How to Change an Above Ground Pool to Salt Water
Saltwater swimming pools are quickly becoming popular because of their low cost and maintenance and because they are more eco-friendly. They use no chemicals and are virtually maintenance free, though they do still require daily cleaning and adjustments for proper chemical balance. If your above-ground pool is currently operating with chlorine, you can convert it to a saltwater system with very little investment. The biggest expense will be a saltwater generator system (which can cost around $250, as of 2009). Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Water hose
- Saltwater generator
- Salt (amount is determined by the size of the pool)
Instructions
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1
Drain your pool to remove the old chlorinated water. Attach a water hose or other hose to the drain plug and allow the water to empty into a drainage ditch or the sewer system.
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2
Install your saltwater generator. Two types are available for above-ground pools: an in-line generator and an over-the-wall generator. The in-line generator installs between the filter pump and the pool with very little effort; the over-the-wall generator hangs onto the side of the pool wall.
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3
Fill the pool with fresh water. Do not pour beyond the recommended level.
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4
Scatter the salt into the pool. Use a large scrub brush to push the salt around the bottom to ensure that the salt has dissolved completely.
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5
Plug the generator into an electrical outlet and turn it on to begin the chlorinating process. For the in-line generator, be sure to turn on both the generator and the pump.
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Tips & Warnings
Generally, the salt-to-water ratio is 40 pounds of salt to 1,000 gallons of water, depending on the saltwater generator you've purchased. Monitor the pool salt levels (you can buy a monitoring kit) so that you know when to add more salt. Water-softener salt works with the saltwater generators and can be found at any home improvement or hardware store.
Do not use iodized or mineral salt in your pool.
