Chlorinator Buying Guide - Gold Coast

If your in the market for a new salt water chlorinator and live on the Gold Coast then you have got the right place. Purchasing the right salt chlorinator for your pool application can sometimes be tricky.  Don't worry we get it!  We have many different types and models of salt chlorinators in stock but do we need them all?

What should I know when purchasing a salt chlorinator? 

There are few thisng to consider when looking to purchase a new salt chlorinator for your pool on the Gold Coast. Depending on your lifestyle, price range and possibly health (mainly skin or respretory conditions) reasons you may need to do a deep dive to find out the best solution for you, your family and the application. 

Most chlorinators or swimming pool sanitising systems are very similar in operation but there are a few systems we commonly refer to as being different......These are listed below:- 

Salt Water Chlorinators -

These systems are the most common systems in Australia especially on the Gold Coast. These systems convert salt into chlorine as well as turning on the pool pump to control pool filtrtion and circulation times. They come in two main types Standard salt chlorinators and Self Cleaning Chlorinators (Reverse Polarity or "RP" units). Self cleaning (RP) salt chlorinator systems make up the majority of salt chlorinators on Gold Coast pools today and  prodominently run on a salt level between 3000 - 6000ppm TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and are commonly manufactured in chlorine output maoels from 15 - 50Grams / hour models for the domestic market. 

Pro's and con's of salt chlorinators - 

Pros - 

  • Low start up cost -  Cheaper than most systems to purchase for both the unit and the salt to run it. 
  • Higher salt levels are easier on the power supply (run cooler) and usually longer salt cell (electrode) life. 
  • Usually cheaper to repair (but not in all instances). 
  • Lower maintenance than ioniser / Naked, Enviroswim / Bioniser pools. 

Cons - 

  • Usually runs on a higher salt level so they require more salt than low salt models. 
  • Commonly over produce chlorine (ORP / PH) control. 
  • Heavier denser water feel due to the higher salinity. 

Mineral (Magnesium) Hydroxinators - 

A hydroxinator is just another name for a chlorinator.  It has been coined by some companies as marketing term after the fact that all chlorinators produce hydrogen gas as a part of the chlorine production process called electrolysis. What is different however is the product that is put in the water to make up the required TDS level for the chlorine production process (electrolysis) to take place. 

Without going right into the different types of magnesium / mineral blend types we will keep it general.  Most Mineral / Magnesium blends are made up of magnesium Chloride (not magnesium sulphate or epsom salts) and sodium chloride (pool salt).  There are different blends for different systems but generally the blend ratio is 30% Magnesium Chloride to 70% Pool Salt. 

Pros and cons of Mineral chlorinators / Hydroxinators - 

So by now you would have realised that you don't actually need a magnesium / mineral system as far as hardware is concerned as they are largely just salt chlorinators.

Pros - 

  • Same hardware start up cost as a salt pool (unless you drink the coolade!).
  • Added health benefits for muscle relaxation and respretory issues. depending on the mineral blend. 
  • Soft and silky swimming experience (no more dry skin).
  • easy operation (same operation ease as a salt pool). 

 Cons - 

  • Usually runs on a higher salt level (around 4000ppm) so they require more minerals than low salt chlorinators / Freshwater Pools. (they need that to maintain a magnesium level that will be of benefit).
  • Commonly over produce chlorine (ORP / PH) control.
  • Higher start up and constant running cost due to the higher cost of pool minerals compared to normal pool salt. 

Freshwater (Ioniser systems) -

Freswater pools are defined as pools that can run on a TDS level as low as 800ppm or lower. They produce chlorine just like a chlorinator (some manufacturers refer to this as oxidiser). These systems are a hybrid of a low salt chlorinator and an ioniser system.

Ioniser systems release copper into the water via electolysis much the same way that a salt chlorinator does. However, they work on a much lower DC (direct currect) power level and don't work efficiently ion high tds enviroment.  Some examples of these systems are Enviroswim, Naked, Bioniser and Dontek Ioniser systems just to name a few. 

Pros and cons of Freshwater (Ioniser systems)- 

Pros - 

  • Less chemicals - Low residual chlorine requirement due to ioniser system.(0.5ppm chlorine )
  • Lower chemical usage due to lower required TDS levels for operation. 
  • Fresh. light swimming experience due to lower TDS levels.
  • Overall lower running costs if managed carefully. 

Cons -

  • Higher startup cost due to the systems being a chlorinator and an ioniser combined (essentially 2 systems in 1).
  • Requires more management and frequent monitering and water testing  by owner. 
  • High potential of staining if left un monitered / managed. 
  • Build up of copper on walls and pool surface over long term usage. 

 

Freshwater (Low Salt / Mineral) systems -

Davey Nipper, Vapure, SuperPool Zenith. 

Other alternative sanintising systems -

PuraPool, Grander, Ozone. 

Well which pool sanitising system should I Buy? Freshwater, Mineral (magnesium) or saltwater pool. 

Well if you took the time to read the above information you would have gathered that depending on your availability to maintain your pool sanitising system and your potential health requirements and other lifestyle circumstances your options come down to how you use your pool and how much your willing to spend on the upkeep of your pool verses the health benefits. 

We have boken it down with a few scenarios that might just help you chose:- 

1. If you have an active family, like the idea of swimming in silky smooth water, and are preparred to invest more in your pool to get more out of it them a Mineral Pool might just be for you. 

2. If you like less problems, lower overall runnig costs ad easy operation (set and forget) and just want to swim!  then a salt pool could be what your looking for. 

 3. If you have family members who have skin, or other health conditions and want as little chemicals as possible and don't mind a bit of extra work and time to manage it than a freshwater ioniser pool is likey the best option for you. 

If you have got to this section and you still don;t have the answers you seek then give us a call and we can find the right system for you. But before you do check out some of the below products and soak up the info!

 

Salt Chlorinators:- 

Pool Minerals:- 

Freshwater pool Systems

Platinum Pool Centre have specialised in supplying and installing new salt chlorinators for all types of pools. Check out our range of salt water chlorinator categories above....  

Platinum Pool Centre specialise and stock all major brands of salt chlorinators. mineral pool, and freshwater pool options on the Gold Coast. Visit us in-store at one of our locations or contact us on 1800 102 526.