water chlorine generators turn the routine task of adding chlorine to the swimming pool a thing of the past. Pools without salt chlorinators require addition of chlorine at minimum of once a week, depending on the type of chlorine used. With a salt chlorinator, given that the salt level is maintained at the required level and the chlorine generator is working properly, chlorine is automatically created when the pool filter is running. The amount of chlorine created is directly related to the length of the filter run making it very important to monitor the filtration time. Most salt chlorine generators stop producing chlorine when the water temperature gets extremely cold, so the only time traditional chlorine is required is for a short time in the winter.

Ewing Aquatech, Baton Rouge, LA
Longer Lasting Power

Even though it is highly recommended that the water chemistry is still tested on a weekly basis at minimum, a swimming pool with a salt water chlorinator can be left unattended for longer periods of time than a pool using traditional chlorine. This advantage can be a great benefit when going on extended vacations.

Reduced Chlorine Costs

Since chlorine is generated automatically with a salt water chlorinator, the cost of adding chlorine to the pool is greatly reduced. Traditional types of chlorine only needs to be added during the coldest months of the year, reducing the cost of chlorine by 70% to 90%.

Softer Pool Water

Many salt water swimming pool owners will testify that salt pool water is more comfortable than pool water with traditional chlorine. Although salt chlorinators still produce the same chlorine chemical, the salt water creates softer water reducing some common complaints with traditional pool water such as dryness of the skin and burning of the eyes.

Avoid Chlorine Lock

One major issue with using traditional stabilized chlorine is called "chlorine lock". Chlorine Lock occurs when the level of cyanuric acid, also known as stabilizer or conditioner, gets too high. Stabilizer is needed in a chlorine swimming pool to protect the chlorine from the sun. Without it, the chlorine will get used up very quickly and the cost to keep the pool chlorinated will be very high. Since stabilized chlorine has cyanuric acid in it, each time it is added to the pool, the level of cyanuric acid rises. The optimal level of cyanuric acid is 20- 60 ppm. Once the level gets above 60 ppm, the chlorine becomes less and less effective. At some point when the stabilizer level gets above 100 ppm, the chlorine stops working all together leaving the swimming pool unprotected. When chlorine lock occurs, the swimming pool needs to be partially drained in order to dilute the conditioner level. With salt chlorine generators, this is a non-issue and the stabilizer level only needs to be tested a couple times a year and added when needed to make sure the levels stay in the proper range.

Disadvantages

Initial Purchase Costs

Automatic Salt Chlorinators can cost in the range of $1,000 to $2,000. If having a salt chlorine generator does save money, which is disputable, the return on investment can take many years to realize.

Chlorinator Repair Costs .

How long will the salt water chlorinator last? Older models have been known to break down within 3 -5 years. Although the newer models are beginning to show better longevity, there is still a good chance that the chlorinator will need some type of repair within 5 years. This needs to be taken into consideration when considering buying a Salt Water Chlorine Generator.

Increased Chemical Costs

Although there is a major reduction in the cost of chlorine for a salt water swimming pool, the pool water still needs to be tested on a routine basis, plus there are increased costs for other chemicals with a salt pool. First, the salt level needs to be maintained which involves monitoring the salt level and periodically adding salt to the pool. Secondly, salt pools tend to operate at a higher pH level requiring for muriatic acid than needed with pools using conventional chlorine. Lastly, although a minimal cost, the stabilizer level needs to be tested a couple times per year and cyanuric acid will need to be added in order to keep the levels at a minimum level of 20 ppm.

Out of sight- Out of mind

One of the biggest issues that owners of swimming pools with salt chlorine generators face is that the salt swimming pool systems are sold as "maintenance free". This leads pool owners to think the only task they need to pay attention to is the level of salt in the pool. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth. The pool water chemistry still needs to be tested weekly in order to keep the pH, alkalinity, stabilizer level, and salt levels in check. Without routine maintenance, there are many issues that can lead to big problems with the pool water very quickly.

Source: www.swimmingpoolmaintenancetips.com

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