Automatic Water Treatment in HardBox Pools: A Guide to Methods and Choosing the Ideal System
Today, owning a private pool is not just a luxury, but also an investment in relaxation and health that brings much joy. However, for its use to be fully comfortable and safe, maintaining the water in ideal purity is crucial. Modern HardBox container pools, designed with innovation and convenience in mind, offer advanced automatic water treatment systems. In this guide, we will explore the most popular and effective methods, helping you understand which one best suits your needs.
Why Automatic Water Treatment is a Necessity?
Water purity in a pool is not just a matter of aesthetics, but primarily of safety and health. Improperly treated water can be a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, algae, and other microorganisms, leading to infections, skin and eye irritations, and even damage to the pool installation itself. Automatic water treatment eliminates the need for manual chemical dosing and continuous parameter monitoring, ensuring:
- Consistent water quality: Automatic systems constantly monitor and correct pH levels and disinfectant concentration.
- Safety and hygiene: Effective disinfection minimizes the risk of pathogen development.
- Time and effort saving: No more daily testing and manual chemical addition.
- Cost-effectiveness: Precise dosing prevents chemical waste.
- Comfort of use: Crystal-clear water without an irritating chlorine smell.
HardBox, as a leader in the production of innovative container pools, integrates advanced water treatment systems, providing users with maximum convenience and peace of mind. Our pools are designed for intuitive operation and fully automated water care.
Key Methods Available at HardBox: Dosing and Salt Electrolysis
HardBox focuses on proven and effective solutions that guarantee the highest water quality with minimal user involvement. Our offer includes advanced chemical dosing stations and innovative salt electrolyzers.
Automatic Chemical Dosing (pH and Chlorine)
Principle of operation: An automatic chemical dosing system consists of a controller equipped with measurement probes (pH probe and redox/chlorine probe) and precise dosing pumps (most often peristaltic). The probes constantly monitor the current pH values and disinfectant concentration (e.g., chlorine) in the pool water. When values deviate from programmed norms, the controller activates the pumps, which precisely dose appropriate amounts of liquid pH correctors (pH plus or pH minus) and liquid chlorine directly from tanks into the water circulation.
The pH level (potential of hydrogen) is crucial for disinfection effectiveness and swimmer comfort. The ideal pH of pool water should be between 7.0-7.4. Improper pH can cause skin and eye irritation, reduce chlorine effectiveness, and even lead to corrosion of pool components or scale buildup. HardBox automatic systems precisely ensure its optimal level.
Advantages:
- Precision: Continuous monitoring and parameter correction ensure ideal water quality 24/7.
- Safety: No need for manual contact with strong chemicals.
- Stability: Prevents parameter fluctuations that could lead to water problems.
- Convenience: Minimal user involvement.
Disadvantages:
- Requires regular calibration of measurement probes (usually once a month).
- Necessity of refilling tanks with liquid chemicals.
Required equipment: Automatic dosing station (controller, pH and Rx/chlorine probes), dosing pumps, tanks for liquid chlorine and pH correctors.
Amount of space needed: HardBox dosing stations are compact and designed for easy integration into the pool's technical cabinet, next to the filtration and heating pump. Two or three tanks for liquid chemicals (approx. 20-30 liters each) are also required.
Suitability for private pools: Very high. This is one of the most popular and reliable solutions for modern pools, valued for its effectiveness and convenience. Chemical dosing systems (pH and chlorine) are available and often recommended for HardBox pools.
Salt Electrolysis (Chlorine from Salt)
Principle of operation: Salt electrolysis is an innovative disinfection method that uses pool salt dissolved in water (at a concentration much lower than seawater, approx. 3-5 g/liter). Water flows through a special electrolytic cell, where, under the influence of electric current, salt (sodium chloride NaCl) is broken down, producing natural chlorine gas (Cl2). This chlorine immediately reacts with water, forming hypochlorous acid (HClO), which is an active disinfectant. After fulfilling its function, chlorine reverts to salt.
Advantages:
- Natural disinfection: Chlorine is produced on-site from salt, eliminating the need to buy and store chemical chlorine.
- Skin and eye comfort: Saltwater is much gentler on the skin and eyes, and less irritating than water chlorinated by traditional methods.
- No chlorine smell: Thanks to continuous chlorine production and lower chloramine content, the water does not have an intense “pool” smell.
- Constant disinfection: The system works continuously, maintaining a constant level of disinfection.
- Simple operation: Only requires refilling salt periodically.
Disadvantages:
- Requires the use of special pool salt.
