Salt Chlorinator Systems

Griz

Local place advertising $749 installed.

Is there really that much benefit to switching over?

stringle

Griz, I had a chlorine pool, then moved to a salt generator. My chemical costs went from about $80 a month to about $30 a year.

Cane Pole

Doesn't turn blonde hair greenish...though not sure if you need to worry about that...

Doesn't wear out/fade suits as fast...though you'd probably need to swim an awful lot to worry about that.

Dont need to go buy chlorine at the store...if you do your own pool maintenance.

Toddlle

Griz wrote: »

Local place advertising $749 installed.

Is there really that much benefit to switching over?

Absolutely, you will wonder why you didn't do it any sooner. $30 a year is a stretch as you still have to buy acid and a few other chemicals from time to time but it is much cheaper and you never have to haul those **** chlorine jugs.

NACl H2O Luvr

When comparing the annual cost, $30/year for a salt pool seems low to me. During very hot dry weather, you may need to shock the pool several times (with a salt safe pool shock), in my case I also have to add phosfree a couple times per month to keep phosphate levels low, otherwise the water begins to get a milky look.
Also, you have to factor in that the actual salt cell will last roughly 3-5 years, and then will need to be replaced, cost roughly $600.

But after all is said and done, I still much prefer the salt cell pool.

stringle

Toddlle wrote: »

Absolutely, you will wonder why you didn't do it any sooner. $30 a year is a stretch as you still have to buy acid and a few other chemicals from time to time but it is much cheaper and you never have to haul those **** chlorine jugs.

You got that right!! The first year all I had to buy was a bag of salt, jug of acid and some test strips. The acid was used to clean the cell. The second year same thing. I take the water sample to the shop maybe once a quarter just because it's on my way into town! This year I did have to buy some stabilizer ($8).
Your eyes don't sting either. No dried out skin, etc.

stringle

Gents, I hope this isn't a derail, but what chems are you having to buy? I am not exagerating and have not had milky water or algae or any other issues? I do not have a heater of any sort though, could that be the difference?

NACl H2O Luvr

stringle wrote: »

Gents, I hope this isn't a derail, but what chems are you having to buy? I am not exagerating and have not had milky water or algae or any other issues? I do not have a heater of any sort though, could that be the difference?

These are the two additional products I was refering to, But if you don't need them, and your pool is looking good, then kudos to you.

http://www.inyopools.com/Products/00100001040058.htm?gclid=CLfx0vqk3a8CFU6MtgodBHzI_A

http://www.walmart.com/ip/16489734?adid=22222222227000794232&wmlspartner=wlpa&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=&wl3=13693396510&wl4=&wl5=pla

GJBenn85

Well, I advise against Polaris chlorinators. Mine has been a complete POS and I reverted back to using chlorine. Was also spending about $200/year on salt...chemical costs have not changed at all since going back to chlorine.

Toddlle

I shock it when it gets used a lot. Also use phosfree due to the fact I have reclaimed water which is high in phosphorous which can blow in the pool on windy days. There is another acid you should be adding but I cannot remember the name, it is in a powder form. You will also have to add salt but that is cheap, about $6 a bag at home depot. Just don't buy your chemicals from a pool store, home depot is about half the price.

NACl H2O Luvr

Toddlle wrote: »

I shock it when it gets used a lot. Also use phosfree due to the fact I have reclaimed water which is high in phosphorous which can blow in the pool on windy days. There is another acid you should be adding but I cannot remember the name, it is in a powder form.

Thats cyanuric acid, its a stabalizer for the chlorine which is generated by the ionization of the sodium chloride. Typically you only need to add that once every second year or so.

Beastie

I like chlorine.

Bruce LB

Beastie wrote: »

I like chlorine.

X2, I feel more comfortable peeing in a chlorine pool.

gandrfab

Bruce LB wrote: »

X2, I feel more comfortable peeing in a chlorine pool.

Remember don't invite LB over for a party with a pool.

CaptTater

GT Fish said they suck, now they are great. I just need a dang cable to hook mine back up.

Stugots

Salt is the bomb.

LittleBert

GJBenn85 wrote: »

Well, I advise against Polaris chlorinators. Mine has been a complete POS and I reverted back to using chlorine. Was also spending about $200/year on salt...chemical costs have not changed at all since going back to chlorine.

You must have either an extremely large pool or one heck of a leak. The only salt that needs to be replaced is in the water that leaks or gets splashed out. I use under 2 bags a year, cost about $10, and I have some leaks.

GT Fish

Griz wrote: »

Local place advertising $749 installed.

Is there really that much benefit to switching over?

What system? Hayward ,Jandy?

Make sure it's the bigger cell size ..The Goldline T-Cell 15 works good for pools up to 40k gallons. If you get an undersized one it will work hard to produce and burn up. You will have to get the salt and the stabilizer right to get it to function good. Then ever couple of moths you will have to clean the cell in a bucket with muriatic acid and water.

GT Fish

LittleBert wrote: »

You must have either an extremely large pool or one heck of a leak. The only salt that needs to be replaced is in the water that leaks or gets splashed out. I use under 2 bags a year, cost about $10, and I have some leaks.

This^

The thing with Salt systems is in the winter you really don't have to do much. That goes with any pool. You still have to add acid every week. You still have to balance Calcium,Bi-Carb and stabilizer. Too many people think it is just a cure all to their pool. If you overdue the salt in the pool you will burn up your cell often.I recommend salt test strips. The circuit boards on all of them will fail at giving and accurate reading. I have grown to like them since I don't have to lug jugs..

hooknline

I've usually got at least 50 gallons of chlorine on hand everyday. I put one jug a week and keep a tab floater with 3 tabs in.
Cost me about 10 bucks a month including acid. You guys spend too much if pure getting your supers at pinch a penny etc. I'm paying 1.15/ gallon for chlorine and it's 12%.

cpr

Stugots wrote: »

Salt is the bomb.

X2

screamin seaman

I just bought a house with a pool and found Troublefreepools.com !!!!!!!!!

The site is amazing! Has all the info you could ever need and everyone there is EXTREMELY helpful! From Chemists to Pool builders.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/salt_water_chlorine_generators
Also look at the BBB method. Bleach (chlorine), Baking Soda, Borax. Those 3 along with Muriatic acid are the only things you need... well along with a good test kit (TF-100)!
I turned the swamp that I bought into a "sparkling oasis" in less than 2 weeks with following their recommendations.

Check out Trouble Free Pools and STOP GOING TO THE POOL STORE!!! Seriously!

EDIT: Green hair is caused by copper in the water NOT CHLORINE!
And faded clothes are from TOO high of chlorine levels!

Both of wich you can have with a SWG!