Pool Salt FAQs
If you have questions, we're here to help. Take a look below to find the answers to some frequently asked questions about Pool Salt. If you don't find what you're looking for, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Pool Salt FAQs
Chlorine is a necessary agent to maintain a safe swimming pool environment. Chlorine not only disinfects water, it reacts to kill disease-causing organisms such as bacteria, algae, ammonia and other organic matter that can be introduced into a pool system over time. Traditionally, liquid chlorine has been used to introduce necessary chlorine agent into a pool system. While liquid chlorine works well functionally, it can lead to many negative side effects on hair, skin, eyes and clothing which are not ideal. Today, pools equipped with a salt chlorine generator system or automatic sanitizer system ( a.k.a. salt water pools), can perform the same function but without the negative effects.
When pool salt (NaCl) is dissolved in a salt water pool, the salt chlorine generator system or automatic sanitizer system electrolyzes the salt and transforms the chloride (Cl) portion of the salt into chlorine. This chlorine dissolves in the water to perform the same functions as conventional liquid chlorine used in pool maintenance. However, unlike traditional liquid chlorine used in pool maintenance, salt chlorinator systems generate “free” chlorine as water passes through the electrolytic cell which destroys chloramines responsible for “chlorine odor”, red/irritated eyes, bleached/green hair and damaged bathing suits.
First, you should identify the optimal salt level for your pool. Most salt chlorine generator units recommend maintaining a salt level of 3,200ppm – 4,000ppm to maintain optimal pool efficiency. However, some units require higher levels. You should check your salt chlorinator manual, or pool professional, for exact recommendations on salt levels if you are unsure.
Once you understand the optimal salt level for your pool, you will need to add pool salt to achieve that target. If you are starting-up a new pool or opening a pool for the first time in the season, you will need to add larger quantities of pool salt to achieve target salt levels. The table below provides a general guideline on the number of 40lb pool salt bags to add given a pool size and target ppm at pool start.
After starting up your pool and achieving optimal salt levels, you will only need to add salt when necessary as salt levels in the pool decrease (typically due to leaks, rainwater overflow, splash-out or filter backwashing). The amount of salt you will need to add depends on the starting salt level of the water. Please contact a pool professional if you have any questions or concerns about maintaining your salt water pool.
Note: normal water evaporation will increase the concentration of salt in pool water. You will need to add “make up water” to bring salt concentration back to target ppm levels.
