A Salt-Water Pool is Often the Pool of Choice

It can be complicated deciding which pool is best for your family. Many questions revolve around salt-water pools or chlorine free pools. Salt-water pools are NOT chlorine free pools. A salt-water pool is simply one that utilizes a chlorine generator. Chlorine generators have been around for decades. As technology and materials continue to evolve, chlorine generators continue to improve in performance.

Why Salt-Water?

Ocean water has a salt content of around 35,000 parts per million ("ppm"). Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. Most chlorine generators require a salt content of 2500 - 6000 ppm in the pool. A unit that needs less than 3500 ppm to operate effectively is optimal. If the salt content is higher, that warm, salty water will be pretty distasteful!

Swimming in a mild saline solution is much like taking a shower in soft water. Generally, when people swim in a non-chlorine generator pool (a pool with no salt water in it) they feel like their skin dries quicker upon exiting the pool. They may feel and/or see a whitish residual, chlorine flaking, on the skin. In a salt-water pool (one with a chlorine generator) the water feels smooth, your skin feels smooth and many people feel more refreshed.

What Does a Chlorine Generator Do?

A chlorine generator's main function is to produce chlorine for the pool so you do not have to buy it, store it or handle it. These are big advantages for many pool owners. Chlorine generators, when functioning correctly, produce chlorine constantly (when the pump is running) with most units. This keeps a residual of chlorine in the pool that prevents algae from growing. The secret is keeping the cell free of calcium and mineral deposits--the cell itself is made up of precious metals-it must be maintained so it can continue to make chlorine.

Through the process of electrolysis, water passing over the chlorine generator cell produces chlorine that is instantaneously transformed into Hypochlorous acid. When any type of chlorine is added to water it ALL makes the SAME thing: Hypochlorous acid. It does not matter if it is Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), Tri-chlor and Di-chlor or Lithium based, Cal-hypo or even gas chlorine--it all makes Hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorous acid is the active sanitizer; this is what kills algae and other harmful stuff in the water. Its effectiveness is totally predicated on balanced water conditions and, more importantly, proper pH. So, with a salt water system or chlorine generator, you still must maintain your water balance (pool chemistry) properly. As long as you do this, a chlorine generator is a good choice.

Types of Chlorine Generators There are two types of chlorine generators in use today on residential pools. The first one is a brine unit. This unit does not require the pool to have salt added to it. A tank or chamber at the pool equipment area has a predetermined amount of salt in it. Through electrolysis, chlorine is produced and immediately injected into the pool circulation system. These units are messy and produce by-products that are not simple to dispose of. These are the less common of the two types. The recommended unit is the type requiring that salt be added to the pool. We install the Goldline AquaRite Salt System on aftermarket installations. Other systems are available if  integration is required with electronic control panels. $1560 installed on COD pool repair. Maintenance clients receive a 10% discount ($156) & this printed page. Free with any new custom pool construction over $35,000 & this printed page. Free with complete tile, coping, & plaster renovation. Offer valid thru 12/31/06 & this printed page. There are two types of these units. One has the chlorine-producing cell and the electronics installed at the equipment while the other has the cell installed in the deck near the pool with the electronics usually located at the equipment. The deck unit works on the principle of convection. It makes chlorine even if the pump is off while the other more common unit makes chlorine as water is passed through the cell with the circulation system (pool pump on.) In both cases the cell must remain free of mineral deposits or it will not work properly. Of these two units, the inline unit with 24-hour circulation is the preferred choice. (Did you know that every commercial swimming pool in the United States requires 24-hour circulation?) What About Polarity? There are non-reverse polarity units and reverse polarity units. A reverse polarity unit reverses the electron flow through the cell causing mineral deposits to flake off. In some instances the now larger particles will get caught in the filtration system. So the claim that the units help keep calcium scum off the tile is partially correct. These cells do not require as much cleaning. (Don't believe a claim that a unit doesn't ever need to be cleaned) A reverse polarity unit will cost nominally more than a non-reverse unit. Bottom Line Chlorine generators can help fight against waterline scum build-up. They create a better, healthier swimming experience for most people. It isn't necessary to handle or buy chlorine, and, if the unit is functioning correctly, chlorine residual will always be present in the pool, eliminating algae. This makes it nearly impossible to get burning red eyes from chloramines, which is usually the culprit. Even with a chlorine generator, you still must maintain your pool. You still must maintain correct water balance, and you must maintain the chlorine generator. The best pool will have 24/7 circulation, correct hydraulic design with an in-floor cleaning system for bottom up cleaning and circulation, a quality ozone system, and a chlorine generator for sanitizer residual. You can expect to pay at least $1,000, and up to several thousand dollars, for a quality chlorine generator unit. DISCLAIMER: If you do not maintain a chlorine generator or maintain your pool chemistry you can destroy your pool's interior finish, decking and pool equipment. Chlorine generators and salt-water pools are great but they need care. You now have the recipe for a low maintenance pool. Enjoy, and swim safe! Special thanks to Kevin Woodhurst, President of Precision Pools and Spas of Arizona, for providing this information

