Mineral Pools vs Freshwater Pools – Busting The Myths

When it comes to pool sanitisation systems, pool owners now have a lot of options, with a wide range of technologies and competing performance claims to choose from.

Magnesium pools have become a popular choice for people seeking a more natural, healthy and pleasant swimming pool experience.

More recently Freshwater systems have grown in popularity, challenging magnesium as the best healthy or natural option. Being a relatively recent innovation, there’s still some misunderstandings and miss perceptions about how freshwater systems work and compare to magnesium pools.

Let’s separate the truth from the myths and see how Australia’s most popular freshwater pool system, the Naked NKD-R stacks up against the mineral pool option:

Myth 1. There’s No Such Thing as a Freshwater Pool

Naked Freshwater Pools define ‘freshwater’ as meaning less dissolved salinity and chemicals (TDS) that is below 1000ppm, particularly when the water is also treated. Their advanced copper and silver ionisation process produces small amounts of chlorine, about half the amount you’d find in your regular tap water – far less than can be detected by human taste or smell.

Myth #2: The Naked System Is Not Truly “Freshwater”

The term “freshwater” pool can be misleading, as some form of sanitation is necessary. Naked Pools delivers on the promise of true freshwater systems by maintaining lower Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels compared to salt or mineral systems, offering a more natural swimming experience with water that feels soft and refreshing, free from harsh chemicals, and importantly, very low chlorine level of less than 0.5 ppm, about 85% less chlorine and mineral salts than a typical magnesium pool (1.5-2 ppm).

Myth #3: Freshwater Pool Systems Still Require the Same Chemicals

All pools require some chemical to balance the water such as calcium, buffer for alkalinity and hydrochloric acid for pH. However, a Naked Freshwater pool reduces additional chemicals required when you need to rely on high levels of chlorine in the pool like salt and mineral based pools.

There have been some claims that freshwater systems may require manual chlorine dosing during high bather loads and hot weather. The Naked Pools’ hybrid system combines silver and copper ionisation with an oxidiser, delivering consistent sanitisation without the need for manual chlorine dosing, making maintenance straightforward and user-friendly. (Find out more here)

Myth #4: Freshwater Pool Systems Require More Maintenance

Any claim that freshwater pools demand more maintenance due to risks like algae bloom is simply untrue. Naked Pools’ systems are designed for easy maintenance. The advanced ionisation process effectively controls algae and bacteria, reducing the likelihood of such issues and ensuring crystal-clear water with minimal effort. You can also add the NKD-pH Controller into the Naked System, which automatically manages dosing diluted acid to the pool as required to assist in maintaining perfect water balance in your pool.

Myth #5: Freshwater Pool Systems Stain the Pool

There is an industry myth that freshwater pools can cause staining, especially on fibreglass pool shells. This was occasionally an issue with the previous generation of freshwater systems used in the past that utilised copper. The NKD-R Freshwater System is a modern hybrid system engineered to maintain optimal ion levels, minimising the risk of staining and ensuring compatibility with any type of pool surface. Naked freshwater systems are used and recommended by some of Australia’s leading fibreglass pool builders.

NOTE: It is worth considering that in a rare event that a pool surface stains, there are simple treatments to remove them. Should a pool surface like fibreglass be ‘bleached’ by excessive amounts of chlorine in the pool, this is irreversible. Therefore, a Naked Freshwater System should be regarded as a more superior option for fibreglass and vinyl pools when compared to high salt, magnesium pools that rely on constant chlorine in the pool water.

Myth #6: Magnesium Pools are Healthier Than Freshwater Pools

The debate around transdermal (through the skin) absorption of magnesium is ongoing. Some studies suggest that it is possible, but most scientific evidence indicates that absorption through the skin is minimal compared to dietary intake. The levels of Magnesium and lower water temperature of a pool suggest you’d need to stay in the pool for 24 hours to receive the same benefit as a 30 minute magnesium bath.

Magnesium pools can actually hide the smell of chlorine but they typically come with much higher salt and chlorine levels than a Naked Freshwater System, making their overall health benefits questionable, especially to asthmatics and people with sensitive skin.

Myth #7: Magnesium Pools are More Comfortable Than Freshwater Pools

It has been suggested than magnesium pool salinity level closely matches the human body’s natural salinity, enhancing comfort. Naked Pools’ systems are pH controlled, providing a soft and refreshing swimming experience without the need for high salinity, thus offering comfort without compromising water quality. There is no comparable experience to swimming in a Naked Freshwater Pool other than if you were swimming in a freshwater lake or mountain stream.

Myth #8: Magnesium Pools Reduce Harmful Byproducts

Magnesium pool systems actually have the same byproducts as traditional salt or chlorine pools. They work exactly the same way in relying on chlorine and therefor Cyanuric Acid in the pool water. Naked Freshwater Systems are more effective, delivering high-quality water with less chlorine and lower Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) levels resulting in a natural and rejuvenating swimming experience.

Bottom Line

Naked Freshwater Pool Systems offer the ultimate natural and refreshing swimming experience with minimal chemical usage. Their advanced ionisation technology ensures effective sanitisation, low maintenance, and compatibility with any pool surface, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for swimmers.

For an overview of the environmental benefits of Naked Freshwater Pools, you might find this video informative: