Experience with saltwater swimming pools?

[Punjistick]

Anyone have experience with saltwater swimming pools? I was thinking of converting mine to saltwater but need to find out more about them. Cruising the web quickly I guess it's kind of expensive up front for the chlorine generator cell, but then you save a bunch on chemicals over the years. It's also supposed to feel better to swim in. If I could save money on chemicals that would be great. It seems like every season I'm dumping money into chemicals to keep the water clear.

[Kurlon]

I can't imagine how a saltwater pool would be cheaper in the long run. That said I learned to swim in salt water, sucks to get in the eyes or swallow too much.

[BostonSVkid]

My parents have one. You still have to shock the pool at the beginning of the year but thats it. Just let it right the rest of the year on the salt water. Plus there is no chorline stench after you get it and no burning your eyes. I think its a wonderful thing!

[DucDave]

Would Manny have to use Kosher Salt????

[Punjistick]

I think they only use like 3,000ppm salt unlike 35,000ppm in the ocean. From what I've read there isn't a real noticible salt taste.

I guess the biggest issue is the salt eats away at the deck around the pool and slowly eats everything else (pumps, plaster, etc.) Our pool is Gunnite with Pebble Tec so it should withstand the salt better than plaster. Also the chlorine generators only last about 3 years. I'm going to have to add up how much I spend on chemicals vs. what the generators cost and see what makes sense in the long run.

[BostonSVkid]

Yeah when they had their pool put in 2 years ago it was installed with it so there was no changover cost. As for the salt content with the concrete deck and gunite. Chorline is corrosive much like salt and maybe worse (dont know the PH levels) so I doubt it will create an issue with that stuff.