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"Salt Chlorine Generators for Spas"
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Salt
Chlorine Generators, also referred to as Salt Chlorinators, Saltwater
Chlorinators or Salt Chlorination Systems, are actually miniaturized chlorine
manufacturing plants: the same technology is utilized. The devices
are plumbed in-line and work by electrolytically converting salt, in the spa or
hot tub water, into chlorine as it passes over specially coated titanium
electrode plates. Salt must be added to the water prior to start up, as
directed. Thereafter, salt need only be added occasionally, to replace
that lost due to splash out, pump outs or backwashing. The device
generates Free Chlorine and destroys odorous and irritating chloramines, as the
water passes through the cell. Chlorine production is regulated by a
controller setting and the equipment operates in
conjunction with the timer controlling the filter. Properly used,
there is much less sensation of chlorine being present. The other water
analysis parameters must be maintained, as with any chlorine-maintained spa or
hot tub. It certainly is easy-to-use and convenient and lends itself to automation.
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A Salt Chlorine Generator Made for just Spas & Swim Spas
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Salt
Chlorinator?
A friend of mine has a salt
water pool and seems to have a easy time keeping the chlorine level in range.
Is this technology available for use in a spa? Is it available as a
retrofit or must the spa be ordered that way? Thanks for the help.
Tom, 10/21/2008
Actually the
pool is not a salt water pool. Salt is added to the pool, but at a
fraction of that present in true salt water.
Saltwater chlorinators are available for use in spas and offer similar
advantages: complete elimination of chlorine chemical products, easy
maintenance and improved water quality - just to name a few. It can be
added to an existing spa. If you are interested in eliminating or reducing
that unpleasant chloramine odor, a is a suitable
means of alternative spa water sanitizing and should be of
great interest. I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 10/21/2008
►
Questionable Advice?
Alan, thank you! Your website
is such a big help. I am a new owner of a 20'x40' in ground vinyl lined pool
and a 500 gallon spa (separate). This has been a 'night-marish' summer just
getting the projects completed and now I am into the daily maintenance and care
of both the pool and spa. The pool builder set up the pool initially using
stabilized Tri-chlor 3" chlorine tablets administered by an automatic
chlorinator. My pool has an automatic cover and is closed except when in use.
I tested weekly and unbelievably did not have to add any chlorine tablets the
last 6 weeks of the season! Can this be true? The Cyanuric acid
levels are extremely high and with minimal loss of chlorine thanks to the cover,
my strips were correct as confirmed by professional analysis. This fall I added
a spa and this dealer insisted on setting up the spa using a 5% copper product
to sanitize the spa. I have been reading many cons to using copper as a
sanitizer, most stating that copper is an incomplete sanitizer. Being new to
this industry, I feel like the advice that I receive is all about selling the
chemicals. I am looking for a truly impartial opinion to sanitizing and
oxidizing both the pool and spa. With no consideration to cost, what would you
use to sanitized and oxidize your pool and spa? My region is North Central West
Virginia if that matters. The winters are cold and the summers are hot. Thank
you for your time.
Ted K., 11/12/2010
You would need
a magnifying glass to find something that makes good sense about the use of
copper as a spa sanitizer. I am perplexed that, given all the better
possibilities, copper would be recommended, by any truly knowledgeable, objective person.
Copper is a primarily algaecidal and will not control the infectious bacteria,
that may
develop in spas very quickly. Copper not oxidize the wastes. At the
very least, you should have an ozonator. This will provide the important
oxidation function. A backup sanitizer will be required and you can use
bromine for that purpose. Another excellent way to sanitize the pool and
the spa is with a
salt chlorine generator, which will produce chlorine right in
the spa. There is no need to add a separate oxidizer and it is highly
automated. This is a complete sanitizing systems. Fewer chemicals to
add and store, fewer chemicals building up and conditions that are less likely
to lead to heater corrosion. Given the chemicals saving, the end result is
quite affordable.
I hope that you will find the information helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 11/12/2010
► From Bromine To Chlorine?
