Knowledge Base:  
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a saltwater swimming pool?
Last Updated: 09/01/2010
Are you considering a salt water pool option?
 
Unlike a traditional chlorine pool, salt water pools can really benefit you and your family.
 
Please relaize that a saltwater pool is still considered a chlorine pool as the salt in the pool is converted on an elemental level into Hypochlorus Acid, or chlorine.  The level of salt in the pool water is around 3500 ppm.  This is below the taste threshold of most people.  In comparison to the ocean, where the level of salt in the water is 50,000 ppm, the level of salt in the water is very minor.
 
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to the chlorine generator or salt system but here are the biggest benefits:
 
  • Over a period of time, you will save money. Because the chlorine generator creates it's own chlorine from the salt you add to the pool water, and the only way to reduce the amount of salt in the pool water is to add fresh water diluting the pool water.  As the chlorine in the pool water is used in the sanitation process it will eventually revert back to salt, to be turned into chlorine again until you dilute the water.  Salt costs considerably less than an equivalent amount of chlorine.
  • You no longer have to deal with chlorine on a day to day basis.  There is no adding chlorine to the chemical feeder, no adding chlorine to the floating chlorinator, no adding chlorine into the skimmer of your pool.  All of the chlorine is added to your pool from within the pool plumbing itself.
  • The water feels silky smooth to the touch, no dealing with dry skin or brittle hair that is regarded as a part of the swimming pool experience.  The byproduct of Sodium in the pool water gives the pool the soft water conditioning.

 

Like everything in life, there are tradeoffs to adding a chlorine generator to your pool:
  • The chlorine generator has an initial expense that far exceeds that of an offline chlorinator.
  • The generation cell in the chlorine generator is like a car battery and needs to be replaced every three to five years.
  • The addition of salt to the pool water increases the Total Dissolved Solids in the pool water, making it more important to keep the pool water balanced correctly to prevent staining and scaling.
While neither an advantage, nor a disadvantage you should be aware that the addition of a chlorine generator to your pool system will tend to cause your pH to increase while the unit is operational.
 
The addition of a chlorine generator, or turning your pool into a saltwater pool is a decision that many savvy customers are making.  It is a simple and cost effective upgrade that can add to your pool enjoyment with very minimal downsides.
 


Was this article helpful?

Comments:
 

Related Articles
 > What is salt chlorination?
 > How much salt should I add to my pool?
 > Determine gallons of water in a pool
 > How to convert a chlorine pool to salt water pool or chlorine generator.