Being a pool owner means making a lot of choices that feel unfamiliar to most. From materials to chemicals to systems, you may feel some decision fatigue by the time you get to sorting which sanitizing system works for you.
It gets technical, and that’s when it gets tricky. Aloha Pools and Spas is here to help. With water care specialists (some who have been with us 10+ years!) at each store, we’re here to walk you through what all of this means.
In this article, we’ll break down some different types of sanitation systems, what you can expect from maintenance, and which system is best for your pool type.
Water Care Systems
You’ve probably heard of a salt system before, but what does salt have to do with chlorine? You know you need some kind of “shock,” but you have no clue what that entails and what the different brands mean. Don’t worry- you do not need to brush off your science books to understand your chemical maintenance routine.
AT A GLANCE
| System | How It Works | Weekly Maintenance | Cost Over Time | Best For | Key Con |
| Salt Chlorinator | Generates chlorine from salt | Weekly pH decreaser needed (raises pH); shock/oxidize weekly; clean cell yearly with muriatic acid | Highest – cell replacement every few years ($1,500–$2,500) | Fiberglass/gunite and liner pools wanting low daily upkeep | Not for above-ground pools (voids warranty, causes corrosion/rust); constant pH management |
| Endure (MPT Tabs) | All-in-one tab: chlorine + algaecide + clarifier + Borates | Minimal – stays in water, doesn’t need weekly re-adding of Endure | Lowest – higher upfront cost, most cost-effective long term | Beginners, low-maintenance seekers, vacationers, elderly/sensitive skin | Will raise pH if introduced without balancing calcium hardness first |
| Nature’s Pure (copper-based) | Copper acts as secondary sanitizer, allows lower chlorine (0.5–1.0) | Shock one week, oxidize the next; comes with enzyme “water polish” for filter/oils | Moderate | Users who want lower chlorine levels | Replacement chamber needed every season |
| Baquacil | Hydrogen peroxide–based 3-step system (sanitizer, oxidizer, CDX) | Check sanitizer/oxidizer levels weekly | Highest (expensive but low-effort) | Chlorine-sensitive users (e.g., some autistic children who dislike chlorine smell) | Incompatible with chlorine; costly |
Salt Chlorinator
How It Works: Salt chlorinators generate their own chlorine from salt. You add salt at the beginning of the season, and the salt water runs through the chlorinator to produce chlorine (more on saltwater vs chlorine systems here), saving money on buying chlorine directly.
Weekly Maintenance: Salt raises pH, so a weekly pH decreaser is often needed. Along with this, you will shock/oxidize weekly or after a large swim load. Our experts prefer a non-chlorine oxidizer for salt pools because you will not lose swim time or raise the pH. Salt cells also need yearly cleaning, which requires soaking them in water and muriatic acid.
Cost Over Time: Salt systems are not going to be your cheapest option. Cell replacement every few years runs $1,500-$2,500 depending on brand; however, they are praised for their simplicity and convenience.
Con: Salt cell systems are typically not recommended for above-ground pools because their materials tarnish to the point that it voids your warranty (unless you get an above-ground made for salt systems); salt can corrode above-ground pool walls and cause rust stains- similar to how cars near the coast rust much quicker than cars that are inland.
Best For: Inground pool owners who like minimal effort and do not mind spending extra money to make it happen.
Multi-Purpose Tabs/MPTs, and Endure
How It Works: Multipurpose tabs are all-in-one tablets combining chlorine, algaecide, and clarifier. They slowly release chemicals into the pool, which allows the tabs to keep the water clean for a long time. The clarifier acts like a “trash man,” removing small debris and bacteria. Endure contains borates that remove carbon dioxide from water- before we lose you with the chemical talk, what this does is suppress algae growth, since algae needs to “breathe” to survive. This also helps buffer pH, preventing swings and keeping your pool balanced.
