An automatic chlorine feeder - called a chlorinator - is an automatic way to disperse and regulate chlorine tablets to the pool water. Placing chlorine tablets in a manual floater will work to some degree, but certainly not as effective as a chlorinator. It is not recommended to place chlorine tablets in the skimmer baskets. It is never recommended to throw chlorine tablets into the pool; they will bleach and ultimately destroy your pool surface.
Chlorine is a sanitizer, meaning it will destroy and remove bacteria, pathogens, organisms, algae spores, dirt, debris, particles, and other contaminates from pool water as well as oxidize organic matter in the pool water so that the end result is clean, clear, and safe water. Sanitizing the pool is a requirement for maintaining optimal water chemistry and the resulting water clarity.
Chlorine tablets are the most popular type of chlorine.
It is ideal to place chlorine tablets in a chlorinator, which is located and plumbed near your pool equipment (namely the pump and filter). A chlorinator really is a solid investment as it will automatically erode and distribute the amount of chlorine you need; the chlorinator will properly, effectively and efficiently erode the amount of bromine you need.
There are two main types of chlorinators:
- inline chlorinator
- offline chlorinator
An inline chlorinator is plumbed inline with the rest of the equipment; they are a direct part of the plumbing run to erode the chlorine and ultimately send it to the pool.
An offline chlorinator is tapped into the plumbing run. Offline chlorinators are often used when a chlorinator is desired but there is no room to install one inline with the rest of the plumbing. Therefore, an offline chlorinator is installed next to the equipment, wherever it will fit, and then is tapped into the existing plumbing lines to erode the chlorine and ultimately send it to the pool.
If you use chlorine tablets to sanitize your pool and you do not have a chlorinator, have one installed, regardless of the type; they are an inexpensive yet very worthwhile investment if you use chlorine tablets to sanitize your pool water.
You can read the Pool Manual for additional information about sanitizing pool water, chlorine and chlorinators.