[Cajundaddy]

Protip: A salt water pool IS a chlorinated pool with all the associated drawbacks and benefits. It simply uses electricity to separate chlorine and sodium hydroxide from salt water as it passes through the cell. It then oxidizes contaminants and turns back into salt. You still need to test and adjust water balance, add shock treatments periodically, and replenish the salt in the pool.

Plus:
- continuous chlorination any time the filter system is running.
- lower chlorine costs
- pretty reliable when away from home
- less noticeable chlorine taste and smell if carefully monitored and balanced.

Minus:
- Expensive to buy and maintain. Usually far more $$ than just buying chlorine over 5 years.
- Requires the addition of a lot more acid to balance pH. Maybe 10x as much.
- Salt pools are corrosive to pool equipment and pool materials. Shorter life span.

Salt/chlorinated pools are a viable option but not a magic pill. Water must still be carefully filtered, tested, and balanced or the neglected salt pool will look just as ugly as a neglected chlorine tabs pool. Whatever method you choose, test and balance your water weekly for a pool that always looks and feels great.