So I have decided that my little intex SWG is not going to cut it this summer. It can barely keep up with my chlorine demand right now. In the summer when the days are hotter and the solar cover isn’t on the pool there’s no way it will be able to keep up.
I have decided to go with a circupool SWG because they seem to have a good reputation and the install is pretty straightforward and something I can do myself.
I spent a good amount of time comparing models and prices on friday and, in fact, I even ordered an SJ-40 from discountsaltpool.com, on Friday evening, but luckily it hasn’t shipped yet because I am having second thoughts about the SJ series.
As I see it, here are my options -
The SJ-40 is the cheapest option (which is one of the reasons I liked it). It will generate 1.6lbs of chlorine per day, but has a couple of downsides. It it less adjustable than the RJ series and the salt cell is U shaped, which makes for a lot of bends in the plumbing and as such will increase head pressure and reduce flow more than the other options. It also only has a 5 year warranty. Additionally, and frankly this is what made me reconsider my decision, it requires a higher salt content in the pool. The SJ series requires a minimum of 3500ppm and the recommended level is 4000-4500ppm. My salt level is currently 3000ppm for the intex SWG and I’m concerned that going all the way up to 4000ppm+ might affect the taste of the water and more importantly may cause more corrosion on the pool frame. Intex pools are known for rust issues and I’m afraid that more salt in the water might exasperate the problem.
The next step up is the EDGE-40. This is $120 more than the SJ 40 and will generate 1.7lbs of chlorine per day. It still is less adjustable than the RJ series, but the salt cell isn’t U shaped and it has a 7 year warranty. The other big advantage is that it requires less salt in the water. It will operate with a minimum of 3000ppm and the recommended level is 3500ppm. (The EDGE-25 is potentially an option as well. This one is only $30 more than the SJ-40, but it only produces 1.2lbs of chlorine per day, which I think is probably less than I want)
Finally I could go with the RJ-30 Plus. This one is $150 more than the SJ-40 and it will generate 1.5lbs of chlorine per day. It has the advantage of the better control system and also has a non U shaped salt cell and a 7 year warranty. It also will operate with a minimum of 3000ppm of salt and has a recommended level of 3500ppm.
So, after all that, what would you do? Am I making a big deal out of nothing being concerned about the higher salt level requirements of the SJ-40? If that’s the case then I think I can get past the other downsides to save more than $120-$150. Is the better control panel on the RJ series worth an extra $150 over the SJ-40?
I have decided to go with a circupool SWG because they seem to have a good reputation and the install is pretty straightforward and something I can do myself.
I spent a good amount of time comparing models and prices on friday and, in fact, I even ordered an SJ-40 from discountsaltpool.com, on Friday evening, but luckily it hasn’t shipped yet because I am having second thoughts about the SJ series.
As I see it, here are my options -
The SJ-40 is the cheapest option (which is one of the reasons I liked it). It will generate 1.6lbs of chlorine per day, but has a couple of downsides. It it less adjustable than the RJ series and the salt cell is U shaped, which makes for a lot of bends in the plumbing and as such will increase head pressure and reduce flow more than the other options. It also only has a 5 year warranty. Additionally, and frankly this is what made me reconsider my decision, it requires a higher salt content in the pool. The SJ series requires a minimum of 3500ppm and the recommended level is 4000-4500ppm. My salt level is currently 3000ppm for the intex SWG and I’m concerned that going all the way up to 4000ppm+ might affect the taste of the water and more importantly may cause more corrosion on the pool frame. Intex pools are known for rust issues and I’m afraid that more salt in the water might exasperate the problem.
The next step up is the EDGE-40. This is $120 more than the SJ 40 and will generate 1.7lbs of chlorine per day. It still is less adjustable than the RJ series, but the salt cell isn’t U shaped and it has a 7 year warranty. The other big advantage is that it requires less salt in the water. It will operate with a minimum of 3000ppm and the recommended level is 3500ppm. (The EDGE-25 is potentially an option as well. This one is only $30 more than the SJ-40, but it only produces 1.2lbs of chlorine per day, which I think is probably less than I want)
Finally I could go with the RJ-30 Plus. This one is $150 more than the SJ-40 and it will generate 1.5lbs of chlorine per day. It has the advantage of the better control system and also has a non U shaped salt cell and a 7 year warranty. It also will operate with a minimum of 3000ppm of salt and has a recommended level of 3500ppm.
So, after all that, what would you do? Am I making a big deal out of nothing being concerned about the higher salt level requirements of the SJ-40? If that’s the case then I think I can get past the other downsides to save more than $120-$150. Is the better control panel on the RJ series worth an extra $150 over the SJ-40?
