Choosing The Right Saltwater System
Now you know the material of your pool needs to be primarily resign. The next step to making your pool saltwater friendly is selecting an appropriately sized salt chlorine generator. The number one factor in this decision is the size of the pool. Different saltwater systems have different capacities in terms of pool size.
The size of a salt chlorine generator effects the amount of chlorine it can generate in a 24 hour period. A generator too small for your pool will not be able to make enough chlorine to keep the pol properly sterilized.
Another key consideration when it comes to selecting and installing a saltwater system is the type of plumbing your pool has. Ideally, a saltwater system will install on your pool without the need for excessive plumbing modifications or adaptations. But one little piece you will want to add is a sacrificial anode.
Since all metal is at risk of salt damage, over time the salt in your swimming pool attacks the metal components of your pool. A sacrificial anode “sacrifices” itself to bear the brunt of any corrosion. Essentially the salt water will eat the anode first instead of your pool’s other metal components.
The anode is;added to your plumbing;. The corrosion is then redirected to an inexpensive zinc anode, which can be easily replaced every few years. Helping keep your swimming pool rust free.
What Is Pool Salt Exactly
Pool salt is regular salt that has been specially prepared for use in pools and to work well with salt chlorine generators.
Its special for 3 reasons:
In theory, you could use everyday table salt, but it likely wont meet the criteria above, and many contain unwanted additives that will stain your pool. Since these additives arent always listed, its hardly worth the risk in most cases.;
Check The Salt Cell Every Three Months
Most salt generators have automatic alerts that flash when the cells need to be changed, but even if they dont, you need to inspect them consistently.
You’ll be looking for buildup or debris that might have gotten past your filter.
If there’s anything in it, flush it thoroughly with a high-pressure hose.
You may even need to chip calcium buildup away with a plastic tool.
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Everything You Need To Know About Salt Water Pools
Have you heard people talking about salt water pools and wondered what all the hype was about?
Im not here to convince you one way or the other.
The decision on whether to have a salt water pool or not is usually just a matter of preference.
All I’m here to do is give you the low-down on what they are so you can decide for yourself.
Getting The Right Pool Salt For Your Chlorine Generator
Salt is salt, isnt it? Not exactly. Even if youre using pure mined salt, the crystals you get arent necessarily the right choice for your chlorine generator. Generators may use anything from a fine-grind suitable for use at your table to rough, coarse crystals piled on top of each other.
If you dont use the right grind for your salt water chlorinator, it wont work the way its supposed to. Getting the right size of salt crystals for your chlorinator is more important than the exact type of pool salt you use, so check your users manual and, if necessary, contact companies for more information before you go shopping.
- Designed for use with salt water chlorinators
- Available in a 40lb size
- Brand: MORTON SALT
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Clean And Pure Pool Salt
Clean and Pure salt; is the purest salt available for swimming pool and spa chlorine generators. Its greater than 99% sodium chloride ; the purity and crystal size are designed to produce the fastest dissolve rate in swimming pools and spas with chlorine generators.
Clean and Pure salt is 100% produced using the Evaporated Food Grade Salt Process in the two newest and most technologically-advanced salt plants in the US; this process produces the highest-purity salt possible. This pool salt is so pure that it is used in the pharmaceutical industry and is certified as USP Grade!*
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.;
They’re made with pads on the end of the strips that are specially treated with a chemical that reacts with pool chemicals.;
You just hold the strip under water for a few seconds and then let it set out for a few minutes.
You’ll then read the color on the strip and compare it to the chart in your manufacturers instructions.
