Despite what you may have heard, salt water pools do require the use of some chemicals including chlorine. While a salt pool chlorinator converts salt into chlorine to keep a pool sanitized, there are occasions where chemical chlorine and other chemicals are needed to keep water chemistry in check.
Do salt water pools require chlorine?
Despite what you may have heard, salt water pools do require the use of some chemicals including chlorine. While a salt pool chlorinator converts salt into chlorine to keep a pool sanitized, there are occasions where chemical chlorine and other chemicals are needed to keep water chemistry in check.
What chemicals do you use in a salt water pool?
While a salt pool chlorinator converts salt into chlorine to keep a pool sanitized, there are occasions where chemical chlorine and other chemicals are needed to keep water chemistry in check. Below are the chemicals I’ve used in my salt water pool over the years and the reason for using each.
Do you put more acid in a salt water pool?
Because salt water pools have a higher pH level, you will also need to put in more muriatic acid than you would for a chlorine pool.
Do I need to add salt to my pool every year?
Annual booster additions of pool salt are usually required, but only to replace salt lost from backwashing, splashout or lowering the water for winter. If you fully drain the pool for maintenance, you will need to replace all of the pool salt. How long does salt last in pool?
What chemicals do you need for saltwater pool?
Besides normal and good water balance, all you need for a salt water pool is a chlorine generator and enough pool salt to raise the level to the salt system manufacturer's recommendation. You will still need to maintain good water balance on a salt water pool.
How often do you put chemicals in salt water pool?
You should review the salt cell at least every two months. Most need cleaning a minimum of every six months, and sometimes more often, so checking the cell is essential to make sure it doesn't need replacing.
Do I need chlorine tablets in a saltwater pool?
Although you don't add chlorine tablets to a saltwater pool, it does still contain chlorine. It just has a smaller amount that's generated through the filter system. A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean. There's around 3,000 ppm (parts per million) salinity in a saltwater pool.
Do I need to shock a saltwater pool?
A salt pool changes salt from the salt cell into chlorine instead of having to add chlorine directly into the water. It is okay to shock your saltwater pool and it is important to do so.
What are the disadvantages of salt water pools?
Disadvantages of Saltwater Pools More complex than traditional pools, they often require experienced technicians even for minor problems. Salt can cause damage to some materials, so you may have to avoid using specific types of heaters, fixtures, underwater lighting, liners, and even some types of masonry work.
Are saltwater pools hard to maintain?
Maintenance Level of Difficulty Is a saltwater pool easier to maintain than a traditional pool? Absolutely! As your salt chlorinator will do the work, you don't need to buy any chlorine, just add salt and you'll get clear and clean water.
How do you maintain a saltwater pool?
0:284:06How To: Maintain a Salt Water Pool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are still steps required to maintain a stable pool. Step 1 perform weekly tests free chlorineMoreThere are still steps required to maintain a stable pool. Step 1 perform weekly tests free chlorine and pH should be tested on a weekly basis in your saltwater pool. The water can be tested using test
Do salt water pools get algae?
You might not realize this, but algae are constantly getting into your saltwater pool through various means. Depending on the type of algae, it can latch onto your swimwear, your floats or pool toys, your pool equipment, or algae spores enter your pool through rainwater or a random gust of wind.
How do salt water pools stay clean?
The electrolytic chlorine generator in a saltwater pool uses electrolysis to split the salt into its component parts, releasing chlorine into the pool water to disinfect the pool. By avoiding the use of store-bought chlorine products, the occurrence of chloramines in the water can be reduced.
How do you start a saltwater pool for the first time?
Spring into action: Tips for opening salt water poolsClear the cover. Debris should be removed with a leaf net and water should be pumped away before removing the pool cover. ... Clean and setup. ... Shock with chlorine. ... Use treatment products. ... Test and balance. ... Use pure salt. ... Ongoing maintenance.
What kind of shock do you use in a salt water pool?
Shock your pool once a week with Salinity Surge Shock. Pool shock works as an added defense against bacteria and contaminants. With Oxidizing shock, you can use your pool after just 15 minutes!
