A Magnesium mineral system can be used with a standard salt chlorinator, as it still uses chlorine to sanitise the pool water, so there's no need to replace or upgrade a salt chlorinator to a specific magnesium system in order to use minerals in your pool.
Do not use Epsom salt in an ordinary, chlorinated pool. Epsom salt will quickly corrode traditional filters and can cause other pool problems that will require the intervention of a professional.
Converting your saltwater pool into a magnesium mineral pool
Simply lower your salt levels by partially draining your pool and refilling it with fresh water (or completely drain it out with the help of a pool professional) balance your pool water to the specifications above, add your minerals and that's it!
By adding magnesium chloride, it makes the water softer by reducing the calcium buildup and the need for more chemicals. The unique properties of Magnesium Chloride have been deemed as an essential mineral to keep our bodies healthy.
It can be installed on an existing pool regardless of if it was a chlorine or salt pool previously. Once installed, the system works exactly the same as any other pool system on a timer. After the first year, the minerals cost approximately $500-600 annually.
Not only does the magnesium pool offer health benefits, but mineral or magnesium pools also claim to offer a superior swimming experience. The water is said to be clearer, have a silky smooth feel, and is gentler on the skin and eyes — particularly beneficial for people with skin ailments, like psoriasis or eczema.
Pools can immediately turn green after shocking or adding chlorine when they have metals like copper or iron in the water. These metals oxidize when exposed to high levels of chlorine, which makes the pool water turn green. Metals in the water are caused by some algaecides and using well water.
However, pool salt is not the same as some popular kitchen varieties. People use Himalayan salt, Epsom salts, Kosher salts, and other salts in their food, but these often have additives or minerals that give them their distinctive flavors and properties that are bad for pools.
To add salt, turn on your filter pump and add the salt directly to your pool water. Use a brush to help the salt dissolve and to prevent the salt from piling up on the bottom of your pool. Run your pump for 24 hours to help distribute the salt evenly throughout your pool.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity. Many commercial pool products for raising alkalinity utilize baking soda as their main active ingredient.
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.
How much salt to add to the pool? To reach the initial salt level recommended by the salt system manufacturer (usually 2400-3200 ppm), you will need to add about 200 lbs of pure pool grade salt (NaCl), per 10,000 gallons of water.
Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, can be used as an Epsom salt alternative as well. Baking soda is not only used for therapeutic purposes as well as a remedy for sunburn and itchy skin but also to ease sore muscles by adding into baths. A bath with baking soda can be detoxifying and soothing.
What Is Magnesium Sulfate Used For? Magnesium sulfate is a naturally occurring mineral used to control low blood levels of magnesium. Magnesium sulfate injection is also used for pediatric acute nephritis and to prevent seizures in severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, or toxemia of pregnancy.
Unlike Himalayan salt, it doesn't contain sodium. Advocates for Epsom salt baths believe it can relieve aching muscles, itching, and sunburn. Since its magnesium content is higher than that of Himalayan salt, proponents claim Epsom salt baths may be a better way to increase magnesium content in the body.
So if the pool water isn't cloudy and the 'dirt' is clinging to the walls after brushing, the problem is likely be yellow/mustard algae. Yellow/ Mustard algae is very resistant to even high chlorine levels and will grow and thrive in a chemically well-balanced pool.
Excess chlorine can alter the pH level of the water in the pool, making it more acidic. The acid levels can cause any of the following symptoms: Irritant dermatitis which is a red skin rash characterized by raised itchy red bumps. Eye irritation and over-dilated blood vessels in the eyes.
Backwash only as needed. Brush the pool vigorously, several times after shocking the pool. Do not use a solar blanket until chlorine and pH level are normal. If chlorine level drops to zero within 24 hours, Repeat the shock treatment.
Pros of Saltwater Pools
There's less chlorine and less of the heavy chemical scent and content. They're gentler on the skin, with less irritation to the eyes, hair and swimsuits. The water has a softer, silkier feel to it compared to chlorine water. They have lower maintenance costs than chlorine pools.
There is no set timeframe of when you need to add salt to your pool. Because salt does not dissipate from your water, the only time you would add salt to your pool is when you add fresh water or after heavy rain that dilutes salinity levels.
3400 is the recomended high limit, but the readings on the panel are notoriously inaccurate. Generally it's better to have the level on the high side than low, so 3800 should be fine.
There is really only one way to lower your pools high calcium hardness level and that is to partially or completely drain your hard pool water and replace it with fresh water.
Fill a 5-gallon bucket half full with pool water. Pour the amount of chemical water softener required for the size of the pool in the bucket. Agitate the bucket to mix the softener and water. Pour the solution into the pool.
The pool's salt chlorinator creates the right amount of chlorine needed to keep your water clean, according to Hayward. While there are reasons to add extra chlorine to your saltwater pool, you must do so carefully. Too much chlorine with salt water is never a good combination.