Do enzyme additives actually help when using UV sanitation?

[Freddie]

I recently added a UV system to my pool and saw enzyme products at the store claiming to boost sanitation. Do enzymes really help when UV is already installed or are they just extra chemicals I don’t need?

 

[Zephyr]

I recently added a UV system to my pool and saw enzyme products at the store claiming to boost sanitation. Do enzymes really help when UV is already installed or are they just extra chemicals I don’t need?

Enzymes don’t sanitize but they help break down oils and sunscreen. That can make UV systems work a little more efficiently.

 

[Manikshaw]

I recently added a UV system to my pool and saw enzyme products at the store claiming to boost sanitation. Do enzymes really help when UV is already installed or are they just extra chemicals I don’t need?

I use enzymes mostly to reduce scum lines. They don’t replace chlorine or UV but they help keep the water cleaner overall.

 

[syedsam]

I recently added a UV system to my pool and saw enzyme products at the store claiming to boost sanitation. Do enzymes really help when UV is already installed or are they just extra chemicals I don’t need?

If your pool gets a lot of swimmers enzymes can help reduce organic waste. For low use pools they’re optional.

 

[Freddie]

That clears it up. Sounds like enzymes are more of a helper than a must have. I’ll try them during heavy swim weeks. Thanks everyone!

 

[Rayyan Goh]

Enzymes do a different job, they are not a sanitizer like UV or chlorine, they mainly break down oils, sunscreen, and fine organics so the water can look clearer and the scum line stays lighter, so if you and I have heavy bather load, lots of sunscreen, or a slick waterline then enzymes can help, but if your water is already stable and clean they’re usually not necessary, and UV still needs a chlorine residual so enzymes are optional polish, not core sanitation.

 

[Zuzanna Dabrowski]

From my experience, enzymes don’t really sanitize, they deal with the leftover junk in the water. I use them when the pool gets heavy use or lots of sunscreen, and you can tell the water stays calmer because organics get broken down first. If usage is light, I don’t think you absolutely need them, but they help in the right situations.