Hi, I have been considering this for a bit and have looked around at other posts but figured I’d ask a few questions. It doesn't seem like switching to salt will save money but may save time. I currently do a modified BBB method of mostly Liquid chlorine but back that up with 3 inch ,In the swim, pucks in either my off-line chlorinator or floaters. I’m away from home a lot and get home at odd hours not always when pump is running to add the liquid. My pool season runs from May to October, but really the pool doesn’t get a lot of use but we still enjoy having it. Beside the installation and start up cost, every winter I drop the pool level about 18 inches and use a Mesh Looplock cover so enough water gets in the pool that I have to pump more out at least 1 or 2 times during the winter to keep the water away from the skimmers, so each opening I would think I would need to replenish a certain amount of salt besides normal adjustments. Again my goal is not really cost saving but better pool chemistry and easier maintenance but I don’t want to break the bank for it either. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Considering if Switching to SWG for a Maryland pool season worth it.
- Thread starter DSK
- Start date
DSK,
It costs about the same to run a SWCG or to manually add chlorine. The main reason to run a SWCG is because it allows you to be gone for two or three weeks without having to worry about the pool turning green. A great side benefit is that when you get out of a regular pool, you feel like you have to take a shower, but when you get out of a saltwater pool, you feel like you just got out of the shower.
Keep in mind that you can't use a SWCG once the water temps get below about 52 degrees...
Thanks,
Jim R.
It costs about the same to run a SWCG or to manually add chlorine. The main reason to run a SWCG is because it allows you to be gone for two or three weeks without having to worry about the pool turning green. A great side benefit is that when you get out of a regular pool, you feel like you have to take a shower, but when you get out of a saltwater pool, you feel like you just got out of the shower.
Keep in mind that you can't use a SWCG once the water temps get below about 52 degrees...
Thanks,
Jim R.
Last edited:
So I’ve been doing some mild research anticipating this question coming up a lot more soon when the season gets in full swing again. Of our top 20 users/posters, 4 have an Above ground pool and will be left out of this discussion for the cost reason alone in regards to the cost of their overall pool. 1 more member doesn’t have a signature filled out and must have missed my PM asking for the info. So we have 15 top members left and 9 of them have salt, which is an even 60%. They have all commented many times individually about their reasons for having and keeping their salt pools, but I thought it was neat that we are officially well over the halfway mark collectively with said group of experts.
it does not in any way, shape, or form prove that one method is superior to the other. Nor does it mean that one way has to be right for you. What it does mean though is that we can dismiss the years of bad/misguided information that going salt has any negative connotations for the *average* user.
it does not in any way, shape, or form prove that one method is superior to the other. Nor does it mean that one way has to be right for you. What it does mean though is that we can dismiss the years of bad/misguided information that going salt has any negative connotations for the *average* user.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,204
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
I could have written most of that as it almost all applies. Except I already have a SWCG and love it. Yeah, I add 2-5 bags of salt each spring at ~$6/bag (depending on how much dilution from winter rain and pumping). Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals - blue bags at Lowe's. For reference, my pool is also 27K and I have a Hayward T-15 cell. It is seven seasons old and was working as of October - so hopefully it will be once my water reaches operating temps.
I will tell you to run with it. Lots of info here. I personally have great results with circupool. Get the circupool RJ-60plus which is very simplistic unit to handle. It's a onetime upfront cost which amortize itself over the next few years and is essentially the same cost as liquid chlorine. You will need the TF-100 and Taylor K-1766 and would highly recommend the SpeedStir magnetic portable stirrer.
@wireform and @bmoreswim, you too were on my list of what I considered to be fan-favorites because none of us will ever be able to catch most of the top 20 list. Once I expanded the list to include frequent contributors as well, the list grew greatly.
I always have something I can add but my keyboard skills are at the bottom therefore I pick and choose where to contribute as it takes time and effort..
My first pool was an above ground pool without a Salt system. It was 5,000 gallons and not very hard to maintain once I learned how from this website. Although, it was a pain to go to the store and buy jugs of bleach and lug them to the pool and measure out what I needed and pour it into the water and lug the jug back to the garage and rinse and repeat every single day. When I decided to build my current in-ground pool there was NO way on earth anyone was going to convince me to not have a salt system. I had one builder try to give me the horror stories about salt pools and even recommended an ozone system instead. He didn't get a call back after that conversation. At this point I would not want to own a pool that did not have a salt system. The ease of maintenance cannot be understated and the feel of the water is much more appealing than a non-salt pool.
Wow, thank you for the quick responses and insite. You guys make a good case. I may pull the trigger on this.
I am converting to salt this spring..Tired of hauling chlorine and having to "manage" it..When my wife said " maybe we should hire a pool guy" I decided to switch to SWG and robot!
AusPhil
0
Well
I fall outside the Newdude's list
i have an AGP (7k gal), a 4 to 5 month season and a seriously over sized RJ45 SWCG .... i'm also lazy and hate the daily dumping of chlorine and love to go away for periods of time ..... The SWCG is a life saver and i would not be without it ..... I've just gone 10 days with no testing or checks (it's still autumn here) and chlorine is still in the middle of the range ....
I fall outside the Newdude's list
i have an AGP (7k gal), a 4 to 5 month season and a seriously over sized RJ45 SWCG .... i'm also lazy and hate the daily dumping of chlorine and love to go away for periods of time ..... The SWCG is a life saver and i would not be without it ..... I've just gone 10 days with no testing or checks (it's still autumn here) and chlorine is still in the middle of the range ....Oh yeah, Plenty of people can decide to go that route anyway, But with a standard issue $3k pool, It’s not a fair comparison to ask somebody to spend half of that on a SWG. Heck some of the intex’s are a couple hundred on clearance.
And now that you mention it, One of those top users I specifically left off the list is completely ready to switch, even with the ABG, but life got a bit busy and it sidetracked them for a while.
Wow, I just started looking at the CircuPool Core-55, looks small and compact and straight forward. May be the ticket.
- Jun 13, 2017
- 450
- Pool Size
- 9600
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I added a SWG last year in late July. We've got a short swim season too, but I consider next to no jug lugging and next to no worries about my FC level to be a big bonus toward enjoying the pool more.
I'm hopeful this summer will be a zero SLAM summer except for opening and closing the pool because the SWG will take care of keeping FC where it needs to be.
I'm hopeful this summer will be a zero SLAM summer except for opening and closing the pool because the SWG will take care of keeping FC where it needs to be.
You're absolutely correct. You'll see how much more enjoyable it is not having this chlorine chore on your head. If you check the chems once a week you will never see a green pool again. Plan vacations without involving anyone to look after the water because strangers usually screw it up anyhow. If they don't have a pool they can try but never succeed 100%.
I bought the Edge 40 for my 20K pool but just started installing it..I liked the core series and went back and forth between RJ-45 and Edge 40
Similar threads
