Quick Overview:
A magnesium pool conversion involves switching your existing chlorine or saltwater pool to a magnesium mineral system that uses magnesium chloride as the primary sanitiser instead of traditional sodium chloride (salt) or liquid chlorine. The result is water that feels noticeably softer on the skin, is gentler on eyes and hair, and requires fewer harsh chemicals to maintain. The conversion process involves replacing or upgrading your chlorinator to a mineral-compatible unit, adding a mineral blend to the water, and in some cases checking that your pool’s interior surface is compatible with the new water chemistry. For concrete pools, this may mean ensuring your pool paint or pebblecrete finish is in good condition before the changeover. Most conversions can be completed within one to two days for the equipment and chemistry transition, though pools needing surface work as part of the upgrade will take longer. At Advance Pool Painting, we help Sydney homeowners assess surface readiness and complete any resurfacing or renovation work needed before or alongside a magnesium mineral conversion.
What Is a Magnesium Pool?
A magnesium pool uses a mineral sanitisation system that relies on magnesium chloride (and often a blend of potassium chloride and sodium chloride) instead of pure sodium chloride or liquid chlorine.
The minerals are added to the pool water and processed through a mineral-compatible chlorinator. The system still produces a small amount of chlorine to sanitise the water, but at significantly lower levels than a traditional salt or chlorine pool. The magnesium and potassium in the water provide additional benefits that go beyond sanitation.
For a deeper look at the health and lifestyle advantages, the mineral pool benefits guide covers everything from skin and muscle benefits to reduced chemical handling.
Magnesium Pool vs Saltwater Pool vs Chlorine Pool
Understanding the differences helps you decide whether conversion makes sense for your situation.
| Factor | Chlorine Pool | Saltwater Pool | Magnesium Mineral Pool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanitiser source | Manually added liquid or tablet chlorine | Salt chlorinator generates chlorine from sodium chloride | Mineral chlorinator generates chlorine from magnesium blend |
| Water feel | Can feel harsh, dry skin and hair | Softer than chlorine but still sodium-based | Noticeably silky, gentle on skin and eyes |
| Chemical handling | Regular manual dosing required | Moderate, salt cell does most of the work | Minimal, mineral system is largely self-regulating |
| Skin and eye irritation | Common, especially at higher chlorine levels | Reduced compared to chlorine | Significantly reduced, magnesium is naturally soothing |
| Corrosion risk | Low (no salt) | Moderate to high, salt corrodes metal and stone | Lower than saltwater, magnesium blend is less corrosive |
| Surface compatibility | Compatible with all finishes | Can accelerate wear on some surfaces over time | Compatible with most finishes when properly maintained |
| Running cost | Lower equipment cost, higher chemical cost | Moderate | Moderate, mineral blends cost slightly more than plain salt |
“The most common reaction we hear from homeowners after their first swim in a magnesium pool is that the water feels completely different. It is softer, smoother, and they come out without that tight, dry feeling chlorine pools are known for.”
How the Conversion Process Works
Converting an existing pool to magnesium mineral is more straightforward than most homeowners expect.
Step one: Assess your current setup. A pool professional evaluates your existing chlorinator, filtration system, and interior surface condition. If your chlorinator is already mineral-compatible (many newer salt chlorinators are), you may only need to change the mineral blend you add to the water.
Step two: Check surface compatibility. This is where Advance Pool Painting comes in. Your pool’s interior finish needs to be in sound condition before changing the water chemistry. Cracked, peeling, or deteriorating surfaces can react differently to mineral water. If your pool needs resurfacing, painting, or pebblecrete work, it makes sense to do that before or alongside the conversion.
Step three: Upgrade or replace the chlorinator. If your current unit is not mineral-compatible, it will need to be swapped for a dedicated mineral chlorinator. Popular brands in Australia include MagnaPool, Hydroxinator, and Enviroswim.
Step four: Drain, clean, and refill (if needed). If the existing water has high sodium levels from years of salt chlorination, a partial or full drain and refill gives the mineral system a clean starting point. This is also the ideal time to complete any pool cleaning or surface preparation.
Step five: Add the mineral blend and balance. The magnesium mineral blend is dissolved into the pool water, the chlorinator is configured, and the water chemistry is balanced. Within 24 to 48 hours, the system is running and the water is ready to swim in.
When to Combine Conversion with a Pool Renovation
The smartest time to convert to magnesium is when your pool is already due for renovation work. If you are planning any of the following, bundling the conversion saves time and money:
- Pool painting or recoating with Luxapool epoxy
- Pebblecrete resurfacing or concrete pool resurfacing
- Fibreglass pool resurfacing
- Waterline tile replacement
- Full swimming pool renovation
Since the pool is already drained for renovation work, the surface is freshly prepared, and the system is being recommissioned anyway, converting to mineral at the same time adds minimal extra cost and zero extra downtime.
For Sydney homeowners considering a broader upgrade, the pool renovation cost and pool resurfacing cost guides cover what to budget for the full scope.
Maintaining a Magnesium Pool
Magnesium pools are lower maintenance than traditional chlorine pools, but they are not maintenance-free.
- Test water chemistry fortnightly using a quality test kit that reads magnesium levels alongside pH, chlorine, and alkalinity
- Top up the mineral blend as needed, typically every few months depending on water loss from splashing, backwashing, and evaporation
- Clean the chlorinator cell every three to six months to prevent mineral buildup
- Maintain pH between 7.2 and 7.6 for optimal mineral performance and swimmer comfort
- Schedule a professional pool check annually to assess the surface, equipment, and water balance
For ongoing surface care, the pool resurfacing maintenance guide covers how to keep your finish in top condition regardless of which sanitisation system you use.
Magnesium Pool Conversion: How It Works
Five steps to convert your Sydney pool from chlorine or saltwater to a magnesium mineral system.
1. Assess System
Evaluate your current chlorinator, filtration, and pool equipment compatibility.
2. Check Surface
Inspect pool interior for cracks, peeling, or damage. Resurface if needed before conversion.
3. Upgrade Unit
Replace or reconfigure chlorinator to a mineral-compatible system (MagnaPool, Hydroxinator, etc).
4. Refill and Blend
Partial or full drain, refill with fresh water, dissolve magnesium mineral blend into the pool.
5. Balance and Swim
Balance water chemistry, configure the chlorinator, and enjoy your first mineral swim within 24 to 48 hours.
Chlorine vs Saltwater vs Magnesium
How the three most common pool systems compare for Sydney homeowners.
Chlorine
Water feel: Harsh on skin and eyes
Maintenance: High, manual chemical dosing
Corrosion: Low
Comfort: ★★☆☆☆
Saltwater
Water feel: Softer than chlorine
Maintenance: Moderate, salt cell automated
Corrosion: Moderate to high
Comfort: ★★★☆☆
Magnesium Mineral
Water feel: Silky, gentle, soothing
Maintenance: Low, mineral system self-regulates
Corrosion: Low
Comfort: ★★★★★
💡 Best Time to Convert
The ideal time to convert to magnesium is during a pool renovation. If your pool is already being drained for resurfacing, painting, or tiling, adding the mineral conversion at the same time means zero extra downtime and reduced total cost.
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Additional Pool Renovation Resources
Explore more ways to enhance your swimming pool:
- Discover comprehensive swimming pool renovation options beyond retiling
- Learn about pool tiling services for new construction and extensions
- Explore pebblecrete resurfacing as an alternative interior finish
- Consider fibreglass pool resurfacing if you have a fibreglass pool
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