Easy peasy!;
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Adding Salt To Your Pool
You will only need to add swimming pool salt once either when you first start up your pool or convert your existing chlorine pool. The salt will not evaporate over the season and the only time you will see a slight drop in salinity is when you add fresh water to your pool, experience heavy rains or significant splash out.;
It’s extremely important to wait at least one month after a new pool construction when plaster is used. The plaster needs to cure completely before introducing salt as it could corrode the surface.;
Adding the correct amount of swimming pool salt is important and it’s a good idea to add a little bit less than you calculate. This will allow you to test the salinity and add more salt if required. If you add too much the only remedy will be to remove some water from your pool and replace with fresh water that will be time consuming and a nuisance.;
It’s also important to note that colder temperatures will affect the conductivity of the salt water and result in a lower reading than in warmer water. It’s a good idea to test a water sample that has been warmed to room temperature if the water is colder or warmer than usual.;
When using the Salt Demand Table Calculator below be sure to test your water first to determine if there is any salt already in your pool. This is surprisingly common especially with pools that are located close to the ocean.;
How To Add Salt To A Pool
Most salt water chlorinators require a salinity level of 2000 3500 ppm, but its important to check the recommendations on your particular model.;
If you are adding salt to a pool for the first time, it is best to add a little less salt than you think you need, so that you can re-test and add more if needed. If you add too much, there is nothing to do but remove some water, add in new fresh water, and start over again.;
To add salt to a pool, follow these steps:;
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Q: Can You Put Chlorine In A Salt Water Pool
A: Yes, it’s 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, you’ll need to use it more often.
Doheny’s Lowest Price Guarantee
Shop with confidence at Doheny’s.
Our volume discounts guarantee the absolute lowest prices on all of our products: swimming pool supplies, chemicals, equipment and more. To prove it, if you find a lower total delivered price by a licensed and authorized pool supply catalog or website , we will refund you the difference. We will even guarantee our Low Price for 30 days after your purchase. Simply contact our Customer Care Team at: or call us at 1-800-574-7665 to report the lower price. After verification, the difference will be promptly refunded. Doheny’s is not responsible for inadvertent price or text misprints or errors. Some restrictions apply – call for details.
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What Is Pool Salt
Pool salt is standard sodium chloride, NaCl just like regular table salt. The primary difference between pool salt and ordinary table salt is that the former comes in larger crystals, making it easier to add to the pool water.
Since sodium and chlorine are the two main components in pool salt, dissolving it in the pool water leads to chloride and sodium ions forming as it dissolves in the water.
A chemical reaction then occurs and converts the chloride ions to hypochlorite acid, which cleans and sanitizes the pool water.
Where Can You Buy The Salt Used In Swimming Pools
Home Depot 50lb bags are $3.48 for the morton salt solar kilndried at least in seattle Look for 99.8% pure Sodium Chloride without Iodine or the Anti-Caking additive, Yellow Prussiateof Soda . Iodine and YPS can cause a localized tint to thewater or yellow staining on the cementitious finish if allowed torest undissolved on the finish for extended periods of time.AutoSoft Plus is blended with the proper amount of stabilizer tomaintain a proper level within the recommended range when addedaccording to the salt chart on the box. Granular Salt, Table Salt,Solar Salt or Water Conditioner Pellets can also be used but willhave different dissolve rates. If the salt you use contains Iodineor YPS, constant brushing will help the dissolve rate and preventstaining due to the additives in
the salt. Ensure that the salt you use contain a minimum purityof 99% Sodium Chloride .
NOTE: Do not use Rock Salt due to its high levels ofimpurities.
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Saltwater Pools For Health
Swimming in a saltwater pool may be better for someone who has asthma or allergies. Thats especially true when it comes to indoor pools. You might notice a strong chlorine smell upon entering an indoor pool area. Thats because of the chloramines, the mix of chlorine and ammonia. In an outdoor pool, the smell quickly evaporates, whereas its contained indoors.
It usually is most strong around the surface of the pool, where swimmers take their breaths. If you have trouble breathing, you may find swimming in an indoor chlorinated pool irritating.
One 2003 study found that young children who swim regularly in an indoor chlorinated pool were at greater risk for lung inflammation and developing asthma. But more research is needed to determine if a saltwater pool is the best alternative.
Types Of Salt For Pools
Although there are several different types of salt, only three types should be used in your pool.
- Solar salt
- Mechanically evaporated salt
- Mined salt
Making the right choice on the type of salt you use is critical in how well your pool will maintain its water chemistry and how long your salt generator will last.
It also has an impact on whether you will have problems with staining and damage to your pool and its accessories.
Salt that is high in purity will give you the least amount of trouble.
