Swimming Pool ~ Salt or Chlorine?

I'm going to start getting bids in about a week or two for my backyard swimming pool. I'm also going to have a hot tub. They will be independant of each other. I've been in salt pools and I'll admit that I really like them. And I really hate chlorine pools.

So what are the pros and cons of each? Are there any reasons one should choose one over the other? Other than personal preference? Cost? Hassle? Can I have a salt hot tub?

I would really appreciate any and all advice! TIA! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Oh I could go on for days...

Ours is indoor, inground obviously, we use liq CL. I looked a lot at salt water systems, but have never used them. The trick is a salt water system is really a CL pool, just a very controlled levels.

I would say the big advantage of saltwater is the ease of use, no need to add much. But it does cost more to maintain then a straight CL pool, but a straight CL pool is about 4 times the work.

Also make sure whatever pool surface and plumbing you choose is able to handle saltwater some aren't.

Oh I could go on for hours... Actually my wife just asked me to go in the hot tub with her /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif more later

http://www.uwgb.edu/nevermab/pool.htm

Hi Sasha,

Owned an IG pool now for seven years. I have only used chlorine and have had no problems. Saline systems can get expensive. They generally use platinum plates and need replaced about every four years. The ones I checked out were about $450-just for the plates! Check out these sites before you make a choice. There is enough info here to keep you reading for months!!!

http://www.poolforum.com/cgi-local/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID21&conf=DCConfID2

http://www.poolsolutions.com/

The real trick with a CL pool is to keep it at a good level and a low level. I keep mine between 1.0 and 1.5 ppm or free CL. I can't tell you how many times I have had people ask me why they can't smell the CL or why their eyes aren't burning. Most public pools I check tend to be about 7 to 10 ppm (legally to high) and about 1ppm of combined CL. You do have to check the CL level a lot more if you are going to keep it lower, but I really think it is worth it. After a while you get to "know" your pool, and what it will do, and which guests will require more CL /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

As tiktok noted, salt water systems are expensive. I use about 2 gallons of CL a month and 1 gal of muratic acid every 2 months, that's it, nothing else. So I spend about $6 a month in chemicals.

The http://www.poolsolutions.com/ site is probably the best out there. It cleared up so many things for me. I can't say enough good things about that site.

I'm using a product called ZipChlor (granulated Chlorine). According to my spa dealer, it's one of a very few that allows you to maintain so easily at 1 ppm. If the level isn't between 1 & 5 ppm...we don't get in until it is.

I'm a novice at this, so if anyone has any thoughts to add to this info, I'd appreciate it!

Hi Guys,

Saline systems have their strengths & weaknesses. IMHO, chlorine is the way to go. But keep in mine, the type of chlorine people add to their pools is often the problem. There are many different form of chlorine: sodium hypoclorite(bleach), calcium hypoclorite, lithium hypoclorite, triclor and dichlor. Adding triclor if your stabilizer is to high will only create problems. And adding sodium hypoclorite when your ph is to high can also have a negative effect. So learning what each type of chlorine does is half the battle.

Chlorine actually comes from salt, so you really have a chlorine pool when using salt. Using a saline system may require the addition of chlorine once in awhile. They also require shocking in the usual manner(even if they say they don't). Shocking is based on the amount of combined chlorine in the water. If you are using a saline system and your combined chlorine is high, IT NEEDS SHOCKED!

I their defense, If chlorine were to ever be banned(there has been talk) a saline system would be my next choice.

P.S. I won't get into it, but I would never consider baquasil or softswim for many reasons. Chlorine works MUCH better .

heres a link to get you started:
http://www.autopilot.com