Mineral Pools/Spas: Explained

Why choose a mineral pool?

Typically, you would choose a ‘mineral pool’ over a traditional ‘salt’ or non-salt pool for the therapeutic benefits provided by mineral pools that you just don’t get from traditional pools.

Mineral Pools are great to swim in! The water is soft, exceptionally clear & makes you feel relaxed after a swim.

What minerals are in a mineral pool?

There are many different mineral pool options on the market and each has a different “blend” of minerals. The most commonly used minerals are Magnesium, (usually present as Magnesium Chloride), Potassium (usually present as Potassium Chloride), Sodium (present as Sodium Chloride) as well as Borates (essentially soft, easily dissolvable salts).

While all system blends differ, one common element is Magnesium and there’s a good reason for that.

Magnesium is responsible for many important cellular processes in the body, it promotes energy and wellbeing, promotes soft and healthy skin, and supports detoxification. Magnesium helps reduce stress and, as it is absorbed into the muscles, it helps alleviate aches and pains in tired muscles. Professional athletes use magnesium/minerals to help with recovery & muscle rejuvenation.

Studies have proven that absorbing Magnesium chloride through the skin is one of the most effective ways for the body to maintain healthy levels of this important mineral which is the reason why mineral pools are fast becoming the norm.

Magnesium also promotes water clarity as do Borates which is also a water-softening agent.

How does a mineral pool work?

Thinking that there is no need to have chlorine in the water and that the minerals are responsible for keeping the water sanitised is a common misconception.

A mineral pool works in the same way as a standard salt pool or non-salt pool. For non-salt pools you continue with your chlorine routine and in salts pools, the pool water is passed over the electrode (salt cell) and converts the chloride ions from the Magnesium, Potassium & Sodium Chloride (Salt) into chlorine. You still need chlorine to act as the sanitiser to keep algae & bacteria at bay but you get the added therapeutic benefits of the added minerals not present in a traditional salt or non-salt pool.

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While beneficial, adding a supplementary sanitation option such as Ozone, Ioniser or UV, still does not entirely remove the need for chlorine. A consistent chlorine level in your pool will always be required, however, these options allow you to run the chlorine at the lower end of the recommended range.

Minerals can be used in non-salt chlorinated pools and equally well in spas where they would be even more effective.

What to look for when choosing your Mineral Pool

Firstly, what do you want from your mineral pool? If you’re looking to have lower levels of chlorine in the water, you would need to consider adding an Ozone or UV system to your sanitation equipment as a mineral pool does not act as a sanitiser on its own. While UV or Ozone do not replace chlorine they do allow you to run your chlorine at the lower end of the range more effectively as they boost the sanitising capabilities of your existing system.

Secondly, regarding the blend of minerals, make sure you know what minerals are in the product you’re buying and why you want them. Some products will have multiple minerals while others just have Magnesium.

Lastly, testing the water. Mineral pools alter some elements of water balance, and you should check with your local pool shop that they understand this and they can conduct testing correctly. Often your local pool shop will stock one brand of minerals and understand that brand but not necessarily all systems on offer on the market so sticking with what they use may be a practical solution.

Always talk to your pool professional and find out the options that best suit your needs. Some examples of mineral brands for your pool are Mineral Swim by Maytronics & Natural Magnesium & MineralX by Pool Pro. All have different amounts & combinations of minerals including Magnesium.