How to Add Salt to Your Pool

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You've installed a new Salt Chlorine Generator to your pool and you've reached the point where you have to add salt. This guide tells you which salt to use, how much to add and how to add it.

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Things You'll Need

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Step by Step

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Step 1

First check your Salt Chlorine Generator Owner's Manual to determine what level of salt your Salt Chlorine Generator operates at. They generally operate at target levels between 3000 to 4000 ppm. For this example we will assume that your Salt Chlorine Generator operates at 3500 ppm. So, you will want to add enough salt to your pool to bring the salt concentration level to 3500 ppm.


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Step 2

Your next step is to determine the current level of salt in your pool. If you have just installed a new pool, your salt level will be 0 ppm. If you have an older pool and are converting from a standard chlorinator, your pool will have a low level of salt concentration, typically around 500 ppm.

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Step 3

Measure your pool's current level using a Salt Water Test Strip. Assuming you have an older pool, your reading will be around 2.0. The table on the back of the test strip container converts the reading of 2.0 to a salt level of 500 ppm. If you have a pool store nearby, we would also recommend taking a water sample to them to verify your measured salt level. This service is generally free and more accurate.

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Step 4

To determine how many pounds of salt you will need to bring your salt level to 3500 ppm, calculate the number of gallons in your pool and add salt according to the Salt Table. For our example, if your pool has 10,000 gallons of water and your current salt level is 500, you need to add 250 lbs of salt. If you don't know the number of gallons in your pool, see the first steps of How to Size a Pool Pump for instructions.

Step 5

Salt is typically packaged in 40-pound bags. So in our example, if you have to add 250 pounds of salt you will need to add about six bags. Use a salt that is at least 99.8% pure sodium chloride  (NaCl). The preferred salt is an evaporated, granulated, food quality, NON-iodized salt. Avoid using salt with anti-caking agents like sodium ferrocyanide, also known as Yellow Prussiate of Soda (YPS). These cause some discoloration of fittings and pool surface finishes. DO NOT use calcium chloride.

Step 6

Before adding salt to your pool, be sure to TURN OFF the Salt Chlorine Generator at the Control Unit. The generator should not be turned on until the salt has completely dissolved. Leave the PUMP ON to circulate the water and help dissolve the salt.

Step 7

When you add salt, DO NOT pour it directly into the skimmer. For best results empty the required salt into the shallow end of the pool and let it dissolve and circulate through the main drain. The salt may take about 24 hours to dissolve completely. Finer grades of salt will dissolve faster.

Step 8

After the salt has dissolved, turn on the salt chlorinator. Check to see that the salt level is around 3500 ppm. Your pool should be maintained at around this level. A low salt level (below 3000 ppm) reduces the efficiency of the salt generator which results in low chlorine production. A high salt level (above 4500 ppm) can rapidly reduce the life of the cell.

Step 9

A word of advice: if you think you need six bags according to your calculations, only add five bags at first. Let it dissolve and retest your salt level before adding your last bag. It's a lot easier to add another bag, if required, than to have to reduce the salt level if you've overshot your target salt level. If you do end up with too much salt in your pool, see our guide, How To Reduce the Salt Level In Your Pool, for instructions.


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Comments

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(201 to 227 of 227)

 Posted: 9/24/2012 

Why shouldn't the salt be added to the skimmer? It would seem to be a good way to get it dispersed quickly.
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 9/1/2012 

Paula of Chipley - If I understand correctly that you are dropping the salt chlorine generation system to go back to chlorine tablets, you do not have to continue adding salt to your pool. The only system that relies on the salt is the salt chlorine generation system and you are turning that off. Adding chlorine tablets is fine.
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 Posted: 8/31/2012 

I recently moved into a home that has a salt water inground pool. We hired someone to clean it because it has been sitting dormant and covered for two years. They advised us that if we wanted to just put chlorine tabs in the pool, rather than put money into the replacement of parts and what not, that it would be okay. I am afraid that due to the system being salt water that it will be ruined if we do not add salt to the pool and use only chlorine tabs? Any advice?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/24/2012 

Diana - You need to have the filter on to circulate the water in the pool and to dissolve the salt. There should be a switch on your Jandy system to turn the salt chlorinator off.
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 Posted: 8/24/2012 

Ok thanks for that info. Next question how do I turn off salt chlorinator for 24 hours? I have a jandy system. Do I just leave filter off? Thank you for your help and advice.
Diana

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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 8/20/2012 

Diana - The salt you are buying from Home Depot or Lowes is good as long as it's labeled pool salt. Two side issues that may be affecting your cells: when you add salt, let it dissolve for at least 24 hours before you turn on your salt chlorine generator. Move it around on the floor of the pool once or twice in that 24 hours to help it dissolve; and two, make sure you keep your pool water balanced. When the pH gets below 7.2 or the alkalinity gets below 90, the water becomes more corrosive and eats up you cell's plates faster.
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 Posted: 8/17/2012 

Wow why didn't I find you sooner. I have been adding salt that I bought at home depot to my pool. We have had to replace the cell at least 2 times. the pool is only 5 years old. I was recently told I am using the wrong salt. I need to use very very fine salt that i believe is called mineral compound. This will make the cell last at least 8 years. But that salt cost 29.00 per bag as opposed to salt at loews for about 10.00. which salt do I really need to use????