Why is my salt water pool going green?
"Heavy rain dilutes pool chemicals, especially salt and chlorine, which causes the pool to turn green. This means the water is not sanitised or healthy, so it's vital to address this.
How often do you need to add salt to a saltwater pool?
How often do I need to add salt to my pool? There is no set timeframe of when you need to add salt to your pool. Because salt does not dissipate from your water, the only time you would add salt to your pool is when you add fresh water or after heavy rain that dilutes salinity levels.
How often should I shock my saltwater pool?
Shock your pool once a week with Salinity Surge Shock. Pool shock works as an added defense against bacteria and contaminants. With Oxidizing shock, you can use your pool after just 15 minutes!
How do you maintain a salt water pool?
0:284:06How To: Maintain a Salt Water Pool - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere are still steps required to maintain a stable pool. Step 1 perform weekly tests free chlorineMoreThere are still steps required to maintain a stable pool. Step 1 perform weekly tests free chlorine and pH should be tested on a weekly basis in your saltwater pool. The water can be tested using test
How much chlorine do I put in my saltwater pool?
The amount of chlorine you add to your saltwater pool will depend on the type of chlorine used. In any case, the aim is to maintain chlorine levels at 1-5 ppm....How Much Chlorine Should You Put in a Saltwater Pool.Chlorine TypeAmountLiquid Chlorine (12% strength)10 fl oz (283 g)Bleach (6% strength)21 fl oz (595 g)3 more rows
Step 1: Calculate Pool Volume
One of the first things you should become very familiar with is how many gallons of water your pool holds. This information is used frequently when...
Step 2: Adjust Your Salt Levels
Before you do any adjusting to your salt levels, you first have to determine how much salt is currently in the water. We offer various pool water t...
Step 3: Adjust Cyanuric Acid
Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) is essential to the performance of your chlorine generator system. Cyanuric acid is a mild acid that helps prevent the b...
Step 4: Adjust Free Chlorine
You should test and monitor your available free chlorine levels on a weekly basis. Free chlorine levels should remain between 1-3 ppm. You can lowe...
Step 5: Adjust Total Alkalinity
The total alkalinity (TA) measures the total alkaline substance in your pool water. Alkalinity is the name given to the capacity of an aqueous solu...
Step 6: Adjust Calcium Hardness
Calcium hardness is the measurement of the total amount of minerals that are found in your pool’s water. If you’ve heard the phrase ‘hard water’, i...
Step 7: Adjust Ph
pH is the measure of how acid/alkaline the pool water is. Pools with a pH of less than 7 are considered acidic. The ideal pH level for your pool is...
What chemicals do you need to run a salt water pool?
Which salt water pool chemicals does a pool owner need to keep their pool running? Despite what you may have heard, salt water pools do require the use of some chemicals including chlorine. While a salt pool chlorinator converts salt into chlorine to keep a pool sanitized, there are occasions where chemical chlorine and other chemicals are needed to keep water chemistry in check.
How much salt should I use for a pool?
You run salt between 2700-3400 parts per million (PPM) in a salt water pool and I generally run the system around 2800-2900 PPM or so.
How to get rid of green algae?
In general algae occurs because of a lack of chlorine (green and mustard/yellow) or infestation from the air or dirty swimming clothes from a river, ocean or other body of water (black algae). Algaecide is a concentrated algae-killing liquid that helps to kill off algae growth quickly.
What is the pH of a salt water pool?
The pH scale from 0-14 is used in a salt water pool to measure the acidity or basicity of pool water. So 7 is considered neutral. Generally the range for a salt water pool should be 7.2-7.8.
When to use liquid chlorine in pool?
Liquid chlorine to open the pool in the spring to help the system start producing chlorine after a winter of no chlorine production.
Does algaecide kill algae?
Occasionally during the summer an algae breakout may occur that also needs to be dealt with. Algaecide helps to kill algae quicker than chlorine does. Once algae has set in, there isn’t enough chlorine in the world to kill it on its own.
Can you use stabilized chlorine?
