Converting to salt water

[coachhim]

Is coverting to a SWG pool worth it? I hear it's less maintenance etc.

How much would something like this cost?
Steps?

Would I continue to use my and filter and have to backwash? Watch ph? Scrub walls?

Thanks

 

[Texas Splash]

Those who convert, like I did last year, are pleased overall. There's the upfront cost of the SWG first, but over the course of 5 years or so it comes pretty close to the same cost liquid chlorine over that time. The best thing is you don't have lug jugs around and pour each day. With a slightly higher salt level, some like the feel of the water better. Your existing equipment should be fine, you just plumb the SWG at the very end of the return line going back to the pool. Checkout Discount Salt Pools "Comparisons" tab for a list of modes available. We always recommend getting a SWG rated for twice the size of your pool.

 

[JeanZ1]

Yes, everything stays the same (backwash, brushing walls, monitoring pH) except you're not adding liquid chlorine daily or lugging it home from the store.

 

[coachhim]

Those who convert, like I did last year, are pleased overall. There's the upfront cost of the SWG first, but over the course of 5 years or so it comes pretty close to the same cost liquid chlorine over that time. The best thing is you don't have lug jugs around and pour each day. With a slightly higher salt level, some like the feel of the water better. Your existing equipment should be fine, you just plumb the SWG at the very end of the return line going back to the pool. Checkout Discount Salt Pools "Comparisons" tab for a list of modes available. We always recommend getting a SWG rated for twice the size of your pool.

Thank you.

Where is the discount salt pools comparisons tab?

What is the weekly maintenance?

Yes, everything stays the same (backwash, brushing walls, monitoring pH) except you're not adding liquid chlorine daily or lugging it home from the store.

I see. I'm not sure if that really bothers me on lugging chlorine jugs being that I have my kids to do that work.

 

[newdude]

@Mdragger88 did this math with her 26k gallon pool which is pretty on point with yours. The larger the pool, the quicker it is worth it to switch. The ease of use is worth it’s weight in gold alone, but the actual cost will help you too.

 

[coachhim]

@Mdragger88 did this math with her 26k gallon pool which is pretty on point with yours. The larger the pool, the quicker it is worth it to switch. View attachment 348042The ease of use is worth it’s weight in gold alone, but the actual cost will help you too.

This is good. The cost of saving is what I'm looking at mostly.

 

[setsailsoon]

Coach,

I'd echo everything Pat said above. Also, I'd add a very rough estimate is about $2000 if you do it yourself and double that if you get a paid install. Steps are pretty easy:

1. Order your installation kit and K1766 salt test kit
2. Measure your current salt level and then calculate how much to add. You'll be amazed at how much salt you have already. Very easy to do just add to the shallow end in case you need to stir a little. Most water softener salt will work so long as it has NO additives. Granular salt dissolves quicker and all brands I've used dissolve in an hour or less. Reason to do the salt add first is it gives you a chance to try salt before you completely commit. Just chlorinate with liquid chlorine until you start your swg.
3. Install the unit. This requires competence with 240 v power and PVC pipe.
4. Enjoy your new salt pool. No more jug lugging!

Here's the link to the comparison page referred to earlier. Choose on $/lb chlorine, warranty, reputation here. Reputation here is important. A long warranty that isn't honored is a bad choice.

I hope this helps.

Chris

 

[Texas Splash]

Where is the discount salt pools comparisons tab?

HERE

 

[markayash]

Don’t overlook the best benefit, the feel of the water. Never can remeber who said this but in a normal pool you feel like you need a shower after..in a salt pool you feel like you just took a shower

 

[mknauss]

Never can remeber who said this

@Jimrahbe

 

[xpert66]

Don’t overlook the best benefit, the feel of the water. Never can remeber who said this but in a normal pool you feel like you need a shower after..in a salt pool you feel like you just took a shower

I have heard that too but if a SWG adds chlorine to the pool why is it any different?

 

[newdude]

I have heard that too but if a SWG adds chlorine to the pool why is it any different?

It's not the chlorine but the slightest bit of more salt. Liquid Chlorine pools usually sit just below the threshold of where you can feel the salt. They will end up, say at 1500 ppm and folks start to feel the salt at 2k+. If the LC users add just a bit more, they can have the feel of a salt pool just the same. But don't worry.... the ocean is 35k ppm. 35 *Thousand*. Adding a few % of that for the SWG or just the feels won't matter.

It's makes a huge difference on our skin and hair.

