- I've noticed a lot of differing opinion on SW pools. The subreddit r/pools (r/pools) has an overall negative opinion of SW pools associated with deck erosion and hardware corrosion. Why the disagreement. Many of the people in r/pools claim to be technicians and people working in the industry.
- We are building a ~25k gallon inground pool with attached spa for my wife and 2 tweens (plus neighbors and friends). I would like to automate as much as possible - I'm not keen on babysitting pool chemistry everyday. What is the feedback on an IntelliCenter controlling an iChlor SWG and possibly intelliPH for acid? I have read negative feedback in r/pools on the use of measured ORP to control free chlorine. I've read over there that other chemistry factors can affect ORP skewing it away from the FC value. I realize I need to monitor other stuff like TA, Ca, etc.
Newbie building new pool - Automation and SWCG disagreements
- Thread starter Pool$
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,882
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Welcome to TFP.
I think you will find we have different views of SWG, Intelliph, and ORP control. That is why we are here and they are there. Here we have actual users, experience, and support our views with science. There who knows.
SWG are widely liked and used by TFP members.
Some members have the IntelliPH. It has its strengths and weaknesses.
We don’t recommend using ORP systems in a residential pool.
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
www.troublefreepool.com
I think you will find we have different views of SWG, Intelliph, and ORP control. That is why we are here and they are there. Here we have actual users, experience, and support our views with science. There who knows.
SWG are widely liked and used by TFP members.
Some members have the IntelliPH. It has its strengths and weaknesses.
We don’t recommend using ORP systems in a residential pool.
Salt Water Chlorine Generators
Salt Water Generators are designed to produce small amounts of chlorine continuously. This is perfect for day to day use and reduces work for the homeowner.
www.troublefreepool.com
Pentair Automation Systems - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Pentair Intellichlor ICXX SWG - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Pentair Intelliph - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Pentair IntelliChem - Further Reading
www.troublefreepool.com
Pool$,
If you feel testing your pool once is week is too much effort, then you should buy a boat instead...
No automated system will ever be good enough to take the place of a human testing the pool once a week and adjust the water balance. Period!
I agree that having a saltwater pool does make it much easier, but it does not remove the need for someone with a brain to test the water and decide what needs to be added and what does not.
I have three saltwater pools, that have, in total, over 20 years of run time.. Zero problems of any kind.. What does cause problems, is pool owners thinking that saltwater pools are a "hands off" solution to pool maintenance.. Like anything, if you don't take care of it, it will fail or cause you problems as time goes on.
I would just as soon fill my pools in, as make them non-saltwater pools..
Good luck with your pool build.. I suggest you look at real facts and not myths and hearsay..
Thanks,
Jim R.
If you feel testing your pool once is week is too much effort, then you should buy a boat instead...
No automated system will ever be good enough to take the place of a human testing the pool once a week and adjust the water balance. Period!
I agree that having a saltwater pool does make it much easier, but it does not remove the need for someone with a brain to test the water and decide what needs to be added and what does not.
I have three saltwater pools, that have, in total, over 20 years of run time.. Zero problems of any kind.. What does cause problems, is pool owners thinking that saltwater pools are a "hands off" solution to pool maintenance.. Like anything, if you don't take care of it, it will fail or cause you problems as time goes on.
I would just as soon fill my pools in, as make them non-saltwater pools..
Good luck with your pool build.. I suggest you look at real facts and not myths and hearsay..
Thanks,
Jim R.
This is the challenge!! Especially when I hear from builders that say they do not recommend salt water.
P,
Have your pool builder take you out to a couple of saltwater pools that they have built and show you the "damage".. Keep in mind that the ocean has a salt level of 35,000 ppm while a saltwater pool has about the same salt level as your tears.. 3,500 ppm.
Find people with saltwater pools in your neighborhood and see what have to say.
Keep in mind that no one here is trying to sell you something.. Like maybe UV and Ozone and other magic systems.. We only provide advice, we do not have any reason to lie to you.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Have your pool builder take you out to a couple of saltwater pools that they have built and show you the "damage".. Keep in mind that the ocean has a salt level of 35,000 ppm while a saltwater pool has about the same salt level as your tears.. 3,500 ppm.
Find people with saltwater pools in your neighborhood and see what have to say.
Keep in mind that no one here is trying to sell you something.. Like maybe UV and Ozone and other magic systems.. We only provide advice, we do not have any reason to lie to you.
Thanks,
Jim R.
There is no such thing as a non-salt water pool. Every single one has salt added to it, from full water, from sweat, from urine (human and animal), from chlorine. The only difference is concentration. Because water evaporates and salt does not, salt builds up over time.
