Making the decision on the chlorine and mineral system

[Azmp1]

ok thanks, i will do that then. I will probably just do the automatic chlorinator and thats it. i think i will stay away from SWCG because of the auto cover, unless you guys can advise different.

[waterbear]

Contrary to what has been told to you and the marketing hype from Zodiac the Nature2 will NOT allow lower FC levels in practice. It is merely a very expensive algaecide. Plaster finishes (and pebbletec is a plaster finish) are prone to staining from metals. Period!
As far as problem with the autocover and a SWCG, if everything is properly bonded it usually is not a problem (assuming the cover is made from material that are resistant to salt, which might cost a bit more. If it can be installed in a coastal community such as the Florida coast it should stand up to a SWCG.) I would be more concerned about problems with trapped chlorine gas and volatile chloramines taking their tole on the cover than the salt in the water. Check with the manufacturer of the cover and see what they have to say.

[Azmp1]

great feedback. thank you folks!

[Azmp1]

Hey folks, another thing i've read about a potential concern with using SWCG and the vinyl liner pools.

It seems like there is a potential long term issue with using salt in a vinyl liner pool. The concern i've been reading about is a potential of saltwater vapor crystalizing behind the liner and attacking the metal panels of the pool, eventually destroying the structure of the pool. I would think this wouldn't be an issue withe the gunite pool, but seems like a real possibilty on the vinyl liner pool.

Any thoughts/experrience on this?

Thanks,
Alex

[kelemvor]

If you have a pool with a metal frame instead of concrete/gunite there is always some risk of corrosion. I would check the manufacturers/builders warranty to make sure the warranty isn't rendered void first. If so, then the best way to go is manually chlorinating, possibly with the assistance of a tablet feeder system.

I've got a gunite pool that's about 5 years old now and has had a swcg since it was built I've only owned the house for two years, but as best I can tell there's not much metal (maybe rebar?) to worry about. I get a lot of rain here in FL, so lots of salt gets washed out and onto things around the pool. That's no problem for me, though because nothing around the pool is metal with the exception of the metal ring around my pool light (stainless, still looks perfect).

Are you placing a vinyl liner over a brand new gunite or pebbletec surface?