Today is the day to choose....

Well today is the last day to finally choose which way to go.

Either chlorine setup w/ ZeoBrite or the Aqua-Rite SWG w/ZeoBrite.


Last night:

We talked to our builder about swg and chlorine setup and he keeps pushing us to chlorine setup w/ ZeoBrite and tells me that its a waste to spend that extra $800.00 for the SWG and also assured me that Chlorinator is the way to go and it is truely easy to maintain and have a clear pool. :( / :)

So what I did was called a couple of pool service companies in the area and they claim they hated the SWG. Maybe it makes me wonder honestly why?!?!?! From their stand point they say it errodes/corrodes everything in its way for examble waterfalls or sheer archs b/c of the metal material it ismade out of. From my stand point maybe they are saying that b/c now the average JOE can maintain their pool w/o the rescue of the Service pool boy and his fee's/charges. Any idea maybe this is why?

From all I hear on here SWG is the way to go.

Here in central Texas I never had to put lotion on my body b/c of its humidity level. So while we play in the pool at my friends house which is chlorine eveytime I get out, I feel itchy and dry skin espically on my back and arms.
I feel like I was living back in Colorado, lol. Lotion was my best friend out there.

So help me push to get me in the right direction if SWG is honestly the way to go.

Thank Ya!! ;)

Also in addition we'll be getting the Sta-Rite 1.5hp pump (one speed), one serenity garden waterfall and one of those cheapo move around little water fountains:


Serenity garden waterfall:
http://www.poolpumps.info/assets/images/MHSGF_Ranch.jpg

Cheap'O water fountains:
http://www.intheswim.com/images/cat_image/A5500.jpg


All this in a Vinyl Liner pool which will be 17'x33' Grecian style pool.

Thanks

I am in the exact same situation as you. Our pool is dug, walls built, waiting for liner but still haven't decided on Chlorinator or SWCG.

I've asked the corrosion question on this forum and no one here seems to think it's a legitimate concern.

I want to spend the extra dough on the SWCG but my builder is not recommending it. He says they used to put in a lot of them and now they are seeing the corrosion and rusting issues on pools that are only 5-6 years old.

He knows I'm not buying chemicals from him (his store is an hour away) and he is a friend of a friend so I feel like he is being honest and basically taking less money to make this recommendation so I trust him....I'm just frustrated because everyone who has the SWCG loves it.

Sorry, not an answer for you. More of the same question I guess.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeffski

I am in the exact same situation as you. Our pool is dug, walls built, waiting for liner but still haven't decided on Chlorinator or SWCG.

I've asked the corrosion question on this forum and no one here seems to think it's a legitimate concern.

I want to spend the extra dough on the SWCG but my builder is not recommending it. He says they used to put in a lot of them and now they are seeing the corrosion and rusting issues on pools that are only 5-6 years old.

He knows I'm not buying chemicals from him (his store is an hour away) and he is a friend of a friend so I feel like he is being honest and basically taking less money to make this recommendation so I trust him....I'm just frustrated because everyone who has the SWCG loves it.

Sorry, not an answer for you. More of the same question I guess.

---

:cool: jeffski, it's all good. Well just prey for more commets if 'we' should aboard the SWG clan ;)

BTW... did you or are you going to choose more of the lighter or darker color vinyl colors?

I was told the darker colors (blue) will make your pool look more blue like the blue sea in Hawaii or the lighter color one's which will make the pool look clear kinda like your bath tub :D

I personally like a darker bottom because it looks cool, but the downside is that you can see the white seams in the liner. I of course had no choice whatsoever, the wife picked a lighter colored liner. My builder had just installed a pool with the same liner that my wife picked so we went to their house and looked at it. The wife loved it so that was it.

Salt corrosion is a major issue, in my builder's opinion, but for some reason I want to disregard his advice and still get the SWCG.

I used to put salt on my back cement patio so that we wouldn't get ice between the door and the hot tub, and very quickly the salt pitted the cement and took big chunks out of it. I have no idea if the salt from the pool could do the same damage but I think it's reason to be concerned.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pool_Mike

From their stand point they say it errodes/corrodes everything in its way for examble waterfalls or sheer archs b/c of the metal material it ismade out of.