Weekly Maintenance: Weekly maintenance is very minimal. Once introduced, it stays in the water and doesn’t need constant weekly topping off. In fact, it can even stay in the water during the off-season. It is versatile and compatible with any sanitizer system (chlorine, Baquacil, salt, or mineral pools).
Cost Over Time: The up-front cost is a little high but not as much as a salt system. Because Endure is a pH buffer and helps hold chlorine in, you will save money on chemical costs down the line.
Con: If Endure is introduced into water without first balancing the calcium hardness, it can spike pH, causing calcium scaling on the walls of your pool. You must keep pH controlled while introducing it to reduce this. If scaling does occur, it can be vacuumed out- it’s just inconvenient.
Best For: This is a great option for most pool customers! Beginners, low-maintenance seekers, people with sensitive skin, and vacationers (slow chlorine release means no one needs to babysit the water!) are some of the demographics that enjoy this pool type. This is a very well-loved product- you’ll want to send your water care specialist a Christmas card after using it.
Nature’s Pure (copper-based)
How It Works: Nature’s Pure (copper) acts as a secondary sanitizer; it has microscopic mineral ions that control bacteria and algae, greatly reducing the chemicals needed to keep your pool clean and healthy. It comes with a “water polish” enzyme that keeps sand filters clean and breaks down oils, as well.
Weekly Maintenance: Nature’s Pure requires a weekly routine – oxidize and water polish one week and sanitize with granular the next. Repeat.
Cost Over Time: The cost and time for this system are moderate; there is weekly maintenance and costs that are not associated with all types. Like all other sanitizing systems, weekly water testing needs to be done to be sure the pH and alkalinity are in balance to maintain healthy water. Depending on the health of your water, this can add a weekly/monthly cost.
Con: Nature’s Pure requires a replacement chamber every season; these usually run under $200. It also requires a structured, weekly routine- not ideal for everyone.
Best For: Nature’s Pure is for customers who want lower chlorine levels and less frequent shocking than a straight chlorine system. For pools in areas prone to algae, this is also a great choice.
Baquacil
How It Works: A hydrogen peroxide-based system, Baquacil does not play nice with chlorine; they should not be used together whatsoever. Baquacil has three parts in its weekly system: (1) sanitizer and algastat- cleans your pool by killing algae and bacteria (the living stuff) (2) oxidizer- destroys bacteria the way chlorine would. (3) CDX- prolongs the oxidizer’s effectiveness
Weekly Maintenance: Baquacil is relatively easy once you have your routine. Each week, oxidizer and sanitizer should be added as needed to keep water sanitized. Algaecide will also be added as needed.
Cost Over Time: Baquacil is one of the more expensive systems to maintain. Because there are three steps each week, cost is consistent but on the higher end.
Con: This is an expensive product, and it’s not compatible with chlorine.
Best For: Pool owners already invested in the system. Baquacil is a very old system, and some of our customers are loyal to it for the rest of their pool ownership life. It is also a great option if you have a loved one with Autism, as the water does not have the strong, chemical smell or the harshness that chemically treated water has. Another pro for this product is that a pH imbalance does not affect its sanitizing ability.
Comparison
Here is where each category shines the most:
Cost over time, ease for beginners: Endure/MPT
Best for above-ground pools: Endure/MPT or Nature’s Pure
Best for chlorine-sensitive users: Baquacil or Nature’s Pure
Best for algae-prone pools: Endure/MPTMaintenance ease: Endure, saltwater system
The correct water care system for you is the one you’ll maintain!
At the end of the day, there is no universally “best” sanitizing system when it comes to pools. Every water needs cleaning, and every pool needs the foundation of a balanced pH and alkalinity.
To learn more about general water care maintenance, check out this article.
The sanitizing system that floats your boat (or your raft, or your pool ring…) boils down to how much you’re willing to spend, the amount of time that you’ll have to care for your pool, and your personal preferences on chlorine levels and minerals.
If you’re ready to chat with a water care specialist about what type is right for you, dive right in! Visit any of our five locations or give us a call at your preferred location.
