pH Levels in a salt water pool or spa still need to be maintained just like the traditional use of chlorine or bromine. Saltwater systems tend to increase the pH so you may need to pay more attention to pH after installing the saltwater system as the pH will increase the more it is on. You can use a mild acid or even white vinegar to lower the pH. The easiest method to to use dry acid (pH- or pH down) that can be purchased at many stores.

All of our saltwater systems come with a 1-year limited product warranty. See our Owners Manual for more details. We also provide a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If for any reason you are not satisfied with how our products work – simply return them undamaged and in the original packaging for a full refund. All our models should last between 2 to 4 years depending on proper water management and following proper use information in the Owners Manual.
If you keep the power level on the highest setting then our saltwater systems will be on all the time and the 7000 hour life span will be reached in about a year which is why we have a 1 year warranty. The lower you can keep the power level then the longer it will take to reach the 7000 hour life span.

There may be some occasions, primarily after a large and continuous bather load (many people after pool or spa parties) where you may have to add chlorine to shock and maintain clean and clear water. Adding pure chlorine will not damage anything. Remember to always add small amounts and retest. Once you add too much, you can’t take it out! We recommend the purchase of either pure chlorine from a pool supply store or chlorine bleach from the laundry section at your local grocery store. When buying chlorine this way, try to find the purest chlorine product without scents or additives.

For years, people across the globe have hyped the skin softening benefits of using salt while bathing. Whether it’s just a wives tail, or just plain fact, generation after generation has proclaimed its skin enhancing benefits. Salt is the same ingredient used in today’s water softening systems, and would have a natural affect on softening the water in your pool or spa as well. This is great news for those of you living in areas with hard water. In addition, it is very well known that chlorine in high concentration levels can be hard on the skin and hair. Because a chlorine generator manages and produces a relatively consistent level of chlorine all the time, you would naturally avoid those high concentration peaks and subsequently the troughs associated with storing, pouring and trying to remember when to use traditional chlorine liquids or tables.

Both Ozone and UV systems are designed to burn organic material – not bacteria. That is why both systems still require the use of some kind of sanitizing agent like chlorine or bromine. Both Ozone and UV help to lower the spa’s demand for chlorine and will allow any saltwater system to operate on a lower power level and last longer.

Just like Ozone and UV systems, Mineral Cartridges do need a sanitizing agent such as chlorine to keep the water clean and clear. You would just set the chlorine generator at a lower chlorine production level to keep your water at a lower chlorine residual, per mineral cartridge instructions.

Chlorine generators use electrolysis to break down  water, salt and whatever else may be in the water between the titanium plates. This creates gasses that will travel to the surface and enter the air above the water. Inside a house it will be difficult to avoid breathing these gases even with good ventilation, and there may be times when there is no ventilation such as in winter. The following guidelines should be followed:

• When using your spa make sure your saltwater system is off or remove the cell from the water.
• Do not install a spa chlorine generator inside a house or in a room that isn’t adequately ventilated all the time.
• When preparing to use your spa, lift the cover off and stand away from the spa for a couple minutes to let the gasses that have accumulated between the water and the spa cover to dissipate.
• If you have an inline chlorine generator, gasses are still made but they are in contact with the water longer and may have already dispersed back into the water. You should consider turning off the inline spa chlorine generator when using your spa.

The only saltwater chlorine generator that we know of in existance that will start a generation cycle based on sanitizer level is our SmarterChlor. The SmarterChlor has a sensor that detects for the absence of chlorine and when that is reached will make more.

All other saltwater systems do not measure the chlorine concentration to control the chlorine production based on need. You have to set the power level appropriately which takes a couple days to get dialed in and then they will be able to maintain your desired level. To actually control the chlorine based on need requires a water chemistry chemical controller such as the PoolWarden. When adding automation to your saltwater system you can then also automate the addition of acid which will even further lower the required maintenance.

The engineers at ControlOMatic recognize that organic and bacterial particles are at their highest concentration just after a spa or hot tub has been used. That is why the TechniChlor, ChlorMaker and MegaChlor all have a boost mode where they will increase chlorine production for a period of time after spa usage.

The only saltwater chlorine generator that we know of in existance that will start a generation cycle based on sanitizer level is our SmarterChlor. The SmarterChlor has a sensor that detects for the absence of chlorine and when that is reached will make more.

All other saltwater systems do not measure the chlorine concentration to control the chlorine production based on need. You have to set the power level appropriately which takes a couple days to get dialed in and then they will be able to maintain your desired level. To actually control the chlorine based on need requires a water chemistry chemical controller such as the PoolWarden. When adding automation to your saltwater system you can then also automate the addition of acid which will even further lower the required maintenance.

The engineers at ControlOMatic recognize that organic and bacterial particles are at their highest concentration just after a spa or hot tub has been used. That is why the TechniChlor, ChlorMaker and MegaChlor all have a boost mode where they will increase chlorine production for a period of time after spa usage.