You may also use a stabilized chlorine that has stabilizer already added.
What is the recommended salt level for pool water?
The recommended salt levels are between 2700-3400 parts per million (ppm), with the ideal level being at 3200 ppm. (Some systems may require a higher minimum level. Check your manual for specifics)
Why is my pool salt PPM high?
Then, once they test their levels, their salt PPM is extremely high. The reason this happens is due to a failure in the salt cell. Failure in your salt cell can trigger false readings.
What is the best acid to use for chlorine generators?
Cyanuric acid (stabilizer) is essential to the performance of your chlorine generator system. Cyanuric acid is a mild acid that helps prevent the breakdown of chlorine due to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. If you live in a region where the sun is a frequent visitor, you may want to pay close attention to these levels.
What is the ideal cyanuric acid level for a pool?
If you live in a region where the sun is a frequent visitor, you may want to pay close attention to these levels. For cyanuric acid, the ideal level for outdoor pools is 70-80 ppm, while for covered pools it is 20-40 ppm.
Why is chlorine less effective than salt?
If your pH is too high, the chlorine becomes much less effective for sanitation. Pools with salt systems tend to have a higher pH level. Because of this, you will probably be adding a little more acid to your pool than most traditional chlorine pools.
What can increase TA in a pool?
You can increase the pool‘s TA using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and decrease the TA using muriatic acid.
How hard should a pool be?
Ideally, your total hardness should fall between 200-400 ppm, however, it may vary if you have a fiberglass or vinyl pool. Too much calcium hardness causes scaling in your pool and too little causes your pool water to become corrosive.
What is salt water pool?
But in the world of swimming pools, a salt water pool is one that uses a salt chlorine generator instead of traditional chlorine for sanitizing. This means that the pool is still chlorinated, just with a different type of chlorine. The way the salt generator works is by creating its own chlorine with an electrical reaction between the salt in ...
How much does it cost to maintain a salt water pool?
However, you also need to take into account the cost to maintain it. Most of the time, you can operate a salt water system for less than $100 a year, as opposed to about $300-600 a year for chemicals for a traditional chlorine pool.
How do salt test strips work?
Test strips are the easiest way to test pools and they work the same for both chlorine and salt water pools.
How does a salt generator work?
The way the salt generator works is by creating its own chlorine with an electrical reaction between the salt in the salt cell and the electrode in the generator. So, instead of pouring chlorine into your pool or adding tablets, the generator is constantly creating it.
Why is salt water more prone to calcium buildup?
Salt water pools are more prone to calcium buildup because the pH levels tend to get too high. Salt water tends to corrode metal pool equipment. Chlorine is cheaper to purchase than salt cells. Salt generators are more expensive to repair.
How often should you check your calcium and salt levels?
But the salt, alkalinity, cyanuric acid and calcium levels can usually be checked once a month unless you are having problems with scaling or algae.
Is salt water pool maintenance?
Salt water pools are pretty low maintenance once you’ve found the sweet spot on the generator setting s.
What is the difference between a saltwater pool and a chlorine pool?
A saltwater pool is an alternative to a traditional chlorine pool. Although you don’t add chlorine tablets to a saltwater pool, it does still contain chlorine. It just has a smaller amount that’s generated through the filter system. A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean. There’s around 3,000 ppm (parts per million) ...
How to be safe in a pool?
At any pool, it’s important to practice basic safety measures: supervise children at all times. secure your pool with a fence so kids can’t get in the water unsupervised. enroll anyone who doesn’t know how to swim in swim lessons. enforce rules like “no diving” or “no running” near the pool.
How does a saltwater pool work?
A saltwater pool gets cleaned using a filtering system called a salt chlorine generator. The system uses electricity to turn salt into chlorine, which cleans the pool. In a chlorinated pool, chlorine tablets or granules are physically added on a regular basis for the same purpose.
How much less salt is in a saltwater pool than in the ocean?
A saltwater pool contains 10 times less salt than the ocean. There’s around 3,000 ppm (parts per million) salinity in a saltwater pool. By comparison, there’s 35,000 ppm in the ocean. Some people find this type of pool less harsh on their hair, eyes, and skin than a chlorinated pool. Saltwater pools are becoming more common at hotels, resorts, ...