Salt with more impurities will increase the amount of trouble you have with your pool and your salt cell.
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What Type Of Pool Salt Should You Buy
When youre buying your pool salt, its important to use sodium chloride that is at least ninety-eight per cent pure. Preferably the salt is an evaporated granulated, food quality, non-iodized salt. Keep in mind that the finer the quality of salt the more quickly it will dissolve. For example, over sixty per cent of granulated salt will dissolve before it reaches the bottom of your pool. This is an important factor to consider when making your purchase. Undissolved salt can damage the colour of your pools lining.
Q: What Chemicals Do I Need For A Salt Water Pool
Some pool owners overlook cyanuric acid for their salt water pools, but this stabilizer is still important to maintain the right sanitizer levels.;
Remember, your salt water pool is still a chlorinated pool. Its just generated differently.
You may also need muriatic acid to lower pH levels when they get too high and soda ash to raise them.
You’ll also need sodium bisulphate to lower alkalinity, sodium bicarbonate to raise alkalinity, and of course pool salt to keep your levels in check.;
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What Our Customers Are Saying
At Pool Supplies Canada, we offer the widest selection of Canadian made pools in the industry. That’s because Canadian made products not only support our local economy, which is important to our team, they are also made of high quality materials that can withstand our harsh Canadian climate. Our products meet Canadian certifications and safety standards and come backed with Canadian manufacturer warranties for use in Canada. Some products even have exclusive extended warranties that are only available through Pool Supplies Canada.
At Pool Supplies Canada, we take our customers feedback very seriously, and pride ourselves on delivering excellent customer service – from the moment you first place your order, to after your pool is installed. Below are just a few of the kind words we’ve received from our thousands of above ground pool customers over the years – to see more, visit our or Customer Reviews page. It’s no coincidence that we are Canada’s number one above ground pool supplier!
Saltwater Compatible Above Ground Pools
Not all above ground pools are compatible with saltwater systems. Whether you are converting an existing above ground pool to saltwater, or buying a new pool, you must be aware of the materials your pool is made from.
Above ground pools are commonly constructed from one of three types of materials: steel, aluminum, and resin. Simply put, steel and aluminum above ground pools are not compatible with saltwater systems. Even when such pools have protective coatings, they remain far too vulnerable to corrosion and oxidation.
The only type of above ground pools compatible with saltwater sanitation systems are those made from resin. Be aware that even resin pools still contain many components made of steel for instance, nuts and bolts. This is an industry standard, and should not pose any long-term stability problem when using a salt system. Keep in mind that these items are susceptible to rust but can be easily replaced as needed. Keep reading to learn more about rust prevention.
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Protect What You Care About
A more safe & healthy pool means no red eyes, itchy skin, chlorine smell, or bleached hair & swimsuits like conventional swimming pools. Saltwater pools are more comfortable and environmentally friendly because they eliminate harsh chemicals and caustic chlorine effects, making the swimming experience much more like being in a pristine natural body of water.
Q: How Much Salt Do I Need For A Salt Water Pool
The amount of salt you need will vary for each salt generator and will also be dependent on your pool size in gallons.
But in general, adding 8 lbs of pool salt raises the level by 1,000 ppm per 10,000 gallons of water.
So, if you have a 20,000 gallon pool, you would probably need about 12 40 lb bags of salt to get it to the recommended 3,000 ppm level.
Of course, that assumes you are starting from zero, which most new pools will be at.
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Saltwater Pool Vs Chlorinated Pool
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.
In both pool types, its important to still check the pH levels and alkalinity of the pool so it stays sanitized and the chemicals stay balanced.
Salt Water And Sanitation Systems
There are three main types of sanitation systems you will find and you will be happy to know that salt water swim spas are available and being enjoyed all over the world. ;All the benefits of salt water technology are found in these units so you can experience the comfort and soothing effects of salt water and lower levels of chlorine while enjoying your swim or lounge experience.;
The alternate methods to salt water technology are traditional chemical chlorine additive systems in the form of chemical feeders. ;Another option that is sometimes used in tandem with salt water are mineral sanitizers.;
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