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Nancy Boyd

Jul 27, 2004, 8:50 PM

Post #1 of 8 (418 views)

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Saline Chlorinated Pools

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Does anyone have knowledge if saline chlorinated swimming pools are available in Mexico? Salt is used instead of chorine to disinfect the pool. Apparently this is much healthier for the people swimming in the pool, does not bleach or rot bathing suits and better for the environment.

Adrian

Jul 28, 2004, 5:00 AM

Post #2 of 8 (394 views)

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Re: [Nancy Boyd] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to get hold of a commercial set-up (like Sal-Chlor) for use in Mexico. Anything is importable.

But why? What's with the hokum of bleached/rotting clothes and 'good for the environment'? Even in salt chlorination, you are liberating chlorine - too much of which, from any source, is not a good idea for your pool or your body. A properly maintained pool (ph balanced, clean filters, acidity regulators) using liquid sodium hypochlorite (good old bleach) is perfectly acceptable. The key is 'properly maintained'.

Adrian

Nancy Boyd

Jul 28, 2004, 1:06 PM

Post #3 of 8 (339 views)

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Re: [Adrian] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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While the following is from a Web site, I have two friends in California who swear salt water pools are the only way to go.

Sanitised
Salt water is a natural antiseptic which inhibits bacteria and algae formation.
Its low salt concentration, similar to that of a human tear, puts an end to eye and skin disorders caused by traditional systems.

Safe
It doesn’t use chlorine nor chemicals and there’s no risk of intoxication.
Needs no storage, thus eliminating fire or explosion risk.

Environmentally friendly
Salt remains in the pool’s water, which follows a permanent process, not having to change water for a few years.

Economic
80 % saving in maintenance and 100% in chemicals (it is chemical-free).
Once the system is recouped, costs are 90% lower than traditional chlorine systems.

Efficient
Natural Chlor produces sodium hypochlorite and other sanitary agents by electrolysis, thus inhibiting bacteria and algae formation.

And that’s not all...
- Its salt iodine helps sun-tanning.
- Eliminates sore skin – you won’t need a shower!
- Protects your hair and doesn’t bleach bathing-suits.
- Puts an end to traditional chlorine taste and smell.
- Set and forget: just activate the system and boost chlorine level.
- Needs no works and can be adapted to other chlorinating systems without changing your former installation.

Adrian

Jul 28, 2004, 2:53 PM

Post #4 of 8 (324 views)

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Re: [Nancy Boyd] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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Sorry Nancy

It's still hokum! A bunch of marketing hooey that would have you believe that using salt is a 'natural alternative'. The end result is still the same - the production of chlorine as a sanitiser. The reason why heavily used pools are prone to cause skin and eye irritations is because of the byproducts of those bacteria broken down by the chlorine. A fresh clean pool should smell of nothing - if it smells 'bleachy' it's because the water is lacking in free chlorine.

Electrolysing a solution of sodium chloride (ie: salt water) produces free chlorine gas (which does not dissolve easily in water) as well as amounts of hydrogen and oxygen - what other 'sanitary agents' are there?

Iodine? Tanning? What nonsense! From whence did the Iodine come?

Adrian
(Former Pool Maintenance Man)

Nancy Boyd

Jul 28, 2004, 3:41 PM

Post #5 of 8 (319 views)

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Re: [Adrian] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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Then why has the idea caught on? And why are more and more pools being built this way? What I read is the iodine comes from the salt.

I don't know the answers to the above. Just trying to do some research.

I appreciate your input - it gives me more information with which to make a decision.

johanson

Jul 28, 2004, 4:15 PM

Post #6 of 8 (311 views)

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Re: [Nancy Boyd] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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When I first read this, I thought what you had written was a bunch of hooey or however you spell that. But just for the heck of it I checked with my pool supply guy up here in Seattle. He said "we don't push it" very much; we would rather sell you chemicals. He then said that for my 25,000 gallon pool that the electronic ionizer or whatever it's called costs about $1,600 and that I should expect to pay another $300 for the (rock?) salt. But that after that I might occasionally have to add a little salt, and that this equipment would pay for itself in about two or three years. He also added that the salt content of the water would be lower than that of a tier drop. When I asked about the power consumption, he said that it was less than a light bulb.. Gosh, the things I learn in this forum.

Nancy Boyd

Jul 28, 2004, 6:57 PM

Post #7 of 8 (287 views)

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Re: [johanson] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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All of this is helpful.
Thanks for going out of your way to check on this for me.

lkarelee

Jul 30, 2004, 10:56 AM

Post #8 of 8 (227 views)

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Re: [Nancy Boyd] Saline Chlorinated Pools

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We switched our community pool from chlorine to Saline about a year ago and have been extremely happy with it. The cost was about $1,200 for the equipment and $150 for the salt and chemicals. The water is constantly clear, no chlorine burn to the eyes, no green slime - it's great. Cut our chemical bills by 2/3's. The only problem we have had is the steps are slippery - no explanation for that - but they put down some special thread tape and that fixed the problem. I highly recommend Saline -