This is such a hot topic. PB came out on friday to talk about everything before the dig in February. We talked about salt vs chlorine. It's him & his wife's company but his wife is the pool chemical expert. I mentioned that there was salt in chlorine pools. I got mocked, not in a crazy, cruel way, definitely much lighter but still... he basically looked at me and said, "where? Where is the salt coming from?" And I sort of clammed up. Because seriously, I'm just someone trying to do research to get the best product and life of our pool.
Anyway he said he has a saltwater pool and he wouldn't do it again. He said the salt eats away at a part of the auto cover and then the drum blows. He said it will cost $2k to fix.
He advises to go with chlorine but will do whatever we want. He builds great pools. I live in a small town and know several that are very happy customers.
He calls me up several days later, said he talked to his wife, yeah there is salt in chlorine pools but it's coming from the liquid chlorine.
Our saga continues... Let me just say this, if we go with chlorine I will use the products he says and I will test for salt. If I find any substantial salt ppm he's totally getting a phone call from me... lol.
He's a great builder, I'm not burning any bridges over this, I will be happy swimming chlorine or salt.
Anyway he said he has a saltwater pool and he wouldn't do it again. He said the salt eats away at a part of the auto cover and then the drum blows. He said it will cost $2k to fix.
He advises to go with chlorine but will do whatever we want. He builds great pools. I live in a small town and know several that are very happy customers.
He calls me up several days later, said he talked to his wife, yeah there is salt in chlorine pools but it's coming from the liquid chlorine.
Our saga continues... Let me just say this, if we go with chlorine I will use the products he says and I will test for salt. If I find any substantial salt ppm he's totally getting a phone call from me... lol.
He's a great builder, I'm not burning any bridges over this, I will be happy swimming chlorine or salt.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,882
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
All bleach and liquid chlorine is a mixture sodium hypochlorite, sodium chloride(salt), sodium hydroxide (lye) and water. The sodium chloride and lye come from the manufacturing process, there is no way to get rid of it and the lye is needed to raise the pH of the end product so that the sodium hypochlorite remains stable during its shelf life.
Every time they pour liquid shock into the pool they are adding salt. For every 1 ppm of FC they are adding 1.6 ppm of salt. That is where the salt comes from.
Every time they pour liquid shock into the pool they are adding salt. For every 1 ppm of FC they are adding 1.6 ppm of salt. That is where the salt comes from.
wgipe
Gold Supporter
- Jul 4, 2020
- 500
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
Literally every pool service I called said saltwater pools were nothing but trouble. After a ton of research - I see they are correct. Nothing but trouble if you happen to own a pool service, as the pool owner can manage the chemistry themselves with very little work. According to CoverStar, pH is a much bigger issue than a little salt - the guy that installs the covers in this area has had a salt pool and a CS3000 cover for 7 years with no problems - said he’d do it again in a heartbeat. That’s my conclusion, so I went with an IntelliCenter and IC40. Pool is going in as we speak, so next spring will tell the tale, but I expect to be really happy with it.
I have a SWG and would rather cut my foot off with an axe than not have it. In 3 years I haven’t seen a SINGLE spec of damage anywhere. I have travertine everywhere from the coping to the deck. I also have seen ZERO damage to any pool equipment. I won’t go into the sanitation advantage as I’m sure somebody will post a link. Also I like the fact I don’t need a shower after getting out of my saltwater pool. I couldn’t imagine going any other way.
Certain pool finishes like coping and cultured stone will get damaged over time from salt. Sealing these materials amd maintenence is the only way to avoid amd choosing good products. Sandstone amd limestone materials is a bad idea overall but they degrade from chlorine pools as well. Theres several thousand ppm of salt in a chlorine pool after a few years anyway, sometimes way higher than 3 to 3.5kppm like we aim for w SWG. If you are in a part of the US like the northeast with snow pay attention to the next strip mall or store with cultured stone facade amd look down by the sidewalks. The salt they throw down a few times a year each winter eats the finish and all you see is the lightweight aggregate guts exposed.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,775
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
- Jun 1, 2018
- 13,775
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Yes PoolMath does. I believe u only get so many logs w/ the free version. Premium subscription is $7.99/yr. well worth it for me to have all my historical maintenance & chem logs in one place.
Pool logs also help us look into your past water chemistry when there's an out of control issue.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,882
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
... if you enable sharing of your PoolMath logs. A link can be in your profile and make it easier to discuss with the forum any chemistry problems you are having.
Sharing is opt-in and your choice.
Saturn94
Bronze Supporter
- Mar 11, 2015
- 1,749
- Pool Size
- 20000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Our pool, installed in early 2004, has been a salt pool from day one. To date there has been no damage, nada, none. I do follow the methods taught here, test regularly, and keep tight control of levels.
BTW, when we were getting quotes, every builder strongly recommended a SWCG, and I’m so glad they did!
BTW, when we were getting quotes, every builder strongly recommended a SWCG, and I’m so glad they did!