A reliable chlorinator is at the heart of a well-maintained salt water pool
Pool Chlorinator Installation & Replacement Canberra
At Versed Pools, we supply and install pool chlorinators across Canberra and Queanbeyan, helping pool owners replace outdated systems, upgrade their equipment or convert from traditional chlorine to salt water chlorination.
Not sure which system is right for your pool? We'll assess your existing equipment and help you choose a chlorinator that suits your pool, equipment and lifestyle.
How does a Pool Chlorinator actually work?
If you've ever wondered what a pool chlorinator actually does, you're not alone.
A salt water chlorinator is essentially a small chlorine-making system built into your pool's circulation system.
Instead of adding chlorine manually every time your pool needs sanitising, a salt chlorinator produces chlorine from the salt already dissolved in your pool water.
Here's the basic process:
1. Salt is added to the pool
A relatively small amount of salt is dissolved into the pool water.
You don't end up swimming in water that tastes like the ocean. The salt concentration in a typical salt water pool is much lower than seawater.
2. Your pump circulates the water
Your pool pump draws water through the filtration system and sends it through the chlorinator cell.
3. The water passes through the salt cell
Inside the chlorinator is an electrolytic cell containing special plates, usually made from titanium and coated with a precious-metal coating. When the chlorinator is operating, electricity passes through these plates.
4. Electrolysis produces chlorine
The electrical current causes a chemical reaction with the salt and water. This produces chlorine, which is released into the pool water and does the important job of sanitising your pool.
5. The chlorine sanitises the pool
The chlorine works against bacteria, algae and other contaminants in the water.
Once the chlorine has done its job, it eventually converts back into chloride and salt, allowing the process to continue.
That's the clever part of a salt water chlorinator: it generates chlorine from the salt dissolved in your pool water.
So is a Salt Water Pool chlorine-free?
No - and this is one of the biggest misconceptions about salt water pools.
A salt water pool still contains chlorine.
In fact, chlorine is still the primary sanitiser doing the job of keeping the water safe and clean.
The difference is where the chlorine comes from.
With a traditional chlorine pool, you generally purchase chlorine and add it to the pool.
With a salt water pool, your chlorinator makes the chlorine for you using electrolysis.
Traditional chlorine pool
Buy chlorine → add chlorine → chlorine sanitises the pool
Salt water pool
Add salt → chlorinator produces chlorine → chlorine sanitises the pool
So when someone says they want a pool with "no chlorine", a salt chlorinator isn't actually what they're looking for.
A better description is:
A salt water pool is a chlorine-sanitised pool where the chlorine is generated automatically from salt.
Why Size matters
The salt cell is the part of the chlorinator where the magic happens. Inside the cell are electrically charged plates.
As salty pool water flows through the cell, an electrical current creates an electrochemical reaction that produces chlorine.
The cell doesn't contain a tank of chlorine waiting to be released.
It generates chlorine as the pool water passes through it.
This is why the chlorinator needs:
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Correct water flow
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The correct salt concentration
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A functioning power supply
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A clean cell
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Correct operating settings
If one of these isn't right, chlorine production can be affected.
What happens if your Chlorinator is too small?
Choosing a chlorinator that is too small for your pool can create ongoing problems.
A chlorinator needs enough capacity to produce the amount of chlorine your pool requires. If the unit is undersized, it may struggle to keep up with demand, particularly during hot weather, periods of heavy pool use or when chlorine demand is higher than usual.
It may need to run for longer
An undersized chlorinator often needs to run at a higher output for longer periods to produce enough chlorine.
Instead of generating the required chlorine during a normal filtration cycle, you may find the system needs to operate for extended hours just to try to keep up.
It may not reach the required chlorine levels
Even with longer running times, a chlorinator that is too small may still struggle to produce enough chlorine.
This can result in:
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Low chlorine levels
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Difficulty maintaining a consistent sanitiser level
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Greater risk of algae or water-quality problems
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The need to regularly add chlorine manually to supplement the system
It can reduce the life of the salt cell
The salt cell is a wear component. If an undersized chlorinator needs to operate at or near maximum output for extended periods, the cell is working harder and accumulating more operating hours.
Over time, this can shorten the useful life of the cell and lead to replacement costs sooner than expected.
Higher energy costs
If your chlorinator needs to run for longer, your pool pump and filtration system generally need to run for longer as well to provide the water flow required for chlorine generation.
More operating hours can mean higher electricity costs.
More wear on other pool equipment
Extended running times don't just affect the chlorinator.
Your pump, filter and other equipment are also operating for longer periods, which can increase overall wear and maintenance requirements across the pool system.
Increased chemical use
If the chlorinator cannot produce enough chlorine to meet demand, you may need to supplement it with additional chemicals.