---

I have two Shear Descents. There is no metal in them - its all plastic. Other than a ladder in the pool (not too common on IG pools anymore), what is going to corrode? The current/new model pool lights are designed to withstand SWG pools. Perhaps the builder is referring to seeing corrosion on older pools that were converted to salt systems or AG pools.

As for the maintance side. SWG makes life of a pool owner more simple and less expensive as for chemical buying?

True?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jeffski

I personally like a darker bottom because it looks cool, but the downside is that you can see the white seams in the liner. I of course had no choice whatsoever, the wife picked a lighter colored liner. My builder had just installed a pool with the same liner that my wife picked so we went to their house and looked at it. The wife loved it so that was it.

Salt corrosion is a major issue, in my builder's opinion, but for some reason I want to disregard his advice and still get the SWCG.

I used to put salt on my back cement patio so that we wouldn't get ice between the door and the hot tub, and very quickly the salt pitted the cement and took big chunks out of it. I have no idea if the salt from the pool could do the same damage but I think it's reason to be concerned.

---

Jeffski,

I found this owner to had light liner before and now the dark liner.
WOW!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t/Dscf0727.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t/100_0567.jpg

I'm am going darker. Just love the Blue'z'ness!! :p

I agree, I love the darker liner. I think the one my wife picked falls somewhere in between those two photos.

BTW, I don't think you're going to hear anything negative about SWCG's on this site. I've tried and failed here and on other forums which is why I'm leaning in that direction.

I emailed my builder again for more specific info as to why he is not recommending this seemingly wonderful upgrade to my pool. I will of course post back with more details.

Mike,

I have been using a SWCG since April of 1998. In addition to what is on my signature, there are stainless steel handrails for the steps and deep end.

In all those years I have never seen any signs of corrosion/erosion on the pool.

The only time you have to be careful is when you add granular salt. You have to make sure that there are none left on the concrete coping that you may have, as was mentioned it will create a mark.

I have written a post in this forum on SWCG Operation that I hope will help you in your decision.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=1226

BTW, the reason the pool companies don't like SWCGs is because it takes away from their chlorine sales. The SWCG gives a more reliable and constant source of chlorine.

Also as the cost of electricity starts to go up through the years, the liquid chlorine that you buy as bleach, or other forms will start to go up in comparison to what the SWCG can do.

Hope this helps in your decision, and let us know what you decide.

Pat

You guys are great!! Thank you all. Now soon to be new owner to be of SWGC. :)

Thanks again,

-Mike

low and behold. we decided to go w/ chlorine setup b/c our PB will also give us an one year supply of chemicals. This way I can test the waters :o and if I hate it, then SWG is then to come.

Mike,

Where are you located and what type of "chemicals" are they providing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Poolsean

Mike,

Where are you located and what type of "chemicals" are they providing?

---

In Austin, TX. Not sure on the chemicals brand. But it will be everything to make it trhough the whole year.

Do you know what I need? I can run it by the builder and ask what all i'd get then from the list you provide to me iI then can match to their list.

My heart for some reason says "JUST DO IT.. get SWG" but I can always gamble and try. But if its just going to me too much mixing and then if I fug something up, then I will be kinda upset, but hey I got PoolSolution buddies to help me out :)

Again, I feel your pain. It's hard to go against the advice of your builder but I just might anyway.

Well, I have a SWG in Noetheast-for only about 6 weeks now, but love it so far. We chose it mainly because my daughter has very sensitive skin and chlorine does a job on it. So far with the SWG she has no problems and she swims hours almost every day.
Other than adding some CAL and a little stabilizer, my only additives have been muriatic acid(about 7.00 for a gallon-I add about 4-5 cups every 8-9 days) and a couple of cups of baking soda after a big rain to up the ALK.

MY BIL in Houston spends a few hundred dollars a month on chlorine and algae preventatives and a few hundred to treat a pink algae bloom alone-thanks to major pool store chain. They found out later of a fix that would have cost then about 50.00 Gotta love those pool store chains!
It's my understanding that SWG have been around over 20 years in Australia and that more than 80% of pool "down under" use the SWG.
This forum http://pool-information.com/forum.html used to have a number of Australian members. Might be worth your while to check it out.

