A common misconception is that having a saltwater pool means no chlorine, but this is not the case. High salt in the pool converts to chlorine and both are corrosive and have possible effects on health as well as the longevity of pool equipment and surrounds.
So often we hear a pool owner say, “We don’t have chlorine, we have a salt pool”. It is a common misconception that people believe they are not swimming in chlorine because they don’t physically have to manage it via liquid drums or tablets.
The electrolysis process in a salt water swimming pool is achieved by passing the salt water solution through an electrolytic cell which converts sodium chloride (salt) in the water into chlorine gas. When dissolved in the water, it becomes sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine). So you are, in fact producing your own chlorine to sanitise the pool.
The levels of salt required to sanitise a pool can vary and they’re between one fifth to one-tenth the level of salt in seawater.
A Fresh Alternative
An alternative choice that’s much healthier and more enjoyable to swim in is a freshwater pool. As an alternative to just salt, our freshwater system uses nature’s minerals, copper and silver, to sanitise the water. As the ancient Greeks discovered, algae does not grow in copper, and silver has purifying qualities in the water.
The end result is a sanitised and fresh-feeling pool, with up to 80 percent less salt/mineral levels than its rivals. Our pools produce record low levels of chlorine, no more than your household tap. So not only is your water healthier and crystal clear, your equipment and pool surrounds will last much longer due to the freshness of the water. Even your garden will love it!
Is It Worth Replacing Your Saltwater Pool With a Freshwater?
There’s no doubt a salt water chlorinated pool has less odour and is easier to maintain without the need to handle or store dangerous chemicals. However, the end result can still be harsh on both the skin and allergy sufferers as well as your pool surrounds and equipment.
Mineral pools are also now popular and these use a variety of salts such as the Himalayan salt that emulates more of a spa treatment. However, the process to convert to chlorine is still the same. A saltwater swimming pool is a chlorine pool, as is a mineral pool.
The NKD-R freshwater system results in up to 80% less salt/minerals than a mineral pool or a saltwater pool.
Ongoing Chemical Requirements In A Salt Water Swimming Pool
The requirements for chemical balance are the same for electrolytic chlorination as for traditionally chlorinated pools. Total Alkalinity, pH, Calcium Hardness and chlorine levels should be checked regularly. Chlorine stabiliser (Cyanuric acid) should be added to the pool and maintained at approx 30-50ppm to reduce chlorine loss due to UV rays.
During periods of high bather load, it may be necessary to manually supplement with sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine) to maintain correct chlorine levels. Regular super-chlorination or shock dosing should also be carried out.
Replace Your Saltwater Swimming Pool To A NKD-R Freshwater Pool System Today
The NKD-R Freshwater Pool System is the latest digital technology that delivers water so fresh you can drink it. It combines two very traditional sanitisation methods being oxidisation and ionisation (copper/silver), a process even used by NASA for drinking water in space.
Combined with an oxidiser that destroys organic matter generated from bather load and garden surrounds, the hybrid solution is a constant sanitiser that requires much less running time and the need for additional chemicals, unlike many others in the market.
When you swim in a freshwater pool, you’ll feel like you’ve just had a shower or come out from swimming in a freshwater stream.
If you’re thinking about replacing your current pool system, talk to our experts today for more information.
What is a saltwater swimming pool and how does it work
You add regular pool salt to your water, and a chlorine generator breaks down that salt using electrolysis. The process splits sodium chloride into sodium and chlorine components, with chlorine handling sanitisation duties.
The name misleads many people – these pools taste nothing like ocean water. These pools contain about 3,000-4,000 ppm of salt – around ten times less than ocean water. When your pump runs, it powers the generator to make fresh chlorine.
Saltwater systems remain fundamentally chlorine-dependent for sanitisation. Our Freshwater Systems operate on different principles entirely, using copper and silver ions as primary sanitisers with minimal oxidation requirements.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a saltwater pool?
Advantages: You won’t need to add chlorine manually anymore, and there’s less chemical storage to worry about. The water feels softer on your skin, plus the system handles sanitisation consistently without you having to check it daily.
Disadvantages: The equipment costs are more upfront, and you’ll face cell replacements every 3-5 years that can hit $500-$1,500. Your electricity bills go up, salt corrodes pool equipment over time, and it can damage nearby structures or landscaping. When things go wrong, you’ll probably need specialist help because troubleshooting gets complicated. You’re still dealing with chlorine production and all the usual water balance headaches.
Our Naked Freshwater Systems provide automated sanitisation benefits without salt-related complications through proven ionisation technology.
Does a salt water swimming pool still use chlorine?
Absolutely. Saltwater pools generate chlorine continuously through electrolysis, maintaining levels between 1-3 ppm – identical to traditional chlorine pools. Salt becomes the chlorine production source rather than manual addition.
Water balance requirements remain unchanged – pH management, shock treatments when necessary, stabiliser level monitoring. Salt automates chlorine production but doesn’t eliminate chemical dependency.
We developed our Freshwater Systems to avoid this approach entirely. Instead of producing high chlorine from high amounts of salt, our copper and silver ions provide sanitisation without almost untraceable chlorine generation, resulting in water containing less chlorine than household tap water.
Does a saltwater swimming pool require less maintenance?
Saltwater systems eliminate manual chlorine addition but introduce different maintenance requirements. Salt cell inspection and cleaning become routine tasks, with calcium buildup requiring regular attention.
Water testing and balancing continues – pH, alkalinity, stabiliser levels need monitoring. Shock treatments remain necessary when algae appears. Salt cells eventually fail and require professional replacement. System troubleshooting often needs specialist expertise due to electronic complexity.
Our Freshwater Systems genuinely reduce maintenance demands. Our copper and silver anodes last 3-4 years on a standard swimming pool with simple owner replacement. Copper level testing occurs fortnightly during summer, with our app providing complete guidance.
Is a saltwater pool better than a freshwater pool?
Freshwater technology represents advancement beyond saltwater systems. While saltwater improved convenience over manual chlorine addition, it maintains chlorine dependence with associated challenges.
Saltwater pools require higher energy consumption, expensive equipment replacement cycles, and ongoing corrosion management. Salt damage affects heaters, ladders, and surrounding structures over time.
Our Freshwater Systems eliminate these issues through our hybrid technology using natural copper and silver ions combined with an Oxidiser. Our system operates efficiently with minimal energy consumption and produces no corrosive effects on equipment or structures.
Pool technology evolved from chlorine to saltwater as an improvement, now our freshwater ionisation technology has surpassed both approaches. Our NKD-R and NKD-M systems represent current-generation pool sanitisation technology for the ultimate swimming experience.
"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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