Pool clarifiers are a great way to clear cloudy water and impress guests with a sparkling, clean pool. But it’s possible to make too much of it. Overdoing the clarifier will produce foamy or cloudy water, making it harder to clean up. A robot pool cleaner is much more efficient at vacuuming and circulating the water than a clarifier alone, which helps keep your pool clean and safe to swim in! Here’s more about how pool clarifiers work, the danger of overdoing it, and what to do if overuse causes problems.
What is a Pool Clarifier, and How Does It Function?
A pool clarifier is a chemical that binds together tiny particles, such as dirt, oils, and algae, that are too small to catch by the filter. The clarifier clusters these common particles into larger clumps that can be filtered through the pool strainer or a robotic pool cleaner.
How a Pool Clarifier Works:
Coagulation – The clarifier makes small particles bond together.
Filtration: The pool’s filter traps the larger clumps.
So what am I going to do? Circulation – Operating the pool pump or requesting a robot pool cleaner to circulate the clarifier evenly throughout the pool.
When to Use a Clarifier:
After a heavy rainstorm.
Following pool shocking.
When the water of the pool gets clouded, either by debris or fine particles.
If the filter is not good enough to catch tiny particles.
However, you can have cloudiness if you do not put any clarifier in the pool.
Yes, it is possible to add too much clarifier to your pool, which can lead to several issues. Clarifiers can add depth and should be used in small doses, but they can also backfire if you go too far.
Issues Created by Too Much Clarifier:
Foamy Water: An excess of clarifier will leave a foam layer on the water’s surface, making the pool appear dirty.
Murky or Cloudy Water—When introduced in excess, the clarifier overwhelms the filter and causes the water to appear murky rather than clearer.
Filter Clogging—Overusing the clarifier can cause clumps of debris to clog pool filters, making them less efficient to clean.
Inadequate Water Circulation: When a filter is clogged, circulation inside the water drops significantly, and the pool may develop dead spots where debris collects.
When You’ve Put Too Much Clarifier:
The water looks hazy or milky.
Foam appears on the surface.
The pool is slippery or slimy to the touch.
Low suction from the skimmer or vacuum cleaner for pool
“When you put too much clarifier in a pool, the calcium in the clarifier can clump together and turn into a heavy white powder on the bottom of your pool, which makes the problem worse.
If you’ve overdone the clarifier, don’t panic — you can remedy the situation with a few steps:
Stop Adding More Clarifiers
This might sound like a no-brainer, but the first step is to stop adding more clarifier. Before adding any additional chemicals, let the pool’s filtration system work on the current clarifier.
Dilute the Pool Water
If the clarifier’s concentration is too high, the pool should be partially drained and refilled with fresh water.
If you don’t know how to drain a swimming pool, consult your pool’s manual or learn how to drain an inground pool without a pump.
Run the Pool Filter 24/7
Run the pool pump for at least 24 to 48 hours to help filter out the excess clarifier.
Clean the filter regularly through backwashing to reduce clogging.
Use a Robotic Pool Cleaner to Get Rid of Debris
Excessive clarifiers can clump debris together, making it more difficult to clean—a robot pool cleaner can help. Some products that excel in picking up fine debris and clearing up water quality include the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro and Beatbot iSkim Ultra.
- A swimming pool wall-climbing type cleaner will ensure the pool’s walls and flooring are cleaned.
- A robot pool vacuum will clean up the remaining debris on the bottom of the pool.
- It will also aid the clarifier in evenly distributed since a swimming pool robot cleaner will enhance the water circulation.
- Shock the Pool (Optional)
- Forty-eight hours later, if the pool is still cloudy, try shocking the pool to destroy organic matter or leftover chemicals.
- Follow the product’s directions for dosage.
- After shocking, give the pool at least 12 hours to circulate.
- Check the Pool Filter
- If it’s clogged, backwash or clean the filter.
- It can help circulate the pool water and enhance filter performance.
- If the air filter is severely clogged, replace it.
- Steps to take to prevent overuse of clarifier
To stop adding excessive clarifiers in the future, here are some pointers:
✅ Read the Label– Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for dosage.
Test Water Chemistry First: Always test pH, chlorine, and alkalinity first to ensure it is balanced before adding a clarifier.
✅ Use the Right Type of ClarifierAdd the right clarifier to your pool type and filtration system.
✅ Use a Robot Pool Cleaner – Prevent cloudiness with a robotic pool cleaner (like the Beatbot AquaSense 2) that picks up acceptable debris before it can accumulate.
So, Why Do You Need a Robot Pool Cleaner?
Adding a clarifier solves part of the puzzle — you must still remove the hazy, clumped debris from the pool. That’s where the best robot pool cleaner comes into play.
The Advantages of a Robot Pool Cleaner:
Thorough Cleaning—A robotic cleaner such as the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro will scrub the pool’s walls, floor, and waterline.
Maneuverability — the Powerplus iSkim’s wheels allow it to quickly glide across the water’s surface.
Reduced Need for Chemicals: If you regularly employ a robot pool cleaner, you must use clarifiers and other treatment chemicals much less often.
Wall Climbing Technology: A wall-climbing pool cleaner will clean every inch of your pool surface.
Why is Beatbot Your Best Pick
Products such as the Beatbot iSkim Ultra and Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro are equipped to tackle fine debris and algae that otherwise may be sitting in your pool and causing unwanted sticks or sick days. They work in conjunction with your pool chemicals to keep your water crystal clear. If you use a high-performance robot cleaner, this will ensure that it gets rid of the particles that the clarifier binds together.
Conclusion
You can overuse clarifiers in a pool and create foamy, cloudy water and clogged filters. If you inadvertently add too much of a clarifier, cease adding any more, reduce the pool water, leave on the filter continuously, and employ a robot pool cleaner similar to the Beatbot AquaSense 2 Pro or Beatbot iSkim Ultra to remove debris that might clump. Proper pool maintenance, balanced water chemistry, and regular cleaning with a swimming pool robot cleaner will be sufficient to avoid overusing clarifiers in the future.