Can you someway use rock salt as chlorine for a swimming pool?

Answer 1

Yep, you can, but shouldn't use rock salt, but table salt and I'll explain why in a minute.
Salt water generators are becomming hugely popular. About 40% of all new pool construction uses them now.
Essentially a salt water pool IS a chlorine pool, with a difference. The salt in the water is turned into chlorine through electrolytic action, via a cell and control unit at the pool equipment. Chlorine is after all, a salt.. When the chlorine produced, gets used against an organic, it switches back into normal salt again and goes through the unit again, converting back to chlorine.The salinity of the pool is in the 2500-3500 ppm range ,depending on what unit you purchase. It's not tasteable. You don't float higher either. The disadvantages are initial cost of the unit. They're expensive. The advantages are, that over 3 years or so, you will recoup that investment, as the operating costs are very low and it saves you a mint on other pool chemicals. The salt itself is cheap, costing you perhaps 40 dollars in a season. No more pucks, no more shock, little to add to keep the water balanced. Do the math, it's far cheaper in the long run, is easier on people that have chlorine or bromine issues and is easier to keep your water in balance. Here's a link to one of the best units out there http://www.goldlinecontrols.com/AquaRite.aspx
It'll explain in a bit more detail.
The reason you shouldn't use rock salt, but can, is that it's not very pure and is difficult to dissolve in the pool. Table salt is a bit more expensive per 50 pound bag, but dissolves readily and doesn't contain impurities, like rock salt does. If you are willing to put up with that, and your salt generator warranty isn't jeopardized by using it, by all means, go ahead.

Answer 2

No, the salt will taint the water and make it briney which could lead to brackish water and even sieze up your motor. The crystals are too large, even when they dissolve.

Answer 3

http://www.moncol.com/salt_chlorinator.htm There are other devices just do a search for "salt chlorinator"

Answer 4

Never heard that one before.