That means you can end up spending more on manual chlorine additions and potentially other water balancing treatments to maintain healthy pool water.
The bottom line: A smaller chlorinator may cost less upfront, but if it constantly has to run for long periods and still struggles to keep up, it can cost more over time through higher energy use, increased chemical consumption and earlier equipment wear.
What about an oversized Chlorinator?
Choosing a chlorinator with more capacity than your pool needs isn't necessarily a bad thing. Extra capacity can be useful during hot weather, periods of heavy pool use or times when chlorine demand increases.
However, bigger isn't automatically better. The chlorinator still needs to be set up and operated correctly for the pool.
It can produce too much chlorine
If the chlorinator is producing more chlorine than the pool needs, chlorine levels can rise above the recommended range. This is particularly possible if the output percentage or operating time is set too high.
High chlorine levels can cause problems
Too much chlorine isn't simply a case of “more is better”. Excessively high chlorine levels can:
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Cause eye and skin irritation
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Create a strong chlorine smell
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Make swimming uncomfortable
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Contribute to dry or irritated skin
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Affect swimsuits and other pool materials over time
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Become damaging to pool surfaces and equipment, particularly when combined with incorrect pH or other water-balance problems
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Accelerate deterioration of some pool surfaces, liners, seals, plastics and other components
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Contribute to corrosion and premature wear of pool equipment when water chemistry is poorly balanced
This is why maintaining the correct chlorine level and overall water balance is important. Running a chlorinator at maximum output simply because it has the capacity to do so can create unnecessary problems.
A strong chlorine smell doesn't necessarily mean there is not enough chlorine. It can also be associated with chloramines, which form when chlorine reacts with contaminants in the water.
You may pay more upfront
A larger chlorinator generally costs more. If your pool doesn't require the additional capacity, you may be paying for capacity that you rarely use.
But extra capacity can be useful
There are situations where having additional capacity is beneficial. During Canberra's hotter months, after heavy pool use or when chlorine demand increases, a larger chlorinator can produce the required chlorine without needing to operate at maximum output for extended periods.
The goal is the right size - not the biggest size
The best chlorinator is one that provides enough capacity for your pool while allowing the output and operating time to be adjusted to suit actual chlorine demand.
Salt Water vs Mineral Pool
So what's actually different?
The simplest way to think about it is:
Salt water chlorination is primarily a method of producing chlorine.
A mineral pool is a water-treatment system that introduces minerals into the pool, often alongside chlorine generation.
They aren't always completely separate systems.
Some modern pool systems can use salt + minerals + a chlorinator.
The important bit
Mineral does not automatically mean chlorine-free.
And salt water does not mean chlorine-free.
Both systems still need proper water management.
What is a Mineral Pool?
Mineral pools can be a little more confusing because the word "mineral" is sometimes used to describe several different types of pool systems.
A mineral pool generally uses a mineral blend added to the pool water, often containing minerals such as magnesium.
But here's another important misconception:
Mineral pools aren't necessarily chlorine-free either.
A mineral system still needs an effective sanitisation method.
Depending on the system, minerals may be used alongside a salt chlorinator or another sanitising technology.
The minerals don't simply replace chlorine and make the pool completely chemical-free.
Instead, a mineral system is designed to combine mineral treatment with sanitisation to create a particular water-treatment approach and swimming experience.
Salt Water Pool
A typical salt water system:
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Has salt dissolved in the pool
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Uses a salt chlorinator
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Produces chlorine through electrolysis
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Uses that chlorine to sanitise the pool
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Requires regular water testing and balancing
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Requires the salt concentration to be maintained
Mineral Pool
A mineral system:
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Uses a mineral blend in the pool water
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Still requires effective sanitisation
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Can work with a compatible chlorinator
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May use magnesium or other mineral blends
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Still requires regular water testing
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Can be chosen for the swimming experience as well as water treatment
Do Salt Water Pools still need Chemicals?
Another common misconception is that installing a salt chlorinator means you can stop using all pool chemicals.
Unfortunately, your pool doesn't become maintenance-free.
A healthy pool requires the right balance of:
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Chlorine
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pH
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Total alkalinity
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Salt
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Calcium hardness
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Stabiliser
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Other water chemistry parameters where required
The exact requirements depend on your pool, sanitisation system and water chemistry.
Your chlorinator is responsible primarily for generating chlorine.
It doesn't automatically fix every aspect of your pool's water chemistry.
That's why regular testing remains important, even with a modern automated system.
How long does a Chlorinator last?
There are really two parts to a salt chlorination system:
The control unit
This is the electronic component that controls the system.
The salt cell
This is the component that actually produces chlorine.
The cell is a wear component and will generally need replacing before the main control unit.