 

[xpert66]

It's not the chlorine but the slightest bit of more salt. Liquid Chlorine pools usually sit just below the threshold of where you can feel the salt. They will end up, say at 1500 ppm and folks start to feel the salt at 2k+. If the LC users add just a bit more, they can have the feel of a salt pool just the same. But don't worry.... the ocean is 35k ppm. 35 *Thousand*. Adding a few % of that for the SWG or just the feels won't matter.

It's makes a huge difference on our skin and hair.

Thanks for the info

 

[coachhim]

I really do not know if you actually save anything when its all said and done.

 

[newdude]

I really do not know if you actually save anything when its all said and done

Let's change that so you DO know.

Lets do your pool. An IC60 will produce 2 lbs per day of Chlorine gas. In 26k gallons that equals 9.2 FC per 24 hours (Per pool math which also has all the other models to experiment with) the cell is expected to produce for 10k hours or 416.66 days.

416 days X 9.2 FC = 3827.2 FCs lifetime.

$1500 (shop around deal proce) ÷
3827 FCs is $0.39 per FC

$1800 (higher /gouge-y price) ÷
3827 FCs is $0.47 per FC.

‐-------------------

10% jug from HD at today's price.
8.5 FC in 26k gallons
$4 each. (The cheaper option. The 4pack was $17+)
$.047 per FC.


So today, if you got a fair price on the SWG it would cover the install fee and break even for however long it lasted. Next time (and likely the 3rd cell) would be $500 cheaper without needing the power unit and the math would work more in your favor.

After a few months of rarely being needed at the pool, though, you would give your left arm if needed for another SWG. Not 1 member..... keep in mind these are regular, real world folks.... has ever kicked themselves for waiting to go with hauling LC. I can show you a list that's a mile long the other way.

 

[coachhim]

Let's change that so you DO know.

Lets do your pool. An IC60 will produce 2 lbs per day of Chlorine gas. In 26k gallons that equals 9.2 FC per 24 hours (Per pool math which also has all the other models to experiment with) the cell is expected to produce for 10k hours or 416.66 days.

416 days X 9.2 FC = 3827.2 FCs lifetime.

$1500 (shop around deal proce) ÷
3827 FCs is $0.39 per FC

$1800 (higher /gouge-y price) ÷
3827 FCs is $0.47 per FC.

‐-------------------

10% jug from HD at today's price.
8.5 FC in 26k gallons
$4 each. (The cheaper option. The 4pack was $17+)
$.047 per FC.


So today, if you got a fair price on the SWG it would cover the install fee and break even for however long it lasted. Next time (and likely the 3rd cell) would be $500 cheaper without needing the power unit and the math would work more in your favor.

After a few months of rarely being needed at the pool, though, you would give your left arm if needed for another SWG. Not 1 member..... keep in mind these are regular, real world folks.... has ever kicked themselves for waiting to go with hauling LC. I can show you a list that's a mile long the other way.

But just having to replace my light, then treating my deck and coping, all the metal around my pool from patio furniture, ladder, etc. Seems I like I wouldn't get ahead for about 3 or 4 years. In 5 years i will have to replace the SWG etc? I pay $2.79 a gallon for 10% bleach from the farm store went up $.10 from last year of $2.69

 

[newdude]

But just having to replace my light, then treating my deck and coping, all the metal around my pool from patio furniture, ladder, etc. Seems I like I wouldn't get ahead for about 3 or 4 years

All will fail from moisture. Not having a 'salt pool'.

pay $2.79 a gallon for 10% bleach from the farm store went up $.10 from last year of $2.69

You can run the #s as I did above anytime as prices change. In poolmath there is an eyeglass / search icon next to SWG output (FC page) that lists all the models and outputs.

If it's all about the cost to you, it varies by the day and is harder to lock down exactly over several years, but you can get a snapshot of that day.

 

[coachhim]

All will fail from moisture. Not having a 'salt pool'.

You can run the #s as I did above anytime as prices change. In poolmath there is an eyeglass / search icon next to SWG output (FC page) that lists all the models and outputs.

If it's all about the cost to you, it varies by the day and is harder to lock down exactly over several years, but you can get a snapshot of that day.

I understand. Thank you!!

 

[newdude]

I also hope you keep that SWEET supplier up.your sleeve. Everybody else is paying $4-$5 per gallon.

*knocks on wood
*burns some sage
*puts right foot in and shakes it all about.

 

[markayash]

Thanks for the info

I don’t know why but had chlorine for years and Always felt sticky after swimming. Don’t feel that with salt