Specific examples of blemishes found in various pools have included brown or black rings on and around ladders, dark specks on the floor of the pool, discoloration or stains around railings and steps, purple or brown coloring of water, and unidentified particles in the water. Pool owners are unable to clean the stains and cannot explain where they came from.

A process known as electrolysis is essential to the functioning of a chlorine generator. It is a chemical decomposition that is brought about through the use of electricity, passed through a solution of liquid and ions, in this case water and chlorine ions. As natural salt found in the oceans is composed of sodium and chlorine (NaCl), chlorine ions are an innate component of salt.

Since electrolysis is a decomposition reaction, it breaks down NaCl into its smaller parts, sodium and chloride, thus generating new chemical products. A salt generator conducts the process of electrolysis by passing an electric current through the pool water containing sodium chloride. The chlorine produced is then used to keep the pool clean and free of contaminants.

Although there are many different types of salt chlorine generators, the most commonly used in swimming pools is the in-line generator. In this particular style of saltwater generator, there are electrochemical cells made of titanium. There is also a circulation mechanism, so all the water in the pool is periodically passed over the cells. When the water with salt come into contact with the electric cells, it is converted to sodium and chloride ions, providing chlorine to sanitize the pool water.

A process known as electrolysis is essential to the functioning of a chlorine generator. It is a chemical decomposition that is brought about through the use of electricity, passed through a solution of liquid and ions, in this case water and chlorine ions. As natural salt found in the oceans is composed of sodium and chlorine (NaCl), chlorine ions are an innate component of salt.

Since electrolysis is a decomposition reaction, it breaks down NaCl into its smaller parts, sodium and chloride, thus generating new chemical products. A salt generator conducts the process of electrolysis by passing an electric current through the pool water containing sodium chloride. The chlorine produced is then used to keep the pool clean and free of contaminants.

Although there are many different types of salt chlorine generators, the most commonly used in swimming pools is the in-line generator. In this particular style of saltwater generator, there are electrochemical cells made of titanium. There is also a circulation mechanism, so all the water in the pool is periodically passed over the cells. When the water with salt come into contact with the electric cells, it is converted to sodium and chloride ions, providing chlorine to sanitize the pool water.

Pools cleaned by a saltwater chlorine generator often have high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS). When there are opposing metals in that TDS solution, the groundwork for galvanic corrosion has been laid. The term opposing metals refers to cathodic and anodic metals. Cathodic metals tend to take electrons and anodic metals give electrons, so in galvanic corrosion there is a flow of electrons from one type of metal to another.

The process of galvanic corrosion can take place if and only if three major conditions are met. First, there must be opposing metals present in the solution. Second, the anodic and cathodic metals must be in contact electrically (in the same solution). Third, there has to be some sort of salt in the solution, so that the dissimilar metals are exposed to an electrolyte.

Saltwater pools with high TDS meet all three of these conditions. Titanium is the main material used for most electrochemical cells, and copper is utilized in the heat exchanger, brass pipes, and other metal components of the pool system. If you refer back to the Galvanic Corrosion Chart, you can see that titanium is a cathodic metal, while copper is relatively anodic. The combination of the two poses a high risk of galvanic corrosion.

In pools with a saltwater chlorine generator, copper corrodes through the process of electrolysis, made possible by the salt or electrolyte content of the water. This corrosion of copper accounts for the various stains and discolorations found in saltwater pools. When it corrodes, copper is a dark brown or black. When insoluble copper is present in water, it appears green, but when the pH of the solution is low enough to produce cyanuirc acid (copper cyanurate), a purple color is produced in the water.

Since zinc is extremely low on the Galvanic Corrosion Chart, significantly lower that copper, titanium will cause zinc to corrode instead of copper through an electrolysis reaction. Thus, the corrosion of copper will be greatly decreased. When zinc corrodes, it does not leave any staining and is safe for human contact.

Zinc can be added to swimming pools by putting the solid form of the metal in the circulation system or pool skimmer. In addition to adding zinc, you should use a metal remover to extract the corroded copper that is already present in your pool. Zinc can be used as a preventative measure, but not to clean the present stains and discoloration. It is crucial to be discerning when choosing a metal remover. Many of these products include phosphate, which will likely make the stain problem worse and cause difficulties with the generator. Thus, a phosphate-free metal remover should be utilized.

Zinc will also prevent the purple coloring in the water. However, an additional step must be taken to completely remove and block the cyanuric acid from reappearing. The pH of the water must be increased, making it less acidic, and cyanuric acid should be lowered down to a level of approximately 35 parts-per-million. By following these techniques precisely, you should be able to clean the stains out of your pool in no time, and prevent the discoloration from ever reappearing!

Ozone is quickly becoming the preferred sanitation choice for being the simplest. Other practices don't compare to the wowing effect that ozone gives to the appearance of the pools. Using a contact tank that allows more oxygen contact time is what gives the water a smooth clean surface from reducing the amount of bubbles. Overall, ozone is the preferred choice for any pool.