re: Pool Pump Question

Which do you prefer?

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splash and smell the water and I can get a good idea of the salt, and chlorine level.

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As a side note if you are you standing near a pool and smell chlorine that is a sign of a poorly maintained pool. It is essentially chlorine escaping due to chloramines. Pools with a salt chlorine generator rarely ever have chloramine issues.

I don't know what I'm gonna do.
Money isn't the issue, I just want it to be consistent.

Never heard if of it Freddy.

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Does anyone have experience with an ozone system for their pool?

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Mine quit working within 2 yrs of my pool installation. The company doesn't even install them anymore. So it's probably a BS piece of equipment some greenies were able to sell.

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It will reduce the amount of chlorine needed. An ozone system using UV light is garbage. If you do ozone you'll want one that is based off of corona discharge. I would recommend Del Ozone as a brand, they only make corona discharge units.

Variable speed definitely helps with energy costs. The issue is the price of the variable speed vs. energy cost saved. If you rarely use your pool, like swim a couple times during the summer, the savings will definitely pay for the cost. If it's used every other day or every weekend, you need to run the pump more. You still save, but not as much. Another way to save yourself some money is to buy the pump yourself and have the pool man install it. Most pool companies charge a wicked markup on pumps and filters. It'll save you at least $100 if you buy the pump yourself.

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The "downside" to saltwater pools is the amount it's used. leaves/grass, Sun tan lotion/oil, pee, your skin oil, the sun, all decrease the chlorine content of your pool. Which opens it up to algae and hazy water. Saltwater pools being about 10% chlorine (opposed to chlorine pools at 20-30%) can turn into bathwater after one pool party.

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This makes no sense. The 10% vs. 20/30% comment is not true nor does it make any sense. A chlorine pool with or without a salt chlorine generator is typically maintained at 1-3 ppm for residential use.

The other factor you mention is pee. When body fluids like sweat and pee mix with chlorine they create chloramines. Chloramines are a problem when used with traditional chlorine pools. However it is extremely rare to run across chloramine issues with a salt chlorine generator. As the water runs through the salt cell where the chlorine is generated chloramines are broken down and essentially destroyed.

If your system is properly sized there should be not issues of the salt chlorine generator not being able to maintain proper chlorine levels. However many people choose to go with poorly sized systems which certainly can cause issues. With any chlorine pool it is of great importance to maintain proper stabilizer levels to maintain the chlorine properly.

I used a variable speed pump when I built my pool in 2007.

I can't tell you the savings, because I don't have one to compare it.

One thing to remember though, you have to have the rpm high enough to circulate water throughout your pool. If you have steps, decks, or other nooks, you need to have enough movement to stir that water also.

I have a Pentair. The control unit on it went out at about 1 year. I got Pentair to replace that part for free. It's been working well since.

Good luck.

We bought a home with a pool last summer ... owners had a salt system but changed at some point to a copper ion system. IDK what my husband does to it but I can tell you not much. It's looked great all winter. We just need to get the heater fixed!!