We're about to sign contract with pool builder and can't decide on which system to get. We want either saltwater or ozone system but there pros and cons to each. Does anyone have any thoughts on either system?

Forget ozone if you're talking about an outdoor pool. Actually, run away from any PB pushing ozone for outdoor.

Haven't you heard? There's a hole in the ozone!

Don't get ozone or UV or whatever other name they want to call it.

Either use liquid chlorine or go SWCG. We have the latter, and it's been fantastic. Super easy to keep up with.

I have an ozone generator on my pool, but I don't think it does much more than make bubbles. It was included in our equipment package and pool builder said it was "free" so we left on. I use liquid chlorine but I am looking to switch to salt soon.

Saltwater can be hell on any iron/steel railings you may have around the pool & any plants you may have in splash zones. I've also seen them do a number on stone pool copings over time.
That said, it's been a few years since I've encountered a saltwater pool so things may have changed.

I know when we spoke to several installers before building about 5 years ago, several noted they hadn't done a saltwater in several years and few had done maybe 1-2 where the homeowner insisted that is what they wanted. We have chlorine tabs that feed the pool near the pump as well as UV near the pump and it seems to work great. You don't smell anything and my youngest which always seemed to have issues with burning, red eye at other family and friends pools has zero issues since the day we started swimming.

What's a builders grade/no frills pool going for nowadays?

Oh man you don't wanna know…

Over $100k in Austin and that's pretty no frills.

Can you talk more about what maintenance/chemicals you do and use on a regular basis?

https://www.troublefreepool.com/

Don't do anything else other than what TFP says to do. Pool maintenance is simple chemistry.

Have Saltwater.

While researching 7 years ago, several had horror stories similar to boiling acid eating through everything.

7 years later I would do it all over again. I haven't noticed any major erosion, or plants dying. I will say it influenced material I used. For example, you can't use flagstone as it's soft compared to other stones and will erode faster. Fine by me.

TFP method seconded here. I only add liquid chlorine and muriatic acid most of the year. I do keep a stash of pucks on hand to put in the feeder when we're out of town for multiple days. CYA stays at a manageable level doing that.

We've had both systems and prefer saltwater. I would second Flash's post there. Don't use flagstone or it will pit.

Follow the TFP method and use the pool math app to tell me what I need to add. Typically is as follows, but depends on rain/etc.

2x a week in the summer I'm adding a pint or two of muriatic acid. Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on my Total Alkalinity and Ph. $10/gallon.

Once every couple of months I add a large bucket of calcium hardness increaser ($25).

Every 3-4 months or so I need to add a bit of CYA ($30 for the liquid I use, granules are way cheaper but I'm not patient enough to do that method).

Every couple months tend to add a bag of salt ($10)

The robot cleans it and that's it. All takes 10 minutes a week.

Have travertine decking with mini pebble finish with no erosion issues. No dying grass or plants with little kids that splash everywhere. My salt level is probably similar to that of many "chlorine puck pools" at about 3k ppm.

ktownag08 said:

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My salt level is probably similar to that of many "chlorine puck pools" at about 3k ppm.

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I've been on TFP method for about 3 years now, with mostly liquid and the occasional tabs. Given that I am looking to convert to salt water soon, I went ahead and ordered a salinity test kit to see my residual salt levels after a few years of liquid chlorine use. After 3 years of liquid chlorine my salinity is 2000 ppm. From what I gather salt water pools are usually 2500-3500 ppm salinity.

Given how little salt is needed for a salt water pool (note sea water is ~35000 ppm) and how much salt accumulates from normal chlorine breakdown, i find it hard to justify the arguments against saltwater pools.

Exactly why I sent salt. None of the arguments really held up well.

Often our levels are closer to 2.2k ppm, but usually aim for 3. However, the SWCG will turn off if salt level is too low which is my trigger for adding a bag.

You do have to be ready to replace the SWCG every 3-4 years, but was a no brainer to me to go this direction.

I'm currently having a pool built. Signed paperwork in OCTOBER. Was told it would take 4 months. The summer is almost over now and if lucky the pool might be finished in a month. It has been delay after delay and my GC can't get subs to show up. Neighbor is using a different GC and experiencing the same thing. We both started our pools on the same day.

Make sure you're getting milestone completion commitments from your GC. This whole thing has been a huge frustration and I didnt write any completion dates into the contract.

FYI for all those with SWGs

Salt Solutions, Inc. Place in FL that will recoat/replace your SWG

If I recall it's about 1/2 the cost of a new one.

I've gotten 2 from them. The 1st failed and they were great in sending out a replacement.

In case anyones interested

For TFP users, discovered this week after my two go to home depots were out of LC that I could order it online from Walmart (much as I dispise walmart) and have it delivered for free. Pretty close to the same price as HD without the running around.

ktownag08 said:

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Follow the TFP method and use the pool math app to tell me what I need to add. Typically is as follows, but depends on rain/etc.

2x a week in the summer I'm adding a pint or two of muriatic acid. Sometimes more, sometimes less depending on my Total Alkalinity and Ph. $10/gallon.

Once every couple of months I add a large bucket of calcium hardness increaser ($25).

Every 3-4 months or so I need to add a bit of CYA ($30 for the liquid I use, granules are way cheaper but I'm not patient enough to do that method).

Every couple months tend to add a bag of salt ($10)

The robot cleans it and that's it. All takes 10 minutes a week.

Have travertine decking with mini pebble finish with no erosion issues. No dying grass or plants with little kids that splash everywhere. My salt level is probably similar to that of many "chlorine puck pools" at about 3k ppm.

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Use a sock and stick it in the skimmer, for the CYA granules.

Loved my SWG until the Aquarite 40k cell just took a **** after less than 2 years. Still under warranty, but still a pain buying some bleach since I had long ago used up the rest of my shock and tabs.

FYI. See my post two above yours

FincAggie06 said:

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https://www.troublefreepool.com/

Don't do anything else other than what TFP says to do. Pool maintenance is simple chemistry.

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This! I had never owned a pool and didnt even know where to start. Been doing my own maintenance since month 2 (after the 1 month pool builder free trial ended) and have had no problems.

I buy my liquid chlorine and acid (when needed) at HD. No problem so far.

RC_57 said:

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FYI. See my post two above yours

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Thanks I saw that. Once I get mine warrantied out, if I can keep the old one, then that's an option to have it done as a spare.

Ok

Just wanted to make sure, just trying to help out