Test & Balance Before You Convert
Before beginning the conversion process, youll need to test and balance your pool water. We recommend using standard test strips, which will provide you with an accurate read on your current water chemistry. This will let you gauge your pools pH, total alkalinity, free chlorine levels, cyanuric acid stability, calcium hardness, and salt.
The simplest and most seamless way to track and test your pools water chemistry is with Pool Calculator a handy app for desktop, Android, and iOS. Just enter the results of your test and well show you exactly how to balance your water before converting to a salt water pool. Adding chemicals and stabilizers to balance your water is a crucial first step before you proceed with the salt water conversion process.
In most instances, a pool wont need to be drained in order to convert to salt water. However, if youre currently using a water sanitizer that contains polyhexamethylene biguanide, you may need to drain your pool and fill it with fresh water because it will impact your chlorine balance.
So Depending On The Initial Salt Level Of Your Water You Only Add The Amount Needed To Establish 4000 Ppm
How much salt to add to pool metric. Pool volume in litres = x 1000 pool volume if pool size = 10m long x 4m wide x average depth of 1.5m, volume = 10 x 4 x 1.5 = 60m³. Without proper care, swimming pool water can turn cloudy and change color. Multiplying the surface area and average depth gives the total number of cubic feet in the pool.
However, you can also take a sample of your water to test at most local pool stores. Whats parts per million mean? If the level is low, determine the number of gallons in the pool and add salt according to the chart below.
Therefore, if your tap water is 200 ppm, and your pool needs to be 3500 ppm of salt, then add 3300 ppm of. The pool calculator takes care of all the math that might come up while you are keeping your swimming pool’s water chemistry in balance, telling you exactly how much of each chemical to add. There are 7.48 gallons of water in a cubic foot.
Incredible versatility the aboveground pool with the inground attitude installs anywhere! To raise your alkalinity levels, youll add sodium bicarbonate to your pool water. With the superior wall construction of the radiant pool you have options!
Flocculants are substances that help clear the cloudiness and restore the clarity to your swimming pool water. How much salt do i add to a salt water pool? For background on what the various numbers mean, see basic pool chemistry.
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Are you at the point where if you have to do one more math problem, youre going to just cover the pool and call it a year? We hear you.
If a pool volume chart or pool calculator doesnt work properly for you because you have an unusual pool shape, or you just want everything to be accurate to the decimal point, you can have a pool professional take the measurements and figure out the volume for you.
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How Much Salt To Add To Pool
Wondering how much salt to add to a pool? Our guide has all the answers to put your mind at ease. Measure, and add the correct amount of salt to your salt water swimming pool.
When the first saltwater pools appeared in the 1980s, we bet people didn’t think they would become so popular. Today, they are one of the most sought-after landscaping features for modern-day homeowners.
But have you thought about what makes saltwater pools challenging to maintain? For starters, these pools pass saltwater between two electrically charged metal plates to make chlorine. Therefore, you can’t take care of them like the traditional units.
Well then, what should you do? It’s important to note that these pools have many advantages, so they are in high demand. And we’ll be discussing all these essential aspects to help you gain insight into the topic.
Gone are the days of red-eyes and the smell of chlorine from now on, you can enjoy the feel of salt water for maximum comfort. So whether you are looking for a relaxing indoor pool, or a fun and playful backyard oasis – saltwater pools provide many benefits for their users. Without further ado, let’s make a splash.
Irregularly Shaped Pool Volume
Not all pools are rectangular, square, or round. Some are oval, others are the classic kidney shape, and then some just wiggle all over the place, mimicking natural shorelines.
If you have an irregularly shaped pool, you can still calculate the volume. Youll just have to doyou guessed iteven more math!
The easiest way to calculate an oddly shaped pool is to imagine it broken down into two or more smaller, regularly shaped parts. Try to see smaller, individual squares, rectangles, or circles within the larger, irregular shape.
Once youve mapped them out, measure them, and then use the same formulae that apply to those regular shapes to calculate the volume in each smaller section. Then just add all the volume figures together, and youll have a pretty close approximation of the pools total volume.
