Why Do A Salt Water Pool Conversion
Chlorinated pool water can be hard on you because of chemicals called chloramines. These compounds are created when the chlorine in your pool water comes into contact with things like urine and sweat, and they can be harmful in two ways.
First, they arent effective at disinfecting the water like chlorine, so water cleaning is inhibited. Second, they cause irritation of the eyes, skin, and lungs. Strong chloramines can build up in the air surrounding a pool, especially indoor pools. When the air is thick with these chemicals, it can even cause coughing or trigger an asthma attack.
Frequent exposure to chlorine can even cause some people to develop an allergy or sensitivity to the chemical. And for those who are already sensitive to it, swimming in a chlorine pool can cause rashes, hives, and itchy skin beyond the simple dryness you may experience from chlorine exposure.
If you have respiratory problems, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, you may find your symptoms exacerbated by frequently swimming in a chlorine pool. If your pool is causing you discomfort, a salt water pool conversion could be just the solution youre searching for.
On the less serious side, if youre a blonde, youve probably experienced your hair turning green in a pool sanitized with chlorine. Colored hair can look great, but this probably isnt exactly the look youre going for. So why does it happen? Science!
Best For Larger Inground Pools: Circupool
- Price : $969 to $1,899
- Average customer review: 4.6 to 4.9 stars
- Treatment capacity: 30,000 to 60,000 gallons
- Maximum chlorine production: 1.25 pounds to 3.1 pounds per day
- Treatment cycle: set by user
- Plumbing / pumps required: connect to existing filter system
- Salt cell lifespan: 4 years to 8 years
- Replacement salt cell cost: $449 to $799
Circupool isnt a budget saltwater system per se. However, Circupool more than makes up for its slightly higher-than-BLUE-WORKS prices — which are still quite competitive with most of the top salt chlorinator brands — with warranties that cover its products for up to eight years.
The smallest and least expensive Circupool system, the Universal25, can handle up to 30,000 gallons, and its warrantied for four years, even if you install it yourself. Circupools top-of-the-line CORE55 model can treat up to 55,000 gallons of pool water and comes with an eight-year full-system limited warranty. The highest-volume Circupool model, the RJ60, treats up to 60,000 gallons and comes with a seven-year warranty.
Circupool systems are probably best-suited for extra-large custom-built pools, since the smallest currently available model is the 30,000-gallon Universal25. But if youre going all out with your pool project, you might as well get the salt water system with the most extensive manufacturer protections, too. As far as we can tell, no other salt chlorinator manufacturer comes close to Circupools warranty coverage.
Infinity Saltwater Swimming Pool System
Infinity® Saltwater Swimming Pools offer a great alternative to traditional saltwater pools. They are made from polyethylene plastic and come in a variety of sizes.
They are designed to last for years without maintenance.
They are easy to install and maintain. You can easily replace filters, pumps, and skimmers.
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How Do I Maintain An Inflatable Pool
In general, product information and news are now available to users. In addition, as previously said, the Internet is constantly updated with new technology. Thus, customers will need to be informed so please subscribe to our newsletter or visit our website frequently to check the latest information.
Do you have any product-related questions or concerns youd like to share? As a result of your efforts, we will attempt to ensure even greater standards of excellence!
Scott Fisher
Salt Water Above Ground Pools
A salt water above ground pool is an excellent choice if you are upgrading your current chemical chlorine pool or purchasing a brand new pool package. All the benefits of salt water including soft silky water, reduced chemical usage and incredibly low maintenance are combined with the convenience and affordability of an above ground pool. Whether you are in the market for an above ground salt water system to upgrade an existing chemical chlorine pool you already own or you want to purchase a top rated complete salt water pool kit we’ll take you through the options available.
It’s never been easier or more affordable to own your own above ground salt water pool. A basic salt water pool system for large rectangular above ground pools will range in price from $400 to $1200, depending on the size rating. If you don’t have a pool and you want to buy a convenient above ground salt water pool kit you will be able to enjoy all the benefits of salt water for about $3,000, a fraction of what it would cost for an inground salt water pool.
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The Pros Choice For Salt Water Pools: Pentair Intellichlor
- Price : $1,399 to $1,799
- Average customer review: 4.6 stars
- Treatment capacity: 20,000 to 60,000 gallons
- Maximum chlorine production: not reported
- Treatment cycle: set by user
- Plumbing / pumps required: connect to existing filter system
- Salt cell lifespan: 8,000 hours
- Replacement salt cell cost: $699 to $1,399
Many pool builders prefer working with certain systems, and will connect a salt chlorinator as part of the overall installation project — if you request one up front. Installing a salt chlorine system with your pool allows you to bundle its cost into the total project price, which means you might never have to deal with the retail price of these systems unless they break down on you after the warranty period.
