and then check it once a week and top up the chlorine accordingly. You will need to be quite precise with only 4000 litres of water to dilute into.
 
trapezeartist said:
Many people claim to use ordinary household bleach in their swimming pools instead of "proper" swimming pool chemicals. It should work, but I just couldn't bring myself to swim in loo cleaner.

The real answer to your question is to use swimming pool chlorine at the correct concentration, and then check it once a week and top up the chlorine accordingly. You will need to be quite precise with only 4000 litres of water to dilute into.
Click to expand...

how many P*ss in the pool
 
Sailingsaves said:
Sorry not boaty, but experienced sailors probably have an answer for this from their water tank knowledge?

I have been forced to buy a large 'paddling pool' 4000 Litres near on for 10 foot diameter pool. As not likely to have an holiday, this may keep everyone happy this Summer.

Intend to cover it to keep warmth in at night and encourage water to absorb heat during day whilst kids at school.

What can I add to water to stop bacteria etc that apparently grows if no additive used?

Don't want to pay £4.99 for one sachet that treats 1000 L

http://www.ukpoolstore.co.uk/acatalog/KiddiCare_Aqua_Water_Safety_Sachet.html

If I add salt, will that do it? Australia have salt pools I think. But then can't drain pool onto lawn as salt is a good weedkiller, but I could drain it down the drain - I don't know cost of salt or how much I would need yet.

Have thought about the sterilizing solutions used in baby bottles (very weak)

Surely I can't add bleach?

Any ideas?

Thanks
Click to expand...

skipper_stu said:
This message is hidden because skipper_stu is on your ignore list.
Click to expand...

Sailingsaves said:
Thanks for that.

Nice cheap answer as I was hoping for.

I knew an experienced sailor would have an answer and this forum has a lot of experienced sailors such as yourself; the lounge is not frequented by as many experienced sailors - I think some of the posters have never sailed at all...
Click to expand...

While you could use bleach it does have several shortcomings. In particular it is quite strongly alkaline and will raise the pH of the water and the chlorine is in a form which is quickly decomposed by sunlight..
The granules commonly used for swimming pool treatment will be much more suitable.

A means of measuring chlorine levels and monitoring and controlling the pH is required if you are to maintain the pool in a safe condition and pleasant to use

If you are serious about this I suggest you look at the kits containing UV stabilised chlorine granules, an algaecide, test strips and chemicals for controlling the pH.

Not a recommendation but as an example this sort of thing.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3652541.htm

or perhaps justthe KiddiCare sachets in your link for a less controlled approach and shorter term use
 
Last edited:
Boat water tanks are a bit different to swimming pools, as they're generally not exposed to sunlight and warmth and having sweaty bacteria-laden meatsacks swilled about in them.

Pete
 
VicS said:
While you could use bleach it does have several shortcomings. In particular it is quite strongly alkaline and will raise the pH of the water and the chlorine is in a form which is quickly decomposed by sunlight..
The granules commonly used for swimming pool treatment will be much more suitable.

A means of measuring chlorine levels and monitoring and controlling the pH is required if you are to maintain the pool in a safe condition and pleasant to use

If you are serious about this I suggest you look at the kits containing UV stabilised chlorine granules, an algaecide, test strips and chemicals for controlling the pH.

Not a recommendation but as an example this sort of thing.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3652541.htm

or perhaps justthe KiddiCare sachets in your link for a less controlled approach and shorter term use
Click to expand...

Many thanks for that.
Superb advice.
I will search out a pool specialist and see if I can buy the proper stuff direct (and hopefully cheaper than argos) along with pH testing etc (As a student I was a lifeguard to help earn money and had to do the pH tests - I have of course forgotten all about that but it won't be difficult to pick up again).
 
www.swimmingpoolchemicals.co.uk did more granules, alaegcide, pH increaser and decreaser for less money than Argos delivered (in case it helps anyone else)

So thanks VicS for sending me in the correct direction (ps, all Google searches stated bleach was ok, so yet again the members of the forums have done it again).
Many thanks
 
If you go for the expensive swimming pool option, be aware! If you get it wrong everyone with blonde hair will be magicaly transferred to having Green hair! All water tankers out here have bleach added, it works it is cheap, and suitable for paddling type pools.
 
chlorine is not good to swim in. the gas given off is poisonous. it can cause eye damage too.

salt is far safer and nicer to swim in. salt is commonly used in spanish water parks. not sure about concentration levels though.

i agree with your assessment of the lounge dwellers by the way. any more queries about non boaty stuff feel free to post them here, we dont mind.
 
Sailingsaves said:
.........If I add salt, will that do it? Australia have salt pools I think........
Thanks
Click to expand...

The salt alone may make things even worse. It is being used, true. But it serves only as a raw material for producing chlorine by electrolysis. The result - you chlorinate your pool more cheaply (after it pays for the initial investment for the electrolytic chlorinator) but you have to live with a bit salty water....
 
This thread is over 4 years old. !

OP has probably found a satisfactory solution by now .........Paddling pool probably history by now
 
Sailingsaves said:
Many thanks for that.
Superb advice.
I will search out a pool specialist and see if I can buy the proper stuff direct (and hopefully cheaper than argos) along with pH testing etc (As a student I was a lifeguard to help earn money and had to do the pH tests - I have of course forgotten all about that but it won't be difficult to pick up again).
Click to expand...

You could have a look at "Milton", used to sterilise baby feeding bottles & sometimes water tanks.
 
alant said:
You could have a look at "Milton", used to sterilise baby feeding bottles & sometimes water tanks.
Click to expand...


Or move away from chlorine/hypochlorite/d[FONT=&quot]ichloroisocyanurate treaments altogether in favour of hydrogen peroxide or even UV light ![/FONT]
 
VicS said:
Or move away from chlorine/hypochlorite/dichloroisocyanurate treaments altogether in favour of hydrogen peroxide or even UV light !
Click to expand...

Or even go to bromide. I see it took 4 years for someone to explain about salt and how it is used in salt water swimming pools, I had one in Australia, very effective. As for chlorine as a toxic gas and eye irritant yes it is as the raw element but people need to do more research into eye irritation and kids pissing in public swimming pools, the reason I have not used one for decades.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top