Do you guys honestly think the only reason a pool builder would NOT recommend the SWCG is because they make less off the chemical purchases?

Don't they run the risk of looking like idiots like the people who defended the VCR over the DVD?

Is the corrosion/rust issue legit or are they doing a huge disservice to their customers?

I'm not leaning either way, just asking.

My pool is 3 1/2 years old. I have the AquaRite SWG. I live near Dallas and the water is warm this time of year (85 F - 88 F). It was suggested that the SWG would not produce enough chlorine to protect the pool in the Texas heat. I have never had that problem. I run my pump for 8 hours this time of year and the AquaRite is set to 50% and my chlorine stays around 3.0 My water is clear and I have never had a problem with algae and to date I have never shocked my pool. I do add a cup and a half of muriatic acid every couple of days to keep the pH around 7.6

I have yet to experience any corrosion and the pool water does not have a negative effect on the landscape. I keep my salt level at 3200ppm and I have read that tear drop has 3 times as much salt.

I do give the SWG a soak in a muriatic acid solution twice a year. I believe that AquaRite recommends 4 times a year but I haven't noticed any build up on the cells so I believe 2 times a year is working for me.

In the winter when the water temp hangs in the 40's my SWG does not generate chlorine (below 55 F). I just add a few cups of bleach to keep the chlorine up.

My pool is 18,000 gallons and over the year I probably buy 4 gallons of bleach, 6 - 8 gallons of muriatic acid, 80 - 120 pounds of salt, 4 pounds of cyanuric acid and 8 pounds of baking soda. I don't consider that a lot to maintain a crystal clear pool. Anyway that's my experience. I'm glad I bought the SWG and I will buy another one when the time comes.

Gary

I have a dark blue liner. It looks 100 times cooler than my neighbor with the real light blue liner. Plus, it's supposed to help keep the water warm.

Also, I have a SWG. My pool store said "You still need to shock it." They don't make near the money off of SWG owners. I'm a dummy at this sort of stuff - I spend my days giving financial and tax advice - but I think I've figured out the SWG after about a month. 2-3 minutes a day taking care of it has worked so far.

FWIW, my pool builder was pushing the SWG,(we had decided to use it even before contracting him) but he is also the one that put table salt in the pool and now I have an iron/staining problem. He was probably hoping I'd come to them to fix it-sorry Charlie.
As Roll Tide said, 2-3 minutes a day and that's it. I test the water and adjust my output as needed-and it's usually not needed.

I have a 16 x 32 Grecian, vinyl liner w/8' hopper built in 1989 in S. Indiana. I used chlorine tabs w/Hayward autochlorinator for the first 3 seasons, switched to Baquacil then SoftSwim. Replaced original liner last year. The company that put my new liner in was the same company I had bought chemicals from for many years. The owner suggested a SWG. Having never heard of the technology decided to educate myself over the winter.

This spring I ordered and installed an AutoPilot, converted to chlorine, added salt turned the unit on and began enjoying my "new" pool. My only regret has been not knowing to do this sooner.

Everyone that uses the pool compliments the water (no one really liked the SoftSwim/Baquacil taste), it has remained crystal clear with minimal effort. Sean and others on this site are worth their weight in gold as to advice and help. While I don't like to give purchasing advice to others based on one partial season's use, I don't anticipate changing my opinion about the AutoPilot.

Hope this helps.
Mike

When we bought our present house about 3 years ago it was running on a chloinator with tablets. The CYA was near 100 and if you've read here much you know that is a recipe for algae. We got it. Took the pool store advice, got no where fast. Almost went to Baquacil. Thank god found this site before the order for Baq was placed.

Used bleach for 2 seasons. Clear, clean no problems. Just lots of bottles.
Put in an Autopilot about 3 weeks ago. So far it does everything as advertized.
Like it. Visitors and wife love the water with salt in it. Actually added salt mid season last year to about 1500-1800 level as a pre-SWG test.

Can't recall anyone on this forum complaining that SWG did anything but what they claimed they would. Happy as a clam.