The term biguanide refers to a sanitizer that uses a complex polymer as its base rather than traditional chlorine or bromine molecules. Use of a biguanide sanitizer elimiates the offensive ‘chemical smell in a pool/spa, puts a stop to the bleaching of hair and swimwear, reduces eye irritation and makes it possible for those with allergic reaction to chlorine or bromine to enjoy a dip in the pool/spa.

Mixing Biguanide With Chlorine/Bromine?

A definite no-no. The chlorine or bromine will destroy the biguanide polymer and in some cases cause insightly preciptates to fall out of solution. You will NOT enjoy cleaning up a pool or spa in which biguanides have met up with oxidizers such as chlorine or bromine.

Switching Between Biguanide and Chlorine/Bromine Sanitizers?

For those who seek to switch from a biguanide system to chlorine/bromine system, or vice versa, make certain you remove ALL of the former biguanide system’s chemicals before adding the new system’s chemicals.

In the case where a person wants to switch from a chlorine/bromine system over to a biguanide system, they should perform a test for Total Chlorine/Bromine before adding any of the biguanide chemicals. Test strips work well for this application and pool/spa owners can choose from a number of multi-parameter test strips to get the job done:

• Pool Check 6-in-1: free chlorine, total chlorine/bromine, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, cyanuric acid
• Pool Check 5-in-1: free chlorine, total chlorine/bromine, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness
• Pool Check 4-in-1: free chlorine, cyanuric acid, pH, total alkalinity
• Pool Check Low Chlorine 3-in-1: free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity

And for those who REALLY want to make sure no chlorine resides in their water, try using the WaterWorks^TM Ultra Low Total Chlorine Strips. Their lowest detection block starts at 0.005ppm total chlorine — an incredibly detection level for a dip and read test strip!

Products such as Chlorine & Bromine Neutralizers effectively remove the oxidizers in most cases but you should ALWAYS test to make sure.

Why is Peroxide Needed

Peroxide works as a shock to the system. Its strong oxidation potential makes it ideal for ‘burning’ organics out of the water that the polymer based sanitizer could not get rid of.

How Can One Test for Peroxide in Swimming Pools?

A good product for testing peroxide levels in swimming pools goes by the commercial name of WaterWorks^TM Peroxide Check and has the ability to detect hydrogen peroxide levels as low as 0.5 ppm and as high as 100 ppm.

WaterWorks^TM Peroxide Check Test Strips

What is a ‘Safe’ Level of Peroxide in Swimming Pools?

The answer to that question depends on the exact type and brand of biguanide system you use in your pool or spa. We have heard that most biguanide systems recommend hitting and/or reaching a peroxide level of 30 ppm, but we HIGHLY suggest you speak with your local pool and spa dealer, or the company who manufactures the peroxide you use, and ask them. . . just to be sure.