Is SWCG a good fit for my pool

[drsipe]

I've been kicking around the idea of converting to a SWCG. I stopped in at the company that installed my pool to get an estimate from them, and they gave me a rough estimate of $2300, but cautioned me that my pool was not built or designed for a SWCG. The pool was installed in late 2004, SWCG was available at the time of the installation, but in addition to the pool install it was not in the budget.

They warned me that the ladder cups, railing cups and pump may not work well with a salt system, and that there might be considerable more corrosion. I know the ladder and railing cups are an aluminum like material. (white metal with no rusting).

My questions to the group is; Should I be concerned about compatability? Do I need to modify the attachment cups to a brass material to prevent corrosion? Are there any down sides to installing a system which is too big (other than up front costs)?

I do know that I will not pay $2300 for the conversion, this will be a DIY project and I'lm considering the Circupool core55. Even buying directly from Circupool, I think I can complete the conversion for $1500 + the cost of the salt.

 

[Msch99]

Very little difference in corrosion between liquid chlorine pools and salt pools. Pumps don’t care as far as I know.
Double rated gallon size is good compromise on swg.

 

[HermanTX]

I will watch this discussion as I have tossed this idea around. I do not have any ladders so no worries there. My concern is how to replumb all my pipework to create the length of pipe runs to ensure the SWG performs properly. I would be retrofitting into a system originally built 17 years ago.

 

[mgtfp]

Using bleach actually also increases your salt level over time, check out this post:

However, even at 3 ppm FC per day chlorine usage for 6 months this is around 890 ppm added salt if you had no water dilution and would not normally require a water change after only one year. If your chlorine usage is lower or you have water dilution or a shorter swim season, the build-up will be less.

Depending on how much bleach you add per day, how long your swimming season is and how much water dilution you get, you can actually reach salt levels of an SWG-pool after a couple of seasons. I wouldn't worry about the usually required 3000ppm for an SWG-pool - that's still ten times less than sea water. You can actually hardly taste it.

 

[lager1829]

I've been kicking around the idea of converting to a SWCG. I stopped in at the company that installed my pool to get an estimate from them, and they gave me a rough estimate of $2300, but cautioned me that my pool was not built or designed for a SWCG. The pool was installed in late 2004, SWCG was available at the time of the installation, but in addition to the pool install it was not in the budget.

They warned me that the ladder cups, railing cups and pump may not work well with a salt system, and that there might be considerable more corrosion. I know the ladder and railing cups are an aluminum like material. (white metal with no rusting).

My questions to the group is; Should I be concerned about compatability? Do I need to modify the attachment cups to a brass material to prevent corrosion? Are there any down sides to installing a system which is too big (other than up front costs)?

I do know that I will not pay $2300 for the conversion, this will be a DIY project and I'lm considering the Circupool core55. Even buying directly from Circupool, I think I can complete the conversion for $1500 + the cost of the salt.

You should be fine. Typical pool store response. If you want a second opinion and better quote, call John Howard @ Accent Pools in Lebanon, PA (not sure if Middletown is in his territory though) he recommended the SWCG for our pool build.

 

[JW1]

I've been kicking around the idea of converting to a SWCG. I stopped in at the company that installed my pool to get an estimate from them, and they gave me a rough estimate of $2300, but cautioned me that my pool was not built or designed for a SWCG. The pool was installed in late 2004, SWCG was available at the time of the installation, but in addition to the pool install it was not in the budget.

They warned me that the ladder cups, railing cups and pump may not work well with a salt system, and that there might be considerable more corrosion. I know the ladder and railing cups are an aluminum like material. (white metal with no rusting).

My questions to the group is; Should I be concerned about compatability? Do I need to modify the attachment cups to a brass material to prevent corrosion? Are there any down sides to installing a system which is too big (other than up front costs)?

I do know that I will not pay $2300 for the conversion, this will be a DIY project and I'lm considering the Circupool core55. Even buying directly from Circupool, I think I can complete the conversion for $1500 + the cost of the salt.

I communicated today with a small pool owner about a Hayward aquarite 900 series and received a similar response. Said my pool wasn’t originally installed as a salt water pool and I could experience some corrosion issues. My pool isn’t even a year old, installed last October.

 

[Dirk]

There are two facts about pools that are often misunderstood:
All saltwater pools (that use an SWG) are chlorine pools!
All chlorine pools are saltwater pools!!

