Pool system choices-Salt, chlorine or ionizer

[AlyssaB]

Hello,

We are located in southern Ontario, Canada, and have been looking into putting in a pool for next year. We have started speaking to a couple of well-known and respected local pool companies for quotes on a vinyl liner pool. However, there is different advice being given out regarding the type of system to get. One company says ionizer and salt corrodes, another company says salt is best. Then there's just regular chlorine. (I am aware that salt also generates chlorine). Like most people, we are interested in whatever system is the most skin/hair friendly, clean and lower chemicals. From everything I read, this seems to be a hotly debated issue, so I am just looking for some advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

The safest and only way to chlorinate is with chlorine. I prefer salt as our pool is open nearly year around and we travel extensively and it needs minimal chemical management once you know your pool water characteristics.

Read Alternative sanitizers and pools--The Truth!!

Also Trouble Free Pool School

Pool owner testing and management of the pool water chemistry will achieve all those things you list you want.

Read those items and come on back with questions.

 

[AlyssaB]

Thank you. Sorry, I should have been more clear. I'm not questioning chlorine or no chlorine-I am aware that salt generates chlorine as well. I"m just looking for a lower chlorine concentration in the pool-is there any way to get that?
I am wondering whether I should go with a salt chlorine generator , OR with just a regular chlorine pool with an ionizer. I've read the sources you provided-thank you for those. I understand from those that an ionizer also has its faults and is often the cause of stains on pool surfaces and "green hair". We were inclined to go with salt, but there seems to be a lot of controversy over corrosion from a salt system and I am wondering about the validity of that as well, as it would play into our decision.

Thank you.

 

[korey]

Thank you. Sorry, I should have been more clear. I'm not questioning chlorine or no chlorine-I am aware that salt generates chlorine as well. I"m just looking for a lower chlorine concentration in the pool-is there any way to get that?
I am wondering whether I should go with a salt chlorine generator , OR with just a regular chlorine pool with an ionizer. I've read the sources you provided-thank you for those. I understand from those that an ionizer also has its faults and is often the cause of stains on pool surfaces and "green hair". We were inclined to go with salt, but there seems to be a lot of controversy over corrosion from a salt system and I am wondering about the validity of that as well, as it would play into our decision.

Thank you.

SALT!

Salt water pools have lower concentrations of chlorine, converting my pool to salt is the best thing I have done to it, it's basically zero maintenance now.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Alyssa,

You are just making things way harder then they need to be.. The levels of active chlorine we are talking about are the same, or less, than what is in your drinking water.

From an ease of maintenance point of view, the best way to go is with a Saltwater pool.

I will never, ever, have another pool that is not a saltwater pool.

We "Hear" a lot of third or forth hand rumors about the how bad saltwater pools are... But we have yet to see any proof.... Yet the myths will just not die. Generally from people that have no clue how a saltwater pools works and no matter what goes wrong it has to be the evil saltwater that did it.

Your pool and your choice, but if you came here looking for advice, my guess is that most of your responses will be pro saltwater...

Thanks for posting,

Jim R.

 

[Deb04]

This is our 11th summer with our Salt Water Chlorine Generator (SWG). Absolutely no corrosion of anything.