Original > Hot Tub Forum
Salt in a chlorine hot tub
bud16415:
--- Quote from: Sam on February 11, 2018, 06:07:29 pm ---
--- Quote from: Cora5 on February 10, 2018, 06:05:08 pm ---The debate continues.... Keep it up guys, let's get to the bottom of this once and for all. What's really going on here.
--- End quote ---
God forbid people discuss hot tub water chemistry on a hot tub discussion forum.
Back to the discussion; We used to sell the Genesis aftermarket salt system and the people who had that installed had a significantly higher rate of heater failures than the people who used traditional programs. I don't claim causation necessarily, but there is indeed a correlation. I've seen it first hand. I've also had people with multiple failed heaters switch back from salt to another program and their problems disappeared.
In the end, I don't really care one way or another. I'm interested in the debate and willing to change my opinion. BullfrogspasMN certainly makes a compelling argument and seems to be a knowledgeable guy, hence my participation in this thread.
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This makes me feel salt has a rather quick influence on heater life. I don’t know how long a normal heater life is. But to see repeated failures such that you even suspect causation I would think the failure would be in recent memory something like someone coming back in every 6 months complaining of another failed heater and then eliminating the salt the heater lasted 10 years or something like that. If non salt heater lasted 10 years and a salt heater lasted 5 I doubt anyone would make a correlation knowing the replacement would then take another 5 to fail.
If you could put an approximate time line on these failures you have seen it would be most helpful for me, also are heaters the only part of the tub that seem to fail do to salt. My dealer alluded to almost everything being eaten by the salt including the shell.
My problem is I have such a small sample size to evaluate I have one friend with a saltron mini system and he has been happy for many years with it and claims not even a hiccup in all that time. He could be an outlier in all the data though.
Astropin:
What about something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ControlOMatic-Smarter-Saltwater-Chlorine-Generation/dp/B0184O0F3K/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_clickstream_2_dp?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_r=NZ6ENYVPNE3NXYD7SPHA&pd_rd_w=XkkOx&pd_rd_wg=7sJzn
"Using its chlorine detection system, the MegaChlor will generate only what it needs to when it needs to. The self-cleaning system reduces the time you spend worrying about maintenance."
The Wizard of Spas:
As a long-time retailer and now an employee of a manufacturer, I'll chime in with an aspect that hasn't really been discussed: Customer Cost vs Automation.
Salt (Chlorine or Bromine Systems) as an add-on is kind of like purchasing your tub: You can go high-end, low-end, mid-range, etc. There are a few manufacturers of salt systems that are linked with spa brands and then there are after market additions. But all of that is relative to how much you like the automated aspect of it vs. its initial cost (which can be significant) vs. being more involved in your water chemistry.
There is no right or wrong answer here, in my opinion, as there are so many variables:
CUSTOMER: How much are you willing to pay for your perceived benefits? (Automation, the "feel" of the water, etc). What is the long-term costs? (Life of generator, cost of replacement generator, cost of salt to add when you drain, etc) And is that worth $X, or would you rather pocket the money and be more DIY? If the expense isn't too much for you and you like the benefits, there ya go! If it's to pricey, then the traditional route has worked for decades and easy to master.
DEALER: How much is it worth in commission vs losing the deal or hitting a price point? What will the customer have to do long-term? Is it worth the parts/labor? Etc.
I don't have a dog in this race. Most dealers understand that water chemistry is water chemistry is water chemistry. There are so many different ways to treat the water. Some dealers may want you to go the more expensive route as it is better for their bottom-line long term. Others may take a stand as its what they've learned from their manufacturer. Others may just be knowledgeable in all the ways of sanitation and prefer a certain way. The only thing I stress is: Know the basics of water chemistry and be sure to keep you water balanced. After that, its all about whatever is best for the customer, as long as they have all the proper info in order to make an educated decision.
Just my two cents. Good info on this thread guys! Well done.
bud16415:
--- Quote from: Astropin on February 13, 2018, 12:42:27 pm ---What about something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ControlOMatic-Smarter-Saltwater-Chlorine-Generation/dp/B0184O0F3K/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_clickstream_2_dp?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_r=NZ6ENYVPNE3NXYD7SPHA&pd_rd_w=XkkOx&pd_rd_wg=7sJzn
"Using its chlorine detection system, the MegaChlor will generate only what it needs to when it needs to. The self-cleaning system reduces the time you spend worrying about maintenance."
--- End quote ---
There are a few similar units. I mentioned the saltron mini and it does not have the monitoring capability of the one you showed. If that function worked well it would be very nice to have IMO.
Our usage is pretty stable and from adding dichlor for a few years I know if I had a machine that would dump a measured amount of that in every day I could be fine with that as well. So it would be nice to have a closed loop system I could live without it.
All this type units have in common is they are external to the tubs systems. The replacement of parts doesn’t require ripping into the tub. The downside if you call it one is you have a thing hanging into the tub to be removed before you get in. For me that’s not any bigger a deal than fishing out a floating feeder.
Cora5:
--- Quote from: Astropin on February 13, 2018, 12:42:27 pm ---What about something like this: https://www.amazon.com/ControlOMatic-Smarter-Saltwater-Chlorine-Generation/dp/B0184O0F3K/ref=wl_mb_wl_huc_clickstream_2_dp?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_r=NZ6ENYVPNE3NXYD7SPHA&pd_rd_w=XkkOx&pd_rd_wg=7sJzn
"Using its chlorine detection system, the MegaChlor will generate only what it needs to when it needs to. The self-cleaning system reduces the time you spend worrying about maintenance."
--- End quote ---
This is the chlorine generator I've got my eyes on and will likely get once I purchase my spa. It appears to be an intelligent model that has the capability to monitor the amount of chlorine in the spa and make the necessary adjustments if needed. This is not a set it and forget it by any means. One will still have to be knowledgable of spa water chemistry and check the water balance on a regular basis and make the necessary adjustments.
This method is great for folks that have skin sensitivities to chemicals.
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