The ideal salt level for a pool is around 3,200 PPM. If you’re starting with no salt (0 PPM) and you have a 10,000-gallon pool, you’ll need to add 267 pounds of salt. That’s six to seven 40-pound pool-grade bags of salt.

Here’s a quick table to help you calculate how much salt you need to add to your pool based on your pool volume and current salt levels.

What’s the Correct Level of Salt for Your Pool?

The ideal salt level is between 2,700 to 3,400 ppm with the optimal level being 3,200 ppm. Once you add the initial amount of salt to your water (either when you fill your pool or at the start of the season), you likely won’t need any additional salt. That’s because your salt water generator continuously uses the salt to generate chlorine (thanks to electrolysis). Then the chlorine sanitizes your pool. The salt does not evaporate but it does get diluted when it rains or if you add fresh water.

If you’re converting to a salt water system for the first time, you’ll need about six or seven 40-pound bags of pool salt (for a 10,000-gallon pool). On the other hand, if your salt levels are just low (around 1,000 PPM), you’ll only need about four or five 40-pound bags of pool-grade salt.

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Luckily, pool salt is relatively inexpensive. And as mentioned, once you add it at the beginning of the season, it should stay in your water. And you can always add more salt if you need to. So start slowly and let the salt circulate and dissolve. Then retest your salt levels.

By the way, if you need more help figuring out what other chemicals to add to your pool and when to add them, be sure to check out our Pool Care Video Course.

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How to Test Your Current Pool Salt Levels

Before you can figure out how much salt to add to your swimming pool, you’ll need to know your current salinity levels. Your salt water generator should tell you what your current salt level is. So start by checking the digital display to get a salinity reading.

However, sometimes a salt water generator can give you an inaccurate salt reading. This may be the case if your unit needs to be recalibrated, or if your water temperature is too low. Funny enough, lower water temperatures produce lower salt readings.

You may also experience inaccurate readings if you have high total dissolved solids (TDS) because of other minerals in the water. Or your salt sensor may also need cleaning.

So to verify how much salt is in your water, use one of these manual testing methods at least once a month.

Digital Salinity Tester

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Digital Salinity Tester

This Digital Salinity Tester is an accurate, easy way to verify the salt levels in your pool. Simply place the tester in your pool water for a digital salinity reading.

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A digital salinity tester is the most accurate way to test your salt levels. Simply place your digital tester directly in your pool water. Beyond testing for salinity, most digital testers also measure total dissolved solids (TDS) total hardness.

Salt Test Strips

Salt Water Test Strips for Pools and Hot Tubs

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With most salt water test strips, simply dip the test strip in a pool water sample and wait several minutes for the results. While this isn’t as accurate as a digital tester, it’s a cheap way to get an approximate reading.

Liquid Reagent Kit

You can get a liquid test kit that includes salt water readings. Simply fill the included vials with pool water from your pool. Add the reagent according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Once mixed, the samples change color.

How to Calculate How Much Salt to Add to Your Pool

Use this formula to determine how much salt you need to add to your pool. This assumes your salt levels should be around 3,200 PPM:

How Much Salt to Add (In Pounds) = Your Pool Water in Gallons x 8.35 x (0.0032 – Current Salt PPM / 1,000,000)

For example, if you have a 12,000-gallon pool and your current salt PPM is 1,200 PPM, your math should look like this:

• 12,000 x 8.35 x (0.0032 -1,200/1,000,000)
• 12,000 x 8.35 x (0.0032 – 0.0012)
• 12,000 x 8.35 x 0.0020 = 200.4 pounds

That means you need to add about 200 pounds of salt to the pool water to bring your salt levels up to 3,200 PPM. Generally, pool salt comes in 40-pound bags, so you’d need 5 bags of salt to get the 200 pounds you need.

How to Add Salt to Your Pool

Before adding salt to your pool, whether it’s your first time using salt or it’s part of regular pool maintenance, test your water levels. Make sure your alkalinity and pH are balanced before adding salt.

You’ll also want to buy pool-grade salt that’s at least 99.8% pure sodium chloride (NaCl). It should be evaporated, food-grade, granulated, non-iodized salt. And make sure it does not contain anti-caking agents because they can discolor pool surface finishes and fittings. Do not substitute sodium chloride for calcium chloride.

Turn off your salt chlorine generator. But leave your pump and filter on to circulate the water, which will help dissolve the salt.

Add the salt to the shallow end or around the perimeter. Do not pour the salt directly into the skimmer. Then, let it dissolve and circulate. Depending on how fine the salt is, it could take up to 24 hours to completely dissolve.

Once the salt has dissolved, turn on your salt chlorinator. Test the water to make sure you have a salt level of around 3,200 PPM. Levels much lower than that will make your generator less effective and produce less chlorine. But levels higher than 4,500 PPM will reduce the lifespan of your salt cell and can cause erosion and damage to your pool surfaces and equipment.

Remember, you likely only need to add salt to your pool once a year at the beginning of the pool season. Or add salt to replace lost salt from splashout, backwashing or rain. If you ever have to completely drain and refill your pool, you’ll need to completely replace all the pool salt.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pool Salt

Need more help with adding salt to your pool? Check out our guide on Salt Water Pool Maintenance 101. And here are some frequent questions and answers.

How do you calculate pool volume?

The volume of a rectangular pool is calculated by taking the length x width x average depth. For other shapes or pools with varying depths, you can calculate your pool volume (in gallons) with our Pool Volume Calculator.

How many bags of salt do I need for my pool?

It depends on your current salt level and your pool size. Let’s say your above ground pool has 10,000 gallons of water and you need to raise your salt level from 0 to 3,200 PPM because you’re starting with fresh water or a new salt system. You will need 200 pounds of pool salt or about five 40-pound bags. The salt will stay in the water, so you will only need to add a bit more every year to replace the salt you lose to splashout and backwashing.

How many bags of salt do I need for my 15,000-gallon pool?

If you’re starting with no salt, you’ll need about 300 pounds of salt for 15,000 gallons of water. Since pool salt comes in 40-pound bags, you will need a little less than 8 bags.

Can you put too much salt in a pool?

Adding a bit more salt to your pool won’t typically cause any issues. If the excessive salt levels reach 5,000 ppm or more, you could cause corrosion of metal equipment in the pool.

What else do I need to add to my pool besides salt?

In addition to salt, you’ll want to test and balance your pH, alkalinity, and cyanuric acid levels regularly. You should also manually test your chlorine levels and salt levels, just in case your salt water system isn’t measuring chlorine production correctly. This is why regular water testing is important.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post How Much Salt to Add to Your Pool (Easy Pool Salt Calculation) appeared first on Swim University®.

There are 7 key components to salt water pool maintenance:

1. Add the Right Amount of Salt
2. Maintain Proper Water Circulation
3. Prevent Erosion and Calcium Buildup
4. Check Your Salt Cell Every 3 Months
5. Keep Your Water Balanced, Especially pH and Chlorine
6. Shock Your Pool Every Week
7. Skim, Brush, Vacuum Every Week

Check out our video below or keep reading for a complete walkthrough.

Before we cover each component of salt water pool maintenance, remember that a salt water pool is a chlorine pool. Your salt water generator, also known as a salt chlorine generator, turns the salt that’s added to your pool into chlorine. So instead of adding chlorine directly to your water to keep your chlorine levels up, you add salt to your water that produces chlorine. Check out our guide on Salt Water vs. Chlorine Pools for more information.

By the way, if you want all of this pool care information in one easy-to-use place, grab our FREE Pool Care Cheat Sheet!

1. Add the Right Amount of Salt to Your Pool

Usually, you only need to add salt to your pool water once or twice a year or right when opening your pool. That’s because the salt you add to the water won’t dissipate. The salt water generator uses the salt to produce chlorine and then it’s recycled back into the water. So you’ll likely only need to add salt right after pool opening, heavy rain, or when adding fresh water since this will dilute your salinity.

Use pool-grade salt (sodium chloride) that’s at least 99% pure. Certain chlorine generators need to be turned off while you’re adding salt to the pool, so check your owner’s manual first. And be sure to turn the pool pump on to help circulate the salt through the water.

How Much Salt to Add to Your Pool

You’ll need to add enough salt to get your salinity level between 2,700 to 3,400 parts per million (PPM). Usually, 3,200 PPM is ideal but check your owner’s manual for their specific, recommended range. Then use a pool salinity calculator to find out how much salt you need.

If you have a 20,000-gallon pool and you’re adding salt for the first time, you’ll need about 568 pounds of salt. Pool salt is sold in 40-pound bags, so you’d need about 14 bags of salt.

Remember, it’s always easier to add more salt later than remove it once it’s added. So if you’re unsure, add less salt initially and retest your salinity levels before adding more.

How to Add Salt to Pool

First, turn on your pool filter system. Then pour the salt directly into the deep end of your pool. Use a pool brush to push the salt around the bottom of the pool. Pushing the salt will also help it dissolve in the water. Then allow your pump and filter to run for 24 hours to ensure even distribution of salt through the pool.

