Hello All,
This is my first post but I regularly visit TFP for help. The information here is always helpful so I wanted to say thank you for providing a place to get unbiased and real opinions.
I have had my pool for a little over 2 seasons and had very little issue maintaining the chemistry per the recommendations of TFP. I recently had a small algae outbreak once it warmed up and followed the SLAM process. After about 8 days I am very happy with the result. What started it was we weren't checking CYA levels regularly and were using stabilized tablets and shock. I could tell there was an issue so I tested everything and my CYA was 150+ so I drained 3/4 and refilled. I am now around 30 CYA with proper FC and my pool is happy and clear. Looks like moving forward I will need to stay away from stabilized tabs and use liquid and/or Calhypo to keep my CYA levels in check. This means no more usage of the inline chlorinator.
This whole issue has made me reflect on my pool-building process and selection of Chlorine vs. Salt. The conversation with the PB was a quick and simple question, "if I had a preference?" I told him I didn't have a preference so he suggested we go with Chlorine and that's what we did and never thought about it again.
I am trying to understand why anyone building a residential pool today would NOT use salt and choose Chlorine? I have been reading many articles here and elsewhere and Salt seems to be superior in every category. Sure, I have read that a salt pool is more "expensive" upfront but after spending over $150k on a new pool then I really don't care about another $3-$4k in equipment and startup. I can do the salt water transition myself and it looks like I can do it for half that amount.
Why wouldn't I and everyone else building a pool today just go salt and forego the issues of chlorine jugs, tablets, smells, etc...What am I missing?
This is my first post but I regularly visit TFP for help. The information here is always helpful so I wanted to say thank you for providing a place to get unbiased and real opinions.
I have had my pool for a little over 2 seasons and had very little issue maintaining the chemistry per the recommendations of TFP. I recently had a small algae outbreak once it warmed up and followed the SLAM process. After about 8 days I am very happy with the result. What started it was we weren't checking CYA levels regularly and were using stabilized tablets and shock. I could tell there was an issue so I tested everything and my CYA was 150+ so I drained 3/4 and refilled. I am now around 30 CYA with proper FC and my pool is happy and clear. Looks like moving forward I will need to stay away from stabilized tabs and use liquid and/or Calhypo to keep my CYA levels in check. This means no more usage of the inline chlorinator.
This whole issue has made me reflect on my pool-building process and selection of Chlorine vs. Salt. The conversation with the PB was a quick and simple question, "if I had a preference?" I told him I didn't have a preference so he suggested we go with Chlorine and that's what we did and never thought about it again.
I am trying to understand why anyone building a residential pool today would NOT use salt and choose Chlorine? I have been reading many articles here and elsewhere and Salt seems to be superior in every category. Sure, I have read that a salt pool is more "expensive" upfront but after spending over $150k on a new pool then I really don't care about another $3-$4k in equipment and startup. I can do the salt water transition myself and it looks like I can do it for half that amount.
Why wouldn't I and everyone else building a pool today just go salt and forego the issues of chlorine jugs, tablets, smells, etc...What am I missing?