Best Way to Get Your Swimming Pool's Salt Level

Testing a pool or spa's salinity (salt) level is a must if you service saltwater pools. If you are a homeowner there is nothing better than owning a good digital salinity meter to get an accurate salt reading. Yes, some systems do display the pool’s salt level but they can be inaccurate. 

Inaccurate system readings can be caused by a dirty salt cell. A salt cell is near the end of its lifespan. Water temperature. Communication error between the cell and the control unit or automated system. Or just inaccurate readings by the built-in salinity sensor. 

That is why an independent digital tester is important. LaMotte is the leader in the industry of digital water testers. From their Spintouch to their ColorQ Pro photometers they have a solid track record in the industry. Their Tracer PockeTester series recently received a makeover with a new red hard case. Same great testers with a fresh new look. 

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The 1749-KIT-01 includes the Salt, TDS, and Temp. TRACER PockeTester™ and 120 mL calibration standard all in a rugged carrying case. The Salt, TDS, and Temperature TRACER PockeTester memory feature saves 25 results.

Test Factors

Conductivity

Range: 0 to 199.9 µS, 200; 

Accuracy: ±1%

Salinity

Range: 0 to 9,999 ppm (mg/L)

Accuracy: 0.1 ppm (mg/L) ±2%

TDS

Range: 0 to 9,999 ppm (mg/L)

Accuracy: 0.1 ppm (mg/L) ±2%

Temperature

Range:32° to 149°F (0 to 65°C)

Accuracy: 0.1°F/°C ±1.8°F/°C

Testing for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is something that the pool and spa professional rarely does. But TDS is vital in balancing a swimming pool. High TDS can cause many issues including using up the sanitizer in the pool more rapidly. It is also a factor in the LSI Index so knowing the TDS of the pool is important.

TDS is the measure of the sum of all the substances dissolved in your pool water. Common dissolved solids are magnesium, potassium, sulfates, carbonates, irons, other metals, minerals, carbonates/bicarbonates, anionic and cationic substances, and salts.

Everything you add to the water increases its TDS, including chlorine, chemicals used to adjust pH such as pH increaser or reducer, any other pool product like algaecide, clarifiers, etc. Even swimming in your pool adds to your TDS level, sweat, hairspray, deodorant, perfume and anything coming off of your body increases the TDS level.

Ideally, your TDS level should be under 2000 ppm which is the number you get after subtracting the TDS of your tap water. When it gets higher than this it can again decrease the effectiveness of chlorine and also cause skin and eye irritation to bathers.  It can also lead to metal corrosion of your pool equipment. Cloudy water and scaly deposits occur more easily in pools with very high TDS. You may notice a brown stain on everything in the pool including the automatic cleaner. 

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