Chlorine keeps a pool clean through a series of chemical reactions. You go ahead and take this advice for what you will - I am just a random internet stranger that happens to be named "Swimming Pool Steve". :) You also won't float in them like you would in The Dead Sea. Also, if your liner has a leak and your inground pool uses steel panels, like most do, you could get rusting of the panels which is extremely costly to fix. That's on the manufacturers side of the business. Having said that I love our system and have had it for almost 10 years. Just keep an eye on your levels, add chlorine as necessary, and your pool should remain crystal clear. Have you settled on what type of pool you are choosing - vinyl vs. say a shotcrete with an aggregate finish like Pebble Tec? This allows you to reduce the chlorine, algaecide and other chemicals. All bonding and grounding should be done by a licensed electrician, and all local and NEC codes followed. It contains a zinc anode, which will sacrifice itself to galvanic corrosion, before all metals in the pool, such as lights, ladders, rails, etc. What this means is that although a chlorine system pool is generally the least expensive option for a pool sanitation system, it also requires the most amount of maintenance labor. and that's just using the mineral system and reducing the chlorine need by 50%. Swimming pools are hard to build properlyat least good ones. They will sacrifice themselves, just like on a boat and help to absorb any stray currents. If this dilution process is not performed the cyanuric acid will lower the pH and alkalinity, creating unbalanced water, leading to faster degradation of your pool components, and can lead to ear, eye and skin infections. That's on the manufacturers side of the business. "The shortage of products and the decreasing ability for new production caused a quick increase in prices, sometimes up to 60% more costly than pre-pandemic price points. It hasn't been installed yet, we are still in the demo phase of the pool remodel (actually we are now building a smaller pool inside our older 20x40 and straightening it out, it was built on a skew from the house in 1957). If you have stone on your pool deck, you may need to apply a special sealant to make sure it doesnt get damaged by the salt water. The best plan you can have is topurchase your pool at least 3-6 months before you'd like to start building. Heat pumps are great provided that you live in a place where the climate supports heat pumps (hot and sunny) and where electrical costs are low versus natural gas costs. I spoke with my pool cover guy and he said they have treated the parts in the vault that would be at risk of corrosion to try and mediate this issue, but they still have the disclaimer in their contract if you have a salt chlorinator system. Consult your pool professional for more information on SCGs and which system will best suit your needs. Zinc is a metal that gives up its ions faster than any other metal in the pool so the Zinc Anode will be the first to go. The rectangle has gained popularity within the last few years. A Chlorinator is available in two forms: We offer a wide range of chlorinators to help maintain your pool's sparkle! An AutoPilot SCG requires only 2,500 - 3,000 ppm for operation. These byproducts are what cause most of the chlorine smell in pools, so usually salt water pools have less chlorine smell. With new technology today, there are many salt friendly pool components such as dive boards, hand rails, ladders, etc. It will require a lot of acids to be kept and added regularly. As mentioned, the price of chlorine since August 2020 has really increased dramatically. Leaving only the need to shock occasionally, such as after a pool party, or if your free chlorine test shows lower than your combined chlorine. It will require a lot of acids to be kept and added regularly. However, if there is a large amount of scale on the plates, you can file it off with a metal file. Obviously, when using an SCG, water balance is easier to maintain. It takes up to two weeks to build up the ions, so this can be a tedious process at first. Learn more here:
http://www.poolspanews.com/water/stain-free-salt-chlorination.aspx
http://www.autopilot.com/why-buy-autopilot
http://www.pooltool.com/anodes.html
Second, let's talk about how SCGs work. Anodes will help to protect metal components of the pool connected and bonded together, but not movable items such as metal patio furniture. Chlorine tablets do have a lower ph than you keep your pool at, so you do have to adjust it a little more often than just granular chlorine, but not that bad. Generally, once per season is enough. Pool company can't get plaster and summer almost over. thank you for sharing! GOOD TO KNOW:Most salt cells will not operate at temperatures below 50 degrees and require packaged Chlorine anyway if your pool is to remain open during the winter. You will still need to perform home testing every 2-3 days to monitor chlorine, pH, alkalinity, etc. But then a fiberglass pool manufacturer contacts you and says - listen, we will sell you a finished