How To Maintain A Saltwater Hot Tub You Still Need Chemicals
- Chemicals saltwater hot tubs also need chemicals, besides chlorine\bromine which are produced naturally. It is very important to note that this is just one component of your spa water chemistry. Test your hot tub water chemistry with Test Strips for Spas and Hot Tubs and maintain recommended levels with hot tub chemicals. Its easy to get all the chemicals you need for a saltwater hot tub in one kit Hot Tub Chemical Balancer Maintenance Kit.
The table shows the optimal water chemistry for hot tub spas which you should maintain. Check it with
| Parameter | |
| Cyanuric acid | 50 to 80 ppm |
- Shock saltwater hot tubs also need to be shocked weekly, after intensive use or if you havent used it for a long time. You should also shock the hot tub if your water chemistry levels are good, but the water is cloudy or smells. You can use chlorine shock or non-chlorine shock for saltwater hot tubs .
- Cell inspection the cell should be inspected every 3 months. Unplug the system and inspect the cell for a scaling white deposit. If it exists, you should clean the cell with vinegar or muriatic acid .
What To Consider Beforehand
Saltwater pools require a larger initial investment. But you will save on chlorine in the long run.
Saltwater systems are also more complex than chlorine pools. They have more parts, such as the circuit board, salt cell, flow sensor, and flow switch. So you may need to hire an experienced technician if you ever encounter issues with the system.
Salt is corrosive and has the potential to damage certain materials. It also creates high pH levels and calcium build-up in pool equipment. So you have to take precautions, such as balancing the water and maintaining salt cells.
You should also avoid using specific types of pool liner, heaters, lighting, fixtures, and masonry that will corrode over time. Instead, use a cupronickel heater, or install a sacrificial zinc anode that will absorb all the corrosion.
The Fine Print For Biguanide Pools
If you use biguanide, youll also have to make sure you have the right pool filter. Diatomaceous earth or cartridge filters arent typically recommended by biguanide manufacturers, so youll want to opt in for the classic sand filter, though its recommended you replace your sand media every two years. Plus, test strips for biguanide arent considered accurate, so it might be tough to figure out your waters chemical levels.
Biguanide sanitizers are also incompatible with ozone, detergents, ionizers, and other common chemicals. Heres one last fun one: adding chlorine to a biguanide pool will turn your water bright orange.
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Decide How To Convert To A Saltwater Tub Chlorine Vs Bromine
There are two ways to get a saltwater hot tub chlorine generators and bromine generators. Chlorinators are more popular as they are at least half the price of brominators . There are also saltwater systems that can produce both chlorine or bromine depending on the type of salt you use .
| Chlorinator |
Note: Only bromine generators should be usedin wooden hot tubs because chlorine has a bad effect on wood.
Verdict:
I cant give a simple answer to which is better, bromine or chlorine? This age-old dilemma also applies to saltwater systems. hoose what is more suitable for you based on the characteristics.
Chlorinator is my personal choice for saltwater hot tubs since it has significant advantages: the cost and the availability of the device and the cost of salt.
Tip: If you are still hesitant, buy a salt system in which you can use both salts and try it by yourself you can use theControlOMatic SmarterSpa.
Salt Water Pool Test Kit
A salt water pool test kit costs about $15 to $55, and saltwater test strips cost $11 to $25 for 40. A test kit lets you know if you need to rebalance the salinity and pH level of your saltwater. To keep a healthy pool, the water should be tested once a week. Not all salt water pool test kits give results for the salinity of the water, so check to make sure the one you want to purchase gives that result.
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Installing New Pool Equipment
This is the simplest step, and will only require three steps. First, power down and unmount the salt chlorinator control unit. Secondly, the flow switch needs to be removed, and the tee tap needs to be stopped. The section will need replumbing, too. Thirdly, remove the cell and youre finished.
For any further plumbing repairs or questions about chlorinators, contact a Texoma pool company near you.
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.
