Chlorine Release Rate per Setting
FloatDose 6 has a rotary dosing chamber with six calibrated settings. Each step of the dial exposes a larger total port area, which increases the amount of chlorine released per day.
This page publishes the effective release area and the measured chlorine release rate for all six settings, along with target free-chlorine levels and winterizing guidance.
Dosing & Release Rate Specifications
| Setting | Pool Size | Effective Release Area | Chlorine Output | Target Free Chlorine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,000–5,000 gal | 38.5 mm² | 16.7 g/day | 1.0–1.5 ppm |
| 2 | 5,000–8,000 gal | 60.9 mm² | 26.4 g/day | 1.2–1.8 ppm |
| 3 | 8,000–10,000 gal | 90.1 mm² | 39.0 g/day | 1.5–2.0 ppm |
| 4 | 10,000–14,000 gal | 108.8 mm² | 47.2 g/day | 1.8–2.5 ppm |
| 5 | 14,000–17,000 gal | 121.8 mm² | 52.6 g/day | 2.0–3.0 ppm |
| 6 | 17,000–20,000 gal | 182.7 mm² | 73.7 g/day | 2.5–3.5 ppm |
Test conditions: TCCA (trichloroisocyanuric acid) tablets · Water temperature 77 °F (25 °C) · Flow rate 0.3 m/s · Pump running time 12 hrs/day · 3-inch tablets.
Note: effective release area is the total open port area at each setting. Actual chlorine output varies with water temperature, pump running time, flow, and tablet brand.
Winterizing: Expected Output at Reduced Pump Run Time
Our ratings above are measured at a pump running time of 12 hrs/day. In winter, most pools reduce circulation to 4–6 hrs/day. Because the dispenser releases chlorine while water flows past it, daily output falls roughly in proportion to running time.
Colder water also slows tablet dissolution, so real winter output is lower still than the figures below — treat them as a conservative upper bound.
| Setting | Pool Size | Measured at 77 °F / 12 hrs | Estimated at 6 hrs/day | Estimated at 4 hrs/day | Winter Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2–5K gal | 16.7 g/day | ≈ 8.4 g/day | ≈ 5.6 g/day | Stay on 1; go to 2 if FC tests low |
| 2 | 5–8K gal | 26.4 g/day | ≈ 13.2 g/day | ≈ 8.8 g/day | Stay on 2; go to 3 if FC tests low |
| 3 | 8–10K gal | 39.0 g/day | ≈ 19.5 g/day | ≈ 13.0 g/day | Stay on 3; go to 4 if FC tests low |
| 4 | 10–14K gal | 47.2 g/day | ≈ 23.6 g/day | ≈ 15.7 g/day | Stay on 4; go to 5 if FC tests low |
| 5 | 14–17K gal | 52.6 g/day | ≈ 26.3 g/day | ≈ 17.5 g/day | Stay on 5; go to 6 if FC tests low |
| 6 | 17–20K gal | 73.7 g/day | ≈ 36.9 g/day | ≈ 24.6 g/day | Setting 6 is the maximum |
How to use this in winter
- Uncovered pool: stay on your swim-season setting. If your weekly free-chlorine test reads below the target band for that setting, move up one setting. This matches the guidance in the FloatDose 6 user manual (low chlorine / cold water → shift to a higher setting).
- Solid cover: chlorine demand drops sharply. You may move down one setting to avoid over-chlorinating — never below Setting 1 — and test free chlorine weekly with the cover open.
- Test weekly. Cold water slows dissolution, so the same setting that held 2 ppm in July will hold less in January. Settings are a starting point, not a fixed dose.
- Refill cycles get longer. Tablets dissolve more slowly in cold water, so expect to refill less often than the summer intervals in the user manual.
- Keep the mineral booster bag on its regular cycle — replace monthly, or whenever the water turns cloudy.
The winter figures above are calculated from the measured 77 °F output scaled by pump running time. They are not a separate cold-water measurement, and they deliberately omit the additional slowdown caused by low water temperature — so actual winter output will be at or below these numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What setting should I use to winterize my pool with a chlorine floater?
Stay on the setting that matches your pool volume during the swim season. If you have no cover and your weekly free-chlorine test reads below the target band, move up one setting. If you use a solid cover, chlorine demand drops sharply and you can move down one setting (never below Setting 1). Always confirm with a weekly free-chlorine test.
Does cold water change how fast chlorine tablets dissolve?
Yes. Cold water slows the dissolution of TCCA tablets, so at the same setting the daily chlorine output in winter is lower than in summer. The same mechanism works in reverse in hot weather — which is why the user manual advises selecting one setting higher during hot weather, heavy rain, or periods of high pool usage.
Do I need to run my pump longer in winter to keep chlorine up?
Daily output scales closely with pump running time — our measurements use a 12 hrs/day basis. If you cut circulation to 4–6 hrs/day for winter, expect output to fall by roughly half, and adjust the setting or test more often.
Should I leave the mineral booster bag in during winter?
Yes. Follow the normal mineral bag cycle: replace monthly, or whenever the water becomes cloudy. With reduced winter circulation, check it each time you open the pool or cover.
Why is there a big jump in output between Setting 5 and Setting 6?
Setting 6 increases the effective release area from 121.8 mm² to 182.7 mm². A larger total port area also tends to have a higher discharge coefficient, which is why output rises proportionally more than the area alone would suggest.