What Is A Salt Water Chlorinator?

Everyone within the in ground pool industry is raving about salt water chlorinators! However, you may be wondering what exactly salt water chlorinators are. Salt chlorinators use salt to create chlorine for your swimming pool sanitization. Salt chlorinators do this by using a process of electrolysis. This process creates  a pure form of chlorine from a small amount of ordinary salt that can be used in your salt water pools over and over again.

To clarify, chlorine is still the sanitizing agent in salt water pools. Salt itself is not doing the sanitization. Salt in the form of magnesium chloride, potassium chloride or sodium chloride is dissolved into the pool water.Then it is converted by the salt chlorinator into chlorine which sanitizes the pool.  The salts or minerals pass through the electrolytic plates in the chlorinator cell to form chlorine. Chlorine in turn, kills all the contaminants in the pool and prevents harmful bacteria and algae from forming.

When you and your family decide to switch to salt water chlorinators , you essentially eliminate the need for purchasing chlorine. Not to mention the increased safety of your pool. All the while you are saving money, because you don’t need to by chemicals.  Salt chlorinators for swimming pools keep water clean and also maintain pool water that is softer and less irritating. That means you can open your eyes under water!

Is the Salt the Same as the Salt in the Ocean?

When you hear the words “salt water pool” you may jump at the idea that you will be indulging in a mini ocean. However salt water pools do not contain the same amount of salt as the ocean. The ocean is about 35,000 parts per million in salt content, where a salt water chlorinated pool is only about 3,000 parts per million. The upside? The pool will not feel or taste salty, just soft.

Are Salt Water Chlorinators Compatible with my Swimming Pool Structure?

Concrete

Concrete pools are not the best choice if you desire a salt water pool. Salt water chlorinators have been proven to be highly abrasive to concrete. Research shows that it is more then five times as damaging to the pool then just plain old chlorine. So in the interest of maintaining your concrete pool, stick to traditional sanitation methods.

Metal Wall Vinyl Liner Pools

Metal wall vinyl liner pools are another pool structure that would not be compatible with salt water chlorinators. Simply because metal and salt together results in rust. That being said the wisest course would be to avoid salt water if you have a metal lined swimming pool.

Composite Fiberglass Pools

Fiberglass or composite fiberglass swimming pools are the perfect candidates for salt water chlorinators. Why? Fiberglass is one of the best materials used to deal with salt water, many boats are made out of this wonder material. Fisherman swear by it! So if it’s a salt water pool you want, fiberglass is what you need.