Admittedly, this could also be known as the winging it procedure, and youre not going to get a completely accurate volume. If your pool is shaped like a fractal, your best bet is to have a professional take the measurements for you.
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How To Dilute Your Saltwater Pool
For the times where youve made a calculation error and the pool has too much salt, there is only one way to reduce it through dilution.
Diluting pool water is a bit of a pain, but you should only ever do partial draining of the pool. If you take out too much water, you run the risk of having the pool pop up out of the ground.
Heres how to do it:
Whats The Right Level Of Salt For Your Pool
The optimal range for salt in your pool is 2,700-3,400 ppm , with 3,200 ppm being ideal.
Whats parts per million mean? Its just a scientific unit of measurement, but dont worry, you dont need to know the ins and outs of ppm. The only thing you need to do is test your pool water to get a reading of the current salt ppm levels.
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How To Convert Your Pool To Saltwater
Thats all fine, youre probably thinking, but how do I convert my pool to saltwater? The good news is that salt water pool conversion is a fairly simple process and likely more affordable than you think.
After youve tested your water, balanced its chemistry, installed your saltwater chlorinator, and connected it to your pool pump, you can begin adding salt. You should look for granulated, non-iodized salt with 99.8% NaCl or higher.
When you enter your current water chemistry into Pool Calculator, youll know how much salt to add. In most cases, youll be starting with zero salinity, but if your water contains a little bit of salt, our app will tell you exactly how much more you need. Check the user manual on your salt chlorinator for specific directions on how to add salt. Since the salinity of salt water pools is relatively low, you only need to add salt a few times per year.
After adding salt, power on your saltwater chlorinator and let it run for 12 to 24 hours until it dissolves completely. Test your pool water again to ensure your salt and chlorine levels are balanced. If the chemistry looks good, you can go ahead and jump in!
Making Salt Water Pool Maintenance Simple
Even though keeping the water clean in a salt water swimming pool is easier than a traditional pool, maintenance is still critical! Youll need to test your water regularly to make sure its balanced and adjust the chemistry as needed.
We recommend testing your pool water about once a week to check the chlorine and pH levels. Every month or so, test the salt level. Some salt systems have displays that indicate the salinity, but a test strip will give you the most accurate reading.
Additionally, keep your filter, pump, and other pool equipment clean, just like you would with a chlorinated pool. Lastly, the chlorinator cell should be cleaned several times a year to prevent salt buildup and corrosion. A zinc anode can also help to minimize corrosion in a salt water pool.
You dont have to be a chemist to own a salt water pool! Pool Calculator will do the math for you. Just track your water test results, and well tell you exactly how much of each pool chemical additive you need. Keeping your water clear, balanced, and healthy has never been easier. Download our friendly mobile app for desktop, Android, or iOS mobile device to get started now.
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How much salt to add to pool australia. Humans have a salt taste threshold of around 3,500 ppm. For a 12 ft circular pool that holds 3,000 gallons of water, you’d need to add 87 pounds of salt, or about 2 whole bags, in order to bring it up to the recommended. When a salt chlorinator is initially installed, you will need to manually add salt to your pool.
Your salt level should be sitting at 5000ppm . It can take up to 24 hours after adding salt to dissolve completely and circulate through the entire pool. If the level is low, then you need to add salt to the pool.
One of the great benefits of choosing a fibreglass pool option is that it can reduce install time dramatically. After 20 years i never found anyone that complained of the feel of salt water pools. The resulting concentration of salt in your pool water is extremely low, at approximately 3,000ppm.
Based on this salt chart, if your pool has 18,000 gallons and the current salt level is 1600 ppm, you need to add 240 ppm of salt to reach 3200 ppm. You can determine how much salt to add by taking your fingers, one for current salt level and one for pool size, and moving it across the table until they touch or intersect. Before adding salt to your pool, test the water to check your salt level.
If the level is low, determine the number of gallons in the pool and add salt according to the chart below. Then, calculate out exactly how many lbs. Add 35 lbs of sodium chloride.
How Much Salt Do I Add To A Salt Water Pool
What Are The Benefits Of A Salt Water Pool
Are salt water pools better than traditional chlorine pools? The answer certainly depends on who you ask. But in many respects, salt water pools are undeniably superior to their heavily-chlorinated counterparts.