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Maintaining A Salt Water Pool
Maintaining a salt water pool is similar to maintaining a traditional chlorinated pool in many ways. Pumps and filters must be regularly checked and cleaned to assure they remain in proper working order. The pool needs to be skimmed to remove surface debris on a regular basis. Water chemistry strips can be used to test the balance of the water to assure that its clean, and salt is added as needed. Alternatively, you always have the option of hiring a pool company to stay on top of the maintenance of your behalf.
What Exactly Is A Salt Pool
Before the critics jump into the comment section to correct us, we understand that the name itself may be a tad misleading. A salt pool is an alternative option to the standard chlorinated swimming pool. As water passes through the cell, electrolysis occurs.
Electrolysis is the process in which the salt and water split into hydrogen and hypochlorous acid and converts to chlorine. Sure, you are still using chlorine to sanitize your pool, however, its just in a different form.
Another thing that might be misleading is the idea that a salt pool mimics water you find at the beach. Although I do love the beach, this is inaccurate. To compare, ocean water is at 50,000 parts per million while a salt pool sits close to 3,000 ppm. Therefore, it is only a fraction of the amount of salt you find at the beach. The cool thing about salt systems is once the chlorine finally breaks down, it becomes salt again.
The chlorine produced by salt is a higher quality than the traditional chlorine. By converting to a salt pool, you no longer need to purchase chlorine tablets, liquid chlorine, or shock.
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Cost To Convert A Pool To Salt Water
The cost to convert a pool to salt water will vary depending on the size of your pool and whether you hire a professional to complete the installation. There are salt water systems designed for every size of pool ranging from 5,000-100,000 gallons so you can be sure to find one that works for your specific pool.
We recommend purchasing a salt water system that is rated for pools approximately 15% larger than specified to ensure that you have adequate chlorine production during higher pool usage, increased sunlight hours and during superchlorination that reduces the need for shocking.
The price for a basic is about $300 and can be installed in as little as 30 minutes by a handy pool owner. The advanced units can cost upwards of $1,500 and include features like self diagnostics, automatic chemical feeders and a control panel that will automate all of your pool hardware. The automated pool systems are a bit more complex to install but for most pool owners the upfront cost is worth the very low maintenance down the road.
If you install the system yourself you won’t need to hire a pool service company but we recommend a professional for complicated systems to ensure it is installed correctly. A pool technician will charge approximately $250-$500 to install a salt water system but this of course will vary with geographic location and the complexity of the system.
Disclaimer
Does Swimming In Saltwater Burn More Calories
Swimming in a saltwater pool doesnt burn more calories than a regular pool. Still, swimming is an excellent form of exercise. No matter which type of pool youre swimming in, wear goggles to protect your eyes and avoid swallowing water. Want to learn more? Find out how many calories you burn swimming.
Its important to regularly test a saltwater pool. Weekly, test for free chlorine and pH using a drop kit or test strips. Monthly, its important to test for:
- salt level
- calcium
You may need to make adjustments.
Every three months or so, you need to test the salt chlorine generator for buildup and clean it off. Also watch for signs of deposits and erosion, and perform maintenance as needed.
At any pool, its important to practice basic safety measures:
- supervise children at all times
- secure your pool with a fence so kids cant get in the water unsupervised
- enroll anyone who doesnt know how to swim in swim lessons
- enforce rules like no diving or no running near the pool
- when swimming laps, stop and take a break when youre out of breath
- warm up before entering the pool and stretch afterwards
- avoid drinking alcohol when youre in and near the water
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Everything You Need To Know About Salt Water Pools
Have you heard people talking about salt water pools and wondered what all the hype was about?
Im not here to convince you one way or the other.
The decision on whether to have a salt water pool or not is usually just a matter of preference.
All Im here to do is give you the low-down on what they are so you can decide for yourself.
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Best Salt System For Above Ground Pools
If you are looking for a salt system for your above ground pool that wont break your pockets, we recommend the Pureline Crystal Pure. The Crystal Pure is a reliable salt system that frees pool owners from intense chemical maintenance while giving swimmers a break from traditional chlorine. The Crystal Pure generator cell easily plumbs in-line and has quick disconnect unions for easy access.