I just order a
MINI salt chlorine generator, from your
website store, and have a
question.. I'll just use the bromine until it comes, then change out the
water. Any suggestions on how to purge the tub before using the new chlorine
generator? Should I only use chlorine until then? I'd like to stick to bromine
if it's not going to cause an issue later. Thanks in advance.
Nick W., West End, NC 1/11/2011
So long as there are bromides in the water, the chlorine produced will
convert it to bromine. The chlorine, then becomes chloride ions. In a
outdoor pool, the bromine would get destroyed much faster than chlorine,
which can be stabilized against the Sun's UV rays. This makes it
necessary to operate the salt chlorine generator at a higher output,
which, in turn, shortens the life of the salt cell. However, in a spa,
that is covered most of the time, there is no issue with the Sun's UV.
You can simply start using the
MINI salt
chlorine generator and test, as
if bromine is present. Once the spa is drained, it will be all
chlorine, unless you add sodium bromide.
Sincerely. Alan
Schuster, 1/12/2011
►
Chlorine Or Bromine
Generator?
Which would you recommend, a bromine generator
or a chlorine generator? We are getting a new spa and like the idea of only
changing the water once a year. Please let us know if you think one or both
of these would be a good choice. We have been told that the salt will wreck
the equipment. Also is one easier on the skin than the other. Thank you.
Kathy M., 2/21/2004
Not a simple
group of questions! You can use a
salt chlorine generator to produce bromine in a spa, but that could damage
the electrode plates.
A salt chlorination system should be fully capable
of satisfying the sanitary demands of the spa, while avoiding many of the
problems associated with traditional chlorine spa products.
A typical bromine generator is probably more costly and not necessarily any
better, as a spa sanitizer. There is also the possibility that sodium
bromate will be produced and for this reason, I suspect, bromine generators have
fallen out of favor. I am not at all sure about the once-a-year
water replacement, as that might fly in the face of common
sense.
A lot depends upon your source water quality (calcium hardness and TDS) and the
type of usage that the spa receives. The spa chemistry should be
maintained in a manner similar to that of a typical chlorine or bromine spa, in
order to minimize corrosive effects and to help assure optimum bather comfort.
I hope that this information proves helpful Enjoy the spa experience.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 2/21/2004
►
Eliminating
Chemicals?
Alan, great site, I added you to my favorites
list. I have checked into the various alternative spa sanitizers such as
ozone and ionization and it seems that I still need to add chlorine or bromine
-- perhaps at some reduced level. It doesn't make as much sense, if I can't give
up the chlorine. If I use a salt chlorine generator, will I still need to
add chlorine?
Fred H., 9/12/2004
Ozonators,
Mineral Sanitizers
and ionizers are not complete sanitizers and require a backup. Chlorine
or bromine is usually used for this purpose.
Salt chlorine generators are complete sanitizing systems and need
very little, other than chemicals to balance the pH and total alkalinity.
During periods of very high bather usage, it may be necessary to dial up the
chlorine output or, at the very worst, add some non-chlorine shock. If
you have a salt chlorine generator and opt to add SPA FROG, it will provide backup, persistent sanitation
and allow you to the salt chlorine generator at a lower rate of production. I hope that I
have been helpful.
Sincerely. Alan
Schuster, 9/30/2004
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►
Corrosion Concerns?
I have a swim spa (about 1200 gal) and I was
wondering if there would be any corrosion in the heater portion of the control
box after adding salt to the water? Thanks.
Dave B. Jacksonville, FL, 4/4/2007
Salt Chlorinators are widely used in heated pools and spas.
Corrosion can result if two dissimilar metals are in close proximity to one
another, under the water. This is not to be expected, given the rising
popularity of salt chlorinator systems. To be on the safe side, ask the
option of the swim spa manufacturer.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 4/4/2007
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►
Replacement
Problems?