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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/20/2012 

Salt testing - Test you chlorine level first. As long as it is within range you can assume that your salt level is correct. If you are just moving in, have a pool store test a sample of your water for salt level to make sure the salt level is not too high.
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Anonymous  Posted: 7/18/2012 

hello there, i have just moved house and we have a salt pool chlorinator, obviously the salt becomes chlorine through the machine. So do i just test the salt of the water? or / and chlorine too?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/17/2012 

Jen - Assuming you have fought the algae battle, one customer wrote in that he had a green tinge and was told by his pool store that his calcium level was low. Should be between 150 and 250 ppm. After adding calcium chloride (not salt) to his pool, the green tinge went away.See part #P37010DE
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 Posted: 7/17/2012 

We have an above ground pool. The water is green. We tried everything to make it blue. Our pump is a sand pump. Our water is from a well. Maybe there is to much metal and we can't seen to stabilize the water. Can we use salt in the filter basket? Or should we get calcium chloride?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/26/2012 

jenn - No salt will not help reduce your algae. It has to be converted to chlorine. While you are waiting though, I would shock the pool with chlorine and algaecide. Note: if you have a steel frame above ground pool, we do not recommend using a salt system. It will corrode the steel.
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 Posted: 6/25/2012 

just put up an above ground pool 24' round but the filter was broken. had to buy a new one decided to go with a salt water system. now waiting for the filter my pool turned green. can i add the bags of salt while waiting for the filter which should be here in a few days hopefully? Will that help at all with the green?
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InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/17/2012 

JS - Unless you are taking samples at a point of high salt concentration, there is no reason for the salt reading to change as rapidly as it appears to be. Take a couple of reading after the pool has circulated for 24 hours. They should be the same. Also take a sample of your pool water to a local pool store and have them test it to verify your own readings.
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 Posted: 6/16/2012 

OK I'm confused. I have a 20x40 foot pool. It turned cloudy and green but I could see the bottom. I discovered that 1) my chlorine was nil as was my salt and 2) my chlorinator wasn't on because of a clogged intake screen. I added 6 bags of salt. 4 pounds granular chlorine. and hoped that everything dissolved as I wanted. I have a barracuda so it was running around the bottom of the pool that helped to mix. The pool pilot says now 7800 ppm. 2 hours later the pool pilot says 6500 ppm. 2 hours later the pool pilot says 5600 ppm. I am grateful that it is dropping but unclear why.
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 Posted: 6/15/2012 

OK, I didn't run the Pool for 24 hours straight before taking the second measurement. I'll go with your reccomendations and see how I make out. THANKS
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/14/2012 

xweco - Working the number backwards, it looks like you have a pool with 25,000 gallons. If your first reading was 2200 ppm than you were correct. You needed 26l bs of salt or just over six 40 # bags to get your salt level up to 3500 ppm. You wisely put in 5, knowing it's easier to add one more that to take out salt. After you added 5 bags a second reading says you have to add 5 more - it's like you didn't add the first five. Here are some possible issues. 1- Did you have the pump on for 24 hrs to help dissolve the salt. 2- If you used salt test strips, how old are they. They expire at some point and can give you false readings. 3- Have your salt level tested at a pool store before you add any more salt. They will give you an accurate reading to compare your test strip readings to.
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 Posted: 6/13/2012 

I have done all the steps in your list, however, the first Salt test worked out to need 261 lbs to get the pool to 3500ppm from the 2220ppm in the test results. Per your suggestion, I added 5 bags and let it desolve, now the test is telling me I need 5 more bags. What seems to be the problem with the calculation
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 6/1/2012 

emma - Your pool has about 14,000 gallons of water. To bring the salt level up to 3500 ppm you will have to add approx. nine 40# bags of salt. Put in 8 bags first. Let it dissolve for 48 hrs and then take a water sample to the pool store to test your salt level. If it is under 3500 ppm by 200-300 ppm add another bag of salt. Check your salt level every couple of month. Generally you will not have to add any more salt until the next season unless you have to add water to your pool or you have to dump water due to a heavy rain.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/29/2012 

Have above ground pool 16x32 four foot deep how many bags of salt do I need to start with and is that all I add. Plz help.
 Reply

InyoPools Product Specialist  Posted: 7/25/2011 

I'm assuming your main concern is the copper piping in your pool heater. According to a heater manufacturer, your main concern in copper pipe corrosion is not salt from a salt chlorine generator but inadequate bonding to your heater unit. According to the manufacturer, if you keep your salt level below 6000 ppm you will not have a problem with salt. Most SCGs operate at 4000ppm or below.
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 Posted: 7/22/2011 

We just upgraded our pool with Wet Edge Satin Matrix and am considering a salt chlorinator. Our contractor mentioned that we should check to make sure there would not be a problem since we have some copper piping in our system. Are you aware of any issues we should be concerned with?

Our pool is around 35,000 gals. What unit would you receommend?

Thanks


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 Posted: 6/8/2011 

I am brand new having an inground pool. We had a man come out to open our pool, and he added a salt clorinator , it cost 3000.00 for cleaning and salt and clorintor. But the main drain does not suck anything down in it. The skimmer thing works. Do you have any one I can get to show me what to do to open the drain, and won't rip me off again. Thank you
 Reply

Anonymous  Posted: 6/3/2011 

Thank you. (Man who knows about salt)
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Anonymous  Posted: 5/4/2011 

Most people buy their pool salt at a hardware store like Lowes or Home Depot. Because of its weight, pool salt is generally considered too expensive to ship.
 Reply

 Posted: 5/3/2011 

Do you sell pool salt?
 Reply

 Posted: 2/22/2011 

Thank you for helping me remember how to do this. Count this as a random act of kindness on your part
 Reply