Here's how it works: You add pool-grade salt to your pool and wait until it dissolves. Power is applied to the chlorine generator to convert the dissolved salt into chlorine. Fresh, pure chlorine treated water is returned to the pool for complete sanitization and swimming comfort. It's as simple as that!
Converting Chlorine Pool to Salt Water Costs
Expect to pay between $500 and $2,500 to convert a traditional chlorinated pool to a salt water system, depending on the size and type of pool you have. Salt systems can feature self-cleaning and diagnostics, digital salt readouts, and the ability to control pool equipment.
Since you are converting your pool from chlorine, the pool salinity level should be near zero, and as a general rule of thumb you will want to add 30 pounds of salt per 1000 gallons. Pour the salt directly into your pool, sweep it around if it collects on the bottom, wait 24 hours, and then turn on your generator!
Salt cells are expensive and need frequent cleaning. Saltwater that spills onto your pool deck and grassy areas can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. Saltwater can corrode and damage your pool equipment. Chlorine levels are difficult to maintain in a saltwater pool.
First of all, you don't have to drain your pool to convert to a salt water pool system. However, it might be a good idea, especially if you're currently using an antibacterial agent. This type of pool sanitizer uses a chemical called polyhexamethylene biguanide which isn't compatible with a salt water system.
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.
Is a salt water pool easier to maintain? Yes, a salt water pool is easier to maintain! There's no need to purchase, store and add chlorine to your pool. Simply add salt and your pool's salt chlorinator will do all the work of making chlorine.
Pool Size. Above ground salt systems typically range from 10,000 gallons to around 20,000 gallons. You choose a salt system based on how many gallons of water your pool holds. Like your pool filter, we highly recommend oversizing your salt system.
Can A Saltwater Pool Be Used on an Above Ground Pool? If you're wondering if a saltwater generator can be used for an above ground pool, the answer is- absolutely! Many people have above ground saltwater pools, especially as salt water pools slowly become the norm.
Chlorine pools are more traditional and are also cheaper than most saltwater pools. However, they can be more difficult to maintain over time. Because there is no generator making chlorine, you will need to add chlorine into the pool on your own.
A saltwater pool is more expensive than a traditional pool because it requires a higher initial investment. Compared to chlorinated pools, a saltwater pools system is more complex. Both minor and major repairs will call for the expertise of a licensed (and specialized) technician.
Chlorine pools are less expensive to install and maintain than saltwater systems. However, freshwater chlorine systems require more monitoring to keep them clean but not overly chlorinated.
For salt water pools, the electrolytic chlorine generator (ECG) should be put back in place if it was removed during closing, but it shouldn't be turned on until after salinity levels have been checked (normally the last step). Allow the pump to run for at least 24 hours to thoroughly circulate the water.
The chlorine generator should be left running long enough to produce the amount of chlorine needed to sanitize the pool daily. On average, this takes between 8 and 12 hours depending on the pool size, type of saltwater generator, and the output level the chlorine generator has been set to. What is this?
The cost to install an above ground saltwater pool is $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the size of the pool and the labor costs. Converting an above ground pool to salt water costs $600 to $1,200, which includes the salt water chlorination system, salt, and professional labor.
INTEX Saltwater System eliminates the problem by using salt, a natural substance, to electrolyze chlorine into the water. Second, natural softened pool water: the level of salt in the pool water is so low that is not noticeable. There is no salty taste, smell, or cloudiness in the water.
You will want to use NaCl, sodium chloride, of at least 99% purity. 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.
You still need the sand filter. The saltwater setup turns the salt to chloride (sodium chloride) and the ozonator kills germs etc... the sand filter filters out the algae and all the other particles before the water goes through the saltwater system.
If you have a vinyl liner, you'll be happy to know you can use a salt chlorinator system in your pool without taking any extra precautions. The liner will be exposed to lower levels of chlorine, so it may even extend your liner's lifespan.