As we mentioned, many people convert to saltwater because it calls for fewer chemicals and less chlorine, which eliminates the chlorine smell of normal pools and makes the water gentler on your body. Also, with reduced chlorine levels, swimmers dont have to worry about green-tinted hair and irritated skin.
But thats not all many people notice clearer skin after swimming in a salt water pool, as you might after swimming in the ocean. On top of that, youll have easier pool upkeep and lower maintenance costs.
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Converting To A Salt Water Pool
To convert a traditional chlorine pool to a salt water pool, you dont need to drain the pool, or do anything special. 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 manufacturers recommendation.
You will still need to maintain good water balance on a salt water pool. Your pool pH, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness must be maintained by testing and adjusting the levels as needed, just as with a traditional chlorine pool. You will also still need to use cyanuric acid, or chlorine stabilizer, to control UV chlorine degradation, and prevent overworking your salt cell.
Are Saltwater Pools Costly
We’ve covered several aspects, but before wrapping up, it’s critical to discuss the cost of having a saltwater pool. Although the difference in price with chlorine-tablet pools is negligible, saltwater pools tend to be more expensive on account of their many components.
The price of chlorine generators can vary from $250-1,250 while replacement salt cells don’t come cheap either. If your salt cell malfunctions, it might cost up to half or even more than the total cost of the pool to change the metal plates.
Plus, you need to factor in the expense of salt lost due to backwashing, splash out, and reduced water levels. To counter this, most people use annual boosters, bought separately.
On top of that, some components have a short lifespan of 3-5 years, after which it’s essential to make changes. So, you need to have a flexible budget to enjoy the comforts of a saltwater pool.
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Get Your Pool Water Volume
Nex, figure out the amount of water in your pool. If you built your pool from scratch then you probably know this number off by heart. The majority of backyard pools fall somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 gallons.
If you dont know, you can use an equation to figure it out.
- Rectangular Pools: Length x Width x Average Depth x 7.5 = Volume
- Circular Pools: Diameter x Diameter x Average Depth x 5.9 = Volume
- Oval Pools: Length x Width x Average Depth x 6.7 = Volume
For example, if you have a large rectangular 32 foot x 16 foot pool, with a 4 foot depth in the shallow end, and 8 foot depth in the deep end , the water volume will be 23,040 gallons.
How Much Salt To Add To Pool When Low
The amount of pool pro salt needed for your salt chlorinator to produce sufficient chlorine varies, depending on the type of chlorinator. Use our pool salt calculator to figure out how much salt to add to your pool if you have low salt levels.
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Pool Water Circulation Hack
Most above ground pools do not have a main drain and are limited to only the thru-wall skimmer. In order to have the benefit of the water leaving the pool through the floor, here is a good trick:
Plug in you vacuum hose to the skimmer and leave a vacuum head on the floor of the pool UPSIDE DOWN.
Vacuuming your vinyl lined pool is a breeze with this specially designed vinyl liner vacuum head. Precisely weighted for effortless use, it leaves no trail at the pool bottom like other vacuum heads.
Now when you start the filter, all the water is being pulled from the bottom of the pool. This will also help speed up the process of dissolving the salt.
This also works well when you have cloudy water that settles at the bottom of the pool. Give it a try!
If the salt generator system has a built in salt level display, the salt needs to be fully diluted in order to give a proper reading. Be sure to wait at least 24-48 hours after adding salt to rely on the display.
Adding Salt To Your Swimming Pool
The process of setting up your saltwater chlorine generator is already very easy, and once youve done that, youre already completed the hardest part! The simplest step of setting up your new salt water system comes next- adding the salt.
Whether youre in the process of installing or converting your pool, or you havent yet purchased a saltwater chlorine generator, or maybe youre just looking into what supplies you’ll need to buy, you probably already know that you need to buy the actual salt to put in the pool. But how much? And what kind?
Weve put together an easy guide to tell you what you need to know about how much youll need, how to put it in your pool correctly and exactly what kind youll need for your pool, as well as some tips and tricks to help you along the way.
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