Converting Swimming Pool From Chlorine To Salt Water Generator
by Linda
Thanks for your question Linda I have taken care of both regular chlorine pool and salt water swimming pools. The YMCA pool that I take of now is a salt system swimming pool. I kind of like the salt water systems for a couple of reasons. One is the pool water seems to feel better because of the salt added to the pool. This doesn't include the free-standing chlorine generators that add the chlorine to the pool. I'm talking about the full salt water systems that you have to add salt directly into the pool. The 2nd reason is you can adjust the amount of chlorine your pool demands. There's no need to constantly be adding chlorine because the chlorine generator does it for you. It's basically one less thing to worry about. But...you do need to be sure you have enough salt in the pool for the chlorine to be at the right level, and you need to take all of the regular chemical readings as well. If you're thinking of a salt pool, just be sure your deck can handle the salt. There are too many salt water pool owners that have spent thousands of dollars on their systems and decks, only to find the salt was eating through the rocks and pool decking. This is mainly Flagstone and decorative rocks. You also need to periodically clean the chlorine generator, normally twice per swimming season. For more information you can go to this link: Salt Water Swimming Pools..Chlorinator..Maintenance Guide Remember that a salt pool isn't a chlorine free or chemical free pool. You're still using muriatic acid to adjust the pH level and total alkalinity, and the chlorine generator is producing actual chlorine. I've also found that the price of salt is a bit less expensive than chlorine. A 50lb. bag of salt for the Y pool costs $4.49 and we go through about 8 - 10 bags per month, so about $35 - $40 per month for an 80,000 gallon pool. Pool chlorine would run about $80 - $90 per month. Hope this helps and have a great Summer Robert |
