Solaxx SALRET20A SWCG for Intex Pool?

[swjwjw]

I have an Intex 24' X 52" Above Ground Pool. I have gone through (3) Intex Krystal Klear Saltwater Systems in 3 years. I want to stay with a Salt Water style system, but I refuse to buy another Intex system. I am looking to purchase a Solaxx SALRET20A SWCG, but I want to make sure that I will be able to use this with my pool. Can anyone assist me with this? Also if you have any other recommendations that would be great as well. I just don't want to spend an arm and a leg for a new system.

[PoolDoc]

The Solaxx system you referenced appears to be

+ an inexpensive low capacity salt water chlorine generator -- like the Intex model,
+ having short life, and thus being more or less disposable -- like the Intex model

BUT,

- unlike the Intex, the Solaxx model has no identifiable US maker, and no warranty!


If you buy it from Amazon, at least you have a 30 day return period:
Solaxx SALRET20A SWCG (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B003WLU1J4/scouscho-20/) @ Amazon

All in all, it's very similar to the Intex, but costs almost 2x as much:
Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN//scouscho-20/)

Both units have 4-star or better Amazon reviews. So while I'm sorry that your personal experience has been bad, I'm pretty skeptical that the Solaxx is better. And personally, I'd rather buy a product that has a US distributor and warranty location!

I think the more important question may be, "why have you gone through 3 Intex units in three years?" .

Intex does not make super-high quality gear, and I'm not especially impressed with the quality of their SWCG units. But 3 units in 3 years? That's not typical. Intex *does* honor product warranties, if somewhat slowly and reluctantly. What did Intex tell you?

My guess that there's something about your pool that's causing problems . . . and that it will affect the Solaxx too.

[swjwjw]

I do agree with you on the US Distributor!!! What other options do I have for a SWCG then?

[PoolDoc]

Like I said, I'd start by taking a look at your pool, your water, and your methods. I'm not sure that there's a better SWCG for AG pools than the Intex. It's not great, but it doesn't normally die like yours have, either.

So:

1. Get a K2006 (http://pool9.net/testkits/) and test your water.

2. Make sure you're using the SWCG *only* for normal maintenance. SWCG's *will* get burnt out if you use them to clean up spring pools or deal with algae outbreaks. Instead, do that manually.

3. Tell us about your pool, equipment and source water.

[Pappy]

Converting from Intex to anything else IS going to be a pain because Intex connections ARE NOT standard, they ARE proprietary. I looked into getting a non Intex sand filter, and went with Intex for that reason.