pool for $12,000. Now, The Drawbacks of a Traditional Chlorine System, As mentioned, the price of chlorine since. We have several options for salt systems at Royal Swimming Pools. This usually results in keeping a huge storage barrel, or multiple trips to the pool store. Learn more about these handy doo-dads here! Salt Chlorinator Salt chlorinators cost between $500 and $2,000 to set up, depending on the manufacturer. I would appreciate any insight to either or both systems. You'll have the low initial investment of the system itself, then a once-a-season revolving expense of replacing the mineral pack inside the system. So 25 lbs of powder, compared to 25 gallons of liquid, is a big difference. However as mentioned, the recent discovery of being able to use E-Z Pool products in combination with a mineral system completely eliminates the biggest mineral system complaint out there. Most pool builders are booked 6-12 months out presently. If there were just one perfect pool sanitizing system, there wouldn't be so many to choose from. As a second generation pool and spa expert familiar with every kind of pool installation there is, please find and speak to people willing to be upfront with you about swimming pool quality, longevity, repair recourses in the event of failure etc. Mineral pools are usually less maintenance than chlorine or salt water pools. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4779281, 'e33162a5-ea2f-4a1b-b539-81d4c943ba0a', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(4779281, '56369bb9-b8ff-4d7f-a07f-51850d5e13a8', {"useNewLoader":"true","region":"na1"}); Mineral pools are growing in popularity and for good reason. (However. However, if your water is really hard meaning there is a lot of dissolved solids or sediment, you will need to clean the salt cell more frequently. Salt Chlorinator Salt water pools use a device called a salt chlorinator. Here is a link that might be useful: Cl free pool, http://www.troublefreepool.com/ionizer-and-ozone-t14558.html?hilit=Ionizers, http://www.troublefreepool.com/alternative-sanitizers-and-chemical-free-pools-the-truth-t3025.html?hilit=Ionizers. Chlorine breaks down the cells in harmful bacteria and renders them harmless. It just takes up a large amount of space. The continuous generation of chlorine is great at eliminating the chlorine byproducts that arise when chlorine attacks organic matter. See some of our top sellers below: GranularChlorine is a little harder to use compared to others. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES SOURCEDHERE. You can learn more about the different minerals and their benefits in our another article here! You should use less than that, but this is a good estimate. Traditional chlorine used to be the most cost-effective solution for swimming pool sanitation, however, that's just not always the case these days. []. A sacrificial anode is a component that can be added to your plumbing and attaches to your bonding wire. Vinyl VS. Fiberglass VS. I personally have had an AutoPilot on my pool for 13 years (as long as I've owned my pool). We went with the Salt Water instead after reading all the information that you provided. TIP: A SacrificialAnode will need to be connected to pool bonding wire and grounding. Now ask yourself a real question - would you rather a pool built by myself, a second generation swimming pool and spa expert, or a general contractor who has never built a pool before looking to put some extra cash in his pocket? If you have an SCG, there will be an initial addition of salt, and through water analysis performed by your pool professional, additions will be made accordingly to keep you at the optimal level. The replacement mineral cell costs about $90 to $150. This should not be happening. This allows you to reduce the chlorine concentration to around half of what you would need in a salt water or traditional chlorine pool. When you add tablets, your chlorine level is usually the same as it was when you added tablets last time, not at the bottom of the testing scale. Mineral pools usually stay within the typical pH range which means you dont need to store harmful muriatic acid used for balancing pH. According to Health Canada, ionized pools or mineral pools are the only types of pool where you can safely reduce the chlorine concentration. If you are having a new pool installed, it is important to have it bonded. Leaving only the need to shock occasionally, such as after a pool party, or if your free chlorine test shows lower than your combined chlorine. It's important to shop early. Minerals (Frog) and Active Oxygen (EZPool) work together to significantly lower the need for chlorine, How much does it cost to install an inground pool, What to know when buying an inground pool. Learn more about these products below: A low chlorine alternative in pool sanitation that has been around a long time, and proven itself is mineral systems. ClearBlue releases microscopic mineral ions into your pool or hot tub which assist in controlling bacteria and algae in pools and spas by augmenting the bactericidal and algicidal activity