River Pools exclusively installs Pentair salt water systems. The Intellichlor line is well-supported, easy to install with most pumps and filters, and widely available. The Intellichlor IC20, which can treat up to 20,000 gallons, is well-suited for most fiberglass pools.
Our largest pool, the T40, holds nearly 24,000 gallons, so well use the IC40 instead, which is rated for pools of up to 40,000 gallons. Pentair-brand salt cells can be a bit costly, but there are plenty of knockoff brands — BLUE WORKS makes less expensive Intellichlor-compatible replacement cells, but they dont have especially good reviews on Amazon, so you might want to stick with the genuine article.
How To Install Salt System For Above Ground Pool
Although saltwater pools are being around for many years now, their popularity has been growing recently. Saltwater pools have many advantages and have low maintenance and cut your cost down. If you are a pool owner thinking of converting to a saltwater pool and enjoying the benefits, you need to read the article to know how to install a salt system for your above-ground pool.
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Doheny’s Lowest Price Guarantee
Shop with confidence at Doheny’s.
Our volume discounts guarantee the absolute lowest prices on all of our products: swimming pool supplies, chemicals, equipment and more. To prove it, if you find a lower total delivered price by a licensed and authorized pool supply catalog or website , we will refund you the difference. We will even guarantee our Low Price for 30 days after your purchase. Simply contact our Customer Care Team at: or call us at 1-800-574-7665 to report the lower price. After verification, the difference will be promptly refunded. Doheny’s is not responsible for inadvertent price or text misprints or errors. Some restrictions apply – call for details.
Can You Use Bleach In A Saltwater Pool
Many pools have been treated with bleach and then reopened without any ill effects.
The results depend upon the pool acidity, water temperature, the total number of organisms in the pool, and its overall health when taken out of service.
If possible, its a good idea to soak your swimming pool overnight after closing up so that chlorine levels begin to decrease over an extended period by several days or more.
During this point, you should know how long it will take before you can use the pool longer than usual after such treatment.
However, for immediate needs, especially if you have a saltwater pool with an existing bacterial bloom, it is essential to close your pool immediately and never use it until the condition has been addressed.
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Best For Larger Above
- Price : $899 to $1,699
- Maximum chlorine production: 0.75 pounds per day
- Treatment cycle: 24 hour timer
- Plumbing / pumps required: connect to existing filter system
- Salt cell lifespan: 1 year
- Replacement salt cell cost: $619
Hayward makes a complete line of salt chlorinators for above-ground and inground pools. Its AquaTrol line is designed for above-ground use, and it promotes its ease of installation. It purportedly takes just 30 minutes to attach an AquaTrol unit to your current filters return jet fitting, with no need for additional flow switches. You can also use the AquaTrol to shock your pool with the super-chlorinate setting.
Not sure if you want an above-ground or inground pool? Still trying to decide if concrete, vinyl, or fiberglass is the best material for your pool project? Try our Pool Type Selector quiz and get some answers in just a few clicks! Tap the button below to get started:
How To Choose The Most Popular Best Salt Water System For Above Ground Pools
There are three most important factors to keep in mind while deciding on a product: pricing, quality, and popularity.One obvious consideration is price. You must make sure that the price matches your budget.To get the greatest product, you need to pay attention to the quality of the things you are purchasing.When it comes to acquiring new clients, popularity is just as important as pricing or quality, if not more so.
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Salt Water Vs Chlorine Pools
There are a few reasons why you would choose a salt water system over a conventional chlorine pool, but it is important to understand some key differences. If you have someone that is easily irritated by chlorine , bothered by its smell, or even allergic to chlorine, then a salt water system might be a good choice.
Almost everyone has either been in or at least heard of a chlorine pool. They are simple and efficient at what they do. However, too much chlorine in a pool can be harmful to the swimmers and those who spend time around the pool. Chlorine pools are generally cheaper to fix when something goes wrong because there are less components than their salt water cousins.
Salt water pools are generally cheaper to maintain on a yearly basis for the simple reason that salt is significantly cheaper than chlorine. However, having a salt water pool does not mean that you can just ignore the other chemicals needed: pH, alkalinity and calcium all still have to be monitored along with, of course, salt level.
Learn More About Above Ground Saltwater Pools
You have a lot of options available if you are wanting an above ground saltwater pool. While there’s a lot that goes into planning for a successful saltwater swimming pools, when done right and correctly cared for the benefits are worth the efforts.
Visit our above ground pool page and filter for saltwater pools to see your model options.
You can learn more about general saltwater pool care on our blog. You can also leave us a comment below or give us a call. A team member will be happy to assist you further.
Here are some additional pool maintenance resources to help keep your pool crystal clear!
