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Hello,
I have started getting quotes for a pool. This is my first time. Pool will be around 25,500 gallons.
One company has offered Paramount Clear O3 ozone system with Rainbow chlorinator.
I am interested in any expert comments on this system. Specifically concerning maintenance compared to salt systems.
Also looking at PCC-2000 in floor cleaning system. Any comments on this would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve
Ouch! IMHO, find another installer, fast!
Ozone systems have a bad rep in the USA, and chlorinators (other than SWCGs--salt systems) ultimately cause problems. Do yourself a favor and learn about the B-B-B (Bleach--Borax-Baking Soda) method of maintenance we advocate here. There is no such thing as a "maintenance-free" system but you CAN reduce it to a simple, easy system with some knowledge, some planning, and a good test kit--the Taylor K-2006 and K-2006C are what we recommend.
You'll do far better with a properly planned and implemented salt-water chlorine generation (SWCG) system than an ozone and inline chlorinator.
Ultimately, the CHEAPEST effective system is the manual B-B-B system. You only need to test and adjust consistently and will spend less than 5 minutes a day + 15-30 min once a week. When comparing costs of automatic systems, even SWCG, to adding bleach, the bleach comes out FAR cheaper. I put in an SWCG this year because I'm away a lot, but up till now could not justify the cost.
What Carl said + . . .
1. SWCG systems are probably the easiest, especially if you can't check your pool ever other day. There's no clear-cut 'best' SWCG, but the Goldline (Hayward) and AutoPilot systems seem to be somewhat better than the others. Regardless, purchase the biggest unit you can -- and run it fewer hours. SWCG life is a direct function of "ON" time, and none of the systems seem to last as long as the sales literature suggests.
BUT . . . you must have salt-compatible construction: brass ladder anchors (not zinc), cupro-nickel exchanger on your heater (if any), etc.
2. Paramount systems introduce tremendous flow-restrictions into your piping, and require over-sized, energy wasting pumps. Instead, purchase a Polaris 180 or 360, with a dedicated pump. That system works effectively, requires no special pump, and only 1 extra line to the pool (for most pools), and only runs when you need it.
I had a Rainbow in-line chlorinator. It came with the pool when we bought the house. It appeared to be trouble free with only occasion maintenance required. Fill it with tri-chlor tabs and let it do it's thing (feed chlorine). What I didn't realize was that tri-chol also adds stabilizer/conditioner/CYA. I couldn't figue out why I was fighting algae all the time with "good" chlorine levels. Then I found this forum. I read and learned about the relationship between proper chlorine levels and CYA. Because I was using tri-chlor exclusively, my CYA was too high and I needed corresponding chlorine level for sanitation. Look at Ben's Best Guess Chart. I also came to realize that tri-chol drives the pool's pH to be acidic. My water became agressive to my plaster finish and started to eat it! No, really.
I'd love to find a system that required as little time to maintain as the Rainbow chlorinator, but they don't exist. A SWCG is probably as close as you can get. Just so you know - I followed the methods promoted by this forum for the last 6 months. Our pool never ever looked better ( even my wife said so). Yes, I have to add bleach pretty much every day - I think it takes 2 minutes - but I now "know my pool" and it is a genuine pleasure to have. But I'm home all the time and that is a decision factor to keep in mind as CarlD points out. My Rainbow was removed months ago. (You can have it for free if you want it, along with the rest of my tri-chlor.)
A good test kit (I have the recommended Taylor K2006) is your best investment. No matter which sanitation method you choose, it will allow YOU to have control of your pool, not the pool store or anybody else.
Read read read. CarlD kinda glossed over issues with ozone system. Read about them.
Good luck.