Choosing between a chlorine or saltwater pool
Treatment is important to keep your pool water clean and clear. But how do you choose between a saltwater or chlorine pool? What are their benefits and drawbacks? Here is everything you need to know to choose the treatment that is right for you.
What is the difference between a saltwater pool and a chlorine pool?
Chlorine in a liquid, gaseous or pellet form is added to the pool as a disinfectant, preventing the development of algae and eliminating bacteria.
In a saltwater pool, chlorine is made by salt through electrolysis to keep the water clean. The filtration electrical current in a saltwater pool creates natural chlorine providing an alternative to chemical solutions purchased in stores.
Saltwater pool: benefits and drawbacks
Treating a swimming pool with salt has its specificities, in particular, the use of an electrolyser. This type of treatment is generally chosen because it is ecological and does not generate any odour.
Benefits of a saltwater pool
- Cost of maintenance: once installed, the treatment can last several seasons without the need to add other products.
- Maintenance: Maintenance is easier and your pool can run all year round without the need to correct the amount of salt.
- Ecological aspect: Treatment does not require the use of chemicals that could be harmful to the environment.
- Safety: Since no chemicals are used, you do not need to store any hazardous products.
- Comfort of swimming: Treatment of a saltwater pool is odourless, less irritating to the eyes and skin, and generally does not cause allergies.
Drawbacksof a saltwater pool
- Installation costs: Although the maintenance of a saltwater pool is cheaper, its installation may require a higher budget. You will need to buy an electrolyser and hire a professional to install it. The installation cost of a saltwater pool can reach €2,000.
- Water balance: Saltwater has high pH levels, which can cause the pool water to become unbalanced so it is particularly important to monitor the pH carefully and adjust it. With the price of the installation, this is the main drawback of salt treatment of a swimming pool.
- Fragility: The electrodes are quite fragile and may need to be changed regularly.
- Corrosion: Salt is a corrosive product, so the electrolyser must be washed regularly to prevent damage.
- Water temperature: Ideally, it should not fall below 16°C. Water then conducts electricity less well, the electrolyser will be less efficient and its electrodes may become damaged.
Chlorine pool: benefits and drawbacks
With its ease of installation and efficiency, it is the most common method for disinfecting water.
Benefits of a chlorine pool
- Effectiveness: Disinfection is very effective. Chlorine quickly eliminates bacteria as well as algae and mould.
- Ease of use: It is simple and fast to use.
- Cost: It does not require any particular initial investment. A chlorine pool also consumes less electricity.
- Temperature: It is efficient even in cold water.
Drawbacks of a chlorine pool
- Irritation: It can be irritating to the nose, eyes and skin. It can also discolour swimsuits, towels and equipment.
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Maintenance throughout the year: You will have to regularly buy products and always have some at home to be able to adjust the water treatment.
When it is very hot, more products may be needed, which increases the cost of maintenance.
- Odour: Chlorine has a particular odour, which may be unpleasant for some people (or, on the contrary, be appreciated!).
- Harmfulness: It is a hazardous product that must be stored out of reach of children and animals.
- Ecology: Chlorine is a chemical that can be harmful to the natural environment.
Saltwater or chlorine pool: maintenance?
Regardless of the treatment chosen, regular maintenance of the water in your pool is needed. With a saltwater pool, there is no need to add salt too often, but the electrodes of the electrolyser must be cleaned regularly and the pH checked. You will also need equipment to clean the water and the pool (dip net, vacuum cleaner, etc.), but no additional chemical treatments.
With a chlorine pool, the pool must also be cleaned regularly. You will also need to check the amount of chlorine in the water and increase it if it is insufficient, as well as the pH level. Be careful when handling the chemical, and protect yourself by wearing gloves and a mask.
Always install a roller shutter to protect your pool and facilitate maintenance.
Converting a chlorine pool to a saltwater pool
You have a chlorine pool, but you would like to switch to a saltwater treatment. The cost of converting from a chlorine pool to saltwater can be significant as you will need to purchase an electrolyser, and have it installed by a professional, and purchase salt.
Before beginning, check that your pool is compatible. Do you have enough space in your machine room to install an electrolyser? Is your filtration system suitable and without stainless steel parts that the salt could corrode?
If your pool is compatible with a saltwater treatment, the chlorine in the water needs to be removed by stopping the treatment, but allowing the filtration to run. The filtration system must then be purged and the electrolyser installed.
The conversion is completed by calculating the amount of salt needed and adding it to the electrolyser. Remember to check the pH regularly to keep it between 7.2 and 7.4.
Saltwater or chlorine pool: what is the best treatment?
There is no best treatment, strictly speaking. Certainly, salt is more ecological and less irritating, but chlorine is relatively easy to use and requires less initial investment.
To choose the best treatment for you, you will therefore need to analyse:
- The budget that you can put into the treatment of your swimming pool, both throughout the year and to install the necessary equipment;
- Benefits and drawbacks of each method;
- The type of maintenance that seems less restrictive to you;
- Your region and the usual temperatures may also play a role in your choice.
Whether you choose chlorine or salt, each treatment has its benefits and drawbacks. The right choice will therefore be made based on your equipment to ensure that it is compatible with the treatment selected, and your needs. Discussing with other pool owners to get their opinion on chlorine and salt with an electrolysis system will also help you make the right decision.
