Variable-Speed Saltwater Pool Pumps mean BIG Savings
Converting to a saltwater pool means your water stays crystal-clear without the need to buy expensive chemicals. The only way things get even better is with an ultra-efficient CircuPool variable-speed or multi-speed pool pump.
To add salt, turn on your filter pump and add the salt directly to your pool water. Use a brush to help the salt dissolve and to prevent the salt from piling up on the bottom of your pool. Run your pump for 24 hours to help distribute the salt evenly throughout your pool.
Besides normal and good water balance, all you need for a salt water pool is a chlorine generator and enough pool salt to raise the level to the salt system manufacturer's recommendation. You will still need to maintain good water balance on a salt water pool.
Filtering Considerations
A saltwater pump must function with a saltwater pool chemistry of 3,000 parts per million of salt, whereas the sand filter merely requires a basic, chlorinated swimming pool for filtration.
A sand filter will only filter down to 20 microns while a cartridge filter will filter down to 10 microns, half the amount. This means that a cartridge filter system will be able to rid your pool of more particles (dirt and debris) leaving it cleaner and more sparkling.
Salt water pool owners will be very happy with the quality of filtration provided by swimming pool cartridge filters. It is very comparable to a de filter without the hassle of having to backwash regularly or replace the diatomaceous earth.
So, not only is shocking a saltwater pool okay, but it's actually important to your pool's health. Shocking is the process in which you overload your pool with chlorine (3-5 times the normal amount) to improve your pool's cleanliness and kill off organic matter.
Yes, a salt water pool has a reduced cost of operation as compared to a traditional chlorinated pool. This cost savings is primarily because chlorine is generated from salt and there is no need to buy chlorine. Additionally, salt water pools require fewer chemicals to keep the water clean and clear.
Chlorinated and non-chlorinated pools freeze at the same temperature. However, salt water pools will freeze at a slightly lower temperature. It should also be noted that above-ground pools will generally freeze at a higher temperature than inground pools.
When you add salt, DO NOT pour it directly into the skimmer. For best results empty the required salt into the shallow end of the pool and let it dissolve and circulate through the main drain. The salt may take about 24 hours to dissolve completely. Finer grades of salt will dissolve faster.
Unlike chlorine, pool salt is actually just standard NaCl, sodium chloride. It is really just table salt in a different form. The primary difference is that pool salt comes in a larger cuts or sizes. The two chemical elements that comprise pool salt are sodium and chlorine.
Electrolysis: electrolysis is a sound alternative to chlorine. The salt electrolysis device converts salt (NaCl) into chlorine and lye. The benefit of this method is you no longer need chlorine, which automatically means that the characteristic chlorine odour in and around the swimming pool goes away.
Most people are able to convert their inground pools to a salt system for around $1,700 to $2,500 plus the cost of salt (typically 25 cents to 63 cents per pound). This cost includes the salt chlorine generator, which can vary in price depending on the size and manufacturer.
A salt water pool pump for an inground pool will cost from $690 to $920 for pools 15,000 – 40,000 gallons of water in size. For above-ground salt water pools that are larger, you'll pay $500 and up for a pump rated up to 18,000 gallons.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
Saltwater pools can definitely be heated just like freshwater pools. The saltwater chlorinator does not affect heating units, so you will not have to worry about this when installing a heater in your swimming pool. The heating units will also be set up and installed in the same way as in chlorine pools.
This increases the salt content in the body, raising the blood pressure of patients with salt-related blood pressure and may cause heart attacks, ”said Meriç, adding that although swimming regularly has health benefits in all aspects, this is not true for some people.
While they do cost a bit more on the front end than a chlorine set up, the ongoing maintenance for saltwater pools is typically far less expensive. Generally, you can expect to pay somewhere around $300 to $800 a year on the chemicals you'll need to maintain a chlorine pool.
While green algae are endemic in salt water pools, they are the easiest to kill. Green algae tend to grow during summers when the temperatures can get high. They float freely in the pool, making the water green. You might even see them growing on the bottom of the pool, on the walls, or in the crevices.
The slimy feel on your pool walls is an early indication of algae growth. To stop algae growth in its tracks, clean the pool filter first. Before adding any chemicals to the pool, make sure you have a clean filter. Cartridge, sand or diatomaceous earth filters all have their own backwashing methods for cleaning.
The 3 main types of filters that can be used with your salt system are sand, cartridge and diatomaceous earth or D.E. When considering each type of filter for your salt water pool they each have their distinct advantages, ideal application and disadvantages.
You can filter the saltwater with reverse osmosis and thermal distillation. Reverse osmosis uses a membrane to separate the salt from water. It is the best and most popular desalination method. Desalination is a thermal distillation method (removing salt from the water with heat).
If you're on a budget, and you want to spend minimal time on maintenance, a sand filter is the best choice for you. It's also optimal for large pools because it won't clog as easily as other filters. Your pool pump sucks water in from the skimmers, then pushes it through a large filtration tank full of sand.