Why does my pool smell so strong?
You might notice a strong chlorine smell upon entering an indoor pool area. That’s because of the chloramines, the mix of chlorine and ammonia. In an outdoor pool, the smell quickly evaporates, whereas it’s contained indoors. It usually is most strong around the surface of the pool, where swimmers take their breaths.
Why is it important to check the pH levels of a pool?
In both pool types, it’s important to still check the pH levels and alkalinity of the pool so it stays sanitized and the chemicals stay balanced.
How to avoid drinking in the pool?
warm up before entering the pool and stretch afterwards. avoid drinking alcohol when you’re in and near the water.
When is chlorine needed in a pool?
During the summer pool season: More chlorine is required in a pool when the pool is heavily used, during periods of hot sun or heavy rain, during algae outbreaks and other instances. Sometimes a saltwater pool system needs a bit of help maintaining reasonable chlorine levels and adding chemical chlorine does just that.
What About Chlorine Powder For Pool Usage?
While you want to follow specific product instructions, in my experience using these products involves filling a large plastic bucket with water – I usually just scoop water right out of the pool – adding in the desired chlorine powder, and then stirring it.
Can You Put Chlorine Tablets In A Saltwater Pool?
Yes, you can but care needs to be taken. First off, handle chlorine tablets while wearing gloves and try not to make contact with your skin. It’s a chemical, is concentrated and can irritate skin.
How do I shock a pool?
When our first pool company opened our pool each spring when we were still paying them to do so, I watched out the window to learn about the steps involved. Once the pool chlorinator and pump was set up and turned on, they would pour a large plastic container of liquid chlorine into the shallow end of the pool to shock the pool. They would simply put the container on the ground, take the cap off and turn the container over on its side to empty into the water.
When to use chlorine?
When you have a problem with the chlorinator: Speaking from experience here, when your chlorinator is giving you trouble or when the salt cell suddenly dies and you’re waiting a few days or longer for the replacement, you might need to use chemical chlorine in the meantime to keep the water chemistry right. In this case, the sooner you get the chlorinator up and running again, the better (and cheaper) it is.
Can you pour chlorine into a pump?
If you’re using liquid chlorine I’d suggest pouring it into the deep end with the pump running to ensure it quickly mixes into the system.
Do saltwater pools use chlorine?
One of the myths about saltwater pools is that they don’t use actual chemical chlorine. This is not true. While a saltwater pool uses a chlorinator to produce sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) from salt that is added to the system, it still requires actual chemical chlorine at times to operate correctly.
What chemicals do you need to make a salt water pool?
You’ll need chemicals and products such as shock products, muriatic acid, and some other chemicals to make sure that the chemical levels in the pool are correct. Because salt water pools have a higher pH level, you will also need to put in more muriatic acid than you would for a chlorine pool.
Why do people use salt water pools?
Some people think that because the salt water pool system will make the chlorine, they may be easier or more affordable to keep and maintain their pool . This isn’t true either. Having a saltwater pool system helps with replacing the daily sanitation of the pool, like adding the chlorine tablets, sticks, or granules.
What is the process of generating chlorine in salt water?
The salt systems actually just generate the chlorine itself using a process called electrolysis.
How much salt is in the ocean?
In the ocean, the salt levels are at 35,000 parts per million . A human tear is 6,000 parts per million. A saltwater pool is only at 2,500.
What happens when you swim in the ocean?
When you swim in the ocean, that salt water concentration is so high that it will draw water and moisture out of your skin.
Is salt water better than chlorine?
Saltwater Is Better Than Chlorine Water. This really depends on who you ask. For most people, swimming in a salt water pool is better on their skin because the way the chlorine is put into the pool is less harsh. Some people also say that their hair feels more manageable after swimming in a salt water pool.
Is there any research on saltwater pools?
Not much research on saltwater pools exist currently, and most of the claims we hear are from pool marketing companies and consumers.
