Saltwater Pools vs. Chlorine Pools

By Glen Bains

Saltwater Pools

A major part of having a saltwater pool is generating your own chlorine with salt. Traditional chlorine pool owners buy, handle and store their own chlorine. Manual chlorine usage (putting it in the pool yourself) often causes a larger work load and the need to work with your pool every day.

If you fail to keep the chlorine at the proper level algae and other fungi will show up in the pool. However, saltwater pool owners have a chlorine generator to produce a steady flow of chlorine, preventing them from having to buy it and handle it. This also reduces the algae build-up in the pool and potentially preserves the life of the pool. The steady flow of chlorine keeps the chlorine level consistent, preventing a lingering overabundance of chlorine. It costs more up front to convert your pool, but you end up saving money over time. Any pool can be converted into a saltwater pool buy installing the salt system. There is no need to change your pump or filter this is a huge misconception.

Chlorine Pools

Chlorine pool owners, to avoid an abundance of algae and bacteria growth, must perform a number of regular tasks to maintain the cleanliness, safety and life of their pool. Chlorine pools are cheaper than saltwater pools only because you’re not paying for the chlorine generator up front. If you opt for a chlorine pool, make sure you follow the list of maintenance and upkeep procedures to ensure a happy, healthy time with your new pool.

Chlorinated pools owners should visit a pool dealer (Costa Rica Pools) to do a chlorine demand test, which is a test to see how much chlorine should be put in the pool. With this knowledge, the pool owner should put in exactly as much as they need to, no more and no less, to have optimal chlorine levels.

Chlorine owners need to keep the water’s pH between 7.2 and 7.6, alkalinity between 80 and 120ppm, and calcium at 200 to 400ppm, according to APSA. Keeping these items in balance allows the chlorine to be at its most effective.

Chlorine pool owners should also shock their pool once every three to four weeks to kill excess bacteria and inactive chlorine called “Chloramines”. You should shock precisely and regularly. First, find out exactly how much chlorine is already in the water. Second, calculate how much shock treatment solution you need to add to the water to oxidize the chlorine. Third, add the exact amount of chlorine shock treatment. If you need help maintaining your swimming pool please call Costa Rica Pools at 2777-1700we offer weekly service and we install Salt Chlorine systems.