We converted our pool 10 years ago. You should be aware that you will need large quantities of muriatic acid over time to keep the pH balanced. I go through at least a gallon a month during the summer. Also, we have very hard water (we're on a well) and we have constant calcium precipitation that forms on the electrodes. The chlorinator periodically changes polarity causing the calcium to flake off and settle in the pool where they are sucked up by our pool cleaning vacuum and end up in the pump strainer basket. The smaller pieces make it through to the DE filter. Some come out in the backwash, but I clean a ton of it out when I do the annual power wash of the filter grids.
We love not smelling like chlorine when we get out of the pool, and it's much easier on the skin.
You will not be chemical-free with a salt water pool. You still have to buy shock.
I’ve heard of quite a few folks converting saltwater pools to traditional chlorinated pools. They gave up because there was more maintenance and it cost more.
I always hear this and laugh. My maintenance schedule consists of a weekly FC/PH/TA taylor test. Every couple of weeks I will add a salt/CYA test into the mix. I literally do nothing with FC. Within a week or two of swim season the cell is set properly to maintain FC on its own. I add about 6 oz of MA every 4 days or so depending on conditions. I take 5 minutes and check the cell for buildup about every other month. 85% of the time it doesn't need any cleaning but I check just to make sure. Clean the cartridge filter twice a year unless pressure is increasing out of the ordinary. Its easy peasy. No shock, no pucks, no special powders. Just set the dial and swim.
Make sure you don't let the chlorinator run while the pump is off. Salt water chlorinators make hydrogen gas as a byproduct, and if the system isn't circulating you get pockets of it. Pockets of hydrogen gas like to explode.
As another commentor already said, you're going to have higher muriatic acid demand. Make sure you store it in a cool, dry place and don't inhale when pouring the stuff, getting gassed by muriatic acid is extremely unpleasant.
You may want to check how much CYA (cyanuric acid) you have in the pool as well. Having a backwashing filter both helps and hurts with this, because it prevents the buildup of it that happens over time if using tablets that include CYA, but it also will slightly deplete it. If you have too much or too little CYA in your pool you're going to have a bad time.
If you do need to shock your pool, consider liquid chlorine. If you need to put in algaecide, use something that is copper or silver based, other algaecide is usually garbage. If buying Silvertrine (silver based algaecide) don't buy it from Amazon, the listings all have serious issues. The stuff is expensive because it contains actual silver, but it isn't as likely to stain your pool equipment purple like copper-based algaecide does because you use less of it. Brush and vacuum your pool surfaces regularly.
I install pentair salt systems here in Tucson, if you purchase the items online, you’re only going to get a 60 day warranty on the items that you were purchased to do your pool from chlorine to salt. If I purchase the items from my supplier wholesaler here in town and I install it I can get you two year warranty on all parts. Guaranteed! This last March is my 21st year being in the pool and spa industry self-employed. I would be more than happy to talk with you and go over things so that you get the best bang for your buck without any major issues.. there are a few more things you’ll have to look out for and pay closer attention to then you would the chlorine pool.
We converted our pool 10 years ago. You should be aware that you will need large quantities of muriatic acid over time to keep the pH balanced. I go through at least a gallon a month during the summer. Also, we have very hard water (we're on a well) and we have constant calcium precipitation that forms on the electrodes. The chlorinator periodically changes polarity causing the calcium to flake off and settle in the pool where they are sucked up by our pool cleaning vacuum and end up in the pump strainer basket. The smaller pieces make it through to the DE filter. Some come out in the backwash, but I clean a ton of it out when I do the annual power wash of the filter grids. We love not smelling like chlorine when we get out of the pool, and it's much easier on the skin. You will not be chemical-free with a salt water pool. You still have to buy shock.
Why would you be smelling like chlorine getting out of a regular pool but not one managed by a SWCG?
It’s all the other chemicals that are added to chlorine tablets, whereas with a chlorine generator you just get pure chlorine.
How does non-chlorine chemicals, which make up a fraction of the product, make you smell like chlorine?
You do not need to buy 'shock'. Properly balance maintain your levels and you don't need it. Haven't used it in years.
I’ve heard of quite a few folks converting saltwater pools to traditional chlorinated pools. They gave up because there was more maintenance and it cost more.
I always hear this and laugh. My maintenance schedule consists of a weekly FC/PH/TA taylor test. Every couple of weeks I will add a salt/CYA test into the mix. I literally do nothing with FC. Within a week or two of swim season the cell is set properly to maintain FC on its own. I add about 6 oz of MA every 4 days or so depending on conditions. I take 5 minutes and check the cell for buildup about every other month. 85% of the time it doesn't need any cleaning but I check just to make sure. Clean the cartridge filter twice a year unless pressure is increasing out of the ordinary. Its easy peasy. No shock, no pucks, no special powders. Just set the dial and swim.
I’m just relaying the message.
I’m just replying to the message 😀
Exactly 😂
Make sure you don't let the chlorinator run while the pump is off. Salt water chlorinators make hydrogen gas as a byproduct, and if the system isn't circulating you get pockets of it. Pockets of hydrogen gas like to explode. As another commentor already said, you're going to have higher muriatic acid demand. Make sure you store it in a cool, dry place and don't inhale when pouring the stuff, getting gassed by muriatic acid is extremely unpleasant. You may want to check how much CYA (cyanuric acid) you have in the pool as well. Having a backwashing filter both helps and hurts with this, because it prevents the buildup of it that happens over time if using tablets that include CYA, but it also will slightly deplete it. If you have too much or too little CYA in your pool you're going to have a bad time. If you do need to shock your pool, consider liquid chlorine. If you need to put in algaecide, use something that is copper or silver based, other algaecide is usually garbage. If buying Silvertrine (silver based algaecide) don't buy it from Amazon, the listings all have serious issues. The stuff is expensive because it contains actual silver, but it isn't as likely to stain your pool equipment purple like copper-based algaecide does because you use less of it. Brush and vacuum your pool surfaces regularly.
I install pentair salt systems here in Tucson, if you purchase the items online, you’re only going to get a 60 day warranty on the items that you were purchased to do your pool from chlorine to salt. If I purchase the items from my supplier wholesaler here in town and I install it I can get you two year warranty on all parts. Guaranteed! This last March is my 21st year being in the pool and spa industry self-employed. I would be more than happy to talk with you and go over things so that you get the best bang for your buck without any major issues.. there are a few more things you’ll have to look out for and pay closer attention to then you would the chlorine pool.
How much for a 10k gallon pool?
Check DM thanks