Question on wear/tear on equipment and pool

[SamsIam]

As I consider converting to SWG, one of my questions is on my pool coping tile. I think it is Oklahoma Sandstone but that is based on recollection. I think I know what the answers will be but I was warned about that. However everyone I know dumped SWG due to wear/tear on their pools. I have written them off as assuming they did not keep up with monitoring their pools as they should. I rely on this site for my truth.

Is a sandstone type coping OK assuming you keep up with your chemicals?

thanks

 

[Jimrahbe]

Sam,

OK Flagstone or Sandstone will wear the same whether you have a SWCG or not. The idea that saltwater will eat the stone faster than regular water is total Bull Feathers.

My first 'toe' into the pool world came when I bought a HUD house to gut and refurbish. It had a pool. We had the pool redone with new plaster, tile and Flagstone decking.. Almost immediately the Flagstone started to shed very thin layers of sand.. At that time the pool was a standard Chlorine Tab feeder pool, not saltwater. You could see the 'good' stone right next to the 'bad' stone. This continued for about two years when we upgraded to a saltwater pool. That was roughly about 10 or more years ago. The saltwater made absolutely no difference.. The bad stones are still bad, and the good stones are still good.. Even after all this time, the bad stone still shed, but no worse than they did when it was a tablet pool.

Equipment wise, saltwater has zero effect on the pumps or the filters or anything else. I now have three saltwater pools and NOTHING has corroded or failed any way.

99.9% of all tales about equipment failures have nothing to do with the saltwater..

No one is forcing you to get a SWCG.. If you don't want one, then don't buy one.. But you are not going to find a lot of sympathy here for listening to myths.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Newdude]

Ok so here's the skinny. The entire anti salt argument hinges on going from 5 % of ocean salinity to 10%. It's kinda silly when you see it in the big picture, but mention salt water and everyone loses their minds. You're not creating an ocean. You're creating a pool. A salt pool is nothing like salt water. Well. It's 90% not like it at least.

Salt pools sit at the high threshold for fresh water, or the lowest threshold for brackish water. Then there's 30k ppm or so before 'salt water' starts. Your stone will degrade either way if it's prone to issues from moisture. The only difference is if you physically lug jugs or not.

 

[SamsIam]

Thanks Jim, I want one for sure. Just wanted to clear a few myths. I believe what I read here. I have to convince my boss as well - I am sure you understand .

Right now I am just trying to decide when I want to take that monetary hit. With my main pump not working with my controller and reading how adjusting speed of pump has a big play, I think I need to resolve that first.

 

[Newdude]

I have to convince my boss as well - I am sure you understand

Does the CFO prefer #s?

Here ya go.



1 gallon of 10% is 5 FC in 20k gallons.

$4 gallon = $0.80 per FC
$5 gallon = $1 per FC
$6 gallon = $1.20 per FC.
$7 gallon = $1.40 per FC.

An IC40 will produce 7.7 FC per 24 hours 'on', or 3208 lifetime FC. At today's price of $1050, that's about 33 cents per FC.

But you need a controller as well and a PB install. The full system is about $1550 and let's assume $1000 to install it. That raises the first cells cost to 71 cents per FC. Future cells won't need the controller or the install and will produce at 33 cents per FC.

Now upgrade to the IC60 and the #s improve even further. It'll make 12 FC per 24 hours run, 5000 lifetime FC in 20k gallons and is $1800 for the full system today. Add the $1000 for install and it'll cost 56 cents per FC. Future units at $1350 each without the controller or install will produce at 27 cents per FC.

The IC40 will produce 641 gallons worth of 10% chlorine. At the Walmart price of $5.67 plus tax, it would cost $3954.30 to buy the equivalent amount of jugs.

The IC60 will produce 1000 gallons worth of 10% chlorine. At the Walmart price of $5.67 plus tax, it would cost $6168.66 to buy the equivalent amount of jugs.

It really doesn't matter how much the full PB install costs. You'll make money on the first cell, and make BANK on future cells.

 

[SamsIam]

haha i wish! if she did, it would be a no brainer. i have to balance this with all the trips she wants to take. but she is the one insisting i get help which is probably for the best. thanks for the eye opening cost analysis. i will do it for sure, just gotta see what the cost is going to be. i am one of those who sees the quote and thinks "i can do this myself a lot cheaper". just not sure i can handle it now. my pump area has always been a back breaker for me. i aint 50 anymore lol...

 

[Jimrahbe]

Scott,

Trips = SWCG...

One of the great things about having a SWCG is that you can go away for weeks at a time and not have to worry about the pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[markayash]

Scott,

Trips = SWCG...

One of the great things about having a SWCG is that you can go away for weeks at a time and not have to worry about the pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.

I am away from my pool for 2 weeks and have ZERO concerns about it. I have family checking in but have been gone for 3 weeks at a time and FC was 7 when I left and 7 when I got back and the water was perfect.
Plus once you swim in a salt pool you will never want a tablet feeder again, Liquid is better but still sticky and I hated having to deal with it.

My old one had issues after 4 years and I didn't even consider not getting a new one.

 

[Bperry]

Thanks Jim, I want one for sure. Just wanted to clear a few myths. I believe what I read here. I have to convince my boss as well - I am sure you understand .

Right now I am just trying to decide when I want to take that monetary hit. With my main pump not working with my controller and reading how adjusting speed of pump has a big play, I think I need to resolve that first.

If you you’re reasonably handy, they are not hard to install. The circupool models even keep the warranty for DIY install, but they aren’t automation compatible.

 

[SamsIam]

If you you’re reasonably handy, they are not hard to install. The circupool models even keep the warranty for DIY install, but they aren’t automation compatible.

Thanks,
I am sure I could do it. I have always installed my own - everything from pumps, filters, automation controller and heaters (left pipe to the plumbers) but as we get older, my back and knees can't really take the awkward area very well anymore. It is even a chore for me to swap my filters out (have a set waiting on me now ).