Tablet Dispensers vs. Salt Chlorine Generators: Pool Sanitizers
When it comes to maintaining a clean and healthy swimming pool, choosing the right sanitizer is crucial. Among the most common pool sanitizers are tablet dispensers and salt chlorine generators. Both options offer effective ways to disinfect your pool, but they work in different ways and come with distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we’ll compare tablet dispensers and salt chlorine generators.
What Are Tablet Dispensers?
Tablet dispensers are an established method of pool sanitation that uses chlorine tablets to disinfect the water. These tablets typically come in sizes such as 3-inch or 1-inch, and are placed in an chlorine tower plumbed into your equipment piping (best application) or in floating dispensers (not recommended). The dispenser gradually releases chlorine into the pool as the tablets dissolve, ensuring that the water remains sanitized. Inline chlorine towers are preferable because they disperse chlorinated water more evenly by way of the pool’s return jets.
The most common types of chlorine tablets are trichlor and dichlor, both of which contain stabilized chlorine, meaning the chlorine in solution is less likely to dissipate in sunlight. The slow release of chlorine keeps the pool’s chemical levels balanced, making it an easy option for pool owners who want minimal involvement in the pool’s maintenance.
What Are Salt Chlorine Generators?
A salt chlorine generator (also known as a saltwater chlorinator) is a more modern approach to pool sanitation. Instead of using traditional chlorine tablets, a salt chlorine generator uses salt to produce chlorine automatically through a process called electrolysis. When the salt is added to the pool water, the generator converts it into chlorine gas, which then dissolves in the water, providing a steady stream of chlorine to disinfect the pool.
While salt chlorine generators still rely on chlorine to sanitize the pool, the process is different from tablet dispensers in that it continuously generates chlorine as needed, rather than relying on pre-measured tablets that are synthetically produced and have hazardous qualities.. The result is a more consistent level of chlorine, which can be a benefit for maintaining pool water quality.
Key Differences Between Tablet Dispensers and Salt Chlorine Generators
1. Chlorine Source
One of the most significant differences between tablet dispensers and salt chlorine generators is the way chlorine is introduced into the pool:
- Tablet Dispensers: Use chlorine tablets, which dissolve over time to release chlorine into the water.
- Salt Chlorine Generators: Use salt added to the pool, which is then converted into chlorine by the generator. The system produces chlorine on demand.
2. Convenience and Maintenance
Both options offer convenience, but they differ in how much hands-on maintenance they require:
- Tablet Dispensers: Need to be refilled periodically with chlorine tablets. While the dispenser is easy to use, pool owners must monitor chlorine levels to ensure they’re properly maintained. If you forget to add tablets, your pool could become unsanitary.
- Salt Chlorine Generators: Provide continuous chlorination without the need for constant refills. The generator automatically produces chlorine as needed, which can make it more convenient for busy pool owners. However, the system still requires occasional maintenance, such as cleaning the generator cell and checking the salt levels in the pool. Salt must be maintained meticulously within a parts-per-million range that varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also, salt chlorine generators cannot function during seasons when pool water temperature is below roughly 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Water Quality and Feel
One of the reasons many pool owners choose salt chlorine generators is the difference in water quality:
- Tablet Dispensers: The chlorine from tablet dispensers can cause the water to feel harsh or dry on the skin, especially if other chemical levels that affect water quality are not maintained properly.. Additionally, the stabilizers in trichlor tablets can increase cyanuric acid levels in the pool, which may affect the chlorine’s effectiveness over time.
- Salt Chlorine Generators: The water produced by a salt chlorine generator tends to feel softer and less irritating on the skin. Many people enjoy swimming in saltwater pools because the water feels gentler. Stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels in the pool can actually be overlooked in salt water pools; a loss of stabilizer over time will allow for the dissipation of the chlorine generated. As for the harsh smell typically associated with tablet chlorination, this is actually the result of a chemical reaction that can occur with any version of chlorination, when chlorine binds to harsh organics or body waste to form chloramines. This happens most readily in crowded pools or where the air above a pool is stagnant.
4. Cost
The initial cost and long-term maintenance costs can differ between the two systems:
- Tablet Dispensers: The upfront cost for a tablet dispenser is minimal, especially if you already have a skimmer basket or a floating dispenser. However, you will need to continually purchase chlorine tablets, which can add up over time. Depending on your pool’s size and chlorine usage, tablets can become a recurring expense.
- Salt Chlorine Generators: The initial cost of a salt chlorine generator is typically higher, as it requires installation and setup. However, once the system is installed, the ongoing cost is relatively low. You’ll only need to replenish the salt in your pool periodically, which is typically less expensive than buying chlorine tablets regularly.
5. Environmental Impact
Another consideration is the environmental impact of each system:
- Tablet Dispensers: Chlorine tablets can sometimes have a higher environmental impact due to the chemicals they contain, including stabilizers that can accumulate in the water over time. Inline dispenser towers also have a couple of working parts that need to be replaced on occasion. High cyanuric acid levels may require wasting gallons of water to dilute the stabilizer content in the water, as treatments are almost completely ineffective.
- Salt Chlorine Generators: Saltwater systems are generally considered more environmentally friendly because they reduce the need for store-bought chlorine, which often comes in plastic containers. The process of producing chlorine from salt is also less harmful to the environment.
6. System Longevity and Durability
- Tablet Dispensers: These systems are simple and reliable, but the need to continually buy and replace chlorine tablets may be inconvenient over time.
- Salt Chlorine Generators: The upfront cost is higher for salt chlorine generators. Also, manufacturers have confirmed that equipment longevity ranges only from 3-7 years. This means you could need to pay upwards of $1,500.00 every few years for each component that fails (salt cell or generator board). The only payoff is the comfortability of the water, unless you are one of the lucky ones who get longer life out of their equipment.
Regardless of how your pool is sanitized, Select Pool Services personnel have years of experience dealing with problems associated with sanitization. Whether you want to replace floaters with an in-line dispenser or have questions about salt water pools, contact us today to speak with a knowledgeable technician about your sanitization needs.