Quote Originally Posted by oroepke1 View Post
Hi there, this is my first post. We have decided to build a 13,000 gal in ground pool. We thought to use a salt-system, because I have heard that this is better for sensitive skin (which we all have), allthough I am aware that it "makes" chlorine from salt and is not a chlorine free system.

I have heard from a lot of people that they want to switch their pool to salt, however my pool-builder tells me that only about 10% of new pools have a saltwater system, all the others go with a standard chlorine system. What is everybody's opinion on salt?

Salt systems work well and have been around worldwide since the 60s. I have one on my own pool and couldn't be happier. However, there have been some cases (particularly in Texas) where local natural stone was used in pool construction that was damaged by the salt. IMHO, this is not the fault of the salt systems but, rather, of using materials that are NOT appropriate for pool construction.

Also another builder had suggested the Nature2 system. Looking at the Nature2 website it seems to be the way to go, sounds too good to be true. Where is the drawback?

first, it puts copper and silver in the water
second, replacement nature 2 cartridges will run about $200 a year (one every 6 months) and you still need to buy chlorine and all the other pool chemicals to balance your water
Did I mention that copper is what turns hair green and stains pools?
Third, you will not necessarily have sanitized water. Copper and silver have very slow kill times and .5 ppm free chlorine residual is not enough to ensure sanitized water, particularity with an outdoor pool that has stabilizer in it (as all outdoor pools must)

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=98
Please help, need to make a decision soon on what system to use.

Thanks a lot, Olaf (Location Central Texas)
Bottom line is this. There are only three EPA approved residual sanitizers for swimming pools--chlorine, bromine, and biguanide (PHMB). Of the three chlorine is the best choice for an outdoor pool. Bromine cannot be stabilized against loss from UV light and biguanide systems are very expensive, don't really provide sparkling clear water, and after a few years usually develop white water mold or pink slime (that can only really be cured by draining the pool and sterilizing everything with CHLORINE!)
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/forumdisplay.php?f=137

Ultimately only you can make a decision as to what you want to use in your pool but first you should read at least the two sections of the forum I linked to and get other peoples experiences so you don't repeat their mistakes.