Filling A Saltwater Pool For The First Time
If youre filling a saltwater pool for the first time or if youre refilling your pool, youre effectively starting over in terms of pool chemistry. The two main ways you can fill a pool are from your backyard garden hose or through a water delivery service. Costs will depend on how much your region or city charges for water and how much local water companies charge to deliver it:
Test Pool Water Chemistry Using Digital Pool Testers
You can connect digital pool testers to smartphones or other devices, which offer convenience and detail. However, electronic testers tend to be more costly and often, less accurate than alternatives like kits and strips. Since digital testers vary widely in their quality and design, be sure to follow the app or devices instructions.
Still have questions about how to test your pool water? Just contact a Latham Independent Builder, and well handle the testing for you! You can even bring your sample to us for testing. Our expert technicians will explain exactly what you should add, remove, increase or decrease to achieve the perfect swimming pool water chemistry.
The Moral Of The Story
As we’ve seen, a pool equipped with a salt chlorine generator offers several benefits, but it doesn’t eliminate the need for routine water analysis. Balanced water and correct salt and stabilizer levels will extend the life of the chlorinator and provide your customers with the best possible swimming experience. Advise them to test regularly and always follow the recommendations of the generator manufacturer.
Don’t Miss: How To Add Salt To Pool
Using Sensorex Conductivity Sensors
All of the conductivity sensors that are available through Sensorex can provide you with the measurement in units of milliSiemens, microSiemens, and total dissolved solids, the latter of which is referred to as PPM. Many owners of saltwater pools consider PPM to be the optimal unit for measuring the amount of salt in the water.
If you are trying to maintain the salinity of a saltwater pool, the conductivity sensor that you can purchase likely doesnt need to be a heavy-duty one. The main light-duty sensor thats available through Sensorex is the CS150TC sensor, which is known for having reliable performance and for providing highly precise results. No matter which of these sensors you obtain, the readings that are provided to you will be enough to maintain the salinity composition of your pool.
Testing For Calcium: Softening The Hardness
Whether water is hard or soft is determined by the levels of calcium and magnesium in it. Depending on where you live, you may have to deal with the problems created by hard water.
If you get calcium buildup in your faucets and showerheads, imagine what its doing to your pool filter and pump. Not only that, too much calcium in your pool can cause cloudy water, rough pool surfaces, and heater inefficiency.
But unlike copper and iron, its also possible for calcium levels to be too low. With that comes a host of other problems including pitted concrete pool surfaces , dissolved concrete and grout, and etched plaster. Over time, these can become expensive problems to fix.
Keeping calcium levels balanced is essential to prevent damage to your pool and its surroundings, and to save you money.
A calcium imbalance can cause deposits, dissolved grout, and other expensive damage.
Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Sustain Pool Chemicals
Benefits Of Testing Salinity Of Water
There are many benefits that come with testing the salinity of water. However, the exact benefits depend on the industry that you work in. As touched upon previously, measuring the salinity of water is highly important in estuaries and seawater where freshwater mixes with saltwater. Because each aquatic organism requires differing salinity levels to survive, testing the salinity of water is necessary if you want to make sure that different bodies of water are able to accommodate the species of organisms that live within the water. The aquatic organisms that are found in seawater are able to live in water with salinity levels that are as high as 40ppt.
On the other hand, organisms that require freshwater to live are typically unable to survive in water that has more than 1ppt of salinity. Keep in mind that salinity also dictates how much dissolved oxygen is in the water. When salinity levels increase, oxygen becomes less soluble, which means that the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water will decrease. For many aquatic organisms, dissolved oxygen is necessary for survival. Oxygen in seawater is around 20 percent less soluble when compared to oxygen in freshwater.
Sampling Your Water At A Pool Store
Pool stores are known for testing pool water and providing digital rest results for a broad range of parameters. While some offer this service at no cost, others charge for it.
There are also cases of having different readings from different pool stores. So its not exactly reliable as the other methods.
If you decide to opt for this method to test your salt pool water, we recommend finding out how recently they calibrated the testing equipment of the store. This will ensure accuracy in the readings.
You May Like: How Many Gallons Is My Round Pool
How To Use Test Strips
In addition to being super quick and easy to use, test strips can also sometimes be more accurate than liquid test kits because human error can make it difficult to match up the colors using the chemical drops.
