Saltwater systems are often misunderstood. All pools are sanitized with chlorine ions, which bind with and destroy organic contaminants like bacteria and algae. Where those chlorine ions come from is what differentiates the two systems. A salt system uses electricity to charge free chlorine atoms in the water. Those chlorine atoms come from salt dissolved in the pool water (sodium chloride, or NaCl). A traditional chemical pool also relies on chlorine ions to destroy contaminants, but the chlorine ions come from sodium hypochlorite dissolving in water. Because the chlorine already has a charge on the particle, it does not require any electricity to become activated.
Chemical chlorine systems require the continuous addition of chlorine to maintain proper sanitization levels, while salt cell systems require continual energy input to charge the chlorine particles, and also require additional equipment and extra maintenance. Neither system is better than the other; both are trusted ways to maintain good water quality and an Abascal Pools team member can help you decide which is best for your application.
One other important note is the fact that either of these sanitation systems will still require the addition of other chemicals in your pool, such as stabilizers to help protect the chlorine ions from sun degradation, algaecides to prevent certain types of algae, products to raise or lower the pH, etc. It is also suggested that you shock (superchlorinate) the pool with pool shock as part of your routine maintenance plan, even if you have a saltwater system. Superchlorinating will destroy chloramines that naturally build up in the pool water.
It is important to remember that a salt cell chlorination system is not a replacement for all chemicals, but part of a comprehensive and routine pool water maintenance plan. Salt cell systems also tend to have a lower operating cost because chlorine has become so expensive, but replacing salt cells as they ware out is also costly.