- Salt can be corrosive to some metal components in the pool, although HardBox pools use corrosion-resistant materials.
- Requires monitoring of salt and pH levels (electrolyzers often have a built-in pH control module).
Required equipment: Salt electrolyzer, electrolytic cell (installed in the pipeline), flow sensor. Often integrated with a pH control and dosing module.
Amount of space needed: The electrolyzer itself is a compact device, and the electrolytic cell is installed directly in the pipeline. The system takes up minimal space in the technical cabinet.
Suitability for private pools: Very high. Salt electrolysis is one of the most popular and comfortable solutions for private pools, offering soft water and minimal maintenance. Salt electrolysis systems (chlorine from salt and pH) are available and often chosen for HardBox pools.
„A HardBox pool with a salt electrolyzer is a bullseye! The water is incredibly pleasant for the skin, without that chemical smell. I practically don't have to do anything – the system takes care of everything itself. It's true luxury.” – Anna K., satisfied HardBox customer from Wrocław
Alternative Water Disinfection Methods (Not Directly Available in HardBox Offer, but Worth Knowing)
In addition to proven automatic chlorine dosing and salt electrolysis systems, there are also other methods of pool water disinfection. Although HardBox focuses on integrating solutions that provide an optimal combination of effectiveness, cost, and low maintenance, it is worth knowing the alternatives to fully understand the spectrum of available technologies.
Active Oxygen
Principle of operation: Disinfection with active oxygen is based on the use of oxygen compounds (e.g., perhydrol – hydrogen peroxide, or persulfate). These compounds release active oxygen, which oxidizes organic contaminants and deactivates microorganisms. Active oxygen is odorless and gentle on the skin, but its action is short-lived and requires more frequent dosing.
Advantages: Odorless, gentle on skin and eyes, safe for health. No chloramines.
Disadvantages: Weaker residual action (no disinfectant reserve remains in the water), higher operating costs compared to chlorine, may require an additional flocculant for better water clarity.
Required equipment: Active oxygen dosing system (pumps, tablet or liquid dispensers), optionally a redox probe for oxidation monitoring.
Amount of space needed: Similar to chlorine dosing, depending on the size of liquid preparation tanks or tablet dispenser.
Suitability for private pools: Good for small pools and people sensitive to chlorine. Often used as an alternative or supplement, not always independently due to lack of residual action.
Bromine
Principle of operation: Bromine, like chlorine, is a halogen and acts as a strong disinfectant by oxidizing organic contaminants and destroying microorganisms. It is more stable at high temperatures and higher pH than chlorine, making it popular in heated pools and jacuzzis.
Advantages: Less irritating smell than chlorine, more stable in warm water, effective disinfectant. It forms bromamines, which are less irritating than chloramines.
Disadvantages: More expensive than chlorine, can stain some pool surfaces yellow/brown if used incorrectly, requires special brominators.
Required equipment: Automatic brominator (bromine tablet dispenser).
Amount of space needed: Compact, installed in the water circulation line.
Suitability for private pools: Ideal for spas, jacuzzis, and heated pools, where water temperature is higher. It is an effective alternative to chlorine.
Ozonation
Principle of operation: Ozone (O3) is a strong oxidizer and disinfectant that is generated on-site from atmospheric oxygen using a special ozone generator. When introduced into water, ozone quickly neutralizes bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and organic contaminants. After fulfilling its function, ozone breaks down back into oxygen, leaving no by-products in the water.
Advantages: Very high disinfection effectiveness, reduction in chlorine demand, improved water clarity, no disinfection by-products.
Disadvantages: No residual action (ozone quickly breaks down, so it requires support from another disinfection method), high initial costs, requires professional installation and adequate ventilation (ozone is toxic in high concentrations).
Required equipment: Ozone generator, injection system (Venturi mixer or injection pump), ozone decomposer (to remove excess ozone before water returns to the pool).
Amount of space needed: Requires dedicated technical space due to the size of the equipment and the need for ventilation.
Suitability for private pools: Mainly used in public pools or as an advanced supplement for private pools to significantly reduce chlorine consumption and improve water quality. It is not a standalone solution for disinfecting private pools.
UV Radiation
Principle of operation: UV systems use lamps emitting ultraviolet type C (UV-C) radiation, which damages the DNA of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, algae), preventing them from reproducing and neutralizing them. Water flows through a chamber where it is irradiated with UV light.
Advantages: Effective disinfection without chemicals (at the point of irradiation), reduction of chloramines (responsible for unpleasant chlorine smell and irritation), no chemical by-products, improved water clarity.