Test the water’s salinity with a digital salinity tester or salt test strips. Continue to add salt if the levels are still low. But if the salt level is too high (5,000 ppm or higher), you’ll need to dilute your pool water to bring salinity down.

Once the salt level is where it should be, turn on the salt chlorine generator.

2. Maintain Proper Water Circulation

If your swimming pool water isn’t circulating well, your salt water concentration may get too high in some areas.

Double-check your salt levels around your pool with a digital salinity tester. Be sure to test the water in multiple areas to make sure the numbers are consistent. If there’s a drastic difference between numbers, angle your return jets towards the pockets of salinity to help circulate dead zones.

Keep your water circulating by running your pump and filter at least 8 hours a day. For more help with pool pump run times, check out our guide on How Long Should I Run My Pool Pump Every Day?

3. Prevent Erosion and Calcium Buildup

Splash out can cause high concentrations of salt outside of your pool. And that can erode parts of your pool, especially limestone or other soft stone coping around your pool. So be sure to hose down the area around your pool. Splash out can also lead to high concentrations of salt on the outside of your pool liner, so rinse this off as well. Finally, if you have an automatic pool cover, rinse off its metal tracks and hardware with a hose every few weeks.

if you see white flakes in your pool, that’s usually not salt — it’s a buildup of calcium carbonate. Calcium flakes are caused by the high pH byproduct and scale formation in your salt cell. This can happen when you first turn on your salt water generator at the beginning of the season and it usually resolves after it runs for a bit. But salt water generators are prone to calcium buildup, so avoid using chlorine shocks with calcium, like cal-hypo shock, and be sure to regularly clean your salt cell.

Finally, very high pH levels can also cause corrosion of your pool equipment, so be sure to test and balance your pool’s pH regularly.

4. Check Your Salt Cell Every 3 Months

Calcium can build up on your salt cell over time. If you see white flakes in your pool, that’s usually not salt — it’s a buildup of calcium carbonate. Calcium flakes and scaling are caused by the naturally high pH byproduct from your salt water generator running. But even if you don’t see calcium flakes in your water, you could have buildup on your salt cell. And if your pH levels or if your pool water temperature is too high, calcium will build up faster.

Inspect the cell at least every 3 months and clean it by hand or with a hose to remove build-up. You can also use a diluted solution of muriatic acid to remove deposits. But be sure to follow any cleaning directions that came with your salt water generator.

Start by turning off the salt water generator and other connected pool equipment. Then unplug the generator and unscrew and remove the salt cell. Inspect the metal plates, looking for white and flakey spots on the metal inside. If there are no deposits, reassemble the system and check it again in another few months. But if you do see visible deposits, remove any large deposits by hand without forcing your hands into the cell. Rinse the cell with a hose to remove the remnants.

If you still can’t remove the deposits, you can use a solution of 5:1 water to muriatic acid. Wear protective gear like a face mask and gloves and pour the acid into the water to mix it. Cap the cell and pour the acid solution into the salt cell. Allow it to foam for 10 minutes. When it’s done, pour the solution back into the bucket. Use a hose to wash the inside of the cell and put the system back together.

Limit chemically cleaning your salt cell as much as you can, since using chemicals will damage the cell over time. And do not pour the leftover acid solution on the ground or into your pipes.

5. Keep Your Water Balanced, Especially pH and Chlorine

While these levels are important whether or not you have a salt water pool, there are some nuances and challenges you’ll face with your pH and free chlorine levels.

While your salt water generator should display the correct chlorine levels in your water, there are times when the system might not be working correctly. And as we mentioned before, salt water systems produce naturally high pH levels. So testing and balancing your water regularly, especially your pH and chlorine, is crucial.

1. Test Free Chlorine Levels Every Week

Keeping your free chlorine levels around 3 PPM ensures that your water is properly sanitized. And while your salt water generator should tell you how much chlorine is in the water, it’s worth running a quick 15-second test each week to make sure it’s measuring things properly.

Every week, use a liquid test kit or test strips to check the amount of free chlorine in your water. Then adjust your generator accordingly if you find your chlorine levels aren’t what they should be.

It’s fine to keep the amount of chlorine in your pool a bit higher than 3 PPM. That’s because your salt water generator produces and disperses chlorine more evenly throughout the water.

2. Balance Your pH Levels Weekly

Your pH levels can run a bit high in a salt water pool since your salt water generator naturally produces high pH. However, high pH levels (pH above 7.6) can lead to eye and skin irritation as well as scaling on your pool equipment. That’s why you need to test and balance your pH every week. And if you do need to lower your pH levels, you can use pH decreaser or muriatic acid.

If you need more help lowering your pH, be sure to check out our guide on How to Lower pH in Your Pool.

Finally, double-check the run times on your salt water generator, since running the salt water pool system is what causes high pH levels. Try not to run your salt system for more than 10 hours every day.

3. Manually Test Salinity Levels Each Month

The majority of salt water generators will show you your water’s salinity level. But it’s always a good idea to test your salt levels manually to make sure your system is working correctly and not displaying a false reading.

During pool season, check your salinity levels once a month. Also, check your salt levels after heavy rain or if you had to drain out a significant amount of water. You can use salt water test strips, but we also recommend using a digital salinity reader.

4. Test and Balance Alkalinity, Stabilizer, and Calcium Monthly

In addition to monthly salinity testing, you need to test your alkalinity, stabilizer (or cyanuric acid), and calcium levels every month.

• Alkalinity: Total Alkalinity acts as a buffer to protect your pH level from fluctuation. But because running your salt water generator naturally increases your pH level, your total alkalinity has less of an impact on your pH. Ideally, your alkalinity level should be between 100 and 150 PPM. But it’s all right if your alkalinity levels are slightly below 100 PPM since your pH runs high. If you need help managing your alkalinity, check out our guide on how to lower alkalinity.
• Cyanuric Acid: Also known as CYA or stabilizer, your cyanuric acid levels usually need to be between 30 and 50 PPM. But some salt water pool owners find that it helps to maintain higher CYA levels of around 80 ppm, particularly for those who find it difficult to maintain an adequate chlorine level.
• Calcium Hardness: Your calcium hardness level should be between 200 and 400 ppm. If you have high calcium hardness levels, the mineral can calcify and damage your salt cell or cause scale build-up. If your calcium hardness is too high, you’ll need to drain some of your pool water or dilute it with fresh water.

6. Shock Your Pool Every Week

Shocking your pool is the act of adding a super-concentrated dose of chlorine to your water. And helps kill algae and bacteria and refreshes your active, free chlorine.

If your saltwater generator is equipped with a “boost” setting, you add extra chlorine from your saltwater system. This is a great setting to use weekly to help kill contaminants. You can also add a non-chlorine shock to help keep your chlorine working and active in the water.

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But if you’re experiencing issues like algae, you’ll want to add a more powerful dose of chlorine using granular dichlor shock or liquid chlorine.

Clorox Dichlor Pool Shock XtraBlue (1 Pound Bags), 12 Pack

This multifunctional pool shock from Clorox comes in a 12-pack. The algae-fighting granules create crystal clear water by killing bacteria and organic contaminants. It works well for smaller pools and saltwater pools. As a dichlor-based stabilized cholorine shock, it does contain cyanuric acid.

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When using a stabilized shock like dichlor, keep an eye on your CYA levels afterward. And avoid using cal-hypo shock because it can cause calcium buildup in your salt cell.

We recommend using the boost mode on your generator or shocking your pool once a week or after heavy use or a heavy storm. Be sure to retest your water the following day and rebalance any chemicals as needed.

7. Skim, Brush, and Vacuum Every Week

Like any pool, you’ll want to make sure your water is free from debris and your pool surfaces are clean. So once a week, use a skimmer net, pool brush, and pool vacuum to clean your water. A robotic pool cleaner can come in handy here. But if you need to manually vacuum your pool, be sure to check out our walk-through on How to Vacuum Your Pool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Water Pool Maintenance

Need more help taking care of your salt water pool? Here are some common questions and answers.

How is a Salt Water Pool Different from a Traditional Chlorine Pool?

Both a salt water pool and a chlorine pool use chlorine to sanitize the water. Regular chlorine pools need chlorine to be added directly to the water. On the other hand, salt water pool systems use salt that’s added to the water to turn it into chlorine. The salt water passes through a system known as a salt chlorine generator. It uses electricity with pool-grade salt to break the salt down into sodium and chlorine.

Salt water pools have other benefits, like a smoother water feel and less irritation for swimmers.

What Happens if You Add Too Much Salt to a Salt Water Pool?

If your salinity levels reach 5,000 ppm or higher, you risk corroding your pool equipment and your salt water generator might not work properly. To bring salt levels back down to an acceptable level, you’ll need to dilute your pool water by partially draining and adding fresh water.

Is it easier to maintain a salt water pool?