How long it lasts depends on factors including:
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Water chemistry
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Operating hours
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Chlorine demand
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Cell quality
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Pool size
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Maintenance
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Calcium buildup
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How hard the chlorinator has to work
That's why keeping your pool water properly balanced isn't just about having nice-looking water — it can also help protect your equipment.
Why does a Salt Cell need cleaning?
Over time, minerals such as calcium can build up on the cell plates.
This is commonly called calcium scaling.
A scaled cell can't operate as efficiently, which can reduce chlorine production and eventually contribute to cell failure.
Modern chlorinators often use a self-cleaning or reverse-polarity function to help reduce scale buildup.
However, self-cleaning doesn't mean the cell never needs attention.
Correct water chemistry and regular inspection are still important.
What about Salt Level?
A salt chlorinator needs the correct amount of salt in the water to operate properly.
Too little salt can reduce chlorine production or cause the chlorinator to display a low-salt warning.
Too much salt isn't necessarily better either.
The correct salt concentration depends on the specific chlorinator, so the manufacturer's recommended level should always be followed.
If you're installing a new chlorinator, we can check your existing salt level and advise what adjustments are required.
BWT LSC Chlorinator
The BWT LSC Chlorinator are now available in a fresh BWT look. It’s built around the Long Life Cell concept - featuring an extra-large cell with lower current density to help deliver up to 25% longer cell life, plus automatic self-cleaning across all models for easier ownership and fewer headaches in peak season.
The onboard micro-computer makes it simple to set-and-forget, with a back-lit LCD, 1% precision output control, auto-pilot mode, and handy functions like super chlorinate, backwash (sand filter) mode, and run-dry pump protection.
Backed by a 5-year warranty on the power pack and 5 years or 12,000 hours on the cell, it’s your first choice, if you want dependable sanitation with that “soft, silky” salt/mineral swimming feel.
BWT Diamond Mineraliser - Automation & Sanitiser
Pool automation and sanitisation in one premium, connected system..
If you demand quality, reliability and the latest technology, then when it comes to pool automation and sanitisation, there is only one choice: the BWT Diamond Mineraliser.
The BWT Diamond Mineraliser is more than a saltwater chlorinator. It combines advanced sanitising performance, pool and spa automation, intuitive touch-screen control and smartphone connectivity in one easy-to-use control system.
Designed for salt and mineral pools of all shapes and surfaces, the Diamond Mineraliser, coupled with the Diamond Dose and Diamond Hub, seamlessly integrate with spas, pool heating, variable speed pumps, lighting and automated valves, as well as providing pH and ORP control, giving you complete control over your pool.
The Diamond Mineraliser is designed to connect with a wide range of pool and spa devices, giving owners centralised control through the Mineraliser’s touchscreen or remotely through the BWT Diamond app.
Experience smarter pool care with the BWT Diamond Mineraliser.
Signs your Chlorinator needs Attention
Pool Chlorinator Installation Canberra
Your chlorinator may need servicing, a replacement cell or complete replacement if:
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Chlorine levels are consistently low
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The cell is heavily scaled
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The cell looks damaged or worn
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The chlorinator displays repeated error messages
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Chlorine production has dropped
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The system regularly shuts down
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Your pool is becoming difficult to keep clear
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Replacement parts are becoming difficult to source
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The equipment is reaching the end of its useful life
Don't automatically replace the whole system.
Sometimes a cell clean or replacement cell is all that's required.
We'll assess the equipment and recommend the most sensible solution.
When installing a new chlorinator, we look at the complete pool system.
1. Assess
We inspect your pool, existing equipment, plumbing and sanitisation system.
2. Recommend
We recommend suitable chlorinator options based on your pool and how you want to operate it.
3. Supply
We supply the selected equipment from our recommended brands.
4. Install
We install the chlorinator and salt cell and connect it to your existing pool equipment.
5. Test
We check water flow, operation and settings to make sure the system is functioning correctly.
We'll also explain how your new system works and what maintenance it requires.
Pool Chlorinator Installation Across Canberra, Queanbeyan & Surrounds
Versed Pools supplies and installs pool chlorinators throughout Canberra, Queanbeyan and surrounding areas.
We can help with:
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New chlorinator installations
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Salt water conversions
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Mineral pool systems
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Chlorinator replacements
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Salt cell replacements
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Chlorinator upgrades
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Equipment assessments
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Pool equipment upgrades
We service pool owners across:
Belconnen • Gungahlin • Tuggeranong • Woden • Weston Creek • Molonglo Valley • Inner North • Inner South • Queanbeyan • Jerrabomberra • Googong
Bungendore • Wamboin / Bywong • Carwoola • Royalla • Burra
If you're unsure whether we service your area, get in touch with our team.