Test strips are also usually less expensive than liquid kits, but youll go through them more quickly, so it just about balances out.
To use them:
The type of strips youll use most often are general ones that check for the primary components of ideal pool water: pH, alkalinity, and chlorine. But youll also find specialty strips that test for things like copper, iron and salt.
How To Fix High Calcium Levels
You have three options here.
Replace Some of the Water
If your water source isnt hard, and your pools calcium level has risen due to other factors, you can drain a few inches of water from your pool, and replace it with softer water.
Use a Flocculant
When added to your pool water, a flocculant will attract the excess calcium and cause it to clump, making it easier to remove. Once the flocculant has worked its magic, clean your pools floors and walls to remove the calcium. Then backwash your pump filter, and clean it.
Recommended Reading: How Much Are Pools In Las Vegas
Pc60 Premium Multiparameter Pocket Tester Kit
Another multipurpose testing kit for the saltwater pool is the PC60 Premium Multiparameter Pocket Tester Kit.
It can help you identify the salinity level of your saltwater pool, its water temperature, TDS, and conductivity which eliminates the need for buying various devices for your pool.
The device comes in a complete kit that includes the device, calibration bottle, calibration solutions, storage solutions, lanyard, batteries, and a storage case.
Using Salt Testing Strips For Manual Testing
Sometimes it is not good to rely only on the equipment. Machines can be wrong at times. So you could use manual methods to check the salt levels in your pool. The strips are placed in your pool for 20 seconds, and change in color is compared to the chart given with strips. If the strip is Aquacheck strip, then the testing strip is placed for 10 minutes in a container filled with pool water, and the color change is noted.
You May Like: How Much Water Is In My Pool Calculator
How To Test Pool Stabilizer
Do you have any topics youd like covered in our Pool Care Basics series? If so, feel free to leave a comment down below with any questions youd like answered.
Never Rely On The Machine Blindly
Even experts make mistakes. I made the mistake of trusting the machine blindly. You should not do the same. If I had checked the chlorine level manually, my daughter would not have suffered so much.
One cannot predict when a machine will malfunction. Thus, you must always keep a manual salt level test kit handy. You can either purchase a Taylor Test Kit as I have or bring home any of the portable modern salt testers. TekcoPlus 6 in 1 or the LaMotte Pocket Tester are two of my favorites. Chlorine balance has several advantages. It prevents the growth, and multiplication of germs.
It also keeps water discoloration at bay. If the level of salt in pool water is correct, then it will discourage the growth of fungi and algae as well.
Anyhow, here, I will give you a step by step guide to test the salinity level of your pool water. If you have any pocket tester, then all you need is to take some water in the tester cup and dip the sensor.
The readings will appear on the display monitor. As per my experience, these testers are very accurate and consistent. I am rather an old school and like to depend on numbers and my senses.
Read Also: How To Open Pool After Winter
Q: Can You Put Chlorine In A Salt Water Pool
A: Yes, its completely safe to use chlorine in a salt water pool, and sometimes completely necessary.
Now, you shouldnt be having to use chlorine in it all the time or that would defeat the purpose.
However, you probably still need to be using chlorine shock to treat your pool occasionally just like with a regular pool.
And if you notice a problem with algae or are having trouble keeping your pH levels balanced, youll need to use it more often.
Can I Buy Something Similar Cheaper Elsewhere
One of the most common questions that a lot of customers ask is, Can I buy something similar cheaper elsewhere? The short answer is no. When you are looking for a quality salt water pool test kit, the most important thing to know is that cheap is not always better. You should carefully research the best salt water pool test kit before buying and consult the prices on some online sales websites to make the best decision.
Also Check: Can You Swim In The Pool On Your Period
Whats The Right Salinity Level For My Pool
As mentioned previously, youll want to maintain readings of 3,000 PPM for a saltwater pool. If the numbers are lower than you would like, the water should have a higher salt concentration. If the unit that youre using to measure water salinity is mS/cm, the readings should be right around 4.6. While 3,000 PPM might seem like a high number for the amount of saltwater, the ocean consists of PPM levels that are right around 35,000. Keep in mind that you will need to pair the conductivity sensor that you purchase with a transmitter that can read the data provided by the sensor.
Understanding Tds Calibration Solutions
When you choose the correct calibration solution, then you will be ensured to get a more accurate result using the Palintest Pocket Sensor. The Palintest device usually has an Automatic Temperature Compensation that performs on different pool water tests, such as pH level, conductivity, temperature, TDS, and salinity.
