Chlorine Generator & Swimming Pool Care

Salt Water Swimming Pools



A good chlorine generator or a saltwater chlorinator can give you years of hassle free pool water maintenance for your salt water swimming pool.

These units can either be in-line or you can have a stand alone machine which are usually about the size of a dishwasher.

Salt water chlorinators have been around for a few years now but have just recently enjoyed mass success due to people's chlorine allergy and the convenience of not needing to add swimming pool chlorine on a regular basis.



Salt Water Swimming Pools Produce Pool Chlorine:

  • Add salt to your pool. For an average 20,000 gallon pool you will need 7-10 50lb. bags to bring your saline level to the correct reading of 3000-4000.

  • The saline (salted water) is then carried through the plumbing to the salt water cell

  • The salt water chlorinator produces pool chlorine (Hypochlorous acid)

  • This chlorinated water is then returned to the pool for sanitation

    • You'll also need to keep up on your chlorine demand.


    Maintenance Information

    Maintenance for these units is usually low. However, if neglected they could cost a pretty good sum, sometimes on the upwards of $1000-$4000 to replace. Most manufacturers recommend a yearly cleaning, usually at start up.

    Simply remove the unit from the plumbing and clean with a soft brush to remove any debris or deposits.

    Do your homework and choose the right salt water system for your specific needs and desires.

    Even with the best salt water swimming pools, you need to keep up on the proper pool water chemistry.

    For calcium deposits, it is recommended a mixture of muriatic pool acid and water. I normally use 2 gallons of water to 1/2 gallon of pool acid, a 4:1 ratio.

    We have these cool plugs that screw into the bottom of the cell. I fill the cell with the acid mixture and wait until the bubbling stops, about 5 minutes.

    I then pour the muriatic acid mixture out, rinse the unit with clean water, and re-install.

    Works every time.

    Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your specific unit.

    I don't know if this is true for all systems and cells but it's true for the YMCA's swimming pool.

    Whenever I need to do a pool shock, I ALWAYS turn off the power to the salt chlorine generator. By having a high volume of swimming pool chlorine flowing through the pipes we run the risk of burning up the salt water chlorinator if it's running.

    So maybe you could do the same. Better safe than sorry. And besides, if you do need to do a pool shock, why have the salt water system on anyway?

    You're just wasting salt.


    Salt Chlorine Generator

    There are many kinds of salt water chlorinators on the market. This will give you a good run-down of what's waiting for you at your local pool store.

    Types of Chlorine Generator Price
    Zodiac Up To15K Gallons $750
    Zodiac Up To 25K Gallons $850
    Zodiac Up To 40K Gallons $1000
    Duo Clear Salt System w/ Cartirdge Up To 25K Gallons $1100
    Pool Frog Mineral Hybrid 25K Gallon $1000
    Pool Frog Mineral Hybrid 40K Gallon $1300
    Aqua Rite Chlorine Generator $1000 - $1200
    Pentair IntelliChlor 40K Gallons $790

    I encourage you to do your homework and choose the right system for your specific needs and desires.

    Even with the best salt water chlorinator, you need to keep up the good swimming pool care.

    Go To:

    Salt Water Swimming Pools From Chlorine Generator


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