Salt Water Pool - Pro's n Con's

[jules_1972]

Thinking about converting my pool to Salt Chlorinated.

Would be good to hear peoples opinions and thoughts...


Pool is 86,000L and currently uses a Chemigem Auto Chlorinator/Acid.
Looking at a Hurlcon VX11T good for 42gms output of Chlorine an hour..

[Sventek]

I have one, and it's great - but I can't really see any advantage over a Chemigem system. If you do get one, make sure you get a self-cleaning unit.

[Dark-Sheep]

IMO a lot better on the skin. doesn't burn your eyes and is supposedly cheaper for chemicals. We have had 2 salt and one chlorine pool. never again the chlorine...

[jules_1972]

I have one, and it's great - but I can't really see any advantage over a Chemigem system. If you do get one, make sure you get a self-cleaning unit.

OK, the old Chemigem is in need of bits and pieces.

I have already replaced one distribution block and nearly fell over on the price!!

Do you find the water better to swim in?

Many articles on the net show good advantages but dont list to many
disadvantages....

[Lord Farquaad]

I hate swimming in chlorine pools, salt is much nicer. But if it doesnt bother you/fiends/family, stay with the chlorine.

[Professor Redfern]

I dont have a clue but I can give a plus 1 for is awesomeness.

Also get one of those solar roof panel heaters, my mate has one and his pool is always beautiful even in colder months its still not bad.

[Sventek]

Well, there's still as much chlorine in the pool (all it does is strip the sodium out of the salt, leaving chloride), but you do notice the salt in the pool when you swallow some. TBH, I don't recall much of a difference in the water when we had it installed.

[jules_1972]

Thanks for the info everyone...

Pool will be for my parents to use, the idea of the Salt Chlorinator
will hopefully make it easier for them.

[Roger Explosion]

My parents have a salt one. It's chock full of awesomeness. No headaches and sore eyes.

[Lord Farquaad]

Well, there's still as much chlorine in the pool (all it does is strip the sodium out of the salt, leaving chloride), but you do notice the salt in the pool when you swallow some. TBH, I don't recall much of a difference in the water when we had it installed.

The difference is that you don't put straight sodium hypochloride in the pool, which i think is the cause of the red eyes and headaches. I definately notice the difference in my eyes, might be because my eyes are a bit sensitive to it.

[crowtribe]

Salt +1.

Don't own a pool, but definitely prefer the salt pools over chlorine for reactions and relaxing in.

Also, +1 to roof heating panels, or even the blanket, because being able to swim at 6am in the morning before work and roll back the blanket at an old house and it still be 25-30 degrees is AWESOME.

[Tankslapper]

we have had salt for nearly 3 yrs now with a self cleaning salt chlorinator, I reckon its unbeatable very low maintenance just clean the baskets of leaves etc.

[Mungus]

As already mentioned, the salt produces chlorine. If you have the chlorinator up too high you will have the same problems as if you put to much chlorine in a chlorinated pool.

We have a saltwater pool, with a self-cleaning chlorinator. It's a breeze to look after. Before getting this pool we had a blow up one that we put up for the kids during summer. Our current pool requires a lot less maintenance than the old blow-up one, simple as that.

[torebn]

Salt water pools us a chlorinator to turn the salt solution into chlorine by passing an electric charge through a cell,thus topping up the chlorine levels in the pool.You do however still have to add Sodium hypo chloride (HYPO) to the pool too get the levels of free chlorine up and to super chlorinate
The idea is its cheaper to us salt then having to top up HYPO daily.

[=Stevo=]

My parents converted from a chemigem chlorine system to a salt chlorinated pool a few years back...

Was much easier to maintain and I noticed a LOT less irritation when swimming, would definately recommend it.

[Sumfun4me]

The chlorine smell, skin irritations & red/sore eyes are an indication over too much chlorine in the pool, so I don't think it's a fair comparison to salt (I'm don't know anything about salt water pools, but I'd be guessing you could get the same symptons if it was over chlorinated (salted??)). I do admit though that I'm pretty much over the whole Chemigem experience. I've had nothing but problems with ours (all started about a year after installation). Fortunately most of it's been handled under warranty, but I had to shell out another $200 yesterday for a relacement probe. Have others had any problems with this system?

[jules_1972]

we have had salt for nearly 3 yrs now with a self cleaning salt chlorinator, I reckon its unbeatable very low maintenance just clean the baskets of leaves etc.

Just what I need for Mum and Dad.

Empty the skimmer basket, thats it.....

Think I will go the route and get me a Hurlcon VX11T...

Blanket will be next....

[Mungus]

Honestly mate, get a blanket now. If the pool's in the sun it will warm up to the mid to high 20's and make it beautiful for swimming, it will be far more comfortable for your folks. Also, there is no evaporation with a blanket. The only time we need to fill the pool is when the kids splash all the water out.

As a side we ripped out all of our lawn and put a pool, paving and a shed in place. After the initial fill of the pool we have reduced our water use heaps because of it.

[Scrap]

What Mungus said,

Changed our pool from Chlorine to salt last year, cost is about a quater of using chlorine, its easier to maintain. Put a pool blanket on it and not only is it warmer but it keeps out a lot of the crap.

The chlorinator runs the pump on at set times as well, so no-one has to remember to turn it on regularly. Threw about 20 metres of black poly pipe up on the roof and set up a syphon system on it - keeps the pool even warmer.

All in all, more pool use, easier and all automatic

[chew]

Check to see if the gov still has a rebate (water wise) for the blankets. I have always found the water in salt pools to be softer and not as harsh as chlorine varieties.