Disadvantages: No residual action (water after passing through the UV lamp is not protected from re-contamination), UV lamps have a limited lifespan and require regular replacement, does not remove organic contaminants, requires pre-filtration.
Required equipment: UV lamp with housing and power supply, installed in the pipeline.
Amount of space needed: Compact, installed in the pipeline.
Suitability for private pools: Excellent as a supplement for other disinfection methods (e.g., chlorination) to significantly reduce chlorine consumption and improve water quality. It cannot be the sole disinfection method, as it does not protect the water throughout the entire pool.
Ionization (Copper/Silver)
Principle of operation: Ionizers release copper and/or silver ions into the water. Copper ions have algistatic properties (inhibit algae growth), while silver ions have bactericidal properties. This method aims to reduce or eliminate the use of chlorine.
Advantages: Reduction or elimination of chlorine, no chlorine smell, gentle on the skin, water becomes softer.
Disadvantages: Low effectiveness against some algae and bacteria (especially at high temperatures), risk of pool discoloration (greenish or brownish stains) in case of too high copper ion concentration, no oxidizing action (does not remove organic contaminants), requires an additional oxidizer (e.g., active oxygen) or periodic chlorination.
Required equipment: Ionizer (control unit and copper-silver electrodes), installed in the pipeline.
Amount of space needed: Compact, installed in the line.
Suitability for private pools: Works best as a supplementary method, allowing for a significant reduction in chlorine consumption. Rarely used as the sole disinfection method due to limited oxidizing effectiveness and risk of discoloration.
Comparison of Water Treatment Methods
The table below provides a quick comparison of key aspects of the discussed water treatment methods to facilitate understanding their differences and applications.
| Method | Principle of Operation (Brief) | Advantages (Key) | Disadvantages (Key) | Suitability for Private Pools |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Chemical Dosing (pH & Chlorine) | Probes and pumps dose liquid chlorine and pH correctors. | Precision, stability, safety, pH control. | Requires chemical refilling, probe calibration. | High (standard in HardBox pools) |
| Salt Electrolysis | Chlorine production from pool salt in an electrolytic cell. | Natural chlorine, gentle water, no smell, low maintenance. | Requires salt, potential corrosion (avoided in HardBox), salt monitoring. | Very High (popular in HardBox pools) |
| Active Oxygen | Oxidation of contaminants with oxygen compounds. | Odorless, gentle on skin, no chloramines. | No residual action, higher costs, weaker effectiveness. | Good for small pools, supplementary. |
| Bromine | Bromine disinfection, more stable in warm water. | Less irritating smell, stable in temp. and pH. | More expensive, risk of discoloration. | Ideal for spas and heated pools. |
| Ozonation | Generation of ozone (O3) for strong oxidation. | Very effective, chlorine reduction, crystal-clear water. | No residual action, high initial costs, complex installation. | Mainly as a supplement, public pools. |
| UV Radiation | Destruction of microorganism DNA with UV-C light. | Chloramine reduction, effective disinfection. | No residual action, lamp lifespan, requires pre-filtration. | Excellent as a supplement for other methods. |
| Ionization (Copper/Silver) | Release of metal ions (copper, silver) into water. | Chlorine reduction, no smell, gentle water. | Low effectiveness, risk of discoloration, no oxidizing action. | Best as a supplement, not as the sole method. |
HardBox: Innovation and Quality in Your Garden
At HardBox, we believe that your pool should be a source of pure joy, not additional chores. Our innovative container pools, made of steel and insulated for year-round use, are designed for maximum comfort and minimal maintenance. Thanks to advanced filtration and automatic water treatment systems (chemical dosing or salt electrolysis), the water in your HardBox pool will always be crystal clear and ready for use.
By choosing HardBox, you invest in quality that guarantees years of carefree relaxation in your own smart pool.
Summary and Invitation
Automatic water treatment is the foundation for hassle-free and safe pool use. Thanks to modern technologies, such as automatic chemical dosing stations or salt electrolysis, maintaining ideal water purity has become simpler than ever. HardBox, as an experienced manufacturer of container pools, integrates these proven solutions, offering you not only a beautiful but also an extremely functional pool.
Ready for your own HardBox pool that takes care of everything for you? Contact us to learn more about our container pools and available automatic water treatment systems. Our experts will be happy to answer all your questions and help you create the pool of your dreams, tailored to your individual needs and expectations.
Visit our website or call us today!
