How to Treat Aboveground Pools With Salt

Adding salt to your aboveground pool is one way to keep it clean and clear.

If you're lucky enough to have your own aboveground pool, you've got a gift to enjoy and share with others. However, having a pool requires regular maintenance and cleaning to keep the pool sanitary enough for constant use. Installing a salt-based chlorine generator to your aboveground pool is a simple method to easily and automatically regulate and replenish the amount of chlorine in your pool. Treating the water in this way allows it to look clear and remain hygienic. However, treating the pool water with too much or too little salt can inhibit the generator from making chlorine.

Things You'll Need

• Manual
• Salt test strip kit with salt table
• Salt chlorine generator
• Pool salt, 40-lb. bags

Instructions

1. Read the manual that came with your salt chlorine generator to find out what the recommended level of salt is for your pool. It will typically suggest somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 parts per million.

2. Dip a salt test strip into the pool water for three minutes. If your pool is brand new, you don't have to do this as your pool does not yet contain any salt. Take out the strip and look at the number on the guide. Find this number on the salt quantity table that came with your test strip box. This will show you how much salt you need to add to reach the desired amount for your pool.

3. Turn off the salt chlorine generator. Pour the amount of pool salt into one end of your pool. Allow the salt a full 24 hours to dissolve properly.

4. Turn on your salt chlorine generator and let it run for 20 minutes. Take out another salt test trip. Dip the test strip in the water and check the salt level. You should be at your designated level.

References

• Ecosmarte Pool; Above Ground Salt Water Pools; April 2008
• Fun Times Guide: Salt Water Systems vs. Chlorine In Swimming Pools
• "The Ultimate Guide to Above-Ground Pools"; Terry Tamminen; 2004