Corrosion of pool and spa metal components is very common with or without a saltwater system. And that is because it all has to do with the saturation balance of the water. There is a lot more information if you search on the Langelier Saturation Index and this is a big topic. We recommend to keep your calcium hardness at least at 200 PPM and to make sure you adjust your saltwater system properly so it doesn’t make way too much chlorine, and those are the two most important things to protect your equipment.
●    Calcium hardness from 200 to 250 PPM
●    Adjust your saltwater system so you have the desired chlorine residual and not excessive chlorine.
●    If your spa has ground currents then adding salt will increase the conductivity of the water allowing the ground currents to travel easier which can speed up the corrosion process. Always make sure your spa is properly grounded. There should be a ground rod at least 5 feet in the ground near the spa.
●    Liquid chlorine is made using the same process as a saltwater system and each gallon has 1 pound of salt. If you use liquid chlorine to sanitize your spa, then after 6 gallons you would have the same salt concentration that our chlorinators need if you have a 400 gallon spa.

The TechniChlor, ChlorMaker and SmarterPool have three titanium plates and can product 30 grams of chlorine per day which is good for up to a 1000 gallon spa or hot tub.

Most of today’s modern saltwater pools have a level of 3,000 PPM (Parts Per Million) and higher. ControlOMatic’s spa chlorinators require between 1500 and 2,000 PPM. We recommend 1.5 pounds of salt per 100 gallons of water, that is about a teaspoon per gallon. If you put much more than that then our spa chlorinators may shut down from high power.

• Ocean Water – 35,000 Parts Per Million
• Human Tears – 9,000 Parts Per Million
• Ability To Taste Salt – 5,000 Parts Per Million
• Modern Salt Pools – 3,000 Parts Per Million
• TechniChlor, ChlorMaker and SmarterPool – 2,000 Parts Per Million Max
• MegaChlor – 2,000 minimum, no max

It is better to put in less and add more after the chlorinator is operating. If you put in too much, you will have to drain out some water and add fresh water to lower the salt concentration.

There are many advantages to using a chlorine generator. A great deal of information can be found on this website and others that will go into more detail, but here are the some of the main features and benefits for using a chlorine generator:

• Improved water quality – clearer & cleaner water.
• Reduced maintenance – Set it once and the generator takes care of it from there.  You don’t have to remember to add chlorine every day. Make sure to keep an eye on the pH. Salt water chlorinators tend to raise the pH.
• More natural water sanitation by producing chlorine on site – in your spa.
• Lowers your Carbon Footprint – No more storing and pouring smelly chlorine or bromine liquids or tablets and having to discard their carbon rich containers.
• All natural salts used with a generator provide continued skin softening benefits.
• If your skin has reactions to chlorine there is a good chance the soft water in a salt pool will reduce the effects.  If you try our product for this reason let us know first and if it doesn’t help we will take the saltwater system back.

We recommend to drain and refill your spa with fresh water and balance the water to start. Depending on the type of sanitizer you were using there may be some spa cleaning required:
●    Any type of chlorine sanitizer simply rinse out the spa well.
●    Any type of bromine sanitizer rinse out the spa very well and clean the filter.
●    Any type of hydrogen peroxide system clean the spa extremely well and replace the filter.

Then install your new saltwater system, add salt and enjoy the soft water and lower maintenance.

Generally, it is found that most spa owners use their tub for six months out of the year and will spend approximately $150 to $250 on traditional chemicals. To operate a spa saltwater system the costs are as follows:

• $1.57 For Salt: 40 pound bag is $7 and you need about 9 pounds a year,
• $6.38 For Electricity. 7 Watts for 10 hours per day at $0.25 per kilowatt hour
• $10 For Acid. Will probably use this much in a year
• Total yearly operating costs:  $17.95

But, there are other factors not included

• The original cost of the saltwater system
• The benefits of having soft water
• With traditional chemicals, the extra work when you forget to add sanitizer and your spa gets all messed up (lots of time to fix)
• The time savings on weekly maintenance

The technical definition: The chlorine generator (also known as salt cell, salt generator, salt chlorinator or SWG) uses electrolysis in the presence of dissolved salt (NaCl) to produce hypochlorous acid (HClO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), which are the sanitizing agents already commonly used in swimming pools.

Chlorine generators are electronic devices that assist in the automation of pool and spa water management. Chlorine generators use a small amount of salt (Sodium Chloride) dissolved in the water to make chlorine. Through a process called electrolysis, the generators separate the Chlorine from the Sodium and produce pure chlorine gas which is absorbed into the water as a sanitizing agent. The unused chlorine combines with the free sodium converting back into natural salt minimizing the need to add more salt. Chlorine Generators have been around since the mid 1970’s primarily in Australia and their popularity is quickly spreading across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Typically made with titanium plates with a special coating that acts as a catalyst to enhance the breakdown of the salt. The coating does have a life span and when it is depleted the generator will not be able to produce chlorine.