Side-by-Side POOL PURIFIER Comparison
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Product
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Technology
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Salt-natural chlorine generator and automated pool chemistry controller
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Salt-natural chlorine generator | Ultra-violet germicidal disinfection | Solar powered mineralizer | Mineral pool care | Chlorine [In-line or off-line injectors, or floating dispensers] |
Pool Types
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Fresh water and salt water pools; indoor or outdoor
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Fresh water and salt water pools; indoor or outdoor | Fresh water and salt water pools; indoor or outdoor | Fresh water and salt [6] water pools; outdoor pools only [2] | Fresh water and salt water pools; indoor or outdoor | Fresh water and salt water pools; indoor or outdoor |
How does it Work? | Converts salt into safe low level chlorine; also monitors and adds acid to maintain pH level | Converts salt into safe low level chlorine | Instantly eliminates biological growth with ultra-violet light | Converts sunlight into electricity which in turn introduces beneficial mineral ions to the water | Granulated product dissolves adding metal ions and minerals to the water. | Regular addition of toxic chlorine is added; super chlorination [shocking] typically required |
Chemical Chlorine Reduction | 100% | 100% | 70% or more typical [1] | 80% or more typical [1] | 50% | 0% |
Chloramine Reduction [3] | 100% | 100% | 70% or more typical | 80% or more typical | 50% | 0% |
Water Quality | Crystal clear, soft, silky; no chlorine taste or odor | Crystal clear, soft, silky; no chlorine taste or odor | Clear; reduced chlorine taste or odor | Crystal clear water with only trace oxidizer, reduced chlorine. No bad taste or odor | Crystal clear water with only trace oxidizer, reduced chlorine. No bad taste or odor | Water can be murky, dull, hard; chlorine taste or odor; damage to skin, hair, equipment, clothing, etc |
Chlorine and Sanitation Monitoring | Automatic | Automatic | Manual chemical test Kit [5] | Not Required | Not Required | Manual chemical test Kit [5] |
pH Control | Precision pH stabilization by automatic acid injection [4] | Naturally increases pH levels - decreases normal amount of required acid; requires periodic addition of acid | Requires normal addition of acid or soda ash to maintain pH level | Naturally stabilizes pH - requires less acid or soda ash | Naturally stabilizes pH - requires less acid or soda ash | Requires normal addition of acid or soda ash to maintain pH level |
Temperature |
Unaffected by temperature changes | Automatic temperature compensation | Unaffected by temperature changes | Not degraded by hot summer temperatures | Not degraded by hot summer temperatures | Affected by temperature changes |
Built-In Pool Pump Time Clock
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Optional | Yes | No | N/A | N/A | No |
Owner Maintenance
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Very Low | Low | Slightly Low | Less than 5 min. per week | Replace every 6 months | High |
Clean Filter |
Less often | Less often | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal |
Water Testing
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Salt Level |
Check monthly | Check monthly | Never | N/A | N/A | Never |
Stabilizer Level
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Check monthly | Check monthly | Check monthly | N/A | N/A | Check weekly |
Chlorine Level
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Automatic | Automatic | Check monthly | Minimal | Minimal | Check weekly |
pH Level | Automatic | Check weekly | Check monthly | Stable | Stable | Check weekly |
Saturation Index | Check monthly | Check monthly | Check monthly | N/A | N/A | Check weekly |
Ion Level | Never | Never | Never | Weekly (to start) | N/A | Never |
Additives Required | ||||||
Salt | Add yearly | Add yearly | None | N/A | N/A | None |
Stabilizers | Add yearly | Add yearly | None | N/A | N/A | |
Chlorine | None | None | 70% less than normal typical [3][7] | 80% less than normal typical [3][7] | 50% less than normal typical [3][7] | 100% Normal amount |
Acid | Less than normal; added automatically [4] | Less than normal; add weekly as required | Less than normal; add monthly as required | Hardly | Hardly | 100% normal amount |
Soda Ash | None | None | Less than normal; add monthly as required | Hardly | Hardly | 100% normal amount |
Calcium | As needed based on saturation index test | As needed based on saturation index test | Less than normal; add monthly as required | None | None | 100% normal amount |
Clarifiers | None | None | None | None | None | 100% normal amount |
Algaecides | None | None | None | None | None | |
Replacement Parts or Maintenance | Replace ORP and pH Sensors every two years; replace Flow Cell every 3-6 years | Replace Flow Cell every 3-5 years | Clean bulb 1-2 times per year; replace bulb every 1-4 years | Clean electrode weekly for 2-3 minutes; replace electrode every 1-2 seasons average | None | |
Ease of Operating | Extremely easy | Very easy | Very easy | Simply throw in the water | Very easy | High maintenance |
Easy-to-read digital readout display. | Digital display but owner must track pH and adjust | Weekly water testing required | ||||
Self-balancing sanitizer levels | Requires occasional adjustment to maintain sanitation level | |||||
Self-balancing pH | ||||||
Ease of Installation | 2-4 Hours | 2-3 Hours | 1-3 Hours | No Installation Required | Minutes | 1 Hour |
Requires simple PVC plumbing and electrical hookup | Requires simple PVC plumbing and electrical hookup | Requires simple PVC plumbing and electrical plug-in or hookup | Requires simple PVC plumbing; Floaters just toss in pool | |||
DIY kit | DIY kit | DIY kit | DIY kit | |||
Installation Location | Permanent installation next to pool pump and filter | Permanent installation next to pool pump and filter | Permanent installation next to pool pump and filter | Portable; can be moved to any pool/spa | Skimmer Basket | Permanent and portable models |
Environmental Friendliness | No chlorine use; minimal electric usage | No chlorine use; minimal electric usage | Extremely minimal chlorine use; minimal electric usage | Best for the environment: solar powered. Greatly reduces pump hours & saves electricity. Extremely minimal chlorine use |
Extremely minimal chlorine use. No energy required | Toxic chemicals harmful to humans and the environment |
Compatibility with other Technologies | Compatible with Floaton or Ionizers, and Ultra Violet | Compatible with Floaton or Ionizers, and Ultra Violet | Compatible with the Floatron or Pool Pilot | Compatible with Pool Pilot or Salt Water Chlorine Generators, Ozone and Ultra Violet |
Compatible with Ultra Violet and regular Chlorinatorss | Compatible with the Floatron and Ultra Violet for adding small amounts of chlorine or other oxidizers |
Price Range | $1838 | $1070 | $504 | $299 | $45.17 | $78.77 |
Warranty | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | 24 months | 6 months* | 12 months |
Prices as of 7/22/07. Subject to change without notice.
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[1] Manufacturer states some amount of chlorine or oxidizers typically must be added | ||||||
[2] Bacquacil pools must be converted to Chlorine before unit operation | ||||||
[3] Chloramine Reduction may be temporarily minimized during heavy bather load, heavy rainfall, or when adding large volumes of fresh water | ||||||
[4] Must add bulk acid to the Acid Tank approximately every 3 months to maintain level in tank | ||||||
[5] Not included; typical test kit used by pool owners | ||||||
[6] Salt water will shorten electrode life | ||||||
[7] Non-chlorine oxidizer can be used instead of chlorine with equally good results | ||||||
*Free from defects in materials and workmanship | ||||||
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