Chlorine Generator Questions
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What are Electronic Chlorine Generators?
Electronic chlorine generators are appliances that automate the management of pool water. They use small amounts of salt dissolved in the water (less than the salt of your tears!) through the process of electrolysis to produce pure chlorine. They have been around since the 1970’s primarily in Australia and now exploding across the United States, Canada and Europe.
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What are some of the advantages of an Electronic Chlorine Generator?
There are many advantages for you to add an electronic chlorinator. There is a great deal of information on this web site and others that go into greater detail, but here are the main points:
- Great water quality - clarity and purity
- Less maintenance - Set it once and the generator takes care of it from there
- No heavy smell of chlorine in the air, on your skin or in your clothing and towels
- More economical than spa chemicals - maintained by normal kitchen ingredients
Other places for more information >ControlOMatic frequently asked questions. -
How does the ColorChlor or TechniClor Spa Chlorine Generator know when more Chlorine is needed?
Without a chemical control system (see the COM400) there is no way as Electronic Chlorine Generators only make chlorine, they don't measure it. The COM400 measures the pH, Chlorine and temperature and can automatically turn on and off any electronic chlorine generator as needed.
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Can I use a Chlorine Generator with an Ozone or UV System?
Yes you can. A properly working ozone or UV system compliments chlorine generation in spas and hot tubs. It lowers the demand for chlorine in the water and will increase the life of the electrolytic cell. Chlorine generators will work with just about any spa accessory. All they do is create liquid chlorine from small amounts of salt in the water. So anything that is OK with the traditional spa chemicals like Chlorine, should be fine with a chlorinator.
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Can I Use a Chlorine Generator With Mineral Cartridges?
Yes you can, they do need an oxidizing agent such as chlorine to keep the water clear.
You would just keep a lower chlorine residual per mineral cartridge instructions. -
Will the salt in a salt water pool with a chlorine generator cause metal parts to erode?
No, this is something we hear quite a bit also. The salt can damage some of the metal components of the tub if, and only if, the tub was not installed correctly - specifically not grounded. If there is a electrical current in the water, the salt and other dissolved solids will accumulate on the metal parts. So at some point, if your tub isn't grounded, you are going to experience these issues whether you use salt in the water or traditional chemicals - not to mention a serious risk of shock if there is a surge in your power. Fortunately the vast majority of spas are installed correctly and have electrical safeguards against this issue.
If you find your particular installation does start accumulating salts, there are small zinc balls sold by several of our competitors that will stop this oxidation.
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How do you switch over to a spa Saltwater Chlorine Generator?
Well, in a spa or hot tub it is very easy. On your regular drain and clean cycle, after refilling your tub, just add salt (99% pure or better) and a chlorine generator. Some units on the market require an installation, but the external chlorinators we sell - ColorChlor and TechniChlor - are as simple as plugging into a grounded socket and sticking in the water.
We recommend a very good cleaning when you drain your tun - especially important if converting from a Bromine Spa.
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Is the water in a salt water spa harder on surrounding plants than traditional chlorine?
The chlorine generation systems being sold today operate on a pool water salinity of only 3000ppm or so. Older systems used higher salinities - 4000-6000ppm. Considering your tears are only approx 9000ppm, you can see that the pool water salinity is very mild. In 25+ years dealing with salt systems for pools, we have not come across any plants, or grass types, which were adversely effected by the salt water from the pool. No doubt there are some very delicate plants which might suffer from the salt, but these are not the normal plants you'd find around a Spa. Some folks actually report that traopical plants - such as palm trees - do much better.
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Is a salt water hot tub better for your skin than a chlorine one?
The salt in a salt water spa is sodium chloride (NaCl). There is still chlorine in the pool of a salt water pool, but at much lower amounts and other chemicals are missing, so yes, it is easier on your hair, eyes, and skin.
Your skin is most often bothered by high concentrations of chlorine and other chemicals - pH and total alkalinity and possibly copper content in the water make-up. If the water is not balanced properly you may have skin problems in a salt water spa too.
A quick tip for both traditional and chlorine generated pools - take a quick shower and get your skin and hair wet before entering. This will keep the skin and hair from absorbing so much pool water! There are several hair and skin products on the market that purport to solve this issue too. Our experience has been that they really just gunk up the pool and water...
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Besides generating chlorine, is there any positive affect to having salt in the water?
The water is softer, so it is easier on your eyes and swimsuits. Your body, hair and suits don't smell like chlorine after each use. The generator is creating pure chlorine without any of the filler ingredients contained in standard spa chemicals. They produce and maintain a near perfect pH (This must be monitored and kept in range w/Baking Soda and Vinegar). And maybe the number one benefit: Never have to got tpo the pool supply store for chlorine or shock again!
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Can you add chlorine to a salt water hot tub without damaging anything?
Yes, there are some occasions where you will just have to supplement the chlorine production of the chlorinator. And No, adding pure chlorine will not damage anything. Remember to always add small amounts and retest. Once you add too much, you can't take it out!
We recommend you use either a pure chlorine from a pool supply store or chlorine bleach from the laundry section of your local store. When buying chlorine this way, try to find the purest chlorine product without scents or additives.
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Do you still need to maintain the pH of a salt water hot tub just as a traditional hot tub?
Yes you still need to control the PH of your water whether it is a salt water spa or traditional chlorine/bromine spa. With salt water spas, the chlorine produced by the chlorinator is more defendant on a lower pH, around 7.2 to 7.6 if pH goes to high the chlorine can not sterilize as well and you may get some nasty oxidation.
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What is the annual cost of a salt water hot tub versus a Chlorine or Bromine hot tub??
Great question, but I'm afraid it is rather hard to answer. The cost comparison depends on many, many variables including the size of the spa, the average water temperature, how many hours a day your cover is off and of course how many bathers and whether or not they showered before hand.... Ugh...
Generally, we have found that that most spa users only make use of their tub for six months of the year and in that time they spend some $100-$200 on traditional sanitation (Chlorine/Bromine/Baquacil).
To operate a similar salt water spa for the same time frame and the same bather load, you might be looking at $30-$50 of salt, baking soda and occasionally vinegar or bleach. There is certainly a case to be made for cost savings. This does not take into account the convenience and maintenance difference or the significantly better bathing experience.
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If you live on the ocean can you use salt water from the sea for a salt water hot tub?
Well this might sound logical, but I'm afraid sea water really won't do. Sea water is significantly saltier that the saline water required for a salt water spa (3000 ppm vs 20,000 for the sea). Secondly, natual sea water is jammed full of other material and living organisms and bacteria. Even though the sanitation of the chlorinator will kill some of them, many will remain and get thicker and thicker over time (evaporation will remove water and assuming you replace with more sea water).
No, it is always best to use clear, pure water to fill and maintain your spa.
There are several "sea salts" available from www.SaltWorks.us that can give you a true sea "feeling" without all the other material you'd get from sea water.
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