How to Convert your Pool to a Saltwater Pool
If
you are converting your existing pool over to a saltwater pool or having a
saltwater generator installed at your new pool, adding the salt to charge the system is a pretty easy process. But there are steps you will need to take in
making sure that you add the right amount of salt so the Saltwater generator
will operate correctly.
It
may seem like a lot of salt toad to your pool and you may think that you are
turning your pool into an ocean. But that is not really the case. Most systems
require 3000 ppm of salt and that may entail dumping in 10 or more 40 lbs. bags
but that is nowhere near the ocean at 30,000 ppm. So rest assured that even
though it looks like a lot of salt, in 20,000 gallons of water it really is no
that much at all.
Step
1:
The first thing you need to do is get an accurate size of how much water is in your
pool. This will allow you to reach the salt level needed for your system
without having you add to much or too little salt. Measure the perimeter of the
pool and then use one of the common methods to get pool depth. I usually stick
my pool pole in the center of the deep end to get the depth. You can use many
online apps to then calculate your pool volume in gallons. It won’t be spot on
but a close estimation.
Step
2:
You
will want to turn the salt system off. You will want to leave it off until the
salt level reaches the desired level. Refer to the manual of your system to
learn how to turn it off, or simply unplug it or turn off the breaker to the
salt system.
Step
3:
You
will want to get the pool’s current salinity or salt level reading. If it is a
new build there will be no salt in the water but in some cases, there may
already be salt in the water so you want to make sure you are starting from
zero so that you don’t add too much salt to the pool. Some ways salt can get in
the pool is from using a lot of liquid chlorine or someone may have added salt
just because, even if they didn’t have a saltwater generator before. I have had
people add salt to their pool to try and soften the water, no kidding. So it is
important to get an initial salt level reading.
Step
4:
You
want to set your pool to run for 24 hours to circulate the large amount f salt
that you will be adding. Depending on your system you will either set your
Intermatic timer to run for 24 hours by removing the “off” tripper (I remove
both to prevent error) or set your Automated system to “Service Mode,” which is
the 24/7 run/stop mode.
Step
5:
Balance
your pool water. Make sure the chemistry is in a good range but it does not
have to perfectly balanced. Your pool should be blue and free from algae and
within the range of being balanced.
Step
6:
Now
you will add the salt to your pool. You can refer to the back of the bag for
your salt level or you can use an online
calculator like the https://www.poolcalculator.com/
If
your pool was just plastered I suggest waiting 30-60 days for the plaster to
cure before adding salt to the pool. I also suggest adding less salt than is
called for. If you think your pool is 15,000 and the app calls for 9 bags of
salt, add just 8 bags and then add another if needed. Maybe your pool is only
13,000 gallons and by adding 9 bags you have added too much salt. Always err on
the side of caution and add less salt than more.
Step
7:
After
24 hours you will want to test the pool’s salt level again. If the salt level
is at the correct level you are done and don’t need to add more salt. If it is
coming in below 3000 ppm or the level recommended by your system add more salt.
Step
8:
Now
you can turn on your saltwater generator if the desired salt level has been
achieved. Now your saltwater generator will start to make chlorine for your
pool.
If
you follow these easy steps you will have your pool converted over to a
saltwater pool in no time at all. It is a pretty easy process.
YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A
list of all of my videos.
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