The instrument used would also eradicate some complicated issues, because it compensates the different outputs by checking out the differences between temperatures.
You May Like: How To Raise Alkalinity In Pool
Sensorex Sensors To Maintain Salinity
When you want to maintain the salinity of your saltwater pool, there are many fantastic EC sensors that you can use to do so. These sensors are available as contacting conductivity sensors and toroidal conductivity sensors. The main sensors that are available through Sensorex include the CS150TC, the CS675HTTC, the CS8300TC, and the SensoPRO Toroidal Conductivity Monitoring System. Each sensor comes with its own set of features that might be useful to you. For instance, the SensoPro can display conductivity, TDS, and salinity readings.
You should purchase from Sensorex because our products have been on the market since 1972. Since that time, we have refined our sensors to make sure that they provide owners with precise and reliable results, which has helped us a sterling reputation. When you order from our online store, we offer very fast delivery so that you can begin to use the sensor soon after purchase. In the decades that Sensorex has been in business, its built more than 2.5 million sensors, which is why you can be confident when purchasing from us.
How Accurate Is Your Salt System Reading
The reading on your saltwater generator isnt very accurate.
The reading given by your generator is determined by running a small electrical current through your pool water to gauge its conductivity.
While this can sometimes give you a close enough measurement of salt, the conductivity of the water isnt only dictated by the salt level or salinity, but also by factors like water temperature.
Since there are other variables involved in this reading, its impossible to solely rely on what your salt system tells you, which is why testing is still necessary.
Don’t Miss: How To Make My Pool Water Blue
Pool Water Testing Is Essential To Pool Health
If you dont test your pool water, how do you know what the chemical levels are? Or what undesirable substances are in it? Or how much and what chemicals to put into the water to create a clean and safe swimming environment?
The answer is, you dont. You absolutely must learn how to test pool water, and then do so on a regular basis. In fact, out of all the pool maintenance tasks youll perform over the life of your pool, testing the water is the one thing youll do more than anything else.
Make sure you know how to do it properly, and always keep testing supplies on hand.
When To Test Your Pool More Often
You may need to test your pool water more often depending on how much you swim, who uses the pool and what the weather is like. When youre going for a dip or swimming laps more than once a day, measure the free chlorine four to five times each week.
If pets or little kids use your pool, you should also be testing the free chlorine four or five times each week. Pets and kids are more likely to go to the bathroom in the pool, which affects the chemical levels greatly.
Having a pool party? Test the pool water before your guests arrive and after they leave. The more people who use the pool, the more the chemical balance will be affected. Taking measurements prior to the party and afterward will help you see exactly how the numbers change.
When it rains, a lot of fresh water can end up in your pool, which can make the water more acidic. After a storm passes, test your pool waters free chlorine and pH as soon as possible.
Regular pool water testing lets you know which chemicals need to be adjusted. Keeping the right chemical balance may require you to check your pool water as often as every few days.
Have plenty of pool test kits or pool test strips ready to use throughout the swimming season. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.
Shop this Project
You May Like: What Is The Best Pool In Las Vegas Hotels
Overall Effects Of Salinity
The effects of salinity can be found in any body of water. Aquatic organisms that live in freshwater require low amounts of dissolved salts to survive. On the other hand, saltwater organisms wont be able to live in water with low salinity levels. When water and soil contain high amounts of salinity, the potential effects on the environment and the wider economy include:
- A reduction in overall crop yields because of poor health and growth of salt-intolerant crops
- The possible death or poor health of native vegetation, which results in less biodiversity due to an increase of salt-resistant species
- Corrosion of infrastructure, which can include bridges, roads, and fences
- The death of aquatic organisms that depend on specific salinity levels to remain in their natural habitat
In many cases, increased salinity will also require extra water treatment solutions to be put in place. Water with high salinity levels can cause more corrosion along agricultural infrastructure, which means that this infrastructure would need to be regularly maintained or replaced altogether at a high cost. While there are many adverse effects of high salinity, some aquatic environments have been able to adapt to different salt concentrations. Whether you are testing the salinity levels of drinking water or are involved in fish farming, there are plenty of reasons why its important to test the salinity of water.
Posted by Sensorex on March 8, 2021
