Understanding Chlorine Floaters
A chlorine floater is one of the most popular methods for swimming pool owners to sanitize their pool water effectively. By adding chlorine tablets to the floater, it gracefully glides across the surface of the pool, releasing chlorine into the water. However, one common issue that arises is when the chlorine floater gets caught in the skimmer suction. When this happens, the floater can become lodged at the skimmer’s opening, which restricts suction, diminishes the skimmer’s effectiveness, and may result in reduced water flow through the jet return.
The most effective way to prevent the chlorine floater from getting stuck in the skimmer is to tether it in front of the return jet. You can easily achieve this by tying a rope to the chlorine floater and securing it to the pool railing for above-ground pools, or attaching it to a heavy weight that remains submerged in underground pools. It is crucial to avoid tethering the floater on the suction side of the skimmer or in areas that experience minimal water movement, such as around pool ladders or areas that contain metal fixtures in the water.
Benefits of Using Chlorine Floaters
Chlorine floaters present an excellent solution for maintaining the chlorine levels in your swimming pool water. For more detailed comparisons of chlorine floaters versus automatic chlorinators, feel free to explore the article linked here. When using a chlorine floater, you simply place chlorine tablets inside, close the lid, and watch as it floats freely throughout the pool. Just like beach balls, goggles, and other floating objects, the chlorine floater can also get caught in the skimmer. The suction from the skimmer often proves too powerful for a plastic floater, leading to it becoming trapped at the entrance of the skimmer.
If you’ve used a floater for any length of time, you’re likely familiar with the frustration of seeing it stuck in the skimmer “again.” You may find yourself walking over to push the floater away from the skimmer and back into the main pool area. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to minimize this issue and keep your floater where it belongs.
Tethering Your Chlorine Floater
The simplest and most effective method to prevent your floater from succumbing to the skimmer’s suction is to tie a rope to it and secure it to a railing on the side of the pool. If a railing is unavailable, consider using a heavy weight or water bottles placed on the ground, ensuring that the rope is attached to them. When tethering your floater, it’s advisable to position it in front of the jet return, as this will encourage water flow toward the floater. This approach will help to evenly distribute chlorine throughout the pool and reduce the risk of chlorine buildup in any one area.
Avoid Tethering Near Ladders or Railings
When securing your floater with a rope, make sure to avoid placing it in areas that experience minimal water movement, especially near ladders, steps, or railings submerged in the water. This is important because chlorine tends to accumulate in these stagnant areas, leading to excessive buildup that can damage metal components in the pool.
Adjusting Jet Return Position
If you’re looking for alternatives to tethering your floater, consider experimenting with different jet return positions. By doing so, you might be able to direct the floater away from the suction zone of the skimmer. I always recommend positioning your skimmer to point toward the bottom of the pool and creating a circular flow, as discussed in this article. However, if you adjust the jet to point upward, creating a more wavy water surface, it may help keep the floater away from the skimmer by generating a stronger current on the surface.
Another option is to direct the return jet toward the skimmer, effectively pushing water away from it and reducing suction. However, be cautious with this approach, as it may lead to debris being pushed away from the skimmer, ultimately reducing its effectiveness and countering the intended purpose of maintaining a clean pool.
Creating a Water Fountain
A fun and creative solution is to construct a water fountain using PVC pipes that connects to your pool’s jet return. With the right setup, you can even design it to direct water flow toward the bottom of the pool while creating a waterfall effect over the surface. Make sure the fountain pours over the skimmer area; this will help keep the floater out of the splash zone. This unique and enjoyable addition can enhance your pool experience, especially for families and children who will love swimming under a fountain that sprays refreshing pool water.
Implementing one or more of these strategies will help ensure that your chlorine floater remains where it should be—in the water and not trapped in the skimmer. If you’re interested in discovering the best chlorine tablets to use in your floater, check out my article here to stock up for the year and save!