Best Above Ground Saltwater Pool – Reviews & Buying Guide

Whenever the topic of swimming pools crop up in the past it is the perennial in-ground that the conversation would center around. But that has changed drastically in recent times with the above ground swimming pool now the hot topic among those who have one in their backyards or those contemplating of getting one. The pros and the cons of having either an in-ground pool or an above ground pool would be discussed quite animatedly with the latter always bound to win the argument. Such are the advantages of having an above ground pool instead of an in-ground pool.

The above ground pool has revolutionized this recreational sport with many families in the United States able to afford one and also enjoying it to the optimum. The proliferation of the above ground pool brought new innovations into the pool industry which were absent in the past. One stands out strikingly among all others and that is the introduction of the above ground salt water pool. The advantages of using salt as the sanitizing agent instead of chlorine and other chemicals have brought a silver lining into the lives of those who have been allergic to the latter.

We look at what all this fuss is about that has propelled salt water above ground pools into the limelight and brought a glow on the face of pool owners who are using this new phenomenon.

What is an Above Ground Saltwater Pool?

We know what an above ground pool is since it has been around for some time now. Once we fill up an above ground pool with water it is imperative that we use chemicals especially chlorine to sanitize it. This is to ensure it remains clean and healthy devoid of any disease carrying germs, contagious viruses and harmful bacteria. But chlorine has been allergic to many and has other issues which affect even normal pool users. Chlorine is a very corrosive chemical which could be dangerous in its concentrated form.

This is where salt water comes as a very welcome alternative though it also aids corrosion the effects of salt water on our skins are negligible compared to chlorine. When we speak about the salt water above ground swimming pool it would be natural that our minds would reflect on what we have experienced when dipping ourselves in the sea. Now that is where the difference between seawater and the above ground salt pool differ. The difference between the seawater and the above ground salt water pool is definitely like chalk and cheese.

To apprise you on the fact about seawater it has 35,000 parts per million (ppm) of salt whilst the salt water above ground pool would have anything between 2,000 parts per million (ppm) and 3,000 parts per million (ppm). Ideally it would be around 2,500 parts per million (ppm). This information may not suffice if you want to apprise yourself about the real advantage of the above ground salt water pool. For us to taste salt on our tongue it should be at 3,350 parts per million which tells you the whole story. Dipping yourself in a salt water above ground swimming pool and accidently a splash of water kissing your lips and rolling onto your tongue would never give you a salty taste which you would experience in the sea.

Salt is Sodium Chloride and it is not this which helps in sanitizing the water in the best above ground salt water pool which you would have in your backyard but it would be good old chlorine. Now that would jolt you, because it is because of your apprehensions with chlorine that you would opt for the above ground salt water pool. You may have the impression that you are back in square number one and using chlorine again which you detested initially. It is not so because the content of chlorine in above ground salt water pools is negligible. The content is low incomparable to what you would have in an above ground or in-ground pool when you add chlorine directly to the water.

The trick that the above ground salt water pool springs on you is due the electrolysis process it employs to turn good old salt or Sodium Chloride into chlorine which would be in its mildest form. The process of electrolysis producing the mildest form of chlorine is just sufficient to sanitize the water and ensure it is clean and healthy for pool users.

To eliminate disease carrying germs, contagious viruses and harmful bacteria the amount of chlorine that is required in the water is just a tinge which cannot be administered and controlled by pouring it into the water in the pool. The process of electrolysis releases just the right amount of chlorine conversion to keep the salt water above ground pools just as healthy it should be for all its users without any issues at all. You would not experience the discomfort when in seawater or the smarting eyes and other adverse issues when swimming in a chlorinated pool.

The technology associated with salt water above ground pools is still in its nascent stage hence there could be price anomalies when compared with the ordinary chlorinated above ground pools. It is envisaged that in due time this anomaly would change and the above ground salt water pool would become more affordable to the majority and the use of chlorine would slowly fade away from our midst. Whilst the prices of an above ground salt pool is on the higher bracket the cell which converts salt water to chlorine could also be dear when the time comes to replace.    

How to Choose the Right above Ground Pool salt water pool?