Overall, a salt water swimming pool is easier to maintain than a chlorine pool. With a salt water generator, there’s no need to buy, store, and add chlorine to your water. Once you add the right amount of pool salt to your pool, your generator does the work. You just need annual top-ups of pool salt, unless you have to drain a significant amount of water from the pool. However, you will have to pay attention to the condition of your salt water generator and salt cell.

How often should a salt water pool be serviced?

You should inspect the salt cell every three months and clean it as necessary. But if your salt water generator needs maintenance, much of the service needs to be done by a professional.

Are salt water pools high maintenance?

No, salt water pools are not considered high maintenance compared to a traditional chlorine pool. But you will still need to test and balance pool chemicals. The salt water chlorinator maintains consistent chlorine levels for you, but you still need to keep pH, CYA, and other chemicals balanced.

What chemicals do you need for a salt water pool?

To maintain your pool’s water chemistry, you’ll need pool salt. You’ll also need a chlorine stabilizer, pH decreaser or muriatic acid, and a calcium hardness increaser in check. You will also need some non-chlorine shock and dichlor shock or liquid shock on hand for shocking your pool manually.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post Salt Water Pool Maintenance 101: How to Keep it Clean and Clear appeared first on Swim University®.

• Salt water pools are still chlorine pools. The salt water generator converts salt into chlorine. So instead of adding chlorine directly to your water, you’re adding salt.
• You’ll save money on chemicals, but you’ll spend more money on equipment. The units themselves usually cost over $1,000 and you’ll need to buy replacement salt cells every 5 years.
• You won’t need to buy, handle or add chlorine ever again. You’ll never have to add weekly doses of chlorine to your pool! But you’ll still need to test your water chemistry and keep an eye on your salt water generator to make sure it’s working properly.

With that in mind, if you’re in the market for a salt water system, we recommend the Hayward Salt Chlorination System. It has one of the longest lifespans compared to other units and you’ll get full control over your chlorine output levels.

Hayward Salt Chlorination System (Salt Water Generator)

This salt water generator (or salt water chlorinator) has a high/low salt and temperature indicators to help protect your equipment. And the self-cleaning salt cell makes regular maintenance easy. Check out their models for both inground and above ground pools.

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However, if you have limited space to install your salt system, the Pentair IntelliChlor is an alternative, more compact option. Just keep in mind that its replacement parts are more expensive. Finally, if you have a smaller above ground pool and you’re looking for a budget-friendly salt system, check out the Krystal Clear Intex Salt Water System.

Keep reading for more information about each option and whether or not a salt water system is worth it for your pool.

The Best Salt Water Pool Systems

No matter what type of salt water system you choose, always purchase from a reputable brand and look for salt water generators that come with a decent warranty. You’ll need to replace your salt cell every 5-7 years, so you’ll want to make sure you’re able to find replacement parts in the future. Finally, before making any purchase, double-check for compatibility with your pool and plumbing setup.

Best Overall: Hayward Salt Chlorination System

Hayward Salt Chlorination System (Salt Water Generator)

This salt water generator (or salt water chlorinator) has a high/low salt and temperature indicators to help protect your equipment. And the self-cleaning salt cell makes regular maintenance easy. Check out their models for both inground and above ground pools.

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This Hayward Salt Water System is ideal for inground pools up to 40,000 gallons. Installation is relatively easy and the digital display makes it simple to adjust your chlorine output. It works well with other pool automation systems to allow you more customizable programming options. And it includes the Hayward TurboCell Salt Chlorination CELL-15, which comes with a 3-year warranty.

The only downside to this system is that it takes up more room than other salt chlorine generators. But if you can find the space, the Hayward Salt Water System is worth it for its longevity and ease of use.

Runner Up: Pentair IntelliChlor Salt Chlorine Generator

Pentair IntelliChlor Salt Chlorine Generator Cell

This compact salt water system is easy to install and perfect for closely-packed pool plumbing setups. The easy-to-read display makes adjusting your salt and chlorine levels simple and intuitive.

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Because of its compact size, the Pentair IntelliChlor is easy to install in almost any pool plumbing set up. It features an easy-to-view display so you can keep an eye on salt levels, cell condition, and water cleanliness. It’s also available in multiple models, making this a flexible choice for all pool sizes, working with both smaller pools (up to 20,000 gallons) and larger pools (up to 60,000 gallons).

However, you will need to purchase an IntelliChlor power center, sold separately, to make this unit work. And because this is an “all-in-one” unit, the replacement cells cost more compared to other salt water systems. So expect to spend more money in the future compared to other salt water chlorinators.

Best Budget: Intex Krystal Clear

Intex Krystal Clear Salt Water System

This salt water system is built for above ground pools of up to 15,000 gallons. It's easy to install and hook up to existing Intex pump and filter systems, but it's also compatible with other smaller, above ground pools (adapters may be required).

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The Intex Krystal Clear Salt Water System is a popular, affordable option for above ground, small pools up to 15,000 gallons. Whether you have a new or existing pool, you can install it with no additional plumbing required. It comes with adapters that allow you to add it to other types of pools beyond Intex. And it features a programmable digital timer that lets you easily control chlorine output.

However, it can be more challenging to find replacement parts with this brand. And it does require you have a pump installed with a flow rate of at least 700 gallons per hour (GPH).

How Does a Salt Water Pool System Work?

A salt water pool still sanitizes your water with chlorine, just like a traditional pool. But instead of purchasing and adding chlorine to your water, you use pool-grade salt, sodium chloride.

The generator uses electrolysis to separate the salt in the pool water into two primary components, one of which is chlorine. But even after the chlorine is made, the salt stays in the water and gets recycled and reused by the salt water chlorinator.

Salt water swimming pools generally need salt levels of 3,000 parts per million (PPM) before the generator will start working. That’s the same salinity as human tears, so your pool water won’t be salty like ocean water.

By the way, if you have other questions about pool chemistry and pool maintenance, check out our Pool Care Video Course.

Frustrated by adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clear all the time?

We cut out all the confusion of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read illustrated ebook and video course. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care!

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How Much Does a Salt Water System Cost?

On average, most high-quality salt water chlorinators cost over $1,000. You’ll also have the cost of salt cell replacements about every 5 years, which can cost several hundred dollars. The larger your pool, the more expensive your salt water system will be.

Are Salt Water Systems Worth It?

With a salt water system, you never have to worry about buying, handling, and adding chlorine again. And salt water chlorinators produce a steadier, more consistent flow of chlorine in your pool water. That means you’re more likely to avoid algae issues, contaminant build-up, and chloramines (the byproduct of used-up chlorine). That means no chlorine-like smell and less skin and eye irritation for swimmers.

Salt water systems also require less hands-on chemical maintenance. Instead of manually adding chlorine granules or liquid, simply add salt to your pool water and your chlorine generator creates a steady, consistent flow of chlorine. And salt water systems include flow switches to control chlorine output.

Finally, buying and using salt is much cheaper than chlorine. A salt chlorine generator produces chlorine at approximately $1/pound. Whereas purchasing chlorine at your local pool supply store puts it at $2 to $4 a pound.

That said, of course, salt water pool systems aren’t the ideal choice for all pool owners. They do come with a higher initial investment (over $1,000 before installation). And you’ll also have to pay for a salt cell replacement about every 5 years. And that can cost several hundred dollars. But again, you’ll be spending less money each year on chlorine.

Also, any build-up of salt will corrode pool equipment, especially any metal that’s in or around your pool. This includes screws, heaters, lights, patio furniture, and diving board attachments. And salt water splash out is corrosive if it builds up on pool landscaping or coping.

But overall, a salt water system is a great investment for any pool owner looking to avoid handling and adding chlorine to their water while keeping their pool consistently sanitized.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salt Water Pool Systems

Need more help deciding if a salt water generator is right for your pool? Here are some commonly asked questions and answers.

What are the disadvantages of salt water pools?

Because salt water pools are more complex to maintain than traditional pools, they may require experienced technicians to take care of even minor issues. And if salt builds up on equipment or surfaces, it can erode your pool equipment and parts. That includes pool heaters, pool lights and fixtures, liners, and masonry work around the edge of your pool.

Is it cheaper to run a salt water pool compared to a chlorine pool?

Pool salt costs significantly less than chlorine and you’ll likely only need to add it to your water once or twice a year. But you’ll likely have higher electricity costs because you’re running a salt water generator. A 20,000-gallon salt water pool uses an additional 500 watts of electricity to power the salt water generator. That translates to around $40 to $50 more a year in electric costs. But you’ll likely save that amount of money (or more) by not having to buy chlorine.

Are salt water pools hard to maintain?

No, salt water pools are not hard to maintain but the equipment itself (the salt water chlorinator) may require professional maintenance and repair. But while you may need to hire out help for the salt water system itself, you won’t have to deal with buying, storing, and adding chlorine to your pool water.

Can you switch from chlorine to salt water pool?

