Ozone vs Saltwater Pools

Which is better a Saltwater pool or Ozone? I take you through my experiences in researching the options and what to consider.

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[kcrsradio]

OK, while there is some good information here, there is also some erroneous information. It should be noted that these water sanitation technologies aren't mutually-exclusive of each other by any means. In fact, since ozone does not leave a residual, it cannot be used as a stand-alone water disinfection method unless it is introduced into the water in quantities that are massive enough to maintain adequate ORP (oxidation-reduction potential) to keep the water safe for bathers. This would require a commercial ozone unit and would be cost-prohibitive for the average consumer.

Ozone is most frequently used as an augmentation to and not as a replacement for a chlorine delivery system (salt chlorine or tablets). That's because ozone is primarily an oxidizer (a "shock") that keeps chloramines and other combined chlorine compounds from forming. Chlorine is used as the primary method to provide a residual in order to measure the relative safety of the water (in a residential pool, at least 1 part per million of free available chlorine) and to kill bacteria, viruses and algae. Using ozone as the primary oxidizer with a chlorine delivery system greatly reduces the amount of chlorine that is used and therefore saves significant operating expense. It also eliminates the need to "shock" the pool on a normal basis which saves money, time and trouble. Additionally, the ozone/chlorine combination results in the safest, cleanest and most crystal-clear water you can get. It's an awesome combination.

If a salt chlorinator is used to provide the chlorine component of the water sanitation package, you have as close to an automated disinfection system as you can get without resorting to the exorbitant expense of a commercially-rated configuration. SO....my recommendation would be to get both!

[wolfgangwunschel-bp]

from salt (Na Cl!) some pool owners create chlorine by hydrolysis (by electric current in a box)

[redicebluefire]

So you went with the system that was recommended, but didn't get into why he recommended it? Not helpful.

[frankkolic]

I work in the steel industry and a big chunk of our galvanized steel goes into pool frames and not the above ground ones.

[stacyspooner]

Great explanation!! I can't un-see the lack of unions in the top side plumbing and the use of DWV fittings that aren't designed for pressurized settings. Sorry, I am a repairman and I'm a stickler for both due to my business. Also, almost every pool has metal somewhere in the pool construction and equipment, some heaters aren't compatible/warranted with salt systems.

[pabloyoutube]

Some people absolutely do have metal pools. The three main types of pools are panelized, reinforced concrete, and fiberglass. Panelized (aka kit) pools are made out of polyethylene plastic, stainless steel, or galvanized aluminum and then covered with vinyl liner or stucco/pool-shotcrete). So if you have a metal kit pool, and the vinyl liner starts to leak salt water — HELLO CORROSION.

[lindajones]

I have an ozone pool and I would like to know if I can use an all in one algaecide (algaecide and water clarifier) from Pinch A Penny

[Juliettango]

With the proper ozone system no additional chlorine is required is there also no recurring cost. If you get the right system I think ozone is the better alternative

[brianbuccellato]

why is there a huge net over your pool? you put that net back on after each use?

[Klub_Maverick]

Ozone system is one f de best disinfected system and its 10times costlier than the salt system, then why did you opt for a salt system. Regarding chlorine, no matter you hav a salt system or an Ozone System, you still need to add 10% of chlorine to avoid cross infection.

[jdlfpr]

So I like you have been doing a lot of research, and it seems that salt is the better way to go. But it does have some wear to the metal parts in the pump after 5-7 years. I've also heard of drinkable pool water system, seems to be cleaner and better but doesn't seem to be as popular which makes me wonder. So all in all, I think I may go salt since that seems to be the most popular by experts.

[benchristenson]

I am afraid to ask why you have a net on your pool

[malva]

Pretty helpful! Didn't know much about ozone before this.

[manoahvanderwolf]

best is UV and Ozone combination. You'll reduce chlorine by huge amounts. The UV essentially is the replacement for your chlorine, and the Ozone is the extra 'shock'. You will reduce your chlorine presence by about 80 to 90 percent, which not only saves a lot of money on chlorine - though obviously you will need to replace the bulbs every 2 to 3 seasons/years - but it will greatly improve the PH of the water and make it far more pleasurable to use your pool as the chlorine amount is just so much lower.

If you combine this with a decent robot with decent filters, you will need minimal time to 'clean' your pool, and minimal need to backwash, and you will put less strain on not only your body, but also to the environment, your pool itself, the tubing, and all the equipment essentially.

Proper pool equipment and maintainance makes a huge difference. A pool cover (retractable) is also a good investment : when not using your pool, just put the cover and it will prevent all sorts of dust, debris and contaminations from entering the pool. This will greatly reduce the amount of cleaning you will need to do (by robot fe) and as such will expand the lifespan of your pool robot, and since the pool remains cleaner, you will need to do less extensive backwashing (actually, the UV and Ozone filters need to work less hard too) and as such increase the lifespan of your bulbs but also save a lot of water. if you really want to make the best of things, make sure your 'waste tubing' does not immediately go into the sewers or garden. Run it through an extra filter that catches as much fine waste as possible in the top, and leave most of the backwashing water in a (big enough) tank.

With a combination of UV and Ozone, chlorine levels will likely be low enough, but as extra precaution it's easy enough to install a filter to remove the remaining chlorine, and then hook it up to your gardens irrigation system.

the deposits that stay behind in the filters can be put in a decomposing tank and when dried can be easily 'recycled' for a variety of uses.

[CRRidR]

Salt is better. Ozone takes chlorine out of the water and you always want some chlorine no matter what.

[jasonseneker]

Whoever plumbed your equipment knew what they were doing. It looks awesome. You should have gone with the UVOzone. It's where the industry is going. Cleaner water and not corrosive like salt.

[brianshelley]

Puts ozone not oxygen. Huge difference

[bcarroll]

10s of thousands of dollars woth of high tech equipment and your microphone is a potatoe....