Magnesium pools have been having their day in the sun in recent years. But what exactly is a magnesium swimming pool? What are the benefits and is there a better alternative? Very smart marketing promotes the health benefits of magnesium pools, although the real answer might be surprising.
A magnesium pool or magnesium mineral pool uses magnesium chloride combined with chlorine to kill bacteria and other elements in the pool water as well as preventing algae growth. Bathing in magnesium-rich water (such as having an Epsom bath) is known for having some health benefits. However, the levels are still nothing like what you would put in bathwater and you would need to be in the pool almost 24 hours a day.
A magnesium pool when combined with Ozone requires less chlorine than a traditional chlorine pool or saltwater pool. Converting to a magnesium mineral pool or building a magnesium pool is generally more costly than other types of pools and requires regular maintenance. The presence of chlorine and salt can be harmful to people who swim in the pool, especially those with skin conditions or asthma.
Magnesium pools and mineral pools
Magnesium swimming pools are also known as mineral pools, as they use magnesium chloride (a mineral) to keep your pool sanitised. There are also other types of mineral pool systems that use different minerals or combinations to deliver a swimming experience that is supposed to have great health benefits. However, they use these minerals to generate chlorine, leaving you with a pool that has both chlorine and minerals in it.
At Naked Pools, we’ve created a mineral pool system that uses far less chlorine than a magnesium pool, or even a salt water pool. Using our innovative pool sanitisation system, you can sanitise and disinfect your pool, making it safer and healthier to swim in, all while making your pool easier and cheaper to maintain and reducing the impact on the environment.
A better way to swim
Over the years pools have evolved from high-chlorine pools to chlorinated salt pools, to mineral and chlorine pools, then finally to freshwater swimming pools. As swimming pool innovators with a combined experience of over 40 years, we believe that freshwater pools sanitised using copper and silver is the future of swimming in Australia. While a magnesium pool uses chemicals to produce chlorine to sanitise pool water, the NKD-R Freshwater System uses natural minerals (like the ones that are found in a natural spring). This means you achieve close to the same benefits with far fewer negatives, and water that is effectively free of harmful chemicals.
Benefits of freshwater
While magnesium swimming pool benefits are that they are more gentle on skin than a traditional chlorine pool, the pool water can still irritate skin and affect breathing in those with asthma. Our freshwater pool systems are the most ideal choice for anyone who suffers from skin conditions and asthma.
No red eyes or irritated skin
Perfect for asthmatics, psoriasis and eczema
Up to 50% saving on running costs
Longer lasting equipment and pool surrounds
No need to wash swimwear or shower after swimming
Easy to set up and manage
Recycle the water direct to your garden or holding tank
Natural, rejuvenating and refreshing
Convert your Magnesium pool to freshwater today!
Converting your existing pool to an invigorating freshwater pool is easy! Get our Freshwater System installed in your pool and experience the joy of swimming in crystal clear, silky-smooth water. Enjoy time saved with a low maintenance innovative sanitisation system and count your monetary savings each month. For more information on our NKD-R freshwater pool systems or the health benefits of fresh water pools, talk to our team today.
A magnesium pool, often marketed as a “magnesium mineral pool”, sounds like a different kind of pool, but the process is familiar. You add magnesium chloride to the water, it moves through the chlorinator cell, and that gets turned into active chlorine. That chlorine is what kills bacteria and stops algae. So even if it is sold as a “magnesium swimming pool”, you are still swimming in chlorinated water. The chlorine level is usually lower than in an old high chlorine setup, but it is not a chemical free pool.
People are drawn to magnesium pool benefits like softer feeling water, less chemical smell and kinder on skin, and some of that is true. Magnesium can help the water feel smoother and help the filter clear out fine particles. What most people are not told is that day to day you are still running and maintaining a chlorine pool with minerals added. Our freshwater system is built for owners who want to step away from that model. It keeps the water sanitised with controlled copper and silver ions sitting in the pool at all times, so only a very small amount of chlorine is needed instead of relying on it constantly.
Is a freshwater pool better than a magnesium swimming pool?
When people ask this, they are usually not asking about theory. They want to know how it feels on their skin, how much work it is, and what it costs to keep running. For most pool owners the freshwater system comes out in front.
A magnesium mineral pool is still a chemical system, even if the marketing sounds more natural. You have to watch pH, scale build up and corrosion. You keep buying mineral packs to top it up. You still run chlorine in the water every day because that is what protects the pool between pump cycles. So yes, a magnesium pool can be nicer than an old school harsh chlorine pool, but you have not really stepped off the maintenance treadmill.
In a freshwater system the main sanitising work is done by a steady low level of copper and silver ions. Those minerals stay in the pool water itself, not only in the pipework, so the water stays protected even when the pump is off. Because of that the chlorine level can sit much lower. Most swimmers say the water feels more like clean freshwater than a “chemical” pool. It is usually kinder for people with eczema, asthma or sensitive eyes because you are not soaking in the same chemical load.
Can I convert my magnesium mineral pool to a freshwater pool?
Yes, you can convert. You do not have to rip the pool out or start again. In most cases we leave the shell, pump and filter where they are. We add the Naked freshwater control unit and set it up to run with your existing gear.
After that the pool is no longer waiting on the chlorinator to push out chlorine all day. The freshwater system uses controlled ionisation and oxidation to keep the water clean. What most people notice first is the feel of the water. It does not have that heavy chemical feel on your skin and you do not get that “I should rinse off now” itch as soon as you hop out.
How long does it take to convert a magnesium pool to a freshwater system?
In most pools the changeover is done in one visit. We fit the unit, commission it and balance the water so the ion levels sit where they should. After that the pool is ready to swim.
Over the first few days the water usually looks clearer and feels softer. Over the next few weeks looking after the pool starts to feel more relaxed. You are not forever tipping in bags of minerals or chasing chlorine numbers. The water stays more stable, so you do not get that cloudy look you sometimes see when a magnesium pool drifts out of balance. Long term the gentler water often means fewer chemical purchases and less wear on heaters, covers and pool surrounds.
"Our pool is so low maintenance and the odd time we need assistance the customer service has been amazing!"
Rachel Jan
Gold Coast
"The water quality is second to none and is gentle on the most sensitive of skin."
Natalie Finneran
"There aren’t many businesses left that provide after sales services like this anymore. Kudos to the Naked pools team."
Courtland Williams
"I’ve now had this system for over 2 years it’s been amazing - no more chemicals. Had 2 friends also made the switch to the naked system after my recommendation and have never looked back. "
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