Yes, it’s very simple to convert a traditional chlorine pool to a salt water pool. All you have to do is install the chlorination system and add pool salt to the water. From there, the generator will produce chlorine for you. Remember, chlorine is the sanitizer in both pools! For a step-by-step guide, be sure to check out our guide on Salt Water Pool Conversion.

Do salt water pools get algae?

Salt water pools are still susceptible to algae blooms, but the continuous and steady supply of chlorine from the salt chlorine generator should help prevent green water. Most generators have a super chlorination feature to increase your chlorine level and kill contaminants. But you may need to shock your pool if you’re already dealing with a significant algae issue.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post Salt Water Pool Systems: What’s the Best One and Are They Worth It? appeared first on Swim University®.

So before you switch the type of pool you have, here’s everything you need to know about salt water pools vs. chlorine pools. Watch the video below or keep reading for the complete guide.

How Does a Salt Water Pool Work?

A salt water pool uses a salt water generator, also known as a salt water chlorine generator. Through electrolysis, the salt water generator converts salt in your pool into chlorine.

Hayward Salt Chlorination System (Salt Water Generator)

This salt water generator (or salt water chlorinator) has a high/low salt and temperature indicators to help protect your equipment. And the self-cleaning salt cell makes regular maintenance easy. Check out their models for both inground and above ground pools.

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That’s right: a salt water pool is sanitizing your water with chlorine. But instead of buying and adding chlorine tablets or granules to your water, you’re buying and adding pool-grade salt.

As that salt stays in the water, getting recycled and reused by the generator as it continues to maintain your chlorine levels. Again: this is NOT a chlorine-free alternative to a traditional chlorine pool. It’s just a different process of making chlorine.

Salt water swimming pools usually need salt levels of 3,000 ppm (parts per million) before the salt chlorine generator start working. And that’s the same amount of salinity as human tears. So salt water pool owners won’t find the water incredibly salty, like ocean water.

By the way, if you need more help with pool maintenance and making choices about your pool, be sure to check out our Pool Care Video Course!

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Benefits of a Salt Water Pool vs. Chlorine Pool

Here are a few reasons why a salt water system is a great investment.

1. You add salt to your water instead of chlorine

Handling pool-grade salt is a lot safer and easier than chlorine pucks or granules. And as the salt water generator uses the salt to produce chlorine, the salt gets recycled back into the water and reused again. That means you usually only add salt at the beginning of the pool season or if a heavy rainstorm dilutes your pool water.

It also means less maintenance constantly buying, adding and adjusting your chlorine levels. And pool-grade salt is much cheaper and simpler to buy than chlorine. A salt water pool can be worth it just to never have to handle chlorine again!

2. The water is gentler and smoother

Salt water pools have smoother, silkier water. Some sensitive swimmers who are normally irritated by chlorine pools find salt water pools to be much gentler. And it tends to be less corrosive to swimsuits, too.

3. Chlorine levels stay stable

Because the salt water generator monitors and releases a slow, steady output of chlorine, the chlorine levels stay consistent. And since the chlorine levels are consistent, salt water pools can avoid problems like algae and cloudy water. Fewer drops in chlorine levels also mean fewer chloramines, which is a chlorine byproduct that causes that nasty, chlorine-like smell in pools.

Downsides of a Salt Water Pool vs. Chlorine Pool

As great as a salt water pool seems, there are a few drawbacks to a salt water pool vs. a chlorine pool, including the upfront cost and ongoing equipment maintenance.

1. It’s an expensive initial investment

It can cost several thousand dollars to convert a chlorine pool to a salt water system. That includes purchasing the salt water generator, or salt chlorine generator, and the labor to install it.

2. Maintenance is more complex and expensive

Salt water generators and the salt cells inside need to be inspected and cleaned regularly. And you’ll need to replace your salt cell every 3-7 years, which can cost another few hundred dollars. While you won’t need to constantly buy chlorine tablets or granules, you will need to use more electricity to keep your salt water generator running and producing chlorine. And if you ever need any major repair or maintenance to your system, you’ll likely need to hire a specialized professional.

3. It’s not totally hands-free

While it’s easy to get excited about never having to manually add chlorine to your water again, you’ll still need to perform regular pool maintenance checks on your water and your salt water system. This includes regularly testing your water, especially your pH. pH levels tend to drift higher in salt water pools. And pH above 7.6 can lead to skin irritation, burning eyes, and calcium build-up or scaling on your pool equipment.

Be sure to check out our guide on 9 Common Salt Water Pool Maintenance Mistakes for more help.

4. Salt water generators don’t work in colder temperatures

Salt water pool systems won’t produce chlorine if your water is 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below. So if you’re in a colder climate without a heater, your chlorine production will stop when your water temperature drops too low.

5. It can corrode pool parts

While salt water isn’t harmful in average doses, it can start to break down equipment if it starts to build up. Automatic pool covers, pool liners, metal pool equipment, and even natural stonework or landscaping near the pool can start to erode with too much salt water exposure. So keep an eye out for exposed metal components, especially on vinyl pools. But fiberglass pools are generally more safe from salt water corrosion.

Which is Better: Salt Water vs. Chlorine Pool?

Whether you have an above ground pool or an inground pool, the pros of a salt water pool are the same:

• You won’t need to constantly buy and add chlorine to your water.
• It’s gentler on your skin and eyes with a softer, silkier feel.
• Your chlorine levels will remain stable, keeping your water sanitized.

But here are the cons of a salt water pool:

• It comes with a higher initial cost and ongoing maintenance costs.
• You may experience chronically high pH levels.
• You’ll need to monitor your salt water generator
• Salt water may corrode some swimming pool fixtures

Overall, if you can afford the initial investment, the costs between salt water vs. chlorine pools even out. Given the lifespan of a salt water generator and how often you’ll need to repair or replace parts, you’ll probably spend the same as you would maintaining a chlorine pool. But it’s worth it for a better swimming experience and never having to handle a chlorine tablet again.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post Salt Water Pool vs. Chlorine Pool: Which One Is Better? appeared first on Swim University®.

• Buy a salt water system that’s 1.5x your pool size. If you have a 10,000-gallon pool, you’ll want to purchase a system with at least a 15,000-gallon capacity.
• Make sure your pump can handle your new salt system. Check with the manufacturer to see what pump requirements they have.
• Purchase from a reputable company. If you need to replace or repair any part of your system, you’ll want a company that has available parts or a warranty.

With that in mind, we recommend the Hayward Goldline AquaTrol Salt System. Hayward is a well-known, reliable pool company that’s known for manufacturing consistently dependable pool equipment.

Hayward Above Ground Pool Salt Chlorination System

This easy-to-install salt water system will chlorinate pools up to 18,000 gallons. Its digital salt display, diagnostic indicators, and super-chlorinate feature make pool maintenance easy.

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If you have a smaller pool or a tighter budget, check out the Intex Krystal Clear Salt Water System. This is best for smaller pools and will work with brands beyond Intex.

Keep reading for our complete guide on how to buy the right salt water system and a breakdown of each recommendation.

Best Overall: Hayward Goldline AquaTrol

Hayward Above Ground Pool Salt Chlorination System

This easy-to-install salt water system will chlorinate pools up to 18,000 gallons. Its digital salt display, diagnostic indicators, and super-chlorinate feature make pool maintenance easy.

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The Hayward Goldline AquaTrol System is an ideal choice for pools of up to 18,000 gallons. It offers a quick and easy installation that can be done in 30 minutes. Abd there’s a digital salt display to show the salt levels in the water at any given time. Finally, the unit also has seven diagnostic indicators and features a super chlorinate function for when you need to shock the pool.

Best Budget Option: Intex Krystal Clear Salt Water System

Intex Krystal Clear Salt Water System

This salt water system is built for above ground pools of up to 15,000 gallons. It's easy to install and hook up to existing Intex pump and filter systems, but it's also compatible with other smaller, above ground pools (adapters may be required).

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The Intex Krystal Clear Salt Water System is available in a variety of sizes, with options for pools as small as 2,200 gallons and or as large as 15,000 gallons. It features a 24-hour automatic timer for fully automatic operation, so pool owners don’t have to worry about running the system too much. Adapters are included so the system can work with both Intex and non-Intex pool pumps and filters, including sand filter pumps. However, it requires a pool pump with a flow rate between 700 and 3,000 gallons per hour (GPH). So make sure your pool is equipped accordingly.

By the way, if you need more help understanding your pool equipment and pool chemistry, check out our Pool Care Video Course.

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What to Look for in a Salt Water Pool System

Here’s what to consider when buying a salt water system for your above ground pool.

1. Pool Size vs. Salt Water Generator Capacity

You will need a salt chlorinator with 1.5x to 2x your pool’s maximum capacity. It’s much better to get a larger system than your pool to ensure you have adequate sanitization power. For example, if you have a 20,000-gallon pool and use a system that has a maximum output of 20,000 gallons, you risk overworking your system and burning it out.

