You need a special pump and filter to run a salt water pool. There is no such thing as a “salt water pump” or “salt water filter”; any pool pump or filter will do just fine.
If you're using a water pump in a salt water environment, or are using it specifically to pump salt water, it's critical to use a water pump that's made with materials that can resist corrosion. There are factors of both cost and application to consider in choosing the right pump for your salt water application.
You will want to use NaCl, sodium chloride, of at least 99% purity. 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.
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 still need the sand filter. The saltwater setup turns the salt to chloride (sodium chloride) and the ozonator kills germs etc... the sand filter filters out the algae and all the other particles before the water goes through the saltwater system.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saltwater systems have been becoming increasingly popular in recent years. They offer a number of benefits over a regular chlorine pool. Saltwater swimming pools draw on dissolved salt in the water to generate chlorine. ... It simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of being dependent on chlorine added in other forms.
A saltwater pool is an alternative to a traditional chlorine pool. Although you don't add chlorine tablets to a saltwater pool, it does still contain chlorine. It just has a smaller amount that's generated through the filter system. A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean.
This chlorine production process is necessary for keeping salt water pools clean, free of chloramines and bacteria, and healthy for swimming. Additionally, a salt chlorine generator will ensure that your pool's salinity (salt level) isn't too high.
It's recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to swim after adding salt to your pool. If you're adding calcium chloride to your pool water, it's recommended to wait two to four hours before swimming again.
If you have a vinyl liner, you'll be happy to know you can use a salt chlorinator system in your pool without taking any extra precautions. The liner will be exposed to lower levels of chlorine, so it may even extend your liner's lifespan.
Salt water offers a pleasant healthful swimming experience with fewer chloramines produced, eliminating the harsh chemical odor. Salt cells convert salt into active chlorine for a lower cost as compared to the traditional form of liquid or solid chlorine.
Salt Water Pool Maintenance Cost
Salt water pool maintenance can be taken care of with a professional monthly cleaning maintenance package at $80 to $95 per month (one monthly visit), or perform DIY salt water pool maintenance for about $45 per month.
Chlorine pools are more traditional and are also cheaper than most saltwater pools. However, they can be more difficult to maintain over time. Because there is no generator making chlorine, you will need to add chlorine into the pool on your own.
Saltwater Pools Come With Health and Environmental Concerns
Providers have also linked higher heart mortality risks to sodium absorption through the skin, particularly among people with: High blood pressure.
Is a salt water pool easier to maintain? Yes, a salt water pool is easier to maintain! There's no need to purchase, store and add chlorine to your pool. Simply add salt and your pool's salt chlorinator will do all the work of making chlorine.
Water from ground wells starts out largely as fresh water. Sand filtration is used to separated suspended solids from water. The salts in seawater are dissolved, rather than suspended. It takes energy to extract the solutes (the salts) from the solvent (water).