Inground Pool chlorine generator

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Turbo_Manx_Maniac

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I'm looking at going from chlorine tablets to using a salt chlorine generator. My last trip to get a 35lb pail of 3" tablets was a shock (no pun intended), price went from around $75 last year to over $200. I've seen it come down a bit recently, but it's still ridiculous.

I use an inline chlorinator from Hayward that uses about 6 of the 3" tablets. Problem I have is that it sometimes runs out and I don't notice until the pool starts growing algae and turning green. I'm so done with algae. In the summer heat, it can go through 6 tablets in a week or 2, so if you go on vacation, you come home to a green pool. Plus I'm lazy and busy, so working on the pool is not a priority. I've tried about 3 pool guys, and I fired them for various reasons. 

I was thinking I could use one of these Salt water chlorine generators and it would lessen my chance of the pool turning green as long as I monitor the other water properties like ph etc.

My pool is about 15-17K gallons, (12' x 24'), so I'm thinking of getting one sized for 25K gallons.

Would like to hear the pro's and con's from those who are using these salt systems.

 
i use the Pentair ic40 i think is the size   i still use some tablets in my floater in the summer

that thing is like $1000 and you need a controller too (i have the easy touch)

my pool is 20x40

 
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Following. I just bought 100 pounds of shock and it was over 400.00

 
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I’ve got a salt pool and use Pentair equipment. Like John said I too have the Pentair IC40 which is rated at 40,000 gallons. It’s highly suggest to go bigger on the cell then your pool needs. It works more efficiently and will last longer. I too use the Easy touch 8 as my panel & controller. 
 

I have a weekly pool service that I’m very happy with. It was explained to me the cell is recommended to be cleaned about every 4 months, to make them last. But cleaning it with acid also breaks down the plates reducing its life. So it’s a fine balance. They had been checking mine and came to the decision that my cell only needs to be cleaned every 6 months. This should be the best for the longevity of my cell, but each pool is different and needs different maintenance. 

 
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My chemicals are included in my pool service...$100/mo

 
Salt Water Or Chlorine? I've got the wife trained on the pool mtc. It's a daily chore! Peace

 
NIKAL said:
I’ve got a salt pool and use Pentair equipment. Like John said I too have the Pentair IC40 which is rated at 40,000 gallons. It’s highly suggest to go bigger on the cell then your pool needs. It works more efficiently and will last longer. I too use the Easy touch 8 as my panel & controller. 
 

I have a weekly pool service that I’m very happy with. It was explained to me the cell is recommended to be cleaned about every 4 months, to make them last. But cleaning it with acid also breaks down the plates reducing its life. So it’s a fine balance. They had been checking mine and came to the decision that my cell only needs to be cleaned every 6 months. This should be the best for the longevity of my cell, but each pool is different and needs different maintenance. 
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i just installed different non DE filters and will let you know how long my cell can go now as before it was for sure every 4 months at least.  i do remove it when in the winter and water is below 59 deg

im my own pool boy and water is looking fantastic.  the unit can be programmed from 20-100 % power too

 
The salt water pool is almost maintenance free, the chlorine generators work great. The pool is 15 years old now, replaced one about 2 years ago. The wife takes care of it, but says she just has to add a little acid maybe twice a year. All we do is check the trap every now and then and clean the filter in the spring and fall. We also have a remote spa that I put a chlorinator on it too. Same thing very little maintenance.

 
John@Outfront said:
i just installed different non DE filters and will let you know how long my cell can go now as before it was for sure every 4 months at least.  i do remove it when in the winter and water is below 59 deg

im my own pool boy and water is looking fantastic.  the unit can be programmed from 20-100 % power too
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X-2 on swapping out the cell in the winter to extend the life as well as it’s not working when it’s that cold. 

 
John@Outfront said:
i just installed different non DE filters and will let you know how long my cell can go now as before it was for sure every 4 months at least.  i do remove it when in the winter and water is below 59 deg

im my own pool boy and water is looking fantastic.  the unit can be programmed from 20-100 % power too
Click to expand...


Dunerking said:
X-2 on swapping out the cell in the winter to extend the life as well as it’s not working when it’s that cold. 
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The way my system is set up, if it gets under a certain temp, 50ish degrees the cell shuts off. This is suppose to help prolong the life. But you both mentioned removing the cell and putting a sleeve in place? Why remove it all together and not just have it turned off? My understanding is if it’s not creating a charge, then nothing will stick to the plates? Or am I wrong on that? 

 
NIKAL said:
The way my system is set up, if it gets under a certain temp, 50ish degrees the cell shuts off. This is suppose to help prolong the life. But you both mentioned removing the cell and putting a sleeve in place? Why remove it all together and not just have it turned off? My understanding is if it’s not creating a charge, then nothing will stick to the plates? Or am I wrong on that? 
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that is incorrect, look there is a a plastic grid before the plates and that even get clogged with crap and that is before the cell plates  stuff gets through.  the part i have is the same length and screws right in  super easy and prolongs the cell, even from the elements

i had a warranty on one too and they can check the hours it has generated so i have no idea but even if its off the ticker could still be going, who knows

 
How many gallons is your pool, six pucks at a time is a boatload, your CYA must be through the roof!

 
John@Outfront said:
that is incorrect, look there is a a plastic grid before the plates and that even get clogged with crap and that is before the cell plates  stuff gets through.  the part i have is the same length and screws right in  super easy and prolongs the cell, even from the elements

i had a warranty on one too and they can check the hours it has generated so i have no idea but even if its off the ticker could still be going, who knows
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X-2..it’s to easy to swap for helping extend the life of that cell. 

 
Also depends on where you are,  In Las Vegas due to the heat, I still run liquid chlorine or tabs, The Generator feels to me, a lot of work cleaning it out every couple of months, and then salt residue on the tile,  I went back to just using Clorine tabs, If you plug i a watt usage into the cell, depending on your power bill, for me equals half of what the chlorine cost, Just some things to think about before purchasing a cell,  

 
Jammer75 said:
Check out www.Troublefreepool.com  great forum that knows how to keep you out of the pool store FOREVER!!!!
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I too am a disciple of the Troublefreepool.com method, ever since I had my pool re-plastered and took over the care of it myself.  Going on five years, not one algae incident.  Chlorine tabs are the devil, the resulting CYA rise causes most problems.  Regular testing yourself + Liquid chlorine are your friends.

 
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I tested my CYA level and it's off the chart, >200. Thank you Leslies 3" tabs. Apparently the best way to fix it is to drain some water and refill. Getting everything else back to 100% as well, new grids in filter etc...

I was thinking about the inline chlorinator purely from a laziness factor, trading adding tab's for cleaning a cell every 3-4 months seems like a win to me. That Pentair system is super expensive, have to buy the cell and controller separate. I'm looking at either the Hayward or one from Circupool (RJ-30+). My pool is only about 15K gallons.

Algae outbreaks are my biggest problem, due to not keeping up on the chlorine. 

 
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