Is there anything special I need to do to open a pool at the start of the season with the Ionizer? Any special chemicals needed?
1135432
If it's a previously used one, you need to buy the replacement chamber because the copper prongs are only good for one season. You also need to balance the pool by taking samples to a pool store and you may need to then adjust the calcium hardness and or alkalinity. After that just add shock weekly.
1135433
Yes you'll need some salt pellets. Get the un-treated salt people use for water softeners. However you now dispense chlorine, alternate with the salt. Maybe chlorine for two weeks, then a week with salt; repeat.
1135434
Just normal pH adjustment, alkalinity and shock. I always take a water sample to the local pool supply and have it analyzed.
1744062
I have this system myself. I had some green algae when I opened it this spring but never added anything but shock and vacuumed it out. You will have to add your standard chemicals at the beginning of the year and sometimes throughout the year if you have to clean it a lot. Such as alkalinity, hardness, cynuirc acid to keep clorine levels up. But I must say the saltwater system is almost maintenance free and keeps my pool krystal klear. I onk y run mine 3 to 5 hours a day. No problems. If you have algae you may want to check your salt content in the pool with a saltwater strip you get from any big box store. Good luck. I have this system myself. I had some green algae when I opened it this spring but never added anything but shock and vacuumed it out. You will have to add your standard chemicals at the beginning of the year and sometimes throughout the year if you have to clean it a lot. Such as alkalinity, hardness, cynuirc acid to keep clorine levels up. But I must say the saltwater system is almost maintenance free and keeps my pool krystal klear. I onk y run mine 3 to 5 hours a day. No problems. If you have algae you may want to check your salt content in the pool with a saltwater strip you get from... » Read More I have this system myself. I had some green algae when I opened it this spring but never added anything but shock and vacuumed it out. You will have to add your standard chemicals at the beginning of the year and sometimes throughout the year if you have to clean it a lot. Such as alkalinity, hardness, cynuirc acid to keep clorine levels up. But I must say the saltwater system is almost maintenance free and keeps my pool krystal klear. I onk y run mine 3 to 5 hours a day. No problems. If you have algae you may want to check your salt content in the pool with a saltwater strip you get from any big box store. Good luck. « Show Less
1897300
yes, we have an ionizer and have used common supermarket chlorine for 14 years now. Our pool man recommended it all those years ago and it has been useful to us. Our first liner lasted 11 years and we are on our second liner now. It is holding up well using the ionizer \ chlorine combination.
1081694
Get another pool guy! My guy just folds it to one side, cleans the pool and then does the other side. He has never mentioned to me the need for more chemicals, algae concerns etc....
105942
You fill it with fresh water, then add pool salt. My 18 x 52" takes 5 bags. I use no chemicals all season, just put in "cell saver" and stabilizer on start up. If you have real hard water you may need to clean off the cell with vinegar once a week.
1570848
Don't know about the ionizer, bought it for a friend and she loves the unit.
935671
One standard bag of silica sand is what i use. Fills it about half way. I never had to change the sand during the season because it is a big enough filter for my 4 x 24 pool.
273598
Only use sodium chloride (NaCi) salt that is at least 99.8% pure. No iodine or yellow. Check with a local pool supply, grocery, or hardware store
635193
Yes, there is a separate button that allows you to run it with or without the ionizer.
1649902
It should come with a start up kit but if not fill with water and purchase a water test strips at you local pool supply and follow their reccomendations for adjusting your ph and so on! Your local pool supply can be your best friend for small pools. It is harder to keep the water "balanced" in a small pool. I suggest a good pool vaccum as well. Small pools get algae quicker and the filters do not do a great job of filtering out the dirt so invest in a good pool vac! You won't be sorry!
1778266
Yes, I blew it last year not putting chemicals so had quite a clean up with serious stuff. I had a pool cover which kept the leaves out so didn't get one of those floaters to keep the pool in balance. Good luck and enjoy
1012248
Yes, the initial setting appears to be for the Ionizer as well as the "oscillating" (back and forth) to be "Off" - meaning you would have to "turn it on" first.
1081689
No in winter chlorine is high, but in summer the chlorine would be higher because of the warmer water. We have not had to add anything extra and we have had ours since November. Find a new pool man!
1993610
My opinion is just 1, just make sure there are tablets in it. You should still shock the pool when needed using chlorine based shock.
575948
Absolutely. I would not use an ionizer and I turned mine off. Very easy to do! Just press one button. On the front of the unit, there are various buttons with lights underneath. The Very bottom button looks like a star (?) If this is lit blue, the ionizer is on. To turn it off, press and hold the button until the light goes off (this take a few seconds). Good to go, without ions.
129420
You need to use muriatic acid. Can be purchased at a pool supply store or hardware store.
2247235
I chose to use Bromine instead of Chlorine (just because I let my dogs swim and heard it was better for pets), and just used standard chemicals packaged for spas and hot tubs. It worked well. But you'll want to be diligent with chlorine/bromine and managing the acid levels as the included pool filter is not particularly strong and it doesn't take much for algae growth to start.