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You May Need A New Pool Guy
Most pool companies exclusively service chlorine pools. Salt water pools are an entirely different process that require specialized knowledge for maintenance. If youre going to convert your pool to a salt water pool and you use a company for pool maintenance, it helps to choose a conversion company that also offers maintenance services. Pioneer Pools has you covered.
The Salt Water Pool Conversion Process
Converting a chlorine pool to a salt water pool requires three very important things a salt chlorinator system, something called a sacrificial anode, and pool salt. The salt chlorinator system is the system that will replace your traditional chlorine system. Its prepared with the pool salt to produce salt chlorine as necessary.
The sacrificial anode is a device that will help to mitigate corrosion. Since salt is a corrosive substance, operating a salt water pool without a sacrificial anode will lead to rust buildup The anode acts as a little snack for the salt in your pool. It will begin to corrode the anode first, which is easy and inexpensive to replace. These anodes can last several years and preserve the integrity of your pool.
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Pros And Cons Of Converting To A Saltwater Pool
Pool owners have many positive and negative aspects they should consider before they convert their pools to salt systems. While swimming in salt water is considered more enjoyable than swimming in traditionally chlorinated pools, the costs of initial installation and keeping up repairs can be off-putting to some homeowners. Here are some of the pros and cons of converting to a saline pool system.
MaintenanceMaintaining your saline pool is easier than maintaining a chlorinated pool. Because your salt system converts the salt to the needed chlorine, you are not having to constantly add more chlorine to your pool. This makes maintenance much easier. You still have to check your pools water for the appropriate chemical levels, but you do not have to be constantly pouring in buckets of chemicals to keep your pool safe.
Softer WaterAlthough saltwater pools do still contain chlorine, their water is much milder than in traditional systems. They are also not nearly as salty as you might imagine, having a salt content that is more like that in human tears than ocean water. This makes for a much more pleasant experience with swimming because opening your eyes underwater will not sting or burn the way it would if you opened your eyes in a conventional pool system.
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How Much Does It Cost to Convert My Pool to Saltwater?
Most chlorine generators cost $700-$1,000. With installation, the total cost usually ranges from $1,200-$1,500. However, keep in mind that prices vary depending on the type of chlorine generator, the size of your pool and your location. Most chlorine generators last three to seven years, but they can last longer if well-maintained. The cost to convert to a salt chlorinator system is much lower than the cost of a full pool renovation.
Salt for the chlorine generator runs just $20 to $30 or so per year, saving hundreds of dollars annually over chlorine. For an average swimming season of four to six months, most people spend $250-$300 on chlorine tablets.
Converting to a saltwater pool may or may not save money in the long run. If you pay $1,200 for a chlorine generator and installation, and the generator lasts five years, it will likely pay for itself in saved chemical costs. If it lasts less than five years, thats not the case. Because its a gamble, the best reason to convert is to make your swimming experience more comfortable.
Saltwater Pool Pros
- Saltwater pools are softer on the skin.
- Theyre less likely to cause itching, burning or dry skin.
Can You Change Your Pool From Salt Water To Chlorine
When it comes to swimming pools, one of the biggest decisions people face is whether to go with a chlorine pool or a salt water pool. In some cases, pool owners may consider changing their pool from salt water to chlorine. One of the misconceptions that comes with a salt water pool is that it is chlorine-free. While you wont find the traditional chlorine tablets, you will find a salt water chlorinator that is used to create chlorine similar to that found in chlorine pools.
The big difference is that salt takes the place of chlorine tablets. This creates a slight salt water solution that your pool filters. During this process, the salt water passes through a salt cell and gets a small electrical current. This creates the pools own chlorine which helps to keep it clean.
Many people decide on salt water pools to avoid the irritants that can come along with a chlorine pools. But, then other issues may arise with salt water pools leading some to decide to change from salt water to chlorine.
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Repairs On A Salt Water Pool
Most chlorine pools have a lot of metal components. Salt corrosion is the enemy of metal. Over time, you may notice that your metal components begin to rust. When possible, metal components can be replaced with other materials that are better equipped to handle salt exposure. If you choose to keep your metal components, they may need to be replaced periodically.