of primary disinfectants. Since you have access to heavy equipment you go this route - dig a hole, buy a pump and a filter for $2000 and all in you are at about $15,000 for the "pool installation". Paired with the nation's already rising supply issues, chlorine (especially tablets) skyrocketing in price. And without the help of a chlorine stabilizer, such as cyanuric acid, your chlorine levels will deplete fairly quickly in sunlight. This is the biggest misconception with SCGs. Higher summer temperatures and higher bather loads create an increase in chlorine demand for sanitizing, which means more tablets. In many areas heat pumps provide less performance that is desirable and can still cost quite a bit since electricity costs are high in some places and these units have a fairly heavy draw. The biggest complaint of those who own a mineral system are having to use chlorine with them. I would recommend a shotcrete finished with any Pebble Tec product, glass tile (looks amazing in sunlight), AutoPilot ECG, DEV Filter by Jandy, Nichless LED Lighting by Jandy, VS FloPro Variable Speed Pump by Jandy, a HeatWave SuperQuiet Heat Pump Pool Heater by AquaCal (will probably work well for Texas climates). The amount of chlorine required depends on the size of your pool, usage, sun, rain, etc. If you are converting a chlorine-only pool over to a mineral pool, a good rule of thumb is to divide last years cost of chlorine in half. Please do a LOT more research if you are considering fiberglass vs. concrete pools. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15050952/thumbs/Swimming-Pool-Tile---Glass-OceanScapes
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14350337/thumbs/Swimming-Pool-Lighting
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/15052022/thumbs/Swimming-Pool-Ladders---Hand-Rails---Artisan-Series
http://www.houzz.com/projects/336458/World-s-Greatest-Pools-2013-Summer-Entries
Let me know if you have any other specific questions! I hope this info helps you. The levels don't always drop at the same rate, a few extra swimmers, a rain, or just a few extra hot days can use up the normal amount you add faster. This is a myth. Usually, just to shock the pool, and kill bacteria that have started to build an immunity to the constant level of chlorine that tablets can provide. On a larger pool (above 25,000 gallons), you will have to replace your mineral cell every season. Chlorine loses much of its effectiveness if your pH levels get too far off, which means you'll have to spend more time adding additional chemicals if you want your chlorine to work. This led many pool owners to look for chlorine alternatives. When youre finished, have a look at the benefits or see how pool ionizers compare with salt water pools. Liquid Chlorine is so popular because it can be poured directly into the pool, with no mixing. There are many choices in materials and equipment that will dictate your costs and your local pool professional will be able to explain the differences and what fits your lifestyle and budget best. It also has a really high PH and is very corrosive. Salt chlorinator manufacturers and pool professionals typically recommend testing and adjusting pH every week. Not all salt is the same. The ClearBlue Ionizer costs less than a salt chlorinator and ClearBlue pools are less effort to maintain than traditional chlorine or salt pools. One gallon of liquid is comparable to about a pound or so of granular chlorine depending on brand and strength. We have to have an auto cover on our pool (neighbor has 5 HUGE messy redwood trees) and want it in an underground vault. To increase or decrease the chlorine output on an SCG, you will simply press a button, same for shocking. The mineral packs cost around $100, so if you're using more than $200 a season in chlorine, it could be a cheaper alternative, not to mention, mineral water is much less irritating to eyes, skin, and bathing suits. The electronic chlorinator generates this for you by converting the salt in the water to liquid chlorine. The difference is that instead of adding chlorine directly to the pool, you add salt -NOT table salt- which in turn interacts with a salt cell that acts as a chlorine generator. The water quality reaches it's peak when you pair a Mineral System, such as Pool Frog, with E-Z Pool sanitation for 100% chlorine tablet-free mineral water. This causes chlorine levels to spike, be high for a while, drift down, and then you shock it again when it gets low. Sorry, but I didn't understand your response above..So do you think the copper filtration system isn't a wise choice? We'd be more than happy to sort through your ideas and help determine what system is best for you and your family! While safety and cleanliness should always be your top priorities we know they aren't the exciting portions of your planning phase. First, let's talk about salt. As a secondary heat source a heat pump kicks tons of butt! If you are looking to buy a new pool in the next few years you may have a longer wait time than anticipated, especially if you're trying to get on a builders schedule as well. This