2. Chlorine Output

Your salt water system’s chlorine output is measured in pounds per day. And opting for a system with the capacity for a higher chlorine output allows you to keep your water adequately sanitized. It also should let you turn down the system when you need to reduce the sanitization, putting less stress on your system. And if you need a higher output, like after a storm or party, you can crank it up higher as needed. If you’re constantly having to run the system on the maximum output, that’s a sign you might not have enough capacity.

3. Frequency of Pool Use

If you frequently have a lot of people in the water, you’ll need a stronger system. More people means more contaminants, which means you’ll need a powerful system to sanitize your water. Being able to turn up or down your chlorine output helps here.

4. Climate and Environment

If you live in a hot climate, you’ll need a stronger system (especially if your pool gets heavy use in the summer). That’s because heat and sunlight can affect your water chemistry. And if you have lots of plants around your pool, you’ll have more dirt, debris, and bacteria in the water that needs to be cleaned. That means a bigger system. Finally, if you live in a place where heavy rain is frequent, you’ll need more sanitation power. You’ll also want to check the salinity level more often, as rainwater will dilute your salt concentration.

5. Pool Frame and Equipment Compatibility

If your pool has a steel or aluminum frame, do not use a salt chlorine generator system since it will cause corrosion. Other materials, such as vinyl and resin aren’t as susceptible to damage from corrosion. You may be able to replace components with more salt-tolerant pool equipment. Also, check to make sure that your pool filter and heater are compatible with a salt water system.

How to Convert to a Salt Water Pool

Have an above ground pool that you want to convert from a traditional chlorine pool to a salt water system? It’s actually easier than you may think and it doesn’t require any draining.

1. Check for Compatibility

Check to make sure that your pool filter, heater and pump are compatible with your system. While you do not need a special kind of pool pump for a salt water system, it needs to have enough capacity to support your new generator. And remember, a steel or aluminum pool frame will corrode with a salt chlorine generator system.

2. Balance Your Pool Water Chemistry

The good news? You don’t need to completely drain your pool to convert it to salt water. Check your generator installation manual before adjusting your chemicals. But in general, here’s the recommended water chemistry:

• Free chlorine: 1 to 3 ppm
• pH: 7.4 to 7.6
• Alkalinity: 100 to 150 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 175 to 225 ppm (don’t worry about this level if you take down your pool every year)
• Cyanuric Acid: 30 to 50 ppm. Salt water pool owners may find that running CYA levels up to 80 ppm is helpful for keeping free chlorine levels where they should be. But you can always add more later, so start slow.

3. Install the Chlorinator

You’ll first need to mount the chlorinator controller to the wall near your pool’s equipment pad. Then, wire the controller for power. From there, you’ll connect the generator cell to the plumbing, then connect the cell to the controller. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing your generator so you don’t void your warranty.

4. Add Pool-Grade Salt to the Water

Your generator won’t start working until you add enough salt to your water. The amount of salt you’ll need to add is based on the water volume. Your generator’s instruction manual should provide a table to help you determine how much salt to add to the pool. But if you need more help, check out our guide on How Much Salt to Add to Your Pool. In general, you’ll need about six or seven 40-pound bags for a 10,000-gallon pool that has no salt in it. Be sure to purchase pool-grade salt.

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Broadcast the salt around your pool’s edges, allowing up to 24 hours for it to completely dissolve. Turn on your pool’s pump and filter to allow the salt to circulate through the water. After the salt is dissolved, turn on the salt chlorinator.

Frequently Asked Questions About Above Ground Salt Water Systems

Need more help finding the best salt water pool generator? Here are some common questions and answers.

How is a salt water pool different from a traditional chlorine pool?

A common misconception is that salt water pools don’t use chlorine. But a salt water pool is actually still a chlorine pool. The difference is that a salt water pool uses a salt water chlorine generator to convert pool salt into chlorine through electrolysis. The result is a consistent chlorine level with no need to constantly add chlorine to your pool. The resulting salt in the water is similar to the amount of salt in human tears. That’s about 3,500 parts per million (ppm).

Can you use a salt water system in an above ground pool?

Yes! All that matters is your pool is made out of material that can withstand the salt and that you have a salt water generator designed for an above ground swimming pool. There are systems available specifically for inground pools, which are not used interchangably.

How do I convert my above ground pool to salt water?

After you choose the salt water chlorinator system that is best for your needs, simply adjust your chemicals, install your system, add pool-grade salt and turn on your generator. For a complete step-by-step walkthrough, check out our guide on How to Convert Your Pool to Salt Water.

What equipment is needed for an above ground salt water pool?

All you need is a salt water chlorine system (which contains a control box and a salt cell). In terms of other pool supplies, you’ll need pool-grade salt to add to the water.

How much does a salt water pool system cost?

For an above ground swimming pool, a salt water pool system can be as little as $300 or as high as $2,000. Installation costs vary, depending on location and the size of the pool.

Need More Pool Maintenance Help?

• Download our free Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.
• Subscribe to our Swim University YouTube Channel. We publish free video tutorials throughout the pool season.
• Check out our Pool Care Course. You’ll get 30+ step-by-step videos and a downloadable guide with everything you need to know about pool maintenance.

The post Best Salt Water System for Above Ground Pools (2023) appeared first on Swim University®.

So here are 9 common salt water pool maintenance mistakes and how to avoid them. Check it out.

Before we dive in, if you’re looking for help keeping your pool clean and clear, check out our FREE Pool Care Cheat Sheet. It’s a totally free, easy-to-use guide to help you keep track of taking care of your pool.

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Mistake #1. Thinking A Salt Water Pool Has No Chlorine

When you add salt to your pool, your salt water generator uses that dissolved salt to create chlorine. That’s right: your saltwater pool is still a chlorine pool.

The only difference? You’re adding salt instead of chemicals to make that chlorine happen. As a result, your salt water generator also produces a steadier, lower chlorine level than a typical pool. That means the water is gentler on your skin and eyes.

Here’s our definitive guide to salt water generators to learn more.

Mistake #2. Not Testing Your Free Chlorine Levels Each Week

Like we said, your salt water generator produces chlorine. And that means you need to test and balance your free chlorine levels to keep your water sanitized. Your free chlorine levels should be between 1 and 3 parts per million, with 3 parts per million being ideal.

Test your water weekly with test strips or a liquid test kit. Then adjust your generator accordingly if your chlorine levels are off. You can keep your chlorine levels slightly higher than you would with a traditional pool because of how the chlorine is produced and dispersed by your salt water generator.

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Just make sure your salt levels are high enough for your generator to work correctly and that you don’t have any calcium build-up on your salt cell.

Mistake #3. Not Keeping Your pH Levels In Check

Your pH will run on the high side in a salt water pool because your salt water generator naturally raises your pH as the system runs. High pH levels above 7.6 can lead to skin irritation and burning eyes and cause scaling on your pool equipment.

So be sure to test and balance your pH every week. You can add a pH decreaser to lower your pH levels or muriatic acid.

If you have a chronically high pH problem, make sure your other levels are balanced, like your CYA. And check the run times on your salt water generator.

Remember, it’s your system running that produces higher pH levels. So you shouldn’t need to run your system for more than 10 hours a day. For more information on how long your run your filter system, click here.

Mistake #4. Adding Too Much Salt Too Quickly

The upside of a salt water pool? Once you add salt, it stays in the water. In addition, salt doesn’t evaporate, which means it can continuously flow through your salt water generator and produce chlorine.

The downside? If you add too much salt, it’s a pain to lower your levels.

Also, your salinity levels only go down with rain, splash out, or by diluting your water manually. So be sure to add your salt slowly and test your levels as you go, especially if it’s the beginning of the pool season.

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Mistake #5. Not Testing Your Salinity (Or Salt Levels) By Hand

Most salt water generators display your water’s salinity level. But it’s always smart to manually test your salt levels if your system is producing a false reading.

Check your salinity levels once a month during the pool season. You’ll also want to check after a heavy rain, heavy use, or if you’ve drained out lots of water. You can use salt water test strips, or we recommend using a digital salinity reader.

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Digital Salinity Tester

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Check your salt water generator instructions for the correct salinity levels for your system.

Mistake #6. Not Testing and Balancing Your Alkalinity, Stabilizer, and Calcium Levels Each Month

As well as testing your salinity levels once a month, you should test your alkalinity, stabilizer, and calcium hardness levels.

Alkalinity

Alkalinity helps buffer your pH from fluctuations, and your alkalinity levels should be between 100 and 150 ppm. But like we said, your pH levels will rise naturally with a salt water generator.

That means alkalinity is a bit less important, and it’s okay if your alkalinity levels run a bit lower than 100 ppm. If you need to raise your alkalinity levels, you can use an alkalinity increaser or baking soda.

If you need to lower your alkalinity levels, you will actually use pH decreaser or muriatic acid.

