When I ask them why they want salt I am often told that they want to reduce or eliminate the chlorine in their pool. What many people do not realize is that a salt pool is a chlorine pool in it's strongest form.
The salt system simply generates pure chlorine from the salty water itself. Chlorine is a great way to maintain a swimming pool, it is a "one-shot cure-all" to keep water clean and swimmable. Chlorine however must do two jobs in order to clean your pool water, it must SANITIZE (mold, mildew and algae) and OXIDIZE the water (body oils, suntan oil and ammonia from urine). Chlorine can accomplish both tasks but it is much more efficient at SANITIZING than OXIDIZING. As a result high levels of chlorine must be used so that it can oxidize sufficiently.
"Can I reduce the levels of irritating chlorine in my pool?"... Simple answer - Yes!
An ozonator can be installed in the pool to take care of all of the oxidizing and thereby lighten the burden on the chlorine to do what it does best which is sanitize. Ozone is a pure oxygen molecule and there are no by products after the ozone does it's job. The result is a pool with just enough chlorine (80% less) to sanitize the water.
Another point to consider is that a salt chlorinator is the most expensive way to maintain a pool. Typically an $1,800 + initial expense plus the "cell" must be replaced every three years at a cost of approximately $700. An ozone system costs about $1300 and has a $85 replacement bulb that gets changed every three years.
OZONE = Less chemicals in your pool and less $$$
SALT = Full chlorine load in your pool and much more $$$
Pulled from an equipment manufacturers' website: Typical of pool equipment.
Salt Water Pools*
Understand that salt is a corrosive mineral. Salt likes to remove ions and can take zinc away from
galvanized steel and this type of chlorine is five times harder on pool equipment than regular chlorine.
As such, use of a salt system may lead to the deterioration of certain materials if salt levels exceed the
manufacturer’s limits. Steps should be taken to protect your pool cooler and keep it in good working
operation for many years. Our units are made of reinforced fiberglass, with galvanized steel
components. Homeowner or operator MUST HOSE DOWN WITH FRESH WATER REGULARLY ON THE FAN MOTOR SHAFT AND FAN MOTOR HOUSING AS WELL AS THE SPRINKLER HEAD ASSEMBLY LOCATED THROUGH THE FAN GUARD ( THIS IS THE CENTER PIECE CONNECTING THE SPRINKLER WANDS). FAILURE TO DO SO WILL CAUSE SALT RESIDUE BUILDUP AND WILL FREEZE UP THESE PARTS AND CAUSE DAMAGE.
Keep these parts cleaned with fresh water regularly to reduce salt build up and rusting (from the fan
motor housing and shaft to the exterior visible nuts and bolts). As with all pool equipment there should
be some expectation of cosmetic effects from the corrosiveness of salt water. These cosmetic effects
will not hinder the operation of the pool cooler. Glacier Pool Coolers, however, does not warranty fan
motors or pumps on salt water pools due to salt corrosion or buildup. All remaining parts are fully
warranted as per our limited factory warranty.
From YouTube
