A magnesium pool uses a mixture of magnesium chloride and potassium chloride dissolved in the pool water. These minerals, transformed by a device called a hydroxinator, produce a disinfectant without the direct addition of industrial chlorine. The most common process is commercially known as MagnaPool, patented by Zodiac.
Magnesium Electrolysis vs. Salt Electrolysis: What Changes in the Pool
Traditional salt electrolysis converts sodium chloride into active chlorine. Magnesium electrolysis follows the same principle but replaces salt with MagnaPool minerals. The difference is not limited to the label on the bag poured into the pool.
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With salt, the water can become slightly corrosive to natural stone coping and certain metals. Magnesium, on the other hand, produces water with a more stable pH, reducing the frequency of manual adjustments. The associated filter media (Crystal Clear, made of glass crystals) offers finer filtration than traditional sand.
Before installing a magnesium pool, it is important to understand that the system forms an inseparable whole: minerals, hydroxinator, and filter media work together. Replacing a single component with a generic equivalent compromises the quality of treatment.
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Magnesium in Pool Water: Concrete Effects on Skin and Comfort
Magnesium is present in seawater and in all living tissues. The relaxing virtues of magnesium-enriched baths have long been documented, particularly for soothing muscle pain and caring for the skin.
In a magnesium-treated pool, the water has a softer texture than that of a chlorine pool. Swimmers with sensitive skin, prone to eczema or irritation, generally notice less tightness after swimming. Red eyes upon exiting the water become rare.
The water does not emit a chlorine smell, even in hot weather. This absence of odor is explained by the method of producing the disinfectant: the chemical reaction in the hydroxinator generates fewer chloramines, the volatile compounds responsible for the pungent smell of public pools.
Limitations to Know About Health Benefits
The absorption of magnesium through the skin during swimming remains low. A magnesium pool does not replace oral supplementation in case of proven deficiency. The main benefit remains the comfort of swimming, not a measurable therapeutic effect.
Cost of a Magnesium Pool: Expense Items and Maintenance Costs
The installation cost exceeds that of a traditional salt electrolysis system. Three items explain the difference:
- The MagnaPool hydroxinator, which replaces the standard salt electrolysis system and is significantly more expensive
- The Crystal Clear filter media (glass), which is more expensive than sand but has a significantly longer lifespan
- The MagnaPool minerals themselves, sold in bags to be renewed according to the pool volume and swimming frequency
The additional cost at purchase is partially offset by maintenance savings. The stability of pH reduces the consumption of corrective products. The glass media is replaced less often than sand. The metal parts of the hydraulic circuit experience less corrosion.
However, the system requires staying within the Zodiac ecosystem for consumables. The minerals cannot be substituted with regular pool salt, and the hydroxinator requires specific replacement cells.
Compatibility of Magnesium Treatment with Pool Equipment
The MagnaPool treatment adapts to most existing pools, whether they are concrete, fiberglass, or liner. Converting a salt pool to magnesium requires replacing the electrolysis system with a hydroxinator and sand with Crystal Clear media.
The existing filtration pump can generally be kept, provided its flow rate is compatible with the manufacturer’s recommendations. The pool volume determines the amount of minerals to dissolve during startup.
Regulations and Water Management
The decree of December 19, 2025, strengthens the requirements for water quality in collective pools. Article 3 imposes a minimum daily renewal of 30 liters of non-recycled water per swimmer. Article 15 provides for a complete drainage in case of degradation of quality indicators.
These rules, which will come into effect on January 1, 2027, in mainland France, concern pools for collective use. For individuals, they outline the direction taken by regulations: less massive drainages, more continuous quality control. A magnesium treatment, which maintains stable water with fewer chemical interventions, fits into this logic.
Choosing Between Magnesium and Chlorine: Concrete Decision Criteria
The choice is not limited to a budget question. Three criteria can help decide:
- The skin sensitivity of regular swimmers: if members of the household have reactive skin, magnesium provides tangible comfort
- Tolerance to supplier dependency: the MagnaPool system locks in the supply of consumables from Zodiac and its authorized dealers
- The size of the pool: in a small volume, the extra cost of minerals weighs proportionally more than in a large pool
A family pool used daily in summer, with children or people with sensitive skin, makes the most of magnesium treatment. A secondary pool, open for only a few weeks a year, does not always justify the additional investment.
The last point to check is the availability of a trained installer for the MagnaPool system in the project’s geographical area. The commissioning requires precise calibration of the hydroxinator, and an approximate adjustment negates much of the expected benefits.