New Pool... Ozone or Salt?

[deeze]

OK OK, everyone I talk to in person says the ozone system is the way to go. I've seen two pools running on it and they both say it's the best thing since sliced bread. However, I read bad things on the web. What are your opinions on the ozone systems? I'm in Florida and I'm looking or the least amount of upkeep possible. I have a big 200 gallon salt water tank that takes up most of my "water upkeep" time... ha!
I hear great things about salt pools too but I'm torn.

The pool builder swears by it!

[Poolsean]

One thing to note; ozone generators still require a chlorine residual. Whether this is introduced by a salt chlorine generator, adding bleach, tabs or cal hypo is really up to you (and your environmental conditions - ie, high calcium areas like Arizona, will discourage cal hypo, years of tabs will introduce high cyanuric acid which will discourage tablets).
The combination of ozone and salt is compatible and will work fine.

[deeze]

Well I guess I'm confused because everywhere I read they say that chlorine neutralizes the ozone action? Are you saying that I also need a salt system or just add salt without the computerized system?
I live in Florida, are there any recomendations as to what kind of chlorine I add for that region?
Thanks for all you help!

By the way, I'm also going to buy a H155R for my new pool. I spoke with one of the manufacture reps (Jim McKechney) and discussed the binnifits of the "R" model and how well they thaw a frozen heater. Not sure if I'll run into that or not in Jacksonville but it seemed like a good idea.

[cwstnsko]

I have both a SWCG and a UV based Lowzone (ozone) system. I wouldn't own a pool without the SWCG, but the ozone system, I am more or less indifferent about. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably have spent the ozone money on something else. I'm sure there are great ozone systems out there, but you don't get them for a few hundred dollars.

[waterbear]

OK OK, everyone I talk to in person says the ozone system is the way to go. I've seen two pools running on it and they both say it's the best thing since sliced bread. However, I read bad things on the web. What are your opinions on the ozone systems? I'm in Florida and I'm looking or the least amount of upkeep possible. I have a big 200 gallon salt water tank that takes up most of my "water upkeep" time... ha!
I hear great things about salt pools too but I'm torn.

The pool builder swears by it!
A salt water reef tank and a pool with a salt water chlorine genterator are apples and oranges!
I have kept salt water tanks for about 30 years now and they can be a lot of work. Using electrolysis to generate chlorine in a swimming pool (by adding salt to the pool and having a SWG installed) makes pool maintenance very easy. I have one on my pool. Ozone does destroy chlorine and chlorine destroys ozone. Ozone works better with bromine since it will reactivate the bromine bank in the water.
Just adding salt to your pool without the SWG will just give you salty water (but even that has some advantatges!)

[Tredge]

Dont waste your money on the Ozone.

http://www.poolsolutions.com/tips/tip48.html

I have an Ozone/SWG and I can tell you that the Ozone doesnt do squat. A good SWG is all you need. Bigger is better.

[Big_D]

I have a Delzone TrioPure 50 in a 40K pool and so far I am happy with the water quality. The Water is CRYSTAL clear compared to almost every other pool I look at. This is a new pool, 4 months old, but so far I am happy with the system. The trio pure does have a SWG also for the residual chlorine sanitation. One thing I like is how clean the 2"glass waterline tiles are. Some of my neighbors have oil and gunk on their waterline tiles that I do not get. Only delta I can see is Ozone. Ozone has benefits that are often overlooked. One is the ability to kill organisms that Chlorine can not kill. Never should need to shock the pool either.

Do your homework on Ozone (Corona Discharge) is not the same league as the typical bulb ozone systems. I know the website is pretty negative about Ozone, which for the average bear may be accurate. I am told you should not confuse Corona discharge units to the low end units. Also the cell replacement cost for the SWG in the Trio is about 400.00 which is a fair price. I was not real impressed with the Trio Pure system when I started up the pool, it was cloudy and seemed to be murky, then about a week or two later it was awesome. Now it is amazing, I can see every imperfection in my pool plaster, LOL.

No not affiliated with Delzone, I have had good results with the triopure product so far. Just sharing my current results, could change tomorrow and if it does I will let you know. FYI This weeks water test is CH 2, Ph7.4, Cal 200, Alk 70, CYA70.

I have my flak jacket on so let em rip,
Thanks

[waterbear]

I was not real impressed with the Trio Pure system when I started up the pool, it was cloudy and seemed to be murky, then about a week or two later it was awesome. Now it is amazing, I can see every imperfection in my pool plaster, LOL.

I have my flak jacket on so let em rip,
Thanks
My pool was a dark green frog pond when it was first stated up. All it took to make it sparkling clear was a good shocking with bleach and turning on the SWG. In just over 24 hours it looked like the picture you see in my avitar and has been that way ever since!

[tonyl]

Big D....since you have both Ozone and Salt it's hard to brag about one over the other. I've been a SWG user for several years now and haven't had to shock either, except upon opening. My pool water was also dark green when I opened and in 24 hrs was crystal clear as well.

A friend of mine has a UV Ozone system and loves it and doesn't have to shock either. The only thing he dislikes is trying to keep his chlorine residual stable. I don't recommend ozone when you still have to have chlorine, when you can have a SWG and not have to have ozone.

