Now in practice, it takes less chlorine to achieve a minimum disinfection level (corresponding roughly to 650 mV ORP or to 0.011 ppm hypochlorous acid) than it does to inhibit algae growth so in that sense one can indeed lower the chlorine level SOMEWHAT.

If you brush the sides and bottom (all surfaces) of your pool regularly (weekly), then an ozone, UV or SWG system could probably be run at bare minimum disinfection levels and not experience algae - users running 3 ppm FC and 80 ppm CYA seem to be in this category while other SWG users seem to require 5-6 ppm FC to avoid mustard/yellow algae. So even if every single bug were killed in a perfect ozone or UV system (or SWG), you would still need a minimum chlorine level in the main body of the pool to kill bugs that stayed stuck to pool surfaces in biofilms and to kill them quickly before the water eventually makes it through the circulation system. A certain minimum concentration is needed for this. The reasoning is incorrect if talking about the amount of chlorine needed to properly disinfect and kill bacteria and viruses. The same thing could be said for having Borates or another algaecide in your pool. The reasoning is correct if talking about the total amount of chlorine needed IN RESERVE so that it doesn't get consumed too much and drop too low. The idea that having a mineral system or an ozone or UV system require lower chlorine levels is only half-correct. Presumably, copper is better at killing algae and silver does kill or inhibit the growth of some bacteria. Notice I haven't even figured in the cost of the N2 unit, just the cart, and I'm STILL losing money on the deal.

I'm not going to use 100 gallons because I'm testing my water every day or every other day and FIXING PROBLEMS IMMEDIATELY! I'd have to be using TWICE as much bleach (or 100 gallons), and have the N2 cut me back to 50 gallons just to break even. So the cost of the N2 cart is just about the same as my TOTAL cost of bleach for the summer. Where I live, the pool season is basically June, July and August, plus some give and take on either side. Now a good sized pool like mine, I may have to add a gallon every other day-so 50 gallons is good for 100 days of swimming. How many gallons of bleach can you buy with that? Usually you can get plain bleach for $2 a gallon, so that's 50 gallons. They run approximately $100 (some lower, some higher). Here's my analysis: You need one Nature2 cartridge per season. Plus you are adding copper and silver to your water which fairly quickly is NOT a good thing. Will this help? Well, if you don't spend your chlorine killing algae, more can be devoted to sanitizing the pool. That means you cannot count on them to kill bacteria and viruses-you still need chlorine. Copper and kill algae but it's not a disinfectant. The 'mineral' is almost always copper and silver-like Nature2.

Frog leap pool system reviews