Controversial Pool Chemicals - Down Under

Picture this: you're standing poolside, testing your water chemistry, confident everything looks crystal clear. But as any seasoned pool professional will tell you, appearances can be deceiving. In the latest episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, our Aussie experts dive deep into the world of controversial pool chemicals, debunking myths and sharing hard-earned wisdom from Down Under.

The Great Chemical Confusion: Understanding What Really Works

One of the biggest misconceptions in pool maintenance revolves around the difference between sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. As Peter explains from his experience in the field, there's a fundamental misunderstanding among pool owners about these two essential chemicals.

I had a discussion with someone recently who swore blind that sodium carbonate is completely unnecessary because sodium bicarbonate does the same thing. Now, I was quite amazed to hear this.

— Peter, Talking Pools Podcast

The reality is far more nuanced. While sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is excellent for raising alkalinity, it has a much lesser effect on pH levels. This is because sodium bicarbonate carries a hydrogen ion that actually negates its pH-raising potential. Sodium carbonate, on the other hand, is highly effective at increasing pH levels when needed.

Peter's sales data tells the story clearly: "I might go through a few kilos of sodium carbonate several pounds a year. That's it. Sodium bicarb, I'll go through tons. Literally tons in a year." This usage pattern reflects the specific roles each chemical plays in water balance.

The Duck Dilemma: When Pool Chemicals Meet Wildlife

One of the more controversial topics discussed involves duck repellent products, commonly known by names like "No More Ducks" (formerly "Duck Off" until someone took offense). These products use benzalkonium chloride as their active ingredient and work by breaking down the natural water-repelling properties of duck feathers.

The chemical acts as a surfactant, making pool water foamy and uncomfortable for waterfowl. However, the experts raise several concerns about these products. Shane notes that the effectiveness is temporary: "I found that didn't seem to last a long time... I think three months is the length of time that you'd expect to get out of it."

More troubling is a safety concern Peter discovered: some brands carry warnings stating "do not use during swimming season." This raises serious questions about the appropriateness of adding such chemicals to recreational water.

If it's not safe for swimming I don't want to add it to a pool... If something's designed to stay in the water for months at a time and it has the warning do not use during swimming season, in good conscience I find it very difficult to recommend that.

— Peter, Talking Pools Podcast

Creative Alternatives: Thinking Outside the Chemical Box

Rather than relying solely on controversial chemicals, the podcast hosts share several innovative alternatives for common pool problems. For duck control, they've discovered some surprisingly effective non-chemical solutions.

Shane shares an amusing story about a customer who found success with motion-activated decoy animals: "One of them, you put the batteries up its bum and it's got a sensor inside. So if there's any movement, it lights up." Even more effective was an owl-shaped metal cutout with chiming bells that moved in the wind.

Other practical alternatives include:

• Solar blankets left on the pool temporarily to discourage landing
• Large inflatable pool toys that appear threatening to ducks
• Motion-activated sprinklers that spray water when detecting movement
• Specialized paving treatments (though these come with odor concerns)

Peter also suggests simple solutions like inflatable toys: "Something bigger than the duck that floats around on it. That seems to scare them off."

The Liquid Pool Blanket Controversy

Another debated product category involves liquid pool blankets, which promise to reduce evaporation through a thin molecular layer on the water's surface. The experts have mixed experiences with these products.

Peter shares a practical application: "I had a couple of pools namely commercial pools with very odd shapes so it couldn't be blanketed... they actually used it in the shoulder months and they found it to be reasonably effective."

While liquid pool blankets don't provide the heating benefits of traditional solar covers, they can help retain heat. Peter describes seeing a demonstration video filmed in the UK where outdoor temperatures were 2°C (35.6°F) while pool water maintained 28°C (82.4°F), showing the product's potential effectiveness under extreme conditions.

Professional Insights: When Chemicals Are Necessary vs. Alternatives

The discussion reveals a key principle in professional pool maintenance: sometimes harsh chemicals are necessary for safety, but they should be used judiciously and with full understanding of their implications.

Peter describes encountering a severely contaminated pool: "I got asked to go and clean this pool... it was covered in biofilm." In such cases, strong chemical treatments become essential, even if they temporarily make the pool unsuitable for swimming.

I said, look your tenants can't swim in this pool. No one can swim in this pool. This needs to be dealt with... I don't care what the water looks like. You've got stuff in there that shouldn't be there.

— Peter, Talking Pools Podcast

This illustrates the professional responsibility to prioritize safety over convenience, even when clients don't understand the reasoning.

The Bottom Line: Education and Responsible Chemical Use

The overarching theme from these pool professionals is the importance of understanding what chemicals actually do versus what marketing claims suggest. Many pool problems have multiple solutions, and the best approach often combines proper chemistry with creative problem-solving.

The controversy around certain pool chemicals often stems from misunderstanding their proper applications, safety considerations, and effectiveness limitations. Whether dealing with pH adjustment, wildlife deterrence, or evaporation control, pool professionals must weigh chemical solutions against alternatives while prioritizing swimmer safety.

As Shane wisely notes about persistent duck problems: "Once they know that pool's a great ground for them to go to, they just keep coming back." This persistence applies equally to chemical problems – surface treatments rarely provide permanent solutions without addressing underlying causes.

The key takeaway from Down Under is clear: successful pool maintenance requires understanding the science behind the chemicals, respecting their limitations, and remaining open to creative alternatives that might prove more effective and safer in the long run.

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Down Under Check-in
• 05:30 Sodium Carbonate vs Sodium Bicarbonate Confusion
• 12:15 Duck Repellent Products and Controversies
• 18:45 Alternative Duck Deterrent Methods
• 25:20 Liquid Pool Blankets Discussion
• 32:10 Professional Chemical Management Philosophy