SWCG vs Manual/Inline Chlorinator

[jjtex]

We also live in Houston and have had two different reputable companies tell us to stay away from SWG (both have been in business over 20 years). They said they have clients that are now switching back...apparently it etches into coping, decks, etc. and wears out patio furniture. One pool company suggested chlorine with an ozonator so we would need less chlorine. I am interested in any feedback from someone who has either system and any experience with this.

[SeanB.]

We also live in Houston and have had two different reputable companies tell us to stay away from SWG (both have been in business over 20 years). They said they have clients that are now switching back...apparently it etches into coping, decks, etc. and wears out patio furniture. One pool company suggested chlorine with an ozonator so we would need less chlorine. I am interested in any feedback from someone who has either system and any experience with this.

Was Blue Haven the pool company pushing the ozone system? Just curious as they seem to push it to every customer and basically put down any other competitors or other technology. I haven't read anything to convince me they are worth the money.

Just from talking to other people and reading here and other sites, I've observed far more people wanting to switch from inline chlorinators to SWG. I've also talked to a couple coworkers who have had SWG for a number of years and said they'd never consider anything else. They never mentioned any of the problems you mention. I'm curious to see if anyone here has experienced those issues.

[Poolsean]

jjtex,

You should go to Arizona...EVERYTHING gets blamed on the salt system!

So what are the chances that the salt is doing this? Do you suppose that 90% of Australian residential pools are on salt systems because of all this damage, because that would make more sense, right? Do you think that with salt chlorine generators being in the industry since the 60's in Australia, and the late 70's in the US, that they had less coping, deck, and "WOW" premature patio furniture wear back then? It is certainly increasing in popularity and gaining acceptance as the more desirable method of sanitizing your pool, residentially and commercially.

The fact that the PB had an alternative to offer that STILL requires the addition of chlorine, simply means that they either used one that had repeat issues, or perhaps are looking to distinguish themselves from what the rest of the PB are offering. Salt!

PatL has had his since 1998 and I don't think he's claimed to see premature patio furniture wear, or we would have heard about that by now. I've got commercial installations going back into the 1980's, Sheraton Hotel - Cavalier in Calgary, Alberta Canada (1984). The Ft Lauderdale Aquatic Complex (formerly the International Swimming Pool Hall of Fame) has had salt on their swim class and training pool since 1992. A commercial pool would be the first to complain LOUDLY if these incidences of damage were real.

Does Houston pose a greater risk than other areas? Not really. If the PBs there are seeing this as a problem, you would hear it from the lower 1/3 of the US as well. We're not. I wouldn't put any merrit into the PB's suggestion to stay away from salt systems.

[waterbear]

The reason pool supply companies would recommend an inline chlorine feeder over a SWG is that they make MUCH higher profits on trichlor tabs and all the other chemicals you will need once your stabilzer goes too high to keep the algae at bay then they do over a few bags of salt and a few jugs of acid you will need with your SWG!

[Davenj]

Went to the PB to buy a filter part. Standing in line while they tested people's water and listed what they needed (10lbs of this, 20lbs of that).
Told them to follow the directions on the printout and come back with another water sample. I smiled and paid for my $3.00 part and left. I have a SWCG by the way.

[PatL34]

Waterbear,

Could not have said it better.

Pat