Chlorine Stabilizer

Stabilizer, aka CYA levels, should be between 30 and 50 ppm in a traditional pool. But many salt water pool owners find it helpful to maintain CYA levels of 80 ppm, especially if you’re having trouble keeping your chlorine levels up in your pool.

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Calcium Hardness

Calcium hardness levels should be kept between 200 and 400 ppm. High calcium hardness levels can calcify and burn up your salt cell or scale at your pool’s waterline. If your calcium hardness levels are too high, you’ll need to dilute or drain some of your pool water.

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Be sure to fill up your pool using a hose filter to avoid adding any hard water.

NOTE: If you have a vinyl liner pool that you drain and take down at the end of the season, you do NOT need to add any calcium hardness to your water. And here’s some more information on how to raise and lower your calcium hardness levels in your pool.

Mistake #7. Forgetting To Shock Your Pool Regularly

Shocking your pool is the process of adding an extra boost of chlorine to help raise your free chlorine levels. Regularly shocking your pool also helps destroy additional contaminants, algae, and bacteria.

If your salt water generator has a “BOOST” mode, it can disperse extra chlorine from your system.

You can also shock your pool by manually adding granular dichlor chlorine or liquid chlorine. Just be sure to check your CYA levels after using stabilized chlorine. And try to avoid cal-hypo shock that can cause calcium build-up in your salt cell. Here’s how to add shock to your pool.

We recommend using the “BOOST” mode or shocking your pool once a week during peak pool season or after heavy rain or heavy use. Make sure to add this extra chlorine at night to let it dissipate and so the sun doesn’t burn it away. Then retest your water the next day.

Mistake #8. Letting High Salt Levels Break Down Your Pool Equipment And Surfaces

Salt water isn’t harmful in average concentrations. But if your salinity levels get too high or if it builds up on surfaces, it can start to break down your pool equipment, pool liner, and pool cover.

Use a pool lube to prevent your O-rings from breaking down. For pool lights and ladders, rinse them with a garden hose once a week.

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Splash out can lead to high concentrations of salt on the outside of your pool liner, so rinse this off as well. Splash out can also erode limestone or other soft stone coping around your pool.

If you have an automatic pool cover, salt residue can corrode your cover’s components. So rinse off your cover’s tracks and hardware with a garden hose every few weeks.

Mistake #9. Forgetting To Inspect Your Salt Cell

Things like calcium can build up over time on a salt cell. Therefore, you’ll want to inspect and clean your salt cell every 3 months and at the beginning and end of the pool season.

Open and inspect your salt water cell to check for scale build-up and deposits. If there are deposits, use a high-pressure hose to flush them off.

You can also use a diluted solution of muriatic acid to get rid of more challenging deposits. Be sure to follow any cleaning directions that came with your salt water generator.

Now, if you want more help taking care of your salt water system throughout the season, grab our FREE Pool Care Cheat Sheet. Also here are some more common mistakes that pool owners make in case you’re interested in learning more.

Happy swimming!

The post 9 Common Salt Water Pool Maintenance Mistakes appeared first on Swim University®.

Maybe you’ve been thinking about salt water pool conversion to take advantage of all those benefits. But what a hassle that change would be, right? Actually, the conversion process is fairly simple, so if you’re thinking of doing it yourself, you’re in luck.

Why Do a Salt Water Pool Conversion?

Chlorinated pool water can be hard on you because of chemicals called chloramines. These compounds are created when the chlorine in your pool water comes into contact with things like urine and sweat, and they can be harmful in two ways.

First, they aren’t effective at disinfecting the water like chlorine, so water cleaning is inhibited. Second, they cause irritation of the eyes, skin, and lungs. Strong chloramines can build up in the air surrounding a pool, especially indoor pools. When the air is thick with these chemicals, it can even cause coughing or trigger an asthma attack.

Frequent exposure to chlorine can even cause some people to develop an allergy or sensitivity to the chemical. And for those who are already sensitive to it, swimming in a chlorine pool can cause rashes, hives, and itchy skin beyond the simple dryness you may experience from chlorine exposure.

If you have respiratory problems, such as asthma or allergic rhinitis, you may find your symptoms exacerbated by frequently swimming in a chlorine pool. If your pool is causing you discomfort, a salt water pool conversion could be just the solution you’re searching for.

On the less serious side, if you’re a blonde, you’ve probably experienced your hair turning green in a pool sanitized with chlorine. Colored hair can look great, but this probably isn’t exactly the look you’re going for. So why does it happen? Science!

Just like a lost penny on the beach turns green, copper in your pool water can turn your hair green, and high chlorine levels can just make it worse. Chlorine and copper bond readily, coating your hair in green film. A salt water pool conversion can lower the likelihood of green-stained hair.

If you have this problem, be sure to test your water for heavy metals. One common cause of copper in your pool water is using copper-based algaecide. Check your algaecide, and consider a non-copper alternative.

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01/28/2023 08:22 am GMT

What’s So Great About Salt Water?

So now that you understand why chlorinated water may not be the best option for you and your family, let’s talk about what might make salt water a better choice.

Salt Water Pools Are Gentler to Your Body

Switching away from harsh chlorine has to be a positive, right? Sure. But the most important thing to understand is that salt water pools are not actually chlorine free. However, the presence of salt in the water reduces the kind of eye and skin irritation you may experience by swimming in a chlorine pool.

A salt chlorine generator creates the same kind of chlorine used in a chlorine pool. It’s imperative to keep chlorine levels stable to inhibit the formation of chloramines.

In a salt water pool, when chlorine levels are stable, and chloramines are not present, the salinity of the water is much closer to the salinity of your natural tear ducts.

This is why it doesn’t hurt to open your eyes in a salt water pool, and why your skin and hair won’t feel as dry after swimming.

Hayward Salt Chlorination System (Salt Water Generator)

This salt water generator (or salt water chlorinator) has a high/low salt and temperature indicators to help protect your equipment. And the self-cleaning salt cell makes regular maintenance easy. Check out their models for both inground and above ground pools.

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Salt Water Pools Cost Less to Maintain

While you may have been led to believe that all you need to do to maintain a salt water pool is throw in some salt every few weeks, it’s actually a bit more involved than that.

The good news is, salt water pool maintenance can cost a lot less than caring for a chlorine pool, which can be one of the most important deciding factors in making the switch. Exactly how much less expensive salt water is than chlorine over the lifetime of your pool depends on several factors such as where you live, the size of your pool, the quality of the equipment you use, and how well you maintain it.

The up-front cost of a chlorinator ranges from a few hundred to a thousand dollars or more. Long-term costs include replacing the chlorinator cell—the part that actually converts salt to chlorine—every five years or so, provided you maintain your chlorinator well.

You’ll also still need to keep your water balanced, but another positive aspect of a salt water pool conversion is you’ll likely require fewer chemicals to keep the water balanced.

So while things like test strips or digital testers and a few chemicals will still have to be part of your maintenance budget, your monthly chemical costs will still be lower with a salt water pool, than with chlorine.

Salt Water Test Strips for Pools and Hot Tubs

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Salt Water Pools Have Softer Water

You might be surprised to learn that salt water pools contain far less salt than seawater. The ocean’s salt level is 35,000 parts per million (ppm), roughly ten times more salt than that water in a salt water pool.

As a result, the water feels quite soft, and you won’t notice the salt in a salt water pool the same way you do at the beach. It doesn’t even taste salty—but you still shouldn’t drink it.

Preparing Your Pool for Conversion

Before you install the chlorinator and begin the salt water pool conversion process, you’ll need to decide how to best introduce the salt to pool water.

To Drain or Not To Drain

The good news is, you don’t have to drain your pool. However (You knew there would be a however, right?), if you currently use an antibacterial agent in your pool, draining the pool may be a good idea.

The active ingredient in this type of pool sanitizer is polyhexamethylene biguanide, a chemical that is not compatible with chlorine. Because your salt water pool will contain chlorine, if this agent is not first removed from the water, your pool water will not be properly balanced, and the chlorine will be less effective at keeping your water clean.

You have two options in this case—drain your pool and start from scratch with new water, or “burn” the antibacterial agent out of the water with a high dose of chlorine.

This option will turn your pool water white, and it will take several days to dissipate. Once it does, you can begin the salt water conversion process.

Test Your Pool Water

Before you begin altering your pool water chemistry, you first need to test for free chlorine, pH, cyanuric acid (stabilizer), alkalinity, calcium hardness, heavy metals, and salt. If you need to make pool chemistry adjustments, do so in this order: chlorine, alkalinity, pH, stabilizer, calcium hardness, then metals.

The order matters because each adjustment can affect the other measurements. It’s also important to make the adjustments over time, so take that into account while choosing when to install your chlorinator. After your water is balanced, you’ll be ready to add salt to your pool.

Take Precautions for Your Pool Liner

If you have a vinyl liner, you’ll be happy to know you can use a salt chlorinator system in your pool without taking any extra precautions. The liner will be exposed to lower levels of chlorine, so it may even extend your liner’s lifespan.

