Long-Term Effects of Saltwater Pools
Chlorine-based pools that use a concoction of other chemicals to eliminate algae buildup in pools have been the standard for quite a while. The saltwater pool is an alternative that can be cheaper over time and cause less irritation on the skin from the harsh chemicals of a typical pool. Does this Spark an idea?
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Saltwater Pool Conversion
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Saltwater pools replace the chlorine with salt. You can use your typical pool electrical system, but you will need to add a chlorine generator to your pool's system that works in concert with the salt you add to your pool. Saltwater pools with a chlorine generator have much lower amounts of chlorine and other harsh chemicals.
Saltwater Pool Chemistry
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Saltwater pools do use chlorine, but it is a constant supply of chlorine that works with the pools salinity. The ocean has a salinity level of about 35,000 parts per million. Humans will notice that there is a "salt content" of water when the water has a salinity of 3,500 parts per million. Saltwater pools should have a salt content of about 2,500 to 6,000 parts per million. Water in saltwater pools tends to be more soothing, and the water will feel "smooth" to the touch.
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Long-Term Biological Advantages
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Most people pay a "pool man" to test the chemical levels of the pool and to add chlorine or bromide to the pool as well as "acid" to maintain the water pH levels. Use of these chemicals is not only cost-inefficient because they must be consistently replaced, but these chemicals are highly toxic and are only safe when diluted into your pool. Both chlorine and bromide cause eye irritation and have a "bleaching" effect on the skin. Finally, saltwater pools have a lower ecological impact because of your reduced reliance on toxic chemicals.
Long-Term Cost Advantages
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The major long-term benefits of having a saltwater pool is that you can eliminate many of the maintenance costs that you had been paying for maintaining a traditional chlorine-based pool. Saltwater-based pools maintain very low levels of chlorine through a chlorine generator. Saltwater pools have about .5 to 1.0 parts per million of chlorine, whereas traditional pools have 3 to 10 parts per million. Moreover, the saltwater system pays for itself after two to three years, and the salt does not evaporate with the water so you will rarely have to add salt to maintain proper salinity of the water.
Long-Term Maintenance
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Saltwater pools have a salinity index that reads your salt levels. You will need to monitor this over time to ensure that you do not have too much salt in the water. If so, it can become corrosive and start to eat at the pool system material as well as affect furniture or other fixtures that may surround the pool. You will also have to keep an eye out to make sure the salinity is not too low, which can lead to algae blooms.
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