From Sunlight to Sanitizer: Inside Card On Guard’s Chemical-Less Pool Solution

Voyage New York Contributor

By: Card On Guard

Behind the shimmer of pool water lies a common challenge: chemical compromise. Chlorine, long used to maintain clean water, often leads to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and has an environmental impact. For many pool owners, finding a real alternative has been difficult—until now. In Indianapolis, a new innovation offers a potential solution. Card On Guard, founded by Darren Hickman, has developed a way to clean pool water using sunlight—natural, effective, and surprisingly simple.

The company’s technology, known as BioPhotonX™, is incorporated into drop-in devices that require no electricity, wiring, or changes to routine maintenance. These products aim to reduce chlorine use by up to 80% while allowing standard testing methods to remain effective. By harnessing sunlight and existing chemistry, Card On Guard is exploring a new approach to pool care, starting in the backyard.

How Light Became a Disinfectant

At the core of the system is a thin film that performs a straightforward function: it absorbs sunlight, specifically UVC and infrared light, and releases it as concentrated energy in the form of photons. When these photons come into contact with the water, they trigger a reaction that splits hydrogen and oxygen molecules, producing enough free radicals to inhibit bacterial growth. No chemicals, no complex equipment—just light performing a role it naturally plays. It’s not a high-tech, flashy solution; it’s more about letting nature do what it already knows how to do.

No pumps. No wires. No apps. This process happens entirely inside the device, which floats quietly in the water and operates continuously throughout the day. It’s a method that mimics how natural ecosystems maintain balance, now applied to pool water.

Not Replacing Chlorine—Rethinking It

Card On Guard isn’t seeking to replace chlorine entirely; rather, it aims to reduce the amount needed. Darren Hickman realized early on that pool owners rely on test kits to measure free chlorine to ensure water safety. If a new sanitizer didn’t register on those tests, it might not gain trust. His approach wasn’t to eliminate chlorine but to ensure it stays in its most effective form: free, not bound.

That was the key insight. By maintaining chlorine in an active state, Card On Guard enables users to cut back on chlorine use while still achieving the clear, “safe” results typically seen on every test strip. The outcome? Water that feels gentler on the skin, smells fresher, and requires fewer top-ups—without changing standard maintenance practices or testing routines.

A Founder Who Let Nature Lead

Hickman’s background didn’t originally lie in the pool industry. He arrived at this idea through a career that spanned agriculture, advertising, and organic skincare. Along the way, he learned how plants respond to light, how to communicate effectively, and why people are increasingly cautious about using harsh chemicals. These diverse experiences shaped the development of Card On Guard and its mission.

In the early stages, Hickman tried to explain the technology using scientific jargon. “I focused too much on the science,” he reflects. What made the difference was shifting the narrative: emphasizing the benefits most important to pool owners—less chlorine around children, softer water, and a simpler, more natural way to maintain pool cleanliness. That’s when the product gained more understanding and trust.

From Sunlight to Sanitizer: Inside Card On Guard’s Chemical-Less Pool Solution — Photo Courtesy: Card on Guard / Darren Hickman

The Opportunity in Public Pools

Although Card On Guard was designed for backyard pools and hot tubs, its potential extends well beyond residential use. Every summer, millions of New Yorkers flock to the city’s 79 outdoor and 12 indoor public pools. Keeping all that water clean requires substantial amounts of chlorine, and the job is made harder by high foot traffic, hot weather, and long exposure to the sun.

A solar-powered sanitizer that reduces the chemical load without needing electrical infrastructure could introduce a more sustainable approach to managing public pool water. This system could offer cities a new model for managing their pools without increasing chlorine levels, improving the quality of water and the comfort of swimmers.

Making Eco-Solutions Affordable

One of Card On Guard’s notable achievements is its accessibility. Hickman understood that no eco-friendly innovation could scale without being affordable. That’s why a single TUBE, designed for a 10,000-gallon hot tub or swim spa, is priced at just $39. For larger pools, users can add more units, keeping the cost competitive with traditional chemical-based pool treatments.

The pricing strategy is as much about mission as it is about business. Hickman believes sustainability should be accessible to everyone, not just a select few. He also advocates for corporations and investors to support early-stage eco-innovators. “Sustainability should be as much of a priority as fair trade or diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he says. Without such backing, too many world-changing ideas remain confined to the lab.

More Than a Pool Product

Although Card On Guard’s current focus is on backyard pools, the underlying technology has potential applications far beyond this market. From commercial HVAC cooling towers and water utilities to produce sanitation in agriculture, there are various chlorine-dependent systems that could benefit from a passive, solar-powered sanitation solution that doesn’t require infrastructure changes.

But it all starts with the home. A backyard pool is personal, visible, and easy to manage. When people see clearer water, use fewer chemicals, and still get the desired safety readings, it’s not just a win—it’s a reason to share their experience with others. That’s how change happens: one family at a time.

The Future of Clean Water Is Clear

Card On Guard isn’t a dramatic, flashy disruption—it’s a quiet evolution. It simplifies pool care, replacing chemicals with clean energy. The idea that sunlight can aid in disinfection isn’t new. What Hickman and his team have done is make this natural process practical, accessible, and ready for everyday use.

His story, and the company’s solution, pose a simple question: if nature already knows how to balance itself, why aren’t we learning from it? With Card On Guard, we’re not reinventing the wheel; we’re just allowing the sun to take the lead.

Ready to make your pool smarter, safer, and more sustainable? Discover how Card On Guard’s light-activated solution can help you reduce chlorine usage and restore natural balance to your water.