However, many inground pools have galvanized walls behind the liner. If your liner springs a leak—even a small leak—allowing salinized water to seep out against the steel wall, the wall will eventually corrode.

Similarly, above ground pools with a lot of metal parts can rust over time due to exposure to salt water. If you have a resin above ground pool, you can make the switch without this concern.

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01/27/2023 05:44 pm GMT

Choosing a Chlorinator

A salt water chlorination system works by passing an electrical current through salinized water, causing a chemical reaction via electrolysis that creates chlorine from salt molecules.

The two main parts of a salt chlorinator are the cell and the control board: the cell is where electrolysis takes place to create chlorine; the control board allows you to adjust how much chlorine is generated.

When choosing a chlorinator, keep a few things in mind:

• Size – Choose the size you need based on your pool capacity in gallons. If you’re not sure how many gallons your pool holds, use pool calculator to figure it out.
• Price – Buy a chlorinator that is both priced within your budget, but of the best quality you can afford. Chlorinator costs span a range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars. Cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean worse, but don’t forget to consider lifespan and replacement costs in your search.
• Features – Select a system that offers all the bells and whistles you need according to where you live, and how much automation you want. Basic chlorinators allow you to adjust the amount of chlorine they’ll create and not much else.
  Fancier systems offer digital readouts, salt levels, automatic cell cleaning, flow control, and freeze protections, among other things.

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The Salt Water Pool Conversion Process

The process of converting an existing chlorine pool to a salt water pool is much simpler than you might imagine. Once you’ve invested in a quality chlorinator, you’re ready to install it, and begin the conversion process.

Installing a Chlorinator

After your water is properly balanced, installing the cell and control board will take about one day. Be sure to shut off the power with the circuit breaker before you begin. Keep it off until you’re ready to test the unit, then shut it off again while you complete the installation.

You’ll be working with water and electricity, so proceed with caution. If you’re not confident working with electrical wires, basic hand tools, and cutting and gluing PVC pipes, we recommend letting a pro handle the installation.

If you feel you have the skills to tackle it, you can do the installation yourself.

To get an idea whether do-it-yourself installation is something you can tackle, review the basic installation steps.

1. Balance the water in your pool per installation manual specifications. Note: You do not need to drain your pool.
2. Add the required amount of salt to achieve the desired concentration. Note: The installation manual should provide a table detailing the amount of salt needed based on the volume of water in your pool.
   The salt should be broadcast across the pool surface. It may take up to 24 hours to fully dissolve.
3. Mount the chlorinator controller on a wall near your pool equipment pad.
4. Wire the chlorinator controller for power according to the manual specifications. Note: Some systems come with a power cord that plugs directly into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protected circuit.
   Others can be wired to an existing time clock, or can be wired directly to the pool pump to get their power. Also, the controller will come with grounding wire and bonding wire for safe electrical connections.
5. Install the chlorinator cell into the pool plumbing after the filter. Note: The chlorinator cell should be the last piece of equipment on the pool pipe before the water returns to the pool.
6. Connect the chlorinator cell to the chlorinator controller.
7. Turn on the pool pump, and check for leaks. Operate the pump for several hours to help circulate water and dissolve the salt.
8. Turn on the salt chlorinator and start enjoying your salt water pool.

Life with a Salt Water Pool

Now that you’ve completed your salt water pool conversion, what will maintenance be like? Your salt water chlorination system only creates chlorine from salt—it does not balance your water. You’ll still need to test your water regularly, sometimes adding chemicals to balance it.

These chemicals are the same ones you’d use in a chlorine pool. But remember, your water will no longer require the large amounts of maintenance chlorine for sanitizing.

Testing and Cleaning

Follow some simple steps to maintain clean, clear water and extend the life of your chlorinator cell:

1. Skim to remove debris daily, or as frequently as possible.
2. Test for free chlorine and pH weekly.
3. Check and clean your filter, skimmer, and pump weekly.
4. Test alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid, metals, and total dissolved solids, and salt levels monthly.
5. Scrub the sides of your pool and vacuum at least once a month.
6. Check your cell for buildup every three months, and clean it with hydrochloric acid as needed.

Choosing a Salt Type

This is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when it comes to maintaining your new salt water pool. Just as you wouldn’t use rock salt at the dinner table, you don’t want to use table salt in your pool. Only pool-grade salt will do.

The most important aspect of choosing pool salt is impurity levels—that is, minerals and metals contained in the salt. If you dump salt full of impurities into your pool water, you’ll spend time and money fighting imbalances, metals, or calcium carbonate buildup.

The salt’s purity is usually displayed on product packages as a percentage. Choose a high-quality pool-grade salt to avoid problems. Also make sure you’re using enough salt for your pool’s volume to maintain a level between 2,700 ppm and 3,400 ppm, with the ideal level being 3,200 ppm.

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A Few Potential Concerns

Salt water pool conversion may be a simple process, but it’s still a big decision, so you may still have some concerns. We’ll try to put those to rest for you.

Galvanic Corrosion

You may have heard about one potential issue with salt water systems called galvanic corrosion. If you’ve ever lived near the ocean, you’ve seen what happens when salty air and water beat up on metal over time.

Is this really a problem with salt water pools? It can be. It doesn’t just occur on metal objects outside your pool, but can also happen when metals are present in your pool water. You can help prevent this is by installing a zinc anode.

Pet Safety

Is it OK for your pets to drink from a salt water pool? The salinity of your pool water is very low, unlike the ocean. Also, the chlorine levels are no higher than what you’ll find in your own tap water. However, this doesn’t mean you should allow your pet to drink from the pool.

If you accidentally swallow some salt water while you’re swimming, it’s not going to hurt you. But drinking from your pool every day would soon begin to have negative effects on your body, particularly your kidneys.

The same is true for your pets. If they sneak an occasional drink or two, they’ll be fine. But you must take steps to ensure it doesn’t become a habit, or that they come to think of the pool as a good source of drinking water.

If your pet has any health issues, such as heart disease, kidney disease, or salt restrictions, it’s even more important to ensure they never drink from the pool at all.

Pool Area Damage

A common concern is whether the area around your pool will be damaged by a salt water pool conversion. Probably no more than it would be affected by chlorine. Metal pool furniture and fixtures may suffer corrosion over time, so it’s best to avoid those materials, if possible.

If salinized water is regularly splashed onto plants around your pool, their health may suffer. Concrete coping and stonework may also be affected if not properly sealed, or at least hosed down after use.

Be a Pool Owner Worth Your Salt!

While a salt water pool will save you money on chlorine, remember that your pool will still need upkeep to maintain clean, crystal clear water. But if you’re concerned about the pitfalls of chlorine—and you’re tired of green hair—salt water conversion may be the perfect solution for you.

Happy Swimming!

The post How to Convert Your Pool to Salt Water appeared first on Swim University®.

How Salt Chlorine Generators Work

It’s important to note that salt chlorinators do not create a chlorine-free pool. They use dissolved salt to create chlorine to clean the pool.

A salt water chlorinator makes hypochlorous acid (HClO) by using table salt or sodium chloride (NaCl) and electrolysis. The salt water passes through an electric current creating chlorine gas (Cl2), but you’re also forming hydrogen gas (h2) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Using electrolysis, dissolved salt is converted into hypochlorous acid (HClO) and sodium hypochlorite, the sanitizing agents used to rid the water of dirt and bacteria.

Anatomy of a Salt Chlorine Generator

Now that we understand how the basic chemical process works, let’s take a deeper look at the basic parts of a salt generator.

The Cell

The cell is the part of the system that actually converts salt into chlorine. Water passes through the cell and over solid plates that are coated with ruthenium or iridium. These naturally occurring metals are charged from the control board and allow the salt to convert to chlorine through electrolysis.

The Control Board

The control center of the system, its primary purpose is to provide electricity to the salt chlorine generator for the conversion process. It also allows you to control the amount of electricity sent to the cell, thus allowing you to increase or decrease the amount of chlorine in the pool.

5 Maintenance Tips for Salt Chlorine Generators

To make your salt water chlorinator last, you’ll need to perform regular maintenance on it just as you do every other part of your pool.

1. Try to maintain a consistent salt level of between 2,700 parts per million (ppm) and 3,400 ppm, with 3,200 ppm being ideal.
2. Clean the chlorinator cell at least once a season or as needed.
3. During lightning storms, turn off the chlorinator to reduce the risk of power surges that could damage the control board.
4. Keep calcium levels as low as you can while still maintaining proper levels for your pool as per the salt chlorine generator’s manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Only use a salt chlorinator with reverse polarity to reduce scale buildup on the cell.

How Long Do Salt Chlorine Generators Last?

A well-maintained salt water chlorinator system should last you anywhere from 3 to 7 years. When it’s time to replace the cell or the board, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,100 depending on what part you need to replace and your particular system.

What you don’t want to do is cause them to go out before the end of their lifespan. Improper cleaning—or too-frequent cleaning—of the cell is the leading cause of early replacement.

