Memorial Day and Other things

First off happy memorial day everyone
hope today went well.
So today was the first big storm of the summer! :D
This made me happy....way too happy.
I have some weird thing about storms. Even when my parents are like "Geno...it's thundering now...get inside." I stay out taking pictures, hoping to get my first picture of lightning. Or "Geno...it's raining...alot...get inside." Then I simply go to the porch and watch it.
Watching storms is awesome. Its super real life HD 3D
So, I took pictures of it but still do not have a card reader. (which i will hopefully get for my birthday in 4 days)
The storm was really cool, the temperature dropped ten degrees in only 10 minutes.

The next bit is all about the a water purification system I was hoping to get for our pool...unforunately the liner tore and we have to replace it. D:

Now then...onto saline pool systems
the following info was taken from http://www.salinepoolsystems.com/learn_more.htm#1a

What is a Saline System?

A Saline (salt-water) purification system provides on-site production of the sanitizer necessary to maintain water in a safe, healthy and algae-free condition.

Sanitizer is produced automatically, within the water itself, and involves no handling, storage or adding of chemicals to the water.

A Saline Purification System, properly sized for its application, will eliminate the need to purchase sanitizing chemicals such as – ‘pool chlorine’, algaecides and ‘shock’ chemicals. back to top

How it Works

When salt is dissolved into water and the water is then subjected to a simple process of electrolysis, a very effective water sanitizer is produced.

In fresh-water applications, such as swimming pools, spa pools, therapy pools (and many more – see ‘Where a Saline System can be used’, below), salt is added to the water to produce a very mild saline solution, approximately 1/3rd the salinity of human tears (or approx 1/12th as salty as ocean water). The salt used is common, every-day salt, or sodium chloride – the same pure salt found in sea water and used at the dining table.

When the water (and dissolved salt) is passed through the ‘cell’ portion of the Saline System equipment, chlorine gas is automatically produced (from the dissolved salt). This chlorine gas dissolves instantaneously into the water (so is never a hazard), and produces high levels of sanitizer/oxidizer which firstly prevent the formation of ‘chloramines’ and other ‘chlorine compounds’ and secondly provides a safe and measurable residual of sanitizer in the main water body.

The elimination of ‘chloramines’ and other ‘chlorine compounds’ means the elimination of all of the obnoxious side-effects commonly associated with the manual use of ‘pool chlorine’ and leaves the water looking, feeling like the most pure, fresh and chemical-free water possible.

The dissolved salt is not consumed in the Saline System process so after the initial start-up salt is added, only top-up salt is required periodically (an average home pool will require as little as $10-$20 worth of salt per year).



The sanitizer produced by the Saline System can be measured using the same common Test Kits used for testing chlorine levels in pools, and the chlorine residual (or FAC, Free and Available Chlorine level) can be maintained at required levels by simple adjustment of the Saline System Output, or production rate (thereby satisfying health authority by-laws). back to top

Advantages of the Saline System

Eliminates the need to add ‘pool-chlorine’ chemicals, algaecides and ‘shock’ chemicals to the water.

You will no longer need to purchase, handle or suffer the effects of packaged sanitizing/oxidizing pool chemicals and the problems and risks associated with their use.

No RED EYES, No GREEN HAIR, No ALGAE !!!

Significant costs savings can be achieved by owners of commercial swimming pools and spas, water-park pools, water-features and other such applications which consume large quantities of chlorine. Home pool and spa owners realize less cost-savings due to the smaller quantities of chemicals required – and usually convert to the Saline System for reasons of personal and family health concerns, swimmer comfort, convenience and better water quality.

Healthy. A Saline Purification System will maintain perfectly healthy water, while eliminating the risks and problems associated with periods of very high or low chemical levels. FAC (Free and Available Chlorine) can be maintained at levels to comply with local Health Authority requirements.

Prevents algae growth. The constant ‘shocking’ of the water as it passes through the Saline System ‘cell’ together with consistently maintained sanitizer levels in the main water body will prevent the growth of all common algae.

Environmentally and Ecologically Positive. The Saline System eliminates the need to manufacture, transport and store ‘pool-chlorine’ type chemicals and instead uses only pure natural salt from the ocean – and then re-cycles that salt indefinitely. Re-cycling a natural product – what a concept!

Comfortable swimming environment. Users of swimming pools and spa pools enjoy the natural therapeutic and health benefits of the mild salt water - with none of the obnoxious effects usually suffered with manually-chlorinated water. Swimmers who suffer so-called ‘chlorine allergies’ will find relief from those symptoms in a saline pool. Other advantages for swimmers include NO RED EYES, NO IRRITATED SKIN, NO DAMAGED HAIR OR BATHING SUITS.

So as you can see, using a saline pool system makes both environmental and economical sense. Hopefully next year we'll be able to buy. The start up for them is rather steep. They can cost anywhere from $200 - $900 however the long term savings of not having to buy and buy chlorine far outweighs the start-up cost.