The topic of saltwater systems is often misunderstood. All pools are sanitized with chlorine ions, which bind with and destroy organic contaminants like algae, bacteria, and fungi. It's how those chlorine ions are generated that is the real question. A salt system uses electricity to charge the free chlorine atoms in the water, and those chlorine atoms come from salt dissolved in your 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. Salt cell systems require continual energy input to charge the chlorine particles, and also require extra equipment and extra maintenance. In conclusion, neither system is better than the other; both are trusted ways to maintain good water quality and an Earthadelic 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, among many others. 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.