Make the right choice.
There are more options than ever for today’s pool owners and future pool owners. And there are also more opinions and misconceptions about the choices you have to keep a clear and clean pool. It’s important to have all the facts about traditional chlorine versus salt.
In a salt pool, chlorine is produced from salt using a Salt Chlorine Generator (SCG) rather than adding chlorine to the pool directly. A salt pool is still being sanitized by chlorine.
MYTH
“A salt pool is chlorine-free”
The fact is that the same amount of chlorine is required to maintain the same effectiveness in a salt pool as a traditional chlorine pool. A properly maintained salt pool has just as much chlorine as a traditional chlorine pool. Salt water pools require all the same maintenance functions and still must be checked and balanced regularly. The only difference is instead of manually adding chlorine, you need to manually pour heavy bags of salt into the pool and brush it until it completely dissolves.
Salt water entering the public sewer system and eventually flowing into rivers and streams can kill fresh water species of fish and plant life. In fact, some cities prohibit the discharge from SCGs into the storm water or sewage system, and some areas prohibit the use of SCGs altogether
Salt pools are not less expensive to own and maintain than traditional chlorine pools. SCG systems require a major upfront investment of the SCG equipment. They also require an expensive cell replacement every 3 to 5 years. With increased utility costs from the constantly running pump and standard maintenance chemicals, a salt pool’s price tag can add up very quickly. You may also have to spend additional money replacing corroded fittings or heaters with a salt system.
Talk to your local pool professional to make sure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. When it comes to salt or chlorine, it’s not as black and white as some people would have you believe. Having all the facts can help you make the right choice.
Myth and Facts
Myths and Facts
| Myth | Fact |
| A Salt Pool produces or uses less chlorine than a non-salt pool |
The same amount of AvCl (Available Chlorine) is required to maintain the same parts per million (ppm) chlorine level in a salt pool. If maintained properly, both a salt pool and a conventional chlorine pool will have the same amount of free available chlorine. HTH® Scientific automatic chlorination systems have the added benefit that it doses only the amount of chlorine needed to maintain the required level of available chlorine in a swimming pool. |
| Salt pools require less maintenance than chlorine pools. |
Maintenance on a salt water pool is just as critical as on a traditional pool. It is not advisable to “set it and forget it” with a salt chlorinator unit. Pool water chemistry still needs to be tested weekly to keep the pH, alkalinity, stabilizer level and salt levels in check. Without proper maintenance, a salt water pool, like any other pool, will rapidly deteriorate due to water parameters not allowing the chlorine to disinfect the water to acceptable levels. HTH® Scientific automatic chlorination systems allow for the automatic measurement and adjustment of pH levels in pool water to allow optimum performance of available chlorine as a sanitizer. |
| Salt pools have no impact on the environment. |
The best place for salt water is in the ocean. Salt water can kill fresh water species of fish as well as plant life, and can be devastating to environments not specifically designed to deal with it. Salt water entering the public sewer system and ultimately discharged into streams and rivers is harmful. Salt water also adds a high potential for corrosion, staining and scaling on pool equipment and surfaces. |
| Salt water pools are cheaper to have and maintain than a chlorine pool. | There are many variables that determine pool maintenance costs, but in the long run (more than five years), the costs to consumers to maintain a salt pool versus a traditional chlorine pool are comparable. In the short term, salt pools cost more. |
Salt chlorinator units require a major up-front investment for the actual equipment. These units also require pump operation for a minimum of 10 – 12 hours a day, and depending on the circumstances, may require 24-hour pump operation to ensure adequate chlorine production. This can represent a significant increase in utility charges.
*Cells need to be replaced every 3 – 6 years.
Salt chlorinators produce a constant rate of chlorine based on its settings. Under normal circumstances with a normal chlorine demand, the chlorine generated by the unit would be sufficient to sanitize the pool. However, during abnormal circumstances like high bather loads, high temperatures, or extreme weather conditions, the chlorine produced by the unit would not be sufficient to overcome the excessive chlorine demand. A shock treatment with an alternative chlorine product would then be necessary.
For more information on Salt Chlorinator alternatives for swimming pool sanitization, please reach out to our sales team or send an enquiry to hth.sa@solenis.com