SWCG versus Ozone/Chlorine system

[keschete]

I went to my first meeting last night with a pool dealer. He sells fiberglass, liner and gunite pools and he also does Salt water, chlorine and chlorine/ozone systems.

We discussed all of the options, I want a small pool (10x20) with a small inground spa.

He recommended a gunite pool with a chlorine/ozone system. He told me that fiberglass fades too much in Louisiana. He said with the new gunite products that would be better and he said he was trying to get out of salt water because of the rust issues with pool components.

So he gave me a price on an Ozone/chlorine system, sand filter, gas heater, and the magnetic pumps.

I just want to see if anyone has any comments. I am waiting until after hurricane season to purchase, so I have time to research. I just don't want to invest a lot of money for a pool that I am not happy with.

I have managed aquariums before, so I understand the concepts behind the magnetic pumps, saltwater and ozone systems.....I just can not seem to translate that into the best pool for my needs.

Please give any and all opinions, references and I thank you all in advance!!!!!

[PoolDoc]

+ Regarding chlorine / ozone: ozone destroys chlorine; chlorine destroys ozone; nuff said?
(But in case it's not enough: the successful European ozone systems for commercial indoor pools are very $$$ and supervisor intensive. The require a dechlorination stage / ozonation stage / filtration / deozonation stage / rechlorination. If you want to do that . . . it works well for indoor pools. Just be sure to budget for an operator salary. US UV based ozone systems are -- in my opinion -- a triumph of marketing over reason.)

+ Salt only rusts components that rust. (Duh!) If you use a salt system you have to use compatible components. Most -- like plastic pumps, stainless ladders and so on are standard. You must also use heaters with salt resistant exchangers. These are not readily available.

+ Salt can also cause some stone and concrete deterioration . . . if it concentrates. It does so in Arizona; it doesn't do so where it rains regularly.

+ Never liked fiberglass pools, but some have worked well. Liner pools are never as 'cool' as gunite, but good liner pools are lower maintenance than gunite.

+ What is a magnetic pump? (All electric motors are magnetic, but I assume you are referring to something different.)

[keschete]

Ben,

The magnetic motor (at least how it was decribed to me) works like an aquarium powerhead. I think it is the Pentair Intelliflo vf high performance pump.

So, what do you like / recommend as far as chlorine vs saltwater systems? I really want a heated pool. The pool will include a small spillover spa. So I need to get something that is compatible with a gas powered heater.

Thanks for you input. Kaya

[PoolDoc]

Sorry, can't do this till Wednesday of next week . . . maybe Waste or Waterbear can help.

[keschete]

I am not in any rush. I don't plan on ordering or buying anything until Oct or Nov. Please give you input when you have time. Thanks Again, Kaya

[PoolDoc]

Ok, but you'll have to remind me when the time comes -- things are likely to remain REAL busy till August.

Ben