Anyone have a salt water pool? Do you like it?

[minnie1012]

Hi My husband wants to switch from chlorine to a salt water pool. He has looked into it somewhat but we don't know anyone that has one which I think is a true testiment. So if you have one, do you like it? Is it easier to maintain? Do you still get algae and stuff or do you need to put those types of chemicals in too? I guess I'm just so used to chlorine that I can't imagine not using it. I know chemicals are bad for you its just that, then how do you get all the germs and stuff out of the pool if you don't use chlorine? Any insight would be great, thanks!

 

[castleview]

I don't own one, but before we decided to with an above ground pool, salt water in ground was our choice. Everyone I know likes them and my skin feels a lot better coming out of a salt water pool.

 

[Meriweather]

We have one....there are a lot of them around here.
It is easy to maintain....does make your skin feel good.
We did get algae growth in the spring....one treatment and it was good to go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

For starters I think you are misinformed here. There is chlorine in the pool. The salt uses some contraption to convert the salt to chlorine.

Salt water pools are good for areas in the south because of the high heat/sun. Balancing the chlorine levels is supposed to be easier, because the sun diminishes the chlorine levels.

Now I know my post is weak in technicality but when we had a salt water pool in TX that was the basics.

I am sure other DISers can fill you in with the details.

 

[missypie]

We have a salt pool - the kids don't wear goggles anymre- they can open their eyes under water with no problem.

DH takes care of the pool. He takes a sample to Leslie Pool Supply every few weeks and they tell him what chemicals to add. Our water is always crystal clear.

 

[mhsjax]

For starters I think you are misinformed here. There is chlorine in the pool. The salt uses some contraption to convert the salt to chlorine.

Salt water pools are good for areas in the south because of the high heat/sun. Balancing the chlorine levels is supposed to be easier, because the sun diminishes the chlorine levels.

Now I know my post is weak in technicality but when we had a salt water pool in TX that was the basics.

I am sure other DISers can fill you in with the details.

True but salt creates a much lower concentration of chlorine. We have a salt water chlorinator and I would never use anything else. Much easier on the skin, eyes, hair and bathing suits. Plus it doesn't smell.

 

[dejr_8]

Also have a salt water pool and love it. The only downside is that the generator doesn't last as long as advertised (at least that is what we have been told from multiple sources).

 

[brerrabbit]

Salt is Sodium Chloride. Basically a chemical combination of sodium and chlorine.
The electrical process divide the two and one of the by products is chlorine that is injected into your pool. The process is not 100% effcient so you will also get salt into your pool which will also help soften the water. That is why your skin feels soft when you get out of the water and you can taste some salt in the water. It is a good system the only thing you have to be careful of is what type of coping and plaster you use on your pool. Any natural stone that is layered, think sandstone, slate etc. is not a good choice for salt water pools. The salt water gets into the stone, drys and forms back into salt crystals and will seperate the stone. Also any plaster color other than white will be subject to geting white spots on it. A friend of mine's pool has sandstome hot tub flowing over a natural rock spillway into a pool with a blue plaster finish. The rocks are splitting and the plaster has white spots all over it. It's estimated it has done $10,000 worth of damage to the pool. His contractor that built the pool said nothing about his choices of material and did not warn him any thing like that could happen.

I think the system is great, I would just make sure it works with the materials in your pool.

 

[melissa0208]

My DD3's swim school uses a salt water pool and she never smells of chlorine, eyes are never red, skin isn't dry, etc. The owners say it's easy to maintain. Now granted, it's an indoor pool so I'm sure that makes it easier.

 

[minnie1012]

thanks for all the great information thus far!

 

[Art 1]

I had one and did like it.