It is imperative that you prudently choose the right above ground salt water pool which would perfectly fit you every whim and fancy. Primarily the space that you would intend placing the salt water above ground pool in your garden should be decided upon. Adequate space is inevitable because an above ground salt water pool of average size would need quite an area in your garden to place it. There should also be space around the pool to move about and be comfortable for all pool users. Accessibility is very important and it should be prudently facilitated. A cramped up above ground salt water pool would not bode well for your image and lifestyle. Hence choosing the right salt water above ground swimming pool would be your prerogative.

You should also check out how many of your household would be generally dipping themselves at any given time in the pool and accordingly decide on the size of the salt water above ground pool. Once the space and the size are decided upon you could choose the best above ground salt water pool to fit your garden space and your lifestyle. Of all the salt water above ground pools in the neighborhood, if there are any yours should be the envy of all. That is if you are prudent and careful in choosing the best above ground salt water pool.

The next thing on your agenda should be also accessibility but how you would scale over the five feet or so outer or the perimeter wall of the salt water above ground swimming pool. If you have a deck it would facilitate easy and convenient access in and out of the pool if not you should be careful how you would attempt it. It is necessary that you get yourself a good above ground ladder to get you in and out of the pool. A strong ladder would not generally come with salt water above ground pools hence getting one to hold every member of the household would be advisable.

Price could also be a factor but when you choose the best above ground salt water pool stretching out your wallet ever so slightly could get you a good deal with a few extras too. The technology in salt water above ground pools is still being developed and we would be seeing vast strides in its advancement in the near future. Hence buying and installing an above ground salt water pool which could be upgraded when new technology steps in would be the most prudent way to decide on the type that you would want.

What Are The Benefits Of An Above Ground Salt Water Pool?

The benefits that pool users accrue by being in an above ground salt water pool are incomparable if you do so with the traditional pool that we know which would use chlorine as its sanitizing agent. One benefit that would strikingly stand out is the allergic reactions some pool users experience with chlorinated pools which would be totally absent in if you have the best above ground salt water pool in your backyard. Chlorine could be quite irritating for some and they would detest from slipping into a pool and suffer the consequences.

In an above ground salt water pool such an unpleasant experience is nonexistent because the content of chlorine would be minimal and not an issue which would create discomfort. However much we would avoid water in the pool from splashing against our lips it would be inevitable when we have fun and frolic around with others in the pool. Chlorinated water leaves a very bad taste on our taste buds and could be discomforting too but the same cannot be said of an above ground salt water pool, which would not have salt or chlorine to taste and create discomfort.   

Can Above Ground Pools Be Converted to Saltwater?

Converting a traditional chlorinated above ground pool into an above ground salt water pool is possible and if you do so it would be easier maintenance and a much comfortable pool at your beck and call. The advantages that you would have by such a conversion would overwhelm you and provide a better place for your loved ones to have fun and frolic.

Following the steps you could have salt water above ground swimming pool instead of the chlorinated pool which would have irritated many a times. You would have two options form which you could decide which one would be best for you. The best and most popularly used by many is to choose the installation of a generator that clips or is hung on the wall of your pool. The next option would be to select the inline generator installed close to the pool filter outside the perimeter wall.

Your above ground pool would have been sanitized with chlorine hence it is imperative that you drain out all the water and empty it. To do so you could either use a pump or siphon off the water taking care to ensure it is within the regulations prevailing in your local council area. There are certain restrictions in draining large quantities of water out from your premises which you would have to check before you do so. Anyway it is necessary to ensure the chlorinated water in your above ground pool is prudently drained off.

Next install your new salt water system as per the directions in the manufacturer’s manual and after doing so fill up the pool with water but do not turn on the salt water system. The quantum of salt that you would need to add could be determined with the size of your pool and the quantity of water that it would hold. The amount of salt that needs to be added to specific sizes of above ground pools would need to be determined. Your above ground salt water pool would be ready once you have filled it with fresh water and switched on the salt water system. It would take some time to know the exact quantity of salt required because the amount is just a few spoons and the trick would be complete and done.

It is necessary that you monitor your salt water above ground pool to ensure the salt level is as per requirements this would be easily displayed on the salt water system. If you have not purchased such an easy monitoring unit it would be necessary to install one onto your unit and do the needful. Do a thorough research before you would go for the conversion from normal pool to an above ground salt water pool so that you totally enjoy your new system to the optimum.