Nothing feels as good as jumping into a saltwater pool. Freshwater pools depend on store-bought chlorine to disinfect water and keep it free of algae, bacteria, and other health-harming organisms. Saltwater pools rely on an electrolytic chlorine generator ECG. The generator separates the salt in the pool water into its two primary elements, one of which is chlorine.
The chlorine is then circulated into the pool to sanitize and disinfect the water. The big advantage is that the process doesn't produce chloramines, an irritating byproduct of the store-bought chlorine traditionally used to disinfect pools.
It's the chloramines that give swimming pools that "chlorine smell" and sting eyes. In fact, they have only about one-tenth the salinity. Instead, the system uses a process called electrolysis to create chlorine, which disinfects the water. The primary piece of machinery in a salt water pool is the salt chlorine generator.
Using electrolysis, the generator breaks dissolved dissolved salt into hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite, two sanitizing agents used in chlorine-based swimming pools. The continuous process also prevents the buildup of chloramines. A salt chlorine generator is often incorrectly called a salt water filter. This is inaccurate, as the generator does not filter pool water. A separate salt water filter removes debris from the pool. Three types of salt are used with salt chlorine generators: solar salt, mechanically evaporated salt, and mined salt.
The amount of salt your pool requires depends on the level of salt needed for your salt chlorine generator to function properly. The number of gallons in your pool and its current salt levels determine how much salt to add. As an example, a 20, gallon pool with a current salt level of Ppm would require lbs of salt. Bear in mind the generator is only one part of the salt water pool system. SC is not only saltwater-compatible, but it also contains no phosphates, so it will not contribute to potential but rare calcium phosphate scale buildup.
Using SC will help keep your pipes clean and open, which in turn keeps water pressure normal. Zach Hansen, a technical service engineer explains:. So homeowners and service techs need to use a product for scale that is specifically designed to withstand those aggressive conditions inside the cell. Hansen goes on to explain that the electrolysis process creates chlorine from sodium chloride, but it also releases sodium hydroxide NaOH.
Sodium hydroxide drives your pH level up. Additionally, the process generates more heat, which leads to more scale.
Beyond just managing the pH of your water, what really matters is the saturation of calcium in your water, as measured on the Langelier Saturation Index LSI. Salt cells give off heat AND create sodium hydroxide. That combination makes it hard to resist scale formation because within the chamber of the salt cell, the LSI is very high.
Simply run your circulation for minutes after you shut your salt cell and heater off to minimize the risk of scale. This will allow the cell to both cool down and flush out the sodium hydroxide.
Inevitably, saltwater will splash out of the pool and drip of your patrons. Salt leaves a white residue that will harden on surfaces around your natatorium. Give these surfaces a good rinse with the hose not buckets of pool water to keep this residue at bay.
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Related Posts. Have any questions or suggestions? We can help you find the right product for your pool. No chemical conflicts or long term byproducts. If you conduct this process too often, it leads to erosion of the coating on titanium grids. The same problem is likely to occur if you use a highly-concentrated acid solution. So, how can you ensure your salt water system works for as long as possible? A salt cell includes two main components: The cell—responsible for turning salt into chlorine The control board—gives you control over chlorine levels These two parts work together, starting with water moving through the cell and over blades covered in a naturally occurring metal, such as ruthenium or iridium.
What are the Benefits of a Salt Cell? As a result, chemical levels show reduced fluctuation and you can maintain healthier pool chemistry without as much work. You can add a salt generator to a new pool or an existing pool.
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