Hi there. I have a swim
spa and have used a salt chlorinator system for close to 5 years. It has
been great. The dealer that installed the spa and the equipment is no
longer in business. I think that I need to replace the salt cell, as I
have checked the salt level and cleaned the electrodes and still chlorine
production is lacking. The control unit seems OK. Are these cells
interchangeable? I'm afraid that I may have a problem locating a
replacement cell, given the age of the unit. Any suggestions?
Mike F., 5/6/2004
You must use a
cell that is equivalent to the one furnished with the
salt chlorinator.
Cells differ in terms of the number and size of the electrode plates.
The dealer may not be around,
but you might be to locate a replacement cell. They are companies the carry
replacements cells for most salt chlorinators. Good luck and I hope that I
have been helpful.
Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 5/6/2004
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►
How Much Salt Is Required?
I purchased a spa with the salt water chlorinator, and received no info
for testing. I bought test strips for salt, but do not know what range
the water should be on the rating. It is showing 2480 ppm on the
strip. What should it be reading to know if it has enough salt in the
water to be sanitizing it? Your help would be appreciated since I can't
get help from spa company.
Cathi R. 12/18/2007
Different
salt
chlorine generators have different suggested salt levels,
ranging from 2500 to about 4000 PPM. Too much and it will shorten the life
the cell. Too little and it probably will not produce enough chlorine.
Usually the range is about 500 PPM. You could have enough or be 1000 PPM
low. There is no way for me to know. You should have received a
manual outlined proper operation of the salt chlorine generator. Try
and look for a brand name on the controller unit or cell and give them a
call. If there is none, ask the supplier to replace the unit with a
brand name product. I hope that this information was helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster, 12/18/2007
Editors note: The spa
owner was able to find a manufacturer's name on the salt chlorine generator and
was able to obtain the missing information, that the dealer failed to provide.
►
Salt Chlorine Generator For
A Spa?
I found your
topics discussing chlorine
generators in spas, however
I am unable to find any
solutions that indicate they
are for spas. The
ChlorEase says AG pools, but
no mention of spas.
Could you please provide me
with
some brand names/models or
sites that list them?
Thanks so much.
Salt
chlorine generators can
be used with spas.
A smaller salt chlorine
generator should work well in a
spa.
Good luck and I hope that I have
been helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
10/18/2006
►
Salt Chlorinator
And Need To Shock?
I recently added a salt
generator to my hot tub because
I was developing a skin rash
from using chlorine. Bromine,
which I also tried, wasn't any
better. My water was not
contaminated, as a skin rash
might suggest. I maintain the
water religiously. The salt
generator has been a savior and
no more rash. With a salt
generator, do I still need to
shock the water every now and
then? Thanks in advance
for taking the time to answer my
question.
Marc S., Canada, 1/2/2007
A
salt chlorine generator should meet the basic needs
for sanitizing your spa. Most likely, you were sensitive to the
irritating and odorous forms of combined chlorine and the salt chlorine
generator should minimize their presence. Once a
month, it might be a good idea to turn up the setting and produce a high
5 PPM level for an overnight period. This helps prevent resistant
microorganisms from getting started. Otherwise, shocking should
not be required, unless you see a loss of water quality or the free
chlorine level has bottomed out. If you have an ozonator,
run it along with the salt chlorine generator. It will allow you
to favor the low end of the 1-3 PPM range, reduce the chlorine presence,
make pH control easier and extend the life of the salt cell. I
hope that this information proves helpful. Sincerely.
Alan Schuster, 1/2/2007
►
Just Adding Salt?
Hi, I have a small spa that I manually add chlorine
to. Can I convert to salt and manually add it like I do the chlorine now? Will
salt affect the motor etc.? Thanks.
Paul, Flagstaff, AZ, 3/15/2004
Spas and pools that are using
a "salt system" don't just add some salt. You need some equipment and
about 2500-3500 PPM of salt added to the water. The equipment (salt
chlorinator) converts the salt into chlorine. More information, on
Salt
Chlorinating Systems, is available on this website.
I hope that I have been helpful.
Sincerely. Alan Schuster,
3/15/2004
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