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We're having our pool built and are trying to decide between a Polaris Watermatic Dichlor Feeder vs. an Intellichlor salt system. We were wanting a salt system, but our pool designer says he uses the Dichlor feeder after having been a salt water system user and he highly recommends we do the same.
I'd like to get some opinions on current users of both systems, pros and cons and whatnot.
Thanks in advance!
Do NOT use a Di-Chlor feeder. Di-Chlor as it breaks down results in chlorine and CYA--stabilizer. No stabilizer is bad, some stabilizer is needed, but too much stabilizer is a BIG problem, and with a Di-Chlor feeder you will get there before you know it. Then no matter HOW high you set it, you won't get enough chlorine in to stop algae growth.
Or, suppose you watch your levels very carefully. So your CYA level hits 50ppm and you don't want it to go higher. You have to stop using Di-Chlor and switch to Bleach/Liquid Chlorine or Cal-Hypo (which you MUST NOT put in the Di-Chlor feeder--very,very dangerous.)
But if your builder does not want to install an SWG, don't make him. Instead, don't let him install the Di-Chlor device, and plan on using Di Chlor dissolved in a bucket or Liquid Chlorine (don't say "bleach" or pool people go insane.) Then, find an experienced SWG installer and have THEM install the SWG.
I just use bleach myself, and sometimes use Di-Chlor, but if I had to make your choice, I would never put in the Di-Chlor feeder, yet would put in an SWG in a New York minute.
Go with the SWG, you won't regret it! I have one in my pool and it is trouble free. I work in a pool store and just today I had to tell 7 customers that they needed to do a partial drain and refill to get their stabilzier levels down because they use stabilized chlorine. (None of them seem to want to give up their feeders and use liquid chlorine!) If your builder is putting in a cartridge filter you do NOT want to use stabilzed chlorine in any form since your CYA levels will build up fast. With a sand or DE filter that you backwash regularly the problem is not quite as bad since you are always removing some pool water with each backwash and then refilling but it CYA will still build up to high levels, just not quite as fast.
I would definaiely tell you that the SWG is the way to go!