Salt cells convert salt into active chlorine for a lower cost as compared to the traditional form of liquid or solid chlorine. Salt water pools reduce skin and eye irritation and greatly reduce the chlorine smell.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
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. There's no need to store harmful chemicals.
For most people, the big selling point for saltwater pools is, well, the salt! The lower-chlorine saltwater is better for swimmers' hair, skin and eyes. Additionally, it also tends to be less harsh on pool toys and swimsuits. So saltwater offers better longevity for your accessories.
Certain species of mosquitoes breed in saltwater pools. Two of the most common species are Aedes taeniorhynchus (also known as Saltwater mosquito) and the dangerous Asian Tiger mosquito that spreads diseases like encephalitis.
All forms of aquatic life pee in the ocean with no adverse effects to the marine environment. Urea in the ocean actually helps feed plant life, so there is a “system balance” present that is not found in swimming pools.
A saltwater pool is more expensive than a traditional pool because it requires a higher initial investment. Compared to chlorinated pools, a saltwater pools system is more complex. Both minor and major repairs will call for the expertise of a licensed (and specialized) technician.
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.
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.
Homeowners pay an average of $25,000 to install a new salt water swimming pool, compared to the cost of installing a traditional pool, which has a price tag of about $23,000 on average. Cost to build a standard, 20,000-gallon pool can be as low as $12,000 or as high as $67,000.
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.
The basic takeaway is this: Saltwater pools are gentler and lower maintenance than freshwater pools, but they do leave less up to the pool owner. If you're the kind of pool whiz who likes to be able to control every single aspect of the swimming experience, then you'd probably prefer a freshwater pool.
This is all possible thanks to your pool's salt chlorine generator cell. With proper care, a cell will last about five years. Eventually, though, it will need to be replaced.
You definitely need to drain some water from the pool when salinity reaches a 6,000 ppm level. Most salt water pools should be maintained with a salinity level of 2,500-4,000 ppm. The amount you drain depends on how elevated salinity levels are.
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.
Great for the Skin
Chlorine can leave our skin dry and itchy after a swim. Alternatively, salt water is actually good for the skin. It can leave your skin feeling smoother and softer, and studies have been done that prove how salt water can help with skin disorders like eczema, acne and psoriasis.
If it's a saltwater pool, by all means, open your eyes. So long as you know perfectly well that the pool is clean and free of any bacteria or viruses.
Saltwater is damaging because it dries out your hair and scalp, it strips it of all its water, leaving it rough and dehydrated. This lack of moisture for your hair leads to split ends breakage and dandruff on your scalp.
All saltwater pools need a Filter System to maintain crystal clear water. There are 3 types of filter systems you can choose from; Sand, Cartridge and D.E. Sand filters require specially graded sand to trap particles and debris.
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.
Salt water pools are most stable with a pH of 7.6, and Alkalinity of 70-80 ppm. A stabilizer level of 50-80 ppm is recommended by most salt system manufacturers. High calcium hardness levels have no effect on salt water pools, but a level of 180-200 ppm may result in less scale on the salt cell plates.
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.