I am thinking of having a salt water system installed for my swimming pool could anyone provide their input?

Answer 1

Contrary to what has been posted, they're actually a good investment. Their initial cost may be high, but pool operating costs are substantially lowered. They usually pay for themselves in about 4 years. Less if you live in an area that you pool operates year round.
The water itself is more "comfortable" to people with chlorine issues for starters. The salinity level is kept at less than 1/300th of a human tear, ie. about 2500-2800 ppm. You need to have exceptional taste buds to detect it. You don't float any differently.
As for calcium build up. Actually less than a normally chlorinated pool. You don't need to use shock or pucks, which contain calcium as a binding agent, when operating a salt generated pool.
As for the Ph issue. There is none. You are no longer adding chemicals that alter the Ph of the water when using a salt generator, so you're water balance actually stays more consistent.
Regarding cell replacement. If you take care of the unit and operate it as prescribed in the manual, you'll get at least 8 years of cell life ( I say 8 years, because I never had to replace one in 8 years, while I worked as a pool tech for a company that sold the units). Many are self cleaning and the ones that aren't usually only require a 20 minute cleaning every 3-6 months at most.
I was a pool service technician for 15 years. Of the two types of pool, non salt generator vs. salt, I can attest that the salt generated pools offered less headache to deal with chemistry wise and my Boss's chemical revenues dropped huge. We actually were losing profits by installing the generators.
That will be the main reason why a pools shop, that relies on chemical sales, will try to steer you away from purchasing a unit.

Answer 2

I wouldn't have one put in. there are too many downsides. severe calcium build up. pH is always high which causes you to have to use alot of acid to keep the water balanced. salt cells are expensive and need to be replaced often.

Answer 3

My advise is don't wast your money . how about a sauna?