Pros and Cons of Swimming Pool Salt Chlorinators

Salt Chlorine Generators, also known as Salt Chlorinators create chlorine by combining salt water with electricity. Salt Chlorinators are installed in the pool equipment plumbing after the main filter. Salt must be added to the pool water until the salt level reaches a concentration level consistent with the manufacturer requirements, usually 2,500 – 4,000 ppm. As the salt pool water passes through the chlorinator cell, it creates free chlorine and destroys the used chlorine (chloramines). Like everything else, there are pros and cons of using a Salt Chlorine Generator for a swimming pool.

PROS

Convenience - there are times where weekly pool water testing and the addition of chemicals are not possible. Given that the pool is maintained properly on a routine basis, salt pool chlorinators make it much easier to be away from the swimming pool for a more extended period of time such as vacations or business trips. By simply making sure the salt level is at the appropriate level, the salt chlorinator will automatically create the needed chlorine during that period.

Less Chlorine Usage - since the salt chlorinator automatically creates the chlorine needed to sanitize the pool, for most of the year it is not necessary to add any other source of chlorine to the pool.

Softer Pool Water - many people who own salt water pools report that the pool water is much friendlier on the body and doesn't dry out the skin and affect the eyes in the same way as traditional chlorine pools.

CONS

High PH - salt water pools are often sold as "maintenance free", which is simply not true. The salt water chlorinator can automatically create the chlorine needed to sanitize the pool, but all the other parameters of proper pool water chemistry still need to be maintained. Salt water chlorinators tend to raise the pH. This means instead of adding chlorine, muriatic acid needs to be added to control the pH.

Apathy - it's so easy to buy into the idea that a salt water pool is "maintenance free" and not give the swimming pool the attention it needs, often times that turns into pool problems. The water chemistry still needs to be routinely tested, debris needs to be removed from the pool, and the filters need to be kept clean in order to keep the pool maintained properly and to prevent problems with the pool water.

Winter Usage - salt pool chlorinators stop producing chlorine when the pool water drops below a certain temperature. Even though the instructions might say algae cannot grow at these temperatures, it is recommended to add some form of chlorine to the pool water during this time in order to keep the pool sanitized.

Cost - one of the big selling points of salt chlorinators is a reduction in the cost of maintaining the swimming pool. This is disputable. The only real advantage from a cost perspective is a reduction in chlorine cost. But there are additional costs of adding salt and using more muriatic acid than in a non-salt pool, making the chemical costs about a break-even proposition.

Salt water swimming pools can be the right choice for many pool owners. But don't expect that just by having a salt water chlorinator, you will have a maintenance free pool. The pool still needs to be maintained just as with a non-salt pool. The cost is about the same. The main benefit is being able to leave the water chemistry unattended for a longer period of time because of the automatic chlorine generation.

An excellent and probably the most popular salt chlorinator for pools on the market today is the Hayward Aqua Rite Goldline. They are designed to work for all residential pools up to 40,000 gallons.

Up to 15,000 gallons - Aqua Rite 15K

Up to 25,000 gallons - Aqua Rite 25K

Up to 40,000 gallons - Aqua Rite 40K

 

 

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