Enzymes

[poolmedic244]

Apologies for the long-windedness of this post - context and background is key to having a good and meaningful dialogue!

We had the pool installed last year. I grew up with a pool, back when the world -- and pool maintenance -- was much simpler. I'm a big fan of TFP, as all y'all pretty much subscribe to the doctrine of 'less is more', and KISS.

I wasn't surprised that after opening, the company called with the list of chemicals that they wanted me to purchase and add to the pool:
Alkalinity
CYA
Salt
Algecide
Enzyme
Salt support
Shock

(calm down, I didn't buy any of them and by the time he called with the water sample results the next day, I already had it at SLAM levels!

I've done significant reading and research on almost all of these chemicals and agree with the TFP approach that many of them are unnecessary and in some cases, actually harmful (ie: copper based algecide!). It was his comments around the Enzyme treatment that piqued my interest.

I asked him why I would need Enzymes, to which he explained that they break down organic material. Okay, fair enough. So I challenged him a bit and noted that chlorine does too, and in fact, if you SLAM a pool correctly, there's nothing living in there. Which is when he made the salient point that piqued my interest: Yes, you are right, they will both kill organic material; however, chlorine won't remove it from the water, whereas enzymes actually eat and consume it.

I let it go there, and so now I turn to you and ask: Does he have a point? I mean, for my money, dead stuff that is a byproduct of chlorine often ends up on the bottom of the pool and I just vacuum it out. Would enzymes save me this step?

Looking forward to the discussion!

 

[cowboycasey]

The very first thing I thought of was Ahh-some bio cleaner for hot tubs and pools and just about anything else now... I have never thought about or done anything about Enzymes... They have written about enzymes here > Water Maintenance - Ahh-Some

What about Enzymes: Enzymes are gaining in popularity for usage in hot tubs and swimming pools. Enzymes are proteins that work in conjunction with your everyday sanitizer to synergistically allow your sanitizer to work better. Typically, enzymes are designed to rid your spa or pool of oils and grease that forms scum lines around the perimeter. Enzymes deploy a positive charge and bind especially well with body fluids and other materials that are filtered out allowing your water to remain ”foam free” and clear for longer periods of time. In hot tubs this can be a godsend since you won’t be dumping the water as frequently. one caveat: There are good enzymes and not so good enzymes. This area has many companies that may make outrageous claims regarding what you can expect after adding them to your pool or hot tub. Enzymes are catalysts. A catalyst is something that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction. Enzymes for recreational water are biological and not chemical in origin. They are made to perform specific functions, typically, to break down and reduce body oils and scum contaminants. There is a place for good enzymes that are proven to work. Read reviews before you buy just any brand you see. We speak with hot tub owners who try to use just enzymes and no other sanitizer in their water. This is a recipe for disaster and you may get very sick. Don’t believe all the hype about enzymes as a water treatment. They serve a purpose and some really work. However, you still need a sanitizer to oxidize organic bather wastes and a plethora of other detritus gunk that can find it’s way into your little oasis and getaway vessel. Don’t take a chance without using an EPA registered sanitizer.

 

[Newdude]

Yes, you are right, they will both kill organic material; however, chlorine won't remove it from the water, whereas enzymes actually eat and consume it.

Or. You know. Use your filter for its intended purpose.

 

[Donldson]

whereas enzymes actually eat and consume it.

First, that's not true. Enzymes are not alive.

Second, I also eat and consume things. The story doesn't end there, if you know what I mean.

 

[Sunnydaze]

I'm glad this topic came up. I've read conflicting information on whether or not chlorine oxidizes lotions, sunscreen, body oil, etc. Is the claim that enzymes oxidize these while chlorine does not?