► Salt Chlorinator?

A friend of mine has a salt water pool and seems to have a easy time keeping the chlorine level in range.  Is this technology available for use in a spa?  Is it available as a retrofit or must the spa be ordered that way? Thanks for the help.

Tom, 10/21/2008

Actually the pool is not a salt water pool.  Salt is added to the pool, but at a fraction of that present in true salt water.  Saltwater chlorinators are available for use in spas and offer similar advantages:  complete elimination of chlorine chemical products, easy maintenance and improved water quality - just to name a few.  It can be added to an existing spa.  If you are interested in eliminating or reducing that unpleasant chloramine odor, a Spa Pilot salt chlorinator, from Autopilot is a suitable means of alternative spa water sanitizing and should be of great interest.  For more information go to:  www.autopilot.com  I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 10/21/2008

► Questionable Advice?

Alan, thank you! Your website is such a big help.  I am a new owner of a 20'x40' in ground vinyl lined pool and a 500 gallon spa (separate).  This has been a 'night-marish' summer just getting the projects completed and now I am into the daily maintenance and care of both the pool and spa.  The pool builder set up the pool initially using stabilized Tri-chlor 3" chlorine tablets administered by an automatic chlorinator.  My pool has an automatic cover and is closed except when in use.  I tested weekly and unbelievably did not have to add any chlorine tablets the last 6 weeks of the season!  Can this be true?  The Cyanuric acid levels are extremely high and with minimal loss of chlorine thanks to the cover, my strips were correct as confirmed by professional analysis.  This fall I added a spa and this dealer insisted on setting up the spa using a 5% copper product to sanitize the spa.  I have been reading many cons to using copper as a sanitizer, most stating that copper is an incomplete sanitizer.  Being new to this industry, I feel like the advice that I receive is all about selling the chemicals.  I am looking for a truly impartial opinion to sanitizing and oxidizing both the pool and spa.  With no consideration to cost, what would you use to sanitized and oxidize your pool and spa?  My region is North Central West Virginia if that matters.  The winters are cold and the summers are hot.  Thank you for your time.

Ted K., 11/12/2006

You would need a magnifying glass to find something that makes good sense about the use of copper as a spa sanitizer.  I am perplexed that, given all the better possibilities, copper would be recommended, by any truly knowledgeable, objective person.  Copper is a primarily algaecidal and will not control the infectious bacteria, that may develop in spas very quickly.  Copper not oxidize the wastes.  At the very least, you should have an ozonator.  This will provide the important oxidation function.  A backup sanitizer will be required and you can use bromine for that purpose.  Another excellent way to sanitize the pool and the spa is with a salt chlorine generator, which will produce chlorine right in the spa.  There is no need to add a separate oxidizer and it is highly automated.  This is a complete sanitizing systems.  Fewer chemicals to add and store, fewer chemicals building up and conditions that are less likely to lead to heater corrosion.  Given the chemicals saving, the end result is quite affordable.  I hope that you will find the information helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 11/12/2006

► Chlorine Or Bromine Generator?

Which would you recommend, a bromine generator or a chlorine generator?  We are getting a new spa and like the idea of only changing the water once a year.  Please let us know if you think one or both of these would be a good choice.  We have been told that the salt will wreck the equipment.  Also is one easier on the skin than the other.  Thank you.

Kathy M., 2/21/2004

Not a simple group of questions!  You can use a salt chlorine generator to produce bromine in a spa, but that could damage the electrode plates.  A salt chlorination system should be fully capable of satisfying the sanitary demands of the spa, while avoiding many of the problems associated with traditional chlorine spa products.  A typical bromine generator is probably more costly and not necessarily any better, as a spa sanitizer.  There is also the possibility that sodium bromate will be produced and for this reason, I suspect, bromine generators have fallen out of favor.  I am not at all sure about the once-a-year water replacement, as that might fly in the face of common sense.  A lot depends upon your source water quality (calcium hardness and TDS) and the type of usage that the spa receives.  The spa chemistry should be maintained in a manner similar to that of a typical chlorine or bromine spa, in order to minimize corrosive effects and to help assure optimum bather comfort.  I hope that this information proves helpful  Enjoy the spa experience.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 2/21/2004

► Eliminating Chemicals?

Alan, great site, I added you to my favorites list.  I have checked into the various alternative spa sanitizers such as ozone and ionization and it seems that I still need to add chlorine or bromine -- perhaps at some reduced level.  It doesn't make as much sense, if I can't give up the chlorine.  If I use a salt chlorine generator, will I still need to add chlorine? 

Fred H., 9/12/2004

Ozonators, mineral sanitizers and ionizers are not complete sanitizers and require a backup.  Chlorine or bromine is usually used for this purpose.  Salt chlorine generators are complete sanitizing systems and need very little, other than chemicals to balance the pH and total alkalinity.  During periods of very high bather usage, it may be necessary to dial up the chlorine output or, at the very worst, add some non-chlorine shock.  If you have a salt chlorine generator and opt to add a SPA Frog Mineral Sanitizer, it will provide backup, persistent sanitation and allow you to the salt chlorine generator at a lower rate of production.  I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 9/30/2004
 

► Corrosion Concerns?

I have a swim spa (about 1200 gal) and I was wondering if there would be any corrosion in the heater portion of the control box after adding salt to the water?  Thanks.

Dave B.  Jacksonville, FL, 4/4/2007

Salt Chlorinators are widely used in heated pools and spas.  Corrosion can result if two dissimilar metals are in close proximity to one another, under the water.  This is not to be expected, given the rising popularity of salt chlorinator systems.  To be on the safe side, ask the option of the swim spa manufacturer.  I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 4/4/2007

► Replacement Problems?

Hi there.  I have a swim spa and have used a salt chlorinator system for close to 5 years.  It has been great.  The dealer that installed the spa and the equipment is no longer in business.  I think that I need to replace the salt cell, as I have checked the salt level and cleaned the electrodes and still chlorine production is lacking.  The control unit seems OK.  Are these cells interchangeable?  I'm afraid that I may have a problem locating a replacement cell, given the age of the unit.  Any suggestions?

Mike F., 5/6/2004

You must use a cell that is equivalent to the one furnished with the salt chlorinator.  Cells differ in terms of the number and size of the electrode plates.  The dealer may not be around, but you might be to locate a replacement cell.  They are companies the carry replacements cells for most salt chlorinators.  Good luck and I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 5/6/2004

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► How Much Salt Is Required?

► Just Adding Salt?

Hi, I have a small spa that I manually add chlorine to. Can I convert to salt and manually add it like I do the chlorine now?  Will salt affect the motor etc.?  Thanks.

Paul, Flagstaff, AZ, 3/15/2004

Spas and pools that are using a "salt system" don't just add some salt.  You need some equipment and about 2500-3500 PPM of salt added to the water.  The equipment (salt chlorinator) converts the salt into chlorine.  More information, on Salt Chlorinating Systems, is available on this website.  I hope that I have been helpful.

Sincerely.  Alan Schuster, 3/15/2004

Proper water chemistry will help to better control and avoid sanitation problems, maintain more optimum bathing conditions and help assure correct performance of the salt chlorine generator.  More information about Pool/Spa Water Testing Products can be found in the Test Equipment Store.

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