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Take It With A Grain Of Salt
So you decided a saltwater pool is the way to go. Thats great, and after you get your saltwater generator, youll never regret it. Now you can enjoy smooth, relaxing swimsall without any of the drawbacks of chlorine. And the next time your hair changes color, itll be because you wanted it to. Thats all the more reason to swim and keep swimming. Enjoy.
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What Exactly Is Saltwater Pool
A saltwater pool can be seen as an alternative to a standard chlorine swimming pool. The electrolysis process is conducted to produce chlorine, which sanitizes the water and kills bacteria formed in the pool. The salt present in a pool is about 3000 parts per million . After some time, the chlorine breaks down to form salt again. As the salt itself generates the chlorine, there is no need to add chlorine in liquid or tablets or shock.
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Key Factors To Consider
While there are many benefits to a salt water pool including using a gentler and cheaper form of chlorine, there are also some variables that any pool owner should be aware of. The chlorine generator, which makes having a salt water pool possible, only lasts on average of 3 to 7 years and is not a cheap item to replace. With the average above ground pool life of over 10 years it is almost certain that this item will have to be replaced at some point and could possibly negate the yearly savings on costs of salt vs. chlorine. Salt also corrodes just like chlorine, but the difference is that the chlorine gets diluted in the water and, if spilled, evaporates with it. Salt water, however, once dry leaves corrosive salt crystals on the surface. This is the reason that with a salt water pool you should hose off any areas the water gets in contact with weekly to avoid corrosion of the structure and surrounding area.
Intex Krystal Clear Complete Salt Water System
The Intex Krystal Clear Complete Salt Water System comes with everything you need to transform any above ground pool up to 15,000 gallons in size to luxurious salt water. This unit is designed to make salt water a reality without the hassle of adding chemical chlorine with the added benefit of reduced maintenance time and costs. The many automated features and the Hydro Aeration Technology provide improved circulation, micro filtration and amazing water clarity, all backed by a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty.
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Salt Water Pools Cost Less To Maintain
While you may have been led to believe that all you need to do to maintain a salt water pool is throw in some salt every few weeks, its actually a bit more involved than that.
The good news is, salt water pool maintenance can cost a lot less than caring for a chlorine pool, which can be one of the most important deciding factors in making the switch. Exactly how much less expensive salt water is than chlorine over the lifetime of your pool depends on several factors such as where you live, the size of your pool, the quality of the equipment you use, and how well you maintain it.
The up-front cost of a chlorinator ranges from a few hundred to a thousand dollars or more. Long-term costs include replacing the chlorinator cellthe part that actually converts salt to chlorineevery five years or so, provided you maintain your chlorinator well.
Youll also still need to keep your water balanced, but another positive aspect of a salt water pool conversion is youll likely require fewer chemicals to keep the water balanced.
So while things like test strips or digital testers and a few chemicals will still have to be part of your maintenance budget, your monthly chemical costs will still be lower with a salt water pool, than with chlorine.
Best For Spas : Controlomatic Smarterspa
- Plumbing / pumps required: No
- Salt cell lifespan: 7,000 hours
- Replacement salt cell cost: $219
Sometimes, you just dont need to treat that much water. ControlOMatic makes several salt chlorinator systems for spas, with a maximum treatment capacity of 1,000 gallons. The SmarterSpa salt chlorine generator is ControlOMatics more automated option — it includes an integrated detector that can activate an automatic chlorinating cycle if the level of chlorine in your spa drops too low.
You could also use SmarterSpa in a small above-ground pool, but itd have to be pretty small. Our two spa add-ons, the RS08 and SS08, have 800- and 890-gallon capacities, respectively, to give you an idea of how much watery space the SmarterSpa can handle.
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Life With A Salt Water Pool
Now that youve completed your salt water pool conversion, what will maintenance be like? Your salt water chlorination system only creates chlorine from saltit does not balance your water. Youll still need to test your water regularly, sometimes adding chemicals to balance it.
These chemicals are the same ones youd use in a chlorine pool. But remember, your water will no longer require the large amounts of maintenance chlorine for sanitizing.
Is It Time To Get A New Best Salt Water System For Above Ground Pools
Youâre looking for a new best salt water system for above ground pools. Think about it. It’s impossible to foresee pricing fluctuations in the future. The sooner you buy, the better off you’ll be if manufacturing doesn’t slow down. If, on the other hand, production is falling and prices are expected to climb, you might want to hold off on making a decision until the hype has calmed down.
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Gentle On Your Skin Eyes And Hair
Finally, when you install an above ground saltwater pool, you can say goodbye to the irritations some people experience when swimming in traditionally chlorinated pools. Salt pools wont irritate your skin, eyes, and hair in most instances. The water in saltwater pools is silky-smooth and makes your skin feel soft.
Did You Know?
Saltwater pools dont have that harsh chlorine smell that traditional pools do!
