saltwater pools (Gilbert: construction, garden, safety)

[johnnynine]

I heard you have to keep a close eye on the pH level in the pool since higher pH level significantly reduce the chlorine production. How often do you need to check the pH and how often does it require adjusting via chemicals?

[kdog]

Originally Posted by johnnynine

I heard you have to keep a close eye on the pH level in the pool since higher pH level significantly reduce the chlorine production. How often do you need to check the pH and how often does it require adjusting via chemicals?

I'm not expert, but I've not heard that high PH inhibits production of chlorine. I have heard and experienced that having a SWG increases PH that must be balanced with acid. I check my PH level and add acid once a week. Although, I've noticed now in cooler weather that the PH is not rising as fast.

I would recommend asking your question in a pool forum. Here's a good one that even has a special forum for salt water chlorine generators.

Trouble Free Pool :: View Forum - Saltwater Chlorine Generators

[SMG]

Great topic as my salt system is being added...today!! We just had a pool done and I researched this quite a bit. This thread is the only place where I have ever heard of a salt system being hard on the decking...I fid that very hard to believe. I went with salt as I did not want to be adding chlorine due to the costs, ongoing hassle, constant maintenance, skin treatent, etc. Doing salt once a year seems like a much simpler solution. In terms of costs, chlorine is pretty pricey....

[Arizona Annie]

Originally Posted by SMG

Great topic as my salt system is being added...today!! We just had a pool done and I researched this quite a bit. This thread is the only place where I have ever heard of a salt system being hard on the decking...I fid that very hard to believe. I went with salt as I did not want to be adding chlorine due to the costs, ongoing hassle, constant maintenance, skin treatent, etc. Doing salt once a year seems like a much simpler solution. In terms of costs, chlorine is pretty pricey....

Yes, we have found the saltwater system much more economical. Here's some good news for you; we have only had to add salt once in the last 4 years. Having a saltwater system has been wonderful for us! I think you are going to LOVE it!

Originally Posted by johnnynine

I heard you have to keep a close eye on the pH level in the pool since higher pH level significantly reduce the chlorine production. How often do you need to check the pH and how often does it require adjusting via chemicals?

We have only had to add acid a few times in the last 4 years and our pool gets a LOT of use. It seems to be the favorite pool for all the kids in our neighborhood who are friends with our daughter, plus all of their younger siblings.

[AZBigJ]

We just put in a new pool with a salt system and we love it. The maintenance is very easy. The builder recommended that we add some acid each week to keep the pH in check. BTW, how often does everyone totally empty their pools and refill them?

[Arizona Annie]

Originally Posted by bigjdotcom01

We just put in a new pool with a salt system and we love it. The maintenance is very easy. The builder recommended that we add some acid each week to keep the pH in check. BTW, how often does everyone totally empty their pools and refill them?

Haven't had to do it yet and it's been 4 years, almost 5. Regarding the acid, we test our pool constantly to make sure it's balanced properly and have only had to add acid a few times. If I were you, I would let the testing guide you regarding how often to add acid rather than the salesman or builder. Many pool builders haven't been building saltwater system pools for very long and I suspect they aren't too familiar with the maintenance. We went with a pool builder who has owned his own saltwater pools for many years and so far his recommendations have been spot on and one of them was to let the test results be our guide rather than a schedule. Hope this helps. AA

[afghaniprinzess]

hi guys can you recommend companies that do salt water systems in the valley? thanks

[Arizona Annie]

bigjdotcom01 ~
I wanted to let you know, I was wrong about emptying and refilling the pool. I said we hadn't had to do it yet and it had been 4 years. Well.....then our salt generator broke and we called in the pool repair people and they said it was because our water was too hard because we should empty and refill the pool at least every two years. He said he does it every year. Sorry about misleading you. Hope this new information helps.

[Arizona Annie]

Originally Posted by afghaniprinzess

hi guys can you recommend companies that do salt water systems in the valley? thanks

Sorry afghaniprinzess, our pool builder has now retired. I have no idea who else would be good.
Take care,
AA

[davin]

can anybody reccommend a good salt water pool builder? thanks in advance