-from PoolFYI
The most common question asked in the past year was, “What equipment do I need to buy to change my pool to a saltwater pool?”
The answer for this is very simple: none other than the chlorine generator itself. You can use your standard pool pump and filter as long as they sufficiently produce the required water flow. If you have a maze of plumbing, equipment that is a long way from the pool or an undersized circulation system, this could be a problem, but these situations are rare. The chlorine generator is easily installed into the existing plumbing. Be sure you check on the electrical requirements for operation. Some plug into a 110V outlet, and some units are wired to the pump. Be sure to read the installation manual so that safety and warranty issues do not become a problem. Many above ground pool warranties will be voided if a chlorine generator is used, so be sure to do your research.
The second most frequently asked question was, “Why are you talking about a chlorine generator when I asked about a saltwater pool?”
Saltwater pools are chlorine pools. You use salt to produce chlorine in the form of sodium hypochlorite, or very strong bleach. This process has been used since the 1800s, but has become more user-friendly and safer. An energized cell will cause the salt and water to change into chlorine and by-product gases. It is common to see small bubbles where the water returns to the pool. These bubbles are the by-product gas. Then, the chlorine goes into the pool and grabs some nasty stuff, like ammonia from sweat and urine. The chlorine becomes a chloramine that usually hangs around until you “shock” the pool. However, with a chlorine generator, the chloramine will travel back through the energized cell and become salt, water and by-product gas. Then, it will be ready to start the process over again. This enables you to shock less frequently or not at all with chlorine. Of course, every pool is different; many factors determine the type of care it needs.
– See more at: www.poolfyi.com