OK, slight exaggeration, but as others stated above, your pool is going to collect salt whether you use an SWG or not. My salt level was just below what an SWG needs just before I converted it to a saltwater pool. Chlorine, acid and humans all leave salt behind after they're done with your pool. The water evaporates and you put more fresh water in, but the salt remains, and builds up over time. Tap water often has salt in it, too. So your pool will start out as fresh water, but eventually become a saltwater pool. Might as well enjoy the benefits of an SWG. You'll love it.

If, and that's a big if, you start to see corrosion on your metal, you can deal with that when it happens. There are plenty of solutions for that.

There is no such thing as a salt water pool pump. We SWGers use the same pumps as everybody else.

The only way to keep salt out of your pool is to replace the water often. At some point that will cost you far more than replacing the metal. There are stainless steel or polymer ladders, if it comes to that.

 

[mknauss]

Said my pool wasn’t originally installed as a salt water pool and I could experience some corrosion issues.

There are no differences in pool construction for saltwater pools. All pools sanitized with chlorine are saltwater pools.

 

[markayash]

First having a SWG makes pool life so much easier.
Second prices have gone up several hundred bucks this year, if you can wait they might drop again in early 2021..My Edge40 was $840 in Feb when I bought it, now it's around $1140.
Last its an easy DIY project, especially the core! watch discount salts video on installation..Even the RJ and Edge are fairly simple to wire

 

[mguzzy]

but cautioned me that my pool was not built or designed for a SWCG

WHAT! that makes no difference.. as everybody has said you very likely already have significant salinity in your pool.. I love quoting this.. I should just put it in my signature:
Salinity of a Saltwater pool: ~3400 ppm
Salinity of your tears: ~7000 ppm
Salinity of the ocean: ~34000 ppm

You live in Pennsylvania, I bet your more apt to get more damage from the salt they put on the roads in the winter time than from the salt in your pool.

 

[Dirk]

Salinity of a Saltwater pool: ~3400 ppm
Salinity of your tears: ~7000 ppm
Salinity of the ocean: ~34000 ppm

In other words, if you do start to see corrosion on the metal, don't cry about it or you'll just make it worse!

 

[markayash]

Want to add one more comment..I rarely swim because I didn't like how the pool made me feel sticky. Not just mine but pools in General.
I have been in mine twice since converting to salt water and its so different..Somebody said instead of feeling like you need a shower you feel like you just took one.. Hard to explain but they were 100% correct.
Plus I have had NO chlorine odor when running the hot tub like I did before

 

[drsipe]

I will watch this discussion as I have tossed this idea around. I do not have any ladders so no worries there. My concern is how to replumb all my pipework to create the length of pipe runs to ensure the SWG performs properly. I would be retrofitting into a system originally built 17 years ago.

I have the same problem, with a lack of space, but I saw this on the Circupool web site. I'm not saying that I will buy their plumbing, I think I can build the same type of configuration, but customize it for my application.

 

[markayash]

I added a "U" shape to mine that works well

 

[Dirk]

Some SWGs need a straight run of pipe on the inlet side (a foot or more). And some are sensitive to which end is up. Check on those two things before you plumb in a SWG vertically.

 

[mguzzy]

I have the same problem, with a lack of space, but I saw this on the Circupool web site. I'm not saying that I will buy their plumbing, I think I can build the same type of configuration, but customize it for my application.

yes.. those work! and you can probably buy the parts to do that cheaper at the HW store compared to "the kit" they sell for it online.

 

[drsipe]

I just ordered the Circupool RJ-60 plus from Discount Salt Pool. It is currently on sale for $1 over the price of the RJ-45 plus, savings of about $120.

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Its just mind numbing how DUMB some pool stores in certain areas can be?!

The only overt reason they could possibly want to scare folks off SWGs is that they lose frequent chemical sales.

Maddie

 

[markayash]

Its just mind numbing how DUMB some pool stores in certain areas can be?!

The only overt reason they could possibly want to scare folks off SWGs is that they lose frequent chemical sales.

Maddie

Ever seen a SWG featured on a pool store flyer?
But they always have a " for only $250" Chlorine special which isn't soo special

 

[mguzzy]

Ever seen a SWG featured on a pool store flyer?

I bought my SWG on the recommendation of my local mom and pop pool store. How bout that!