The circuit board, on the other hand, is just like any electronic device. It could last years, or something may cause it to burn out. Making sure it’s properly covered and off during electrical storms is your best defense against early outages.

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How Much Does a Salt Chlorine Generator Cost?

There’s no denying salt chlorinators are much easier to maintain compared to other filtration systems. But that convenience comes with a commensurate cost.

When installing a salt chlorine generator, you can expect to pay more for the equipment and initial setup. Since the cell and the control board don’t last forever, you can also expect higher costs when it comes time to replace them as well.

Still, that added cost can make your daily pool maintenance so much easier you may decide it’s worth it.

For the salt generator itself, you may spend between $800 and $1,000, depending on the brand. The salt is pretty inexpensive, depending on how big your pool is.

The bigger the pool, the more money you’ll spend each year on large bags of salt, but you won’t spend money on chlorine. That’s the tradeoff in the long run.

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5 Reasons To Convert To a Saltwater Swimming Pool

If you’re thinking about building a new swimming pool or have an existing pool and want to convert it to salt water, consider the potential benefits.

1. Add Less Chlorine, Less Often

Pool owners without a saltwater chlorine generator system use liquid chlorine or tablets to maintain sanitizer levels in the pool. While effective, buying, transporting, storing, and using chlorine is not fun. For example, liquid chlorine is volatile, loses potency extremely quickly, and is dangerous to skin, eyes and to breathe.

While a salt water swimming pool may need to occasionally have the chlorine levels manually adjusted you can usually accomplish this using tablet or granular
forms of chlorine so you don’t need to use liquid chlorine at all.

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2. Save Money On Pool Chemicals

Salt is the base ingredient used to create chlorine in a salt chlorine generator. Since salt doesn’t dissipate in the water like other pool chemicals, the initial dose of salt you put into your pool will remain there throughout the season. Only when you physically remove water from the pool do you lower the salt level.

In a regular pool season, you may need to add a single bag or two of salt to top off your system and keep the salt in the range at or as close as possible to 3,200 ppm. Even the next season you may only need to add one or two bags to start off the year.

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3. Salt Water Pools Are Easy On The Eyes, Skin, and Hair

One of the biggest advantages of salt water pools is that they’re much softer on the eyes and much less drying to the skin than traditional chlorine pools.

People with skin problems, or swimmers with a sensitivity to chlorine, notice the soothing benefits of salt water systems. If you’re used to swimming in regular pools, you’ll notice less eye redness, less itchy and dry skin, as well as less bleaching to bathing suits.

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4. Less Chlorine Smell

One of the biggest complaints of chlorinated swimming pool water is the chlorine smell, even after you get out of the water.

While this smell is actually a result of a buildup of chloramines in the water, salt water pool owners note markedly less chlorine smell after swimming.

5. Less Pool Chemical Maintenance

Using a salt chlorine generator will allow you to take a lot less time to balance and maintain the water in your pool.

This mostly has to do with the sanitizer being mostly automated through the salt water system, leaving you to worry only about the calcium hardness, pH balance, and total alkalinity under regular conditions.

Since the chlorine (which is what typically causes variations in pH and total alkalinity) is automated and released into the system in small and steady doses, you’ll notice fewer fluctuations in pH and total alkalinity levels, making the water much easier to manage overall.

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Ready To Switch Your Pool To Saltwater?

A salt chlorine generators can help you lighten the pool maintenance load, it will come with a slightly higher cost over traditional chemical-based systems.

Still, if you’re looking for a chlorine alternative, this is one of the best options out there. Why not give a salt water chlorinator a try? You may find it’s easier on you, your pool guests, and your pool.

Happy Swimming!

The post The Definitive Guide to Salt Chlorine Generators appeared first on Swim University®.

But before you head to your local grocery store to buy a pallet of table salt, you may want to learn a little about pool salt, what it does, and what type to use in your pool.

What is Pool Salt?

Well, we could get into a big discussion about chemicals and throw some formulae at you, but nah. Who has time for that? The simple answer is, pool salt is, well, salt. It is technically and chemically the same salt you buy to sprinkle on your fries and watermelon. What, you’ve never had salt on watermelon? Trust us—it’s delicious.

But the salt you buy to use in your pool is called pool salt for two main reasons: it’s a coarser grind that works better in chlorine and bromine generators, and you can buy it in bulk, which will save you some money. Imagine standing by your pool all day, pouring canister after canister of kitchen salt into your pool. Not too fun, right?

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What the Heck is Pool Salt Used For?

If you’re totally new to salt water pools, you may be wondering what the salt’s role is. Sure, you could just be building a tropical paradise in your back yard. But it’s actually there to sanitize the water.

But the salt alone doesn’t do this. You need a salt water chlorinator (or brominator, if you prefer bromine to chlorine) to keep your water clean.

Remember, salt is sodium chloride. The chlorinator uses a process called electrolysis to separate the chlorine from the sodium so it can be available to sanitize the water.

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The Three Types of Pool Salt

We know a ton of salt varieties is available out there. Kosher salt, Himalayan salt, epsom salt. The list goes on. But you should really only be using one of three types of salt in your pool.

The difference between the kinds of pool salt you can buy don’t really have anything to do with the salt itself. All three types are salt. Period. It has to do with how they’re acquired and produced, which can have an effect on the price and effectiveness.

Solar Salt

Unfortunately, this is not salt that has rained down upon us from the heavens, or that is used to power spacecraft. You’re thinking of dilithium crystals used in warp drives. But that’s another story.

Solar salt is so named because it’s the sun that helps produce it. Seawater is placed in an open holding area where it’s constantly exposed to the sun and wind. As the seawater begins to evaporate, it leaves behind salt. This is one of the less expensive ways to produce salt because it relies on nature to do the work.

The downside is, seawater contains a lot of bacteria that can not only survive but thrive in salty conditions. It also has millions of teeny tiny brine shrimp in it. Despite their size, they’re still an impurity in the salt remaining from the evaporated seawater. And the more water that evaporates, the more the brine shrimp thrive in the salty environment.

Sadly, as the evaporation process continues, the salt level becomes so high that it kills all the little brine shrimp. So now instead of just shrimp in your pool salt, you have millions of tiny shrimp carcasses. We’re not quite sure one is really better than the other.

The good news is, the high-salt environment eventually kills the bacteria as well. But now you have even more organic impurities in your pool salt.

The reasons you use sanitizer and have a pool filter are to kill and remove these very types of contaminants. So it doesn’t really make sense to add them and force your chlorinator and filter to work even harder than usual, does it?

Verdict: Solar salt isn’t the best option.

By the way, brine shrimp are also called fairy shrimp which also kinda makes you want to keep them. And a lot of people did.

Mechanically Evaporated Salt

Do you have a mental picture of tiny robots moving salt molecules around? Just us? OK, then. It’s a good thing because that’s not what mechanically evaporated means at all.

This process is similar to the one that creates solar salt, only it uses artificially generated heat instead of the sun. Because the level of heat can be controlled, and thereby increased, it kills off the brine shrimp and bacteria at a faster rate, and rids the water of other organic impurities as well.

The bad news is, it still leaves some impurities in the pool salt, mainly in the form of minerals, including:

• Magnesium
• Calcium (which could have an effect on the calcium hardness in your pool)
• Copper (which can stain your pool unless you use a metal sequestrant)
• Iron (ditto what copper does)
• Nitrates
• Silicates
• Phosphates (though we don’t count pool phosphates as something to get rid of)

The type and number of minerals that remain after mechanical evaporation depend on where the water came from. While they don’t have the gross-out factor of bacteria and dead shrimp, they can still wreak havoc with your ability to keep your water chemically balanced.

In addition, some minerals like calcium can also have a negative effect on your pool, chlorinator, and other equipment. So again, your filter will have to work overtime to clean the water, and you’ll have to clean your filter more often.

Verdict: Mechanically evaporated pool salt can be OK. But it’s probably going to make more work for you.

Mined Salt

This is exactly what it sounds like—salt that comes from mines. This is where rock salt comes from, like cloudy diamonds pulled from the earth. In the United States, rock salt is the most common type we use, for everything from dining tables, to icy roads, to swimming pools.

Rock salt is the purest type of pool salt you can buy, ranging from 95% to 99% sodium chloride.

Verdict: We have a winner! The good thing is, you won’t have to worry about which type of salt you’re using if you buy bags of pool salt. It’s most likely extracted from mines, and is the purest you’ll find for your pool.

It’s OK to Be Salty

Hey, we’re the last ones who’re gonna tell you to tone down the saltiness. We kinda like it like that around here. But seriously, when it comes to your pool, salty is the way to go.

Just be sure to buy salt that’s labeled “pool salt” so you know it’s pure, the right size for your chlorinator, and the easier, less expensive option.

Happy Swimming!

The post The Best Pool Salt You Should Use and Why appeared first on Swim University®.