I hear people ask this all the time... Wait, there is still chlorine in a salt pool?

It sounds like a total bait-and-switch! The marketing for "Salt Pools" often makes it sound like you're swimming in a giant bottle of mineral water, but the salt is actually just the raw ingredient used to generate sanitizer.

In short, yes, it is still a "chlorine" pool.

The Science of the "Miniature Factory"

Pool salt water systems (Salt Water Chlorine Generating Systems or SWG) have been around since the late 80s and early 90s. Think of the system as a miniature chemical factory attached to your plumbing that manufactures chlorine on-site so you don't have to buy it in a jug.

The salt system is actually an electrode that forces the electrolysis process in the water that is passing through the salt cell. Simply put:

1. The Raw Material: You add pool-grade salt ($NaCl$) to the water.
2. The Reaction: The salt molecules are broken apart by the electrical current passing through the plates inside the cell.
3. The Output: This process yields sodium ($Na+$) and chlorine ($Cl-$) in gas form.

That chlorine gas is then available to be used in the water to destroy contaminants and kill water-borne illnesses. Once the chlorine has done its job, it actually turns back into salt and the process starts all over again.

If it’s chlorine, why does it feel so different?

The reason people often believe there is no chlorine is because salt pools lack the "harsh" qualities of traditional pools:

• The "Silk" Factor: The salt level (usually around 3,200 ppm) makes the water feel silky on the skin. For context, the ocean is about 35,000 ppm, so you won't even taste the salt.
• The Eye Test: The salinity of a salt pool is very close to the salinity of human tears. This is why your eyes don't get as red or irritated.
• No "Pool Smell": That strong smell at public pools is caused by chloramines (used-up chlorine). Salt systems provide a constant, fresh stream of chlorine that breaks these smelly compounds down more effectively.

What are the pros and cons of using a Salt Water Chlorine Generating System?

Pros:

1. Purchasing and storing of chlorine products is nearly eliminated.
2. No chlorine carrier byproducts such as Cyanuric Acid (CYA,) Calcium, or Salt that build up over time.
3. The process repeats as the salt NaCl molecules re-attach after working.
4. Reduction in the "chlorine" irritation to body. Due to less chloramine formation.
5. A lower free chlorine level can be utilized due to consistent daily chlorination.

Cons:

1. Initial cost and regular replacement of cell every 3-6 years.
2. Additional complexity of pool system with salt cell controller and the need to inspect and clean the salt cell every 3 months.
3. Additional monitering of system to ensure chlorine production and proper cell function.
4. Overall water balance must be understood and monitered to prevent scale formation or etching from the extremes of water balance.

Would a 20 year pool water chemistry expert add a salt system to his pool?

Yes, I would add it understanding that if the maintaince is take care of and the water chemistry is in the correct ranges, then I would reap the benefits of not having to purchase chlorine and my family and I would experience a "lower chemical" swim feeling.

How is Reverse Osmosis Pool Water Purificaton important for my Salt Water Pool?

Maintainence and proper water chemistry is key to your salt water system working properly and not causing scale problems in your cell and on your surfaces.

High Calcium hardness is the number 1 killer of of salt cells. The electryolsis process creates a high pH enviroment which can promote calcium scaling if the levels are too high and there are not other chemistry factors to offset it.

Calcium hardness builds up in your pool water due to it being present in the tap water that constantly fills the pool. The water that leaves the pool via evaporation is pure water. In this way, the calcuim hardness concentrates over the course of 1-2 years to unhealthy levels for the pool / salt system.

Our process can give your pool a total reset and optimize the funciton of salt water systems. It removes the things your normal pool filter can't and provides botled quality water to your pool. The result is a full engineered water product taliored to your pools ideal starting water chemistry. Your surfaces and equipment will be happy, and you will swim in the best possible water!