Should You Use a Pool Aerator?

Aeration naturally occurs in a pool when it’s been used by swimmers, or when it rains. So, is it really necessary to use a swimming pool aerator to artificially achieve the same effect?

Here’s an overview of what you should know about pool aeration to help you determine if investing in an aerator is likely to be worthwhile to you.

The process of pool aeration

Pool aeration refers to the process of letting oxygen into the pool water. This is a beneficial process to all pools, especially if you live in a dry climate or have been experiencing particularly warm weather. During the cooler months, when you’re likely to be opening or closing the pool, you’re not as likely to require it.

Here are the primary benefits of using a swimming pool aerator:

  • It raises the pH: Raising the pH level of your pool is important if you need to quickly lower the pool’s alkalinity. This might be necessary if calcium scaling is occurring, for example. In such a situation, you would add muriatic acid to the pool to reduce the pH to between 7.0 and 7.2, then turn on the aerator and infuse the pool with water that has been aerated. This will result in the pH rising, ideally to between 7.2 and 7.6. You may need to repeat this process several times until you get the proper alkalinity (80 to 120 ppm).
  • It cools down the water: When oxygen enters the pool water, it also helps to lower the temperature. If the weather is particularly hot, this can be beneficial, especially if you prefer a cooler pool. In addition, keeping the water on the cooler side will help you extend the life of the chlorine you put in the pool, allowing you to use less chlorine over the pool’s lifetime. This can save you a significant amount of money in the long run.
  • It helps circulation: Aerators shoot streams of water and oxygen into the pool, which helps to freshen the water. If the pool water stays stagnant for a long period of time without influxes of oxygen, you’re more likely to experience problems like algae, which will require you to take more drastic pool cleaning steps.

There are a few ways you can aerate your pool. One is to simply install a dedicated aerator. Usually, this feature will be built into the pool’s deck or coping and be attached to the pump. It will have its own valve, allowing you to adjust the flow coming from the aerator.

If you have a pool water feature, you can also use that as your aerator. Most water features will essentially aerate the pool water.

Deck jets are almost identical to pool aerators, and shoot arches of water into the pool. Misters also work as aerators and can be installed at the water line.

For more information about swimming pool aerators and whether you need to install one for your pool, contact the team at Avanti Pools, Inc. with your questions.