The Salt vs. Low-Chlo Showdown
Why Low-Chlo beats salt systems every time.
| Feature | Low-Chlo System | Traditional Salt System |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity Cost | Low-Chlo System $0 / Year 100% hydraulic power | Traditional Salt System High Adds $300–$500/year to bills |
| Maintenance | Low-Chlo System Set & forget 1 tablet / week | Traditional Salt System High maintenance Weekly acid handling & cell scrubbing |
| Replacement Parts | Low-Chlo System None No moving parts or electronics | Traditional Salt System Expensive New cell ($900) every 3–5 yrs |
| Equipment Corrosion | Low-Chlo System Zero corrosion Safe for all equipment | Traditional Salt System High risk Rots heaters, stone & handrails |
| Water Quality | Low-Chlo System Drinking standard Fresh, mineral-rich water | Traditional Salt System Chemical & salty Can irritate eyes & skin |
| Warranty | Low-Chlo System 10 years Comprehensive | Traditional Salt System 1–3 years Limited |
Easy Installation
DIY Tutorials
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Questions & Answers
Low-Chlo is a patented pool sanitizer that uses a proprietary metallic media inside a tank plumbed after your filter to kill bacteria, algae, and viruses as water circulates. It reduces chlorine in the pool to very low levels—typically less than 1 part per million—while still keeping the water safe and clean. Think of it as bringing commercial-grade water treatment technology into a residential backyard pool without adding electronics or salt cells.
Salt systems generate chlorine by electrolysis and rely on a salt cell and control electronics, which can fail, scale up, or require periodic replacement. They also introduce large amounts of salt that can contribute to corrosion and damage on metal fixtures, stonework, and surrounding hardscapes over time. Low-Chlo uses no salt cell, no electrolysis, and no added salt, helping avoid those repair costs and corrosion worries while still giving you low-chlorine, comfortable water.
UV and Ozone systems have a critical limitation: they cannot hold a sanitizer residual in the water. They only clean the water while it physically passes through the machine. The moment your pump turns off, your pool is completely unprotected.
Because of this, major manufacturers almost always couple them with Salt Systems to maintain the necessary chlorine levels. The result? You pay for expensive UV hardware, yet you still deal with all the headaches of a salt system: corrosion, high electricity bills, and expensive cell replacements. Low-Chlo replaces the need for both, providing continuous protection without the hidden costs.
Because the system maintains less than 1 ppm of chlorine in the swimming area, the water typically feels softer and has much less “pool smell” than a traditional chlorine pool. Many owners notice less eye, skin, and hair irritation and a more “fresh water” swimming experience while still maintaining disinfection equivalent to municipal drinking water in the circulation line.
The system is specifically designed to allow for very low chlorine levels in the pool, which can be more comfortable for sensitive swimmers. With fewer harsh chemical byproducts in the swimming area and no salt added to the water, many families find it easier on skin, eyes, and hair compared to traditional high-chlorine or salt pools.
Most residential setups run on less than 1 ppm of chlorine in the pool when Low-Chlo is installed and functioning properly. The owner’s manual recommends using one or sometimes two 3-inch chlorine tablets in the skimmer or chlorinator, depending on pool size and water temperature, to oxygenate dead bacteria so they can be captured in the filter.
On a typical residential pool, once the system is installed and adjusted, you will mainly:
- Keep 1–2 chlorine tablets in the skimmer or chlorinator.
- Run the pump 8–12 hours per day.
- Brush or vacuum the pool weekly and clean/backwash the filter as needed.You avoid constant heavy chlorine dosing and the ongoing salt-cell and electronics management of a salt system.
Yes, Low-Chlo is designed to be installed after your existing filter and before a heater if present, and it is compatible with all common pool filter types (sand, DE, and cartridge). The system can also help descale the inside of heaters by reducing scaling and lowering chlorine levels before the heater.
Yes. The manual includes a clear process for converting a salt-chlorinated pool to a Low-Chlo fresh-water setup. The basic steps involve installing the Low-Chlo system, gradually diluting the pool to bring salinity under 2000 ppm (usually by partially draining and refilling), then opening the Low-Chlo bypass and running the system.
The system can be installed by a skilled DIYer, but the manual recommends installation by a pool professional to ensure correct plumbing and bypass setup. A PVC bypass manifold must be installed on the return line after the filter, with flow arrows oriented correctly. Incorrect plumbing can prevent the system from working properly, so following the manual is critical.
Low-Chlo provides a Free 10-year warranty on the entire system. Systems must be registered with installation date and an installation photo in the warranty database to receive full coverage.