When you put in salt with the automatic chlorinator, doesn’t the element convert it back into chlorine and therefore you still have a chlorine pool?
absolutely…
All pools must have chlorine in them no matter what the chlorine alternative system is (ozone, ionizing, uv, or salt), it is the only sanitizing agent that leaves a residual when the filtration system is off. A salt chlorinated pool is not a salt water pool, like on cruise ships where the pools are filled with ocean water. A salt chlorinated pool has about 3000 parts per million (ppm) of salt or one teaspoon per gallon, 1/8 that of the ocean. Sodium Chloride (salt) is converted into Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach), after the chlorine (bleach) has lost its oxygen molecule from the sanitizing process, it is salt again and is reused to make chlorine again. The salt level in a pool cannot be detected by most people. A salt chlorinated pool will leave the skin feeling soft and smooth compared to a traditionally chlorinated pool because of the level of solids dissolved in the water, it prevents the skin from drying out. Other chlorine alternative systems must still use chlorine to sanitize because when the pool is off they are also off, leaving the water unprotected from microorganisms and algae. Chlorine alternative systems do serve there purpose of being able to reduce the chlorine residual kept in the pool.
They are not “salt water” like as in the ocean. The salt level is maintained at a relatively low level - 3,000 ppm.
Contrary to what people have been told, these pools are not “chemical free.” They are merely manufacturing chlorine in the plumbing, back at the equipment pad. The salt (sodium chloride) is split through electrolysis into sodium & chlorine. Once the chlorine is consumed, it reverts back into sodium chloride (salt), only to begin the process again.
There are many disadvantages of these systems as well. The first, is that the sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) that is created, is high in pH. Therefore the pH in the pool rises and the water begins to irritate the eyes. Some of these pools require 1-2 gallons of acid each week in order to maintain the proper pH. Hardly chemical free! And the acid is very destructive of the pool finishes, when poured directly into the pool.
The second issue, is that the machine does not know if too little or too much chlorine is being generated. Changing weather conditions and bather loads can requuire a increase or decrease in production levels. Without constant homeowner tweeking, the system is worthless and always out of sync.
Thirdly, the unit does not recognize if a pool/spa combination system has been switched to the “spa mode.” The output level set for the pool will quickly overdose a spa, bleaching bathing suits and irritating bathers.
Fourth, damage to masonry surfaces. Soft stones, grout and plaster can be quickly degraded by salt. Think about the concrete sidewalks and driveways that are salted to melt ice in “snow country.” They are extremely etched and degraded. I have seen the same occur to a lesser degree in swimming pools. Soft marbles (e.g. Durango Stone) and sea coral decks are literally eaten by the splash out.
Finally, is the most damaging of reasons not to install a salt chlorine generator - electrolysis. Placing salt into the pool water creates a “battery.” Stray electrical current on a site will seek the swimming pool steel, gently energzying it (this is why an elaborate bonding grid is installed on a pool - to protect bathers from this stray current). The salt solution can cause the degradation of metallic components, heat exchangers, SS hand railings and light fixtures.
No, they are not as salty as the name suggests. Saltwater pools uses less chlorine and are more Eco-friendly, but they can be hard to keep clean if not cared for properly. The salt level is maintained at a relatively low-level, so that they are not salty as ocean or sea. A saltwater pool has a generator that uses electrolysis to release chlorine gas from salt in the water. Salt is added to the pool water to achieve a saturation of approximately 3,200 parts per million, roughly the amount of salt found in a teardrop. In contrast, ocean water has a salt content of 35,000 ppm.
Many swimmers think saltwater pools are more comfortable for swimming in because of the lower amounts of chlorine in the water. The harsh odor of chlorine found in traditional pools is virtually nonexistent, a plus for people with asthma and others who are sensitive to the fumes.
There are three main concerns with saltwater generators. First, is algae control. Many says that if the owners of a saltwater pool do not maintain appropriate chlorine levels, algae can bloom.Here is the important thing to remember, I have seen customers add water from their water softeners to pools thinking they are achieving the " salt water " pool. The issue is soft water is VERY aggressive and will seek out calcium from any source it can. Plaster is the biggest source of calcium in the pool so that water actually eats the plaster away ! A salt water system will ensure that the salt is constantly being converted so as to prevent that kind of damage to your surface.
It is not salt water like ocean we have , its just a normal water.
Yes they are. Salt is added to the pool with a target salinity of 3000 ppm. As the salt water circulates through the pump, it passes through an electronic cell. this cell applies a small amount of electricity to the water. This causes the ionic bond of NaCl to separate into sodium and chlorine. The chlorine oxidizes organic matter, what is left recombines with the free Na to reform NaCl again. Hope this helped.
Few people ever discuss the negatives of “salt water” pools.
Here are the proven negatives:
Salt corrodes metallic pool components - handrails, light rings, pool heaters, etc.
Salt corrodes the concrete and cement products around a pool - concrete pool decks, tile grout, pool plaster, thinset.
Salt in the water creates an electrolytic condition that can promote galvanic corrosion.
A salt water pool only benefits the person who feeds the pool chemicals, by manufacturing CHLORINE out of the salt. Salt pools are NOT CHLORINE FREE. They use the CHLORIDE from the salt (sodium chloride) to MAKE CHLORINE at the equipment set.