[Tredge]

I also have the Trio-pure 50.

I cant compare it to other systems but from what I now know about Ozone.....I cant see that it does anything. Even if I turn the Ozone part of the Trio-pure off it performs exactly the same.

The SWG part of the Trio-pure is marginally good and for the price I cant help but feel I would have been better off with the "autopilot" or other "SWG only" systems favored on these forums.

[Big_D]

I am not trying to compare SWG vs Ozone, the Trio has both so not ozone or chlorine alone. Not sure how I could be bragging about one or the other either. I did have a pool years ago I ran with De and HTH which was the only real option back then.
Sure the whole thing could be smoke and mirrors. The chemistry says chlorine should not work well with Ozone, but if it is working I think it should be ok to share that.

I am sure there are many, many people that use SWG or BBB only that have very clean water as good or better than my pool. The only reason for my post is if people that have success with different equipment or processes they should share their results.

The reason I have the trio was the owner of the pool company recommended it on me before I found this site. I almost pulled it out, but did not and as of today not unhappy with it. Could die on me tomorrow, cold have an algae out break etc.

Tredge- How do you turn off the Ozone on the Trio mine only has 1 control knob for Chlorine production? "I cant see that it does anything." I have no proof it does anything either but I did notice a few things that were different from other pools next to me with similar use, trees etc.. Could be our brand of sunscreen just dissolves easier who knows.

Again not saying it works for everyone, but so far it is working for us and I guess I am somewhat convinced that this product may actually do as advertised.

[Tredge]

Tredge- How do you turn off the Ozone on the Trio mine only has 1 control knob for Chlorine production? "I cant see that it does anything." I have no proof it does anything either but I did notice a few things that were different from other pools next to me with similar use, trees etc.. Could be our brand of sunscreen just dissolves easier who knows.


I have a valve installed on mine where I can prevent the ozone from entering the system.

I can't get it to output more than 2ppm chlorine, others with SWG only systems seem to be able to 'shock' with theirs.

I guess for the money I wish I had a really good SWG over a mediocre SWG with questionable Ozone capability.

Could just be me....I have no direct experience with other products.

[deeze]

After reading all the negatives around the internet about ozone I broke down and made my pool contractor (Blue Haven) convince me why I should use it. He basically said all the stuff I read on the internet is a lack of knowledge on a true Ozonation system. Since I work in the technology field, I always run into that when the "next generation" technology comes out so I kept an open ear. He explained that they’ve built 155 pools this year alone in our area (Blue Haven’s the largest) and every one of those pools has their SmartPure Ozone System and every one of them say they LOVE it. They say the maintenance is way easier then the SWG system. Basically they say to drop one TriChlor tablet in the skimmer each week and that's (basically) all there is to it. With skepticism I insisted on calling a few past customers and they praised it highly! They said out of all the pools they sell nation wide (which they say are thousands a year) 88% of them are SmartPure Ozone Systems.
I told my pool designer that I'm going to ignore what I'm hearing on the web and take the plunge. I also told him I’d kick his butt if he stirred me wrong. They told me if it didn't do exactly what they are promising they would install a SWG system for no cost. Sounded pretty good to me...

[SeanB.]

... They told me if it didn't do exactly what they are promising they would install a SWG system for no cost. Sounded pretty good to me...

I'd get that in writting with a stated time frame - seriously. That's a great offer if they mean it.

[Tredge]

TriChlor tablet in the skimmer each week

Do a search on these forums and you'll hear bad things about Trichlor. http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=4610&highlight=trichlor

These add CYA continuously. Over a period of time it WILL require you to drain your pool because there is no other way to elliminate CYA. (High CYA >100 is bad)

If you were really insistant on using Trichlor pucks than what would you need an Ozone system for? Chlorine alone will produce a crystal clear pool.

Seriously. Ozone is a scam, I'm somewhat of a technology buff myself and I understand your desire to want this to work......but its one step above magnets for pools.

I fell for it....dont you fall for it too! ""Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.""

[waterbear]

First, I would get it in a signed contract that they will replace the ozone system with a SWG! (and if possible with a very long time limit so you can see for yourself how high the CYA levels will rise in just one pool season!)
Second, If they are installing a cartridge filter then placing a trichlor tablet in the skimmer is a good way to ruin the cart. Trichlor has a pH of 2 and when they sit in the skimmer with the pump off and then the pump turns on it is the same as pouring acid into the skimmer!
I would bet that they have some sort of deal with the manufacurer of this equipment and get some sort of kickback for each one they sell!

[dep78737]

I would be very wary of a PB who told you to leave a puck in the skimmer. I can't say for sure that ozone is bad, only that you still need chlorine. Since I still needed CL, I opted for a SWG alone when we built 2 years ago and am completely happy with the decision.

[waterbear]

One thing you need to be aware of....most pool builders don't have a clue about pool maintenace or water chemistry. Ben has even made this comment on one of his posts and I have seen for myself the results of people following PBs advice on pool care when they come in to me with their first water test!
I can't begin to tell you the number of SWGs that have been started up and run with NO CYA at all in the water (and the owners NEVER being told about the importance of monitoring the pH!) and the number of pools with pH off the scales in both directions because people were following PBs adivce! They want to sell you the equipment that will produce the biggest profit margin for them.