How to Convert a Chlorine Pool to Salt Water

Saltwater chlorine enthusiasts claim many advantages over other types of chlorination. They say the water quality is much better and feels softer, and the salt-generated chlorine is less harsh on skin and hair. There are no more bottles of liquid or tubs of dry chlorine to store and lug around, and there is no more danger of accidentally mixing dangerous chemicals.There are two ways to prepare pool water to convert from liquid or granular chlorine to salt water-generated chlorine.

Instructions

1. Drain and refill the pool with fresh water. Starting over completely is the surest way to balance the pool water and provide ideal conditions for the conversion to salt water-generated chlorine. The problems with this method are cost and handling of waste water. Refilling a pool with 15,000 or more of fresh water can be expensive.

2. Check with your local government before deciding to drain your pool. Many cities make it difficult to dump pool water into their systems without testing and inspection. Most cities now require the water to be neutral and relatively chemical-free before allowing it into the municipal waste system. Adding neutralizing chemicals to pool water before draining can also be expensive, and waiting for inspections and verification can be time-consuming.

3. Consider balancing the water in the pool without draining it. Ideally, the water should have a fairly low pH, between 7.6 and 7.2 parts per million (ppm). The total alkalinity should be between 80 and 100 ppm, and the total dissolved solids (before adding salt to the pool) should be between 1,000 and 2,000. In most cases, you can get your pool water within these parameters with the proper addition and balance of chemicals.

4. Add the salt once the water is balanced and the salt generator is in place on the return line to the pool. Add salt at a rate of 50 pounds per 2,000 gallons of pool water. Make sure the pump is running, and distribute the salt around the perimeter of the pool.

5. Brush the entire pool to help distribute and dissolve the salt to get it into solution in the water. Get a sodium chloride tester and test periodically to keep the salinity at the proper level, around 3,000 ppm.

Tips & Warnings

• Saltwater chlorination results when the salted water passes through the electrical field of the chlorine generator. The reaction creates chlorine gas from the sodium chloride. You may need to allow the pool equipment to run longer to produce enough chlorine to keep the level high enough to provide adequate sanitation, especially if the pool is heavily used in summer.

References

• Red Square Pools