We're upsizing our AGP and I'm contemplating going back to SWG. On our 12' we used the Intex SWG and it seemed great until it stopped working. I replaced the plates twice and it never seemed to produce the way it did when new. It's entirely possible that it was operator error but I digress. I've since learned about the extra chemistry things to watch out for as well as the routine maintenance of the plates but I maintain, it just never seemed to work as well as from new.
The real hesitation I have with going back to SWG is that the first pool really deteriorated rapidly and I feel like the salt water was to blame. We ended up taking the pool down in 2022 because I noticed one of the connectors was completely rusted out at the top on both sides. Upon disassembly of the pool I discovered that the entire pool was virtually freestanding! So many of the connections were rusted right out or just barely hanging on.
I plan to install the "gap covers" on this new pool so that will minimize splash out and in turn minimize water contact with the pipes AND I'll be pre-coating the connection points with an extra layer or two of rust paint but I'm still hesitant. I know many of you here use SWG without issue and I wonder if you've maybe got some extra maintenance steps that you take like rinsing the pipes after splashing? I did enjoy the hands free SWG life and the soft water but also, adding a cup of Chlorine each day was pretty easy too. Thing is, this pool is considerably larger so that "cup of chlorine" could be 2 or 3 cups a day which will start to add up. That said, it could be a moot point since I'd likely need to run an SWG longer (so run the pump longer) and with electricity prices as they are around here these days maybe chlorine would be cheaper!
The real hesitation I have with going back to SWG is that the first pool really deteriorated rapidly and I feel like the salt water was to blame. We ended up taking the pool down in 2022 because I noticed one of the connectors was completely rusted out at the top on both sides. Upon disassembly of the pool I discovered that the entire pool was virtually freestanding! So many of the connections were rusted right out or just barely hanging on.
I plan to install the "gap covers" on this new pool so that will minimize splash out and in turn minimize water contact with the pipes AND I'll be pre-coating the connection points with an extra layer or two of rust paint but I'm still hesitant. I know many of you here use SWG without issue and I wonder if you've maybe got some extra maintenance steps that you take like rinsing the pipes after splashing? I did enjoy the hands free SWG life and the soft water but also, adding a cup of Chlorine each day was pretty easy too. Thing is, this pool is considerably larger so that "cup of chlorine" could be 2 or 3 cups a day which will start to add up. That said, it could be a moot point since I'd likely need to run an SWG longer (so run the pump longer) and with electricity prices as they are around here these days maybe chlorine would be cheaper!