That's because AquaRite generates its own chlorine from ordinary table salt -- to create 100% of the purification. You control it automatically through your present filtration system, using a low level of salt and recycling it.

This softens the water giving it a soft, smooth, silky feel you'll love to be in. For fitness and pure leisure, nothing is more convenient. Nothing is more nature friendly.

The unique design of our TurboCell monitors water flow rate, water temperature and salt level of pool water.

The design also creates a "scrubbing" action to assure the cell keeps operating smoothly for years.

2-inch wide piping minimizes any flow restrictions. The offset design amplifies the water circulation rate, it turbocharges and speeds "scrubbing" action. It harnesses electrolytic co-generation at less cost.

The Aqua TurboCell is simply plumbed into the return pipe to the pool. Its wire is plugged into the control panel and the system is ready to go. When your pool pump turns on, your AquaRite is activated. It then disperses freshly purified water, sparkling clear water with the level of purification you want... a fresh, healthy difference you'll enjoy.

• Supplies 100% of chlorine requirement for all residential pools up to 40,000 gallons.
  
   
• Ensures protection from elements and tampering.
  
   
• Complete, easy to understand and monitor system makes operation quick and easy.
  
   
• Keeping electronics cool ensures maximum longevity.
  
   
• Reduces need to buy, mix, or handle pool shocking chemicals.
   
• Reduces possibility of any mineral build up on the cell.
   
• Quick, clean, and convenient for the easiest of installations.
   
• Electronically determines if cell needs cleaning and automatically notifies owner.
   
• Turbo Cell installs in minutes via a simple plug into control.
   
• No need for additional time & expense of plumbing in additional parts.
   
• No flow restriction or bypass required, and no adapters.
   
• Numerous thin coats ensure maximum longevity of 10,000 operational hours.
   
• Protects cell blades from erosion and mineral build up.
   
• Aqua Rite can be controlled remotely from inside of house.
   
• Qualified, reliable service if and when needed.
   
• Readily available parts, service, and Support.
   
• Complete consumer confidence

• chlorine daily and evenly disperses it throughout pool.
  
   
• Electronics in locking weatherproof enclosure.
  
   
• Control has eight diagnostic indicator lights and a digital display of salt level in the water.
  
   
• Electronics enclosure works as a large heat sink.
  
   
• Super Chlorinate switch allows electronic pool shocking.
  
   
• Control automatically reverses polarity every 100 minutes.
  
   
• Large terminal strip connections for 120/240 VAC input power.
  
   
• Unique Turbo Cell auto-sensing feature indicates if cell is dirty and needs cleaning.
  
   
• Turbo Cell has one wire which plugs into the controller faceplate.
  
   
• Turbo Cell has salt and temperature detection built in.
  
   
• Turbo Cell plumbs in via supplied full 2" union fittings.
  
   
• Turbo Cell has numerous coats of specialized, conductivity required Ruthenium.
  
   
• Turbo Cell has plastic baffles on the edges of the titanium blades.
  
   
• Exclusive interface with Jandy Aqua link System via single connection. National network of fully trained and stocked service centers.
  
   
• American owned, designed and manufactured in Rhode Island.
  
   
• Exclusive 5-Year Warranty

Benefits for the Pool Owner

* Less maintenance

* Soft silky smooth water

* No more red or irritated eyes

* No chlorine odor

* Reduces most water chemistry problems

* Evenly dispersed chlorine, day in - day out

* No more unhealthy highs and lows

 Protected pool finish

* Improved water management

* Reduced likely hood of algae and the resulting stains

* No more harsh chemical shockings required

* Close to neutral pH, no more radical shifts  

* Easy to use - one dial adjusts the chlorine output

* Low operating costs - uses only 150 watts of electricity

* No more buying, transporting, and storing chlorine

* Requires less support chemicals

Increased Safety

* NSF, UL, CUL, & CE approved

* No handling & storage of harsh and toxic chlorine

* Consistently dispersed chlorine ensures healthy water

* No caustic or harmful by-products