Vitamin C in the pool, works in practice?

A well-kept pool with crystal clear water sparkling in the sun is something every pool owner strives for. However, this vision quickly runs into a reality in which the pool is not beautiful in itself throughout the season - it should be cared for systematically, with special attention to water. In the following article, we will uncover some popular myths about pool chemistry, especially the unique properties of vitamin C.

At a time when the word 'chemistry' itself has taken on a pejorative meaning and is scary in itself, especially in the eyes of parents of young children, and product leaflets are scanned from top to bottom to find even trace amounts of substances that do not. are "organic". or "organic", the discussion on this subject of pool chemistry may seem defeated from the beginning. Few pool owners realize that the water in their tank is no different from the water in a garden pond - the fact that it is in a nice "package" does not change the fact that it is exposed to sunlight or intense rays or summer rain.

Warm stagnant water is the perfect environment for rapidly multiplying bacteria and algae, and the usual pumping of water, despite the best filter pump, will do nothing - mainly due to the lack of bactericidal and fungicidal effects. To avoid turning the pool into a pool, use pool chemicals to disinfect chlorine or oxygen. However, after a quick search on the Internet, we can find that adding vitamin C to the pool will work just as effectively.

MYTH 1. Will vitamin C in the pool purify the pool water?

This is an increasingly popular myth about pool hygiene, especially among eco-lifestyle enthusiasts. It seems to be the ideal solution - a kilogram of vitamin C costs just over € 5, and yet it is only vitamin C - not only is it harmless, but it will also add value to the spa and health. This is, of course, completely nonsense - vitamin C in the pool has no bactericidal properties, not to mention fungicides. In addition, it disturbs the pH and chemical balance of the water. It should be remembered that sooner or later the water from the pool will have to be drained into the drain or directly into the garden in the yard. Water "enriched" with an unnatural concentration of vitamin C is very dangerous for the environment and pollutes the soil, impairs its fertility and pH.

The spectacular effect of the magical "purification" of vitamin C water presented in numerous videos on YouTube is nothing more than an almost illusory trick - the water used in them is not full of algae, but ... ironic. Due to its properties, vitamin C reacts quickly and intensively with the iron contained in the water, changing its color to neutral. However, this does not change the chemical composition of the water, on the contrary, it also disrupts it. To sum up - the problem is not removed, but covered up, and in addition it only takes a few hours. The only effective way to remove (emphasize - not remove, discolour) iron in water is a liquid that precipitates impurities - compacting the iron particles into larger "flakes" that can be easily removed with an ordinary filter pump.

MYTH 2. Vitamin C is safer than chlorine

Oral tablet use - yes, absolute. Use to treat pool water - absolutely not. Chlorine, unlike vitamin C, is a gas. The vitamin is ascorbic acid. Chlorine remains in the water for some time, then, as a result of the chemical reaction, it changes the state of aggregation and is released into the atmosphere, where it also occurs under natural conditions. Vitamin C does not decompose or evaporate, it remains in the water until you remove it from the container.

Due to its half-life, chlorine is commonly used to disinfect water in municipal water mains - including those intended for direct consumption. This in itself confirms that often demonized chlorine is not as dangerous as it seems.

MYTH 3. Is chlorine really dangerous for human health and the water level in the pool?

Apart from the tap water mentioned, the bad reputation of chlorine may have come mainly from allergic skin reactions after direct contact with chlorinated water in public swimming pools. It is true that chlorine can cause this reaction. Like an allergic reaction, it can cause celery, dog hair, vitamin C and even the sun. The mere fact that it is an allergen does not mean that the substance is harmful to health - however, allergic people should look for alternatives as much as possible to eliminate the risk of skin or upper respiratory tract irritation.

In such cases, chlorine is another common gas with surprisingly versatile properties - oxygen.

MYTH 4. Is active oxygen healthier and greener than chlorine and maybe even vitamin C?

In the case of this myth, it can be said that the angle of view depends on the seating point. For allergy sufferers to chlorine, oxygen will definitely be healthier if you avoid contact with the allergen. For all others, however, using oxygen instead of chlorine will make no difference except odor - dissolved oxygen in water smells more like ozone. In addition, the properties of oxygen and chlorine are identical - they have a strong bactericidal effect and decompose relatively quickly, escaping into the atmosphere. Because both gases are abundant in nature, they do not pose a threat to the environment, and their inhalation or skin contact is completely safe except for allergies.

MYTH 5. The fewer chemicals in the pool, the better. Are you sure?

It's the perfect solution for people who love wasting water in a garden pool and change it every week - probably for no one. The use of almost homeopathic quantities will only be a waste of water and the chemicals themselves - in order to ensure their proper operation, they must be evenly distributed in the right concentration in the pool water. Too low a concentration of chlorine or oxygen will lead to algae blooms and bacteria multiply, while too high a chemical content can cause skin irritation in bath users.

The concentration of chemicals can be easily controlled with paper meters, which act roughly like litmus papers - when they are soaked in water, they change color. The color varies depending on the chemical composition of the water. The result is compared with the legend on the packaging, thanks to which we can say whether we should add another tablet of chemicals to the water, or we overdid it and it must be diluted by adding from a garden hose. Such things happen to everyone, especially beginning users of garden pools, so there is nothing to worry about - incorrect dosing of chemicals can be easily corrected, just react quickly.

The above examples are just the tip of the iceberg between the questions and doubts that people question about the use of pool chemistry. Many see this as a cunning way of making money from pool vendors, other than an attack on their health, but neither is true - we know from experience that neglecting a pool by using alternative, home-made solutions will only end up using even more chemicals and strenuous cleaning of the entire pool set. Therefore, when it comes to consulting what and how to use to make the pool meet our expectations, instead of seeking the help of eager lay people, we recommend trusting experts in the industry.