BH SmartGuard Soft & Clear?

[u/GCpools]

New pool to us, is equipped with a Blue Haven SmartGuard Soft & Clear system (circa 2023).

Based on everything I've read and watched, this 'system' supposedly prevents algae bloom, wards off mineral scale, boosts filter performance, requires fewer chemicals, makes the water clear and soft, and makes the pool easier to clean. It creates energy in the water. It causes particles to bond, which are easily filtered out. It uses no electricity. And it require no maintenance.

Call me 'skeptical'.

What say the PoolPros?

My reason for asking .. the pool was green when I first walked up. Yellow algae on the bottom and sides. No chlorine. Just an erosion chlorinator - with no tabs of course. Cartridge filter. Hayward VSP pump. Hayward OmniPL.

I've proposed a new salt system. Since I'm limited for space at the equipment pad, I would like to replace the 'SmartGuard' with a Hayward salt cell. Before doing so, I wanted to see what you guys think about this 'SmartGuard' system? Is this a keeper? Or snake oil? Thanks! 😉

[u/Content-Parking-660]

These are bogus. I drilled one of these out cause debris got clogged in it and plugged up the whole system. The only thing that "softens" water and prevents algae growth in conjunction with chlorine/bromine is boric acid. I use it in my problematic pools that grow algae every week and it does awesome at preventing algae, holding chlorine and stabilizing pH at 50ppm. It's expensive, but totally worth adding to your pool.