Pool Lifestyle

What Is a Mineral Pool System?

Aiper

20 Mar 2025 • 5 min read

Are you tired of the strong smell of chlorine and irritated skin after a swim? Guess what? You need a mineral pool. Mineral pools provide a good balance of minerals, including magnesium and potassium, to allow a refreshing plunge minus the disadvantages of chemicals that harm your skin or hair. But what is a mineral pool system, and how does it work? Let's take a closer look.

Table of Contents

Understanding a Mineral Pool System
Pros and Cons of a Mineral Pool
Mineral Pool vs. Salt Pool
Are Mineral Pools Worth It?

Understanding a Mineral Pool System

Mineral pools keep water fresh by using natural minerals instead of chlorine. These may be supplied through a filtration system or naturally from hot springs.

Mineral systems: A mineral cartridge or feeder slowly releases minerals into the water as it flows. Do you need a special chlorinator for mineral pools? Yes, most mineral pools would need a mineral chlorinator (similar to a saltwater chlorinator) to maintain water quality.
Electrolysis: A small electric current breaks down minerals in saltwater pools, creating a gentle form of chlorine to keep the water clean. This keeps the chlorine level lower than in regular pools.
Common Minerals Used: Magnesium, potassium, salt, borates, silver, or copper are usually utilized in mineral pools. All of them contribute to water cleanliness, as well as some benefits that are expected to come with "softer-feeling" water.

About Mineral Pool Filter System

Fundamentally, mineral pools apply filter systems that are similar to traditional pools. The three most popular filters are sand, cartridge, and DE (Diatomaceous Earth). In mineral swimming pools, the most important aspect of filtration is:

Flocculating with Magnesium: Magnesium-containing systems will naturally flocculate because they allow small particles to agglomerate and eventually pass through the filter. Such clarity in the water can lessen the dependence on chemical clarifiers.
Glass Media: Some owners of mineral pools favour using glass as a filtering medium instead of sand. Glass media usually has a negative charge, permitting it to attract debris much better and backwash easily.

Pros and Cons of a Mineral Pool

Before investing in a magnesium mineral pool system, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages in order to make an informed decision.

Benefits of a Mineral Pool

Gentler on Skin and Eyes: True, that does outweigh all the advantages. The water, with its reduced levels of chlorine and the benefits of certain minerals, e.g., magnesium, tends to be less irritating to the skin, eyes, and hair than chlorine pools. It feels softer and more luxurious, say many.
Potential Therapeutic Benefits: Again, one could assume that magnesium is transdermal because people profess the mineral's beneficial effects in muscle relaxation, stress reduction, anxiety reduction, sleep improvement, and limited success against specific skin problems such as eczema.
Reduced Chemical Odor: In general, it can be said that mineral pools display a somewhat less significant chlorine odour compared to traditional pools, creating a much-favoured atmosphere.
Softer Water Feel: The minerals give a silky-smooth feel to the pool water, thus amplifying aquatic enjoyment.
Fewer Chemical Imbalance Problems: Mineral pools operate with a cocktail of minerals along with lower levels of chlorine, hence less prone to extreme chemical imbalances possible for traditional chlorine pools.
Eco-Friendlier (Potentially): By helping to reduce the challenging chemicals we have just discussed, mineral pools can be quite eco-friendly compared to heavily chlorinated pools.
Less Corrosive: Are mineral pools hard to maintain? No. The mineral pool waters are less corrosive than salt water (being more saline) to the pool equipment, liners, and the landscaping around the pool.
Easier on Swimwear: Extra gentle waters lessen injuries to swimwear and prolong its lifespan.
Natural Flocculant: Magnesium acts as a natural flocculant, commonly found in mineral pools, by agglomerating very small particles for easy filtration, hence achieving clearer waters.

What Are the Disadvantages of a Mineral Pool

Higher Initial Investment: The specification of such a mineral pool system almost always entails the purchase of a mineral chlorinator. Hence, it is almost certain that, for a mineral pool, the mineral pool system cost will be much higher than that of a conventional chlorination system at an initial investment.
Still Requires Chlorine: Before you indulge in thinking that the mineral pools are completely devoid of chlorine, they need a little amount of it to effectively sanitise the pool water and prevent algae growth. Generally, it has lower amounts of chlorine, but it is usually not a completely chlorine-free system.
Maintenance of Mineral Chlorinator: Similar to saltwater chlorinator cells, the mineral chlorinator cell will need cleaning and future replacement.
Potential for Misinformation: Some marketing may lead customers to think that the health benefits are exaggerated or that entirely chemical-free mineral pools exist.
Water Chemistry Still Needs Monitoring: Mineral pools are supposed to have much more stable water chemistry, but monitoring and treatment of the water chemistry parameters, e.g., pH, alkalinity, chlorine levels, etc., is still a must.
Not Suitable for All Pool Types (Potentially): They usually will be compatible, but it is always advisable to consult your expert in the pool industry to determine if such mineral systems will suit your particular type and materials of the pool.
May Not Eliminate the Need for Other Chemicals: These may still require additional chemicals, depending on the water source you own and environmental conditions. So, you may still add algaecides or other pool chemicals at some point.

Mineral Pool vs. Salt Pool

Mineral pools and saltwater pools are quite similar as they require a chlorinator to generate salt. But the distinction lies in where they get salt.

Similarities:

Both use electrolysis to generate chlorine: Salt and mineral pools both rely on electrolysis to generate chlorine. To generate chlorine, both mineral and salt pool systems likewise utilise a chlorinator that passes an electric current through the water in order to decompose dissolved compounds with an output of chlorine that is the primary sanitiser for both pools' waters.
Chlorine concentration is similar to traditional chlorine pools: Although their methods of generating chlorine differ, the resultant chlorine concentrations in mineral and salt pools are places generally between 1 ppm and 3 ppm, on average, just like any conventional chlorinated pool.

Mineral Pools:

Use mineral systems in addition to salt: Mineral pools include a very specific kind of mineral mix, such as magnesium and potassium, built up at low salt concentrations.
Minerals enhance water quality: These minerals are said to be softer-feeling water, which feels gentler on the skin and the eyes.
May require less salt: Usually, mineral pools have less salt than the dedicated salt pools because these minerals also contribute to electrolysis.

Salt Pools:

Use dissolved salt: Saltwater pools depend upon high levels of dissolved salt in water (but much lower than in seawater) for chlorine generation.
Salt is the primary ingredient for chlorine production: The salt is dissolved, and a salt chlorine generator converts hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite into forms of chlorine that disinfect the pool.
Water can feel softer compared to traditional chlorine pools: A great many people have said that the water in salt pools has a softer feel than that in pools treated with chlorine straightaway.

Are Mineral Pools Worth It?

The mineral pool system in Australia is an excellent alternative to traditional pools treated with chlorine or saltwater, as it offers a more balanced and refreshing swimming experience. With natural minerals like magnesium and potassium, these pools are gentle on the skin while providing potential health benefits. However, they tend to have higher setup costs compared to other types of pools. In short, mineral pools are worth the investment. Ultimately, it depends on your preference. If you're looking for a skin-friendly and environmentally sustainable option, this is it. Ready to make the switch? Explore your options and enjoy a more refreshing swim!