Salt water pools
A salt water pool is often the pool of choice
It can be complicated deciding which pool is best for your family. Many questions revolve around salt water pool products or chlorine free pools. Salt water pools are NOT chlorine free pools. A salt water pool is simply one that utilizes a chlorine generator. Chlorine generators have been around for decades. As technology and materials continue to evolve, chlorine generators continue to improve in performance. Salt water pools used to be the exception, but now they are becoming a widely accepted method of water treatment in swimming pools. A lot of builders are now making salt water systems standard on their new pools.
Why use salt water pools?
The most important fact is that you save the chemicals you have to add normally. Generally, when people swim in a non-chlorine generator pool (a pool with no salt water in it) they feel like their skin dries quicker upon exiting the pool. They may feel and/or see a whitish residual, chlorine flaking, on the skin. In a salt-water pool (one with a chlorine generator) the water feels smooth, your skin feels smooth and many people feel more refreshed. Swimming in a mild saline solution is much like taking a shower in soft water. Saltwater pools are often more relaxing than their chlorinated counterpart. Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million ("ppm"). Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. Most chlorine generators require a salt content of 2500 - 6000 ppm in the pool. A unit that needs less than 3500 ppm to operate effectively is optimal.
What's the difference between a saltwater pool and a pool maintained with chlorine?
Lower Chlorine Levels
Saltwater Pools - 0.5 to 1.0 ppm chlorine
Traditional Pools - 3.0 - 10.0 ppm chlorine
No "Chemical Bath" Feel
NO packaged chlorine needed.
NO algaecides needed
NO soda ash or baking soda
Better Swimmer Comfort
By eliminating the need for the harsh chemicals, you eliminate the source of the irritation that plagues swimmers in most pools.
Controlled Stabilizer Levels
If you are using chlorine tablets, you are adding 1 lb. of stabilizer for every 2 lbs. of tablets you put into your pool. Your stabilizer level rises to over 100 ppm and your chlorine becomes ineffective and yellow algae and poor sanitization results.
With a salt system, you add stabilizer as needed and are able to keep the level low. Your chlorine remains VERY effective and you need much less in the water to do the job (see above).
On commercial pools, state code requires you to drain pools when the stabilizer level exceeds 100 ppm. The salt system avoids this problem.
Superior Algae Control
Saltwater pool systems virtually eliminate algae problems. This is because the chlorine in the pool is not inhibited by high stabilizer levels.
Popularity and cost benefits of salt water pools
Most people who consider themselves "sensitive" or "allergic" to chlorine are not reacting to the chlorine at all. What is creating a problem is packaged pool chemicals and the additives and carriers in those chemicals. Those same swimmers who claim allergic reactions to chlorine, typically experience no problems when they are in a salt water pool. The answer isn't the absence of chlorine. Salt systems create their own chlorine. The answer is the absence of all the packaged chemicals and by-products in those chemicals. In the case of salt water swimming pool operating costs, most people do not buy a salt water pool system for the sole purpose of saving money. They buy it for the increased swimmer comfort. With that said, they do save quite a lot on pool chemicals, but it probably takes about 2-3 years before the system pays for itself. In the long run, however, a saltwater system will save on costs!
What are the problems with salt water especially with heating?
Salt water is highly corrosive, and a pool heater must be an anti corrosion heater equipped with a special heat exchanger and other features to handle it like for example a titanium swimming pool heater. Most pool equipment is compatible with salt, but there is some swimming pool equipment that is not. If in doubt, check if your pump, filter and heater are compatible. Otherwise get in contact with the Euro Pool Shop to find the appropriate anti corrosion salt water pool heater for heating your pool. Some warranties may be voided by the installation of a salt water pool system. In particular some swimming pool heaters and even newer stainless steel filters are not designed for use with a salt water pool system. Most pool heaters use copper or cupronickel heat exchangers, both of which will rapidly corrode in this heated water. Heating with titanium swimming pool products and titanium swimming pool heaters may the only way to avoid corrosion. Titanium pool products have the advantage to be resistant to salt water, chlorine and all other common swimming pool chemicals. Technically water is not officially considered to be "salt water" until you reach a threshold of 6000 ppm salt. Up to that point it is considered to be "fresh water", but the salt in the water even at 3000 ppm can accelerate corrosion in some situations. Another real problem is the fact that salt water pool does change the way you do your water chemistry and people are sometimes slow to adapt. It is very important to follow directions carefully with regard to water chemistry. Some pool owners have experienced problems trying to keep the pH down, but it is simply a matter of keeping up with the water chemistry and not letting the pH get too high before trying to adjust it. Overall, the water chemistry does get easier, but there is a small learning curve.