allows you to lower the chlorine concentration to 0.5ppm. More on purchasing a pool during or even post-pandemic can be foundhere. A chlorine tablet for example is composed of 3 parts - chlorine (used to sanitize), cyanuric acid (protects chlorine from the sun, should be about 25-50 ppm), and inert ingredient (ingredients that hold the tablet together). What we should say is generally less pH balancing effort than a salt or chlorine pool. Since liquid chlorine has a high pH, you will need to use a pH balancing chemical to bring the pH down on a regular basis. If you own a fiberglass pool, I am sure it is very nice. Saltwater is very corrosive and will {eventually} eat away at the valuable metal components in and around your pool such as ladders, handrails, patio furniture, and internal parts of your equipment such as motor and heater parts. When you add tablets, your chlorine level is usually the same as it was when you added tablets last time, not at the bottom of the testing scale. This helps divert the stray electrical currents generated by the chlorinator which can cause corrosion. A heat pump is an efficient method of raising in season pool temps - not a good solution in most places for a primary heat source. As pool water (which will now contain the 3,000 ppm of salt) passes through your SCG system, and makes contact with the titanium coated cell blades, an electrolytic process occurs and CREATES CHLORINE on site and on demand. The salt cell is connected to an electrical control box which is mounted near the cell and close to a power outlet. In short, you are making your own Chlorine versus buying it in a retail store and adding it yourself. The guys who make the pool drop it in a hole you dug with a crane and you get your house plumber to hook up the suction and return lines, and install the pump and filter. Additional resources for your pool buying journey: READY TO RELAX? Since the chlorine requirement is so low on a mineral pool, this can usually be set at 2 or 3 out of 10. It is a classic shape that will never go out of style. The second thing to know is that a saltwater pool is NOT completely free of chlorine. Over time, after adding all these tablets, the cyanuric acid will accumulate over the 50 ppm max. Now back to choosing the best sanitization system for you. Before the world of COVID-19, a 50lb bucket of chlorine tabs typically cost you between $70-$75. 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But, like most aspects in building a pool, saltwater, chlorine and mineral systems all have their own sets of pros and cons - and which you choose will ultimately be up to what you value as most important. Using the mineral systems reduces your need for chlorine by about 50%. This is a widely debated issue between industry professionals/experts/scientists/chemists, but through many years of experience, this is just the way it works, no sense in fighting it. Tablets are often added to the pool through a chlorine dispenser unit referred to as achlorinator. Most keep between 2-3 PPM because 1.0 and lower usually isn't far from an algae bloom. Many turned to salt. . Other negative water conditions may require a supplement of granular chlorine, but this should be rare and only suggested by a pool professional. The best plan you can have is to, before you'd like to start building. This is critical because chlorine does not work effectively if the pH is high. If you own a fiberglass pool installation company I am sure you are a nice and well meaning guy - this is just a simple matter of a technical comparison and I want to be sure all customers hear an objective point of view from a pool and spa expert who is not trying to sell a fiberglass pool (or any pool) so I have no vested interest other than to promote spreading of factual information. Chlorine tablets do have a lower ph than you keep your pool at, so you do have to adjust it a little more often than just granular chlorine, but not that bad. SCG pools still sanitize with chlorine. Thanks! DESIGN YOUR DREAM POOL TODAY. One of the biggest benefits for those who choose to install or upgrade to a Mineral System is the overall quality of the water. The main reason for this is the belief that salt water is a healthier alternative to chlorine treated pools. mmilos, has made some good points about salt chlorine generators (SCGs)/electrolytic chlorine generators (ECGs), and some need clarification. Hope to be swimming on Mother's Day :D. We are deciding btw the two as well. A low chlorine alternative in pool sanitation that has been around a long time, and proven itself is mineral systems. (not a huge deal, because algae won't grow as easily in cold water). You do use less Chlorine but you must still balance your PH with muriatic acid. Mineral System Pools: Pros and Cons, Vinyl Pools vs. Fiberglass Pools vs. There are many types of SCGs on the market from various manufacturers and they will each have their own requirements in water balance, rules on operation, specific type of salt that should be used, length of cell life, etc., so be sure to brief yourself with the owner's manual.