Intro to Salt Systems
Salt systems are a huge upcoming trend in pool construction. They are also known as ‘chlorine generating pools’. They use ordinary salt and break it apart into sodium and chlorine. The chlorine is the chemical that cleans the pool and water. Once the chlorine has done its job in your salt system pool, it reconnects with the sodium and turns back into salt. These pools are efficient because the salt is recycled continuously, day after day, reducing maintenance requirements even more. They are the easiest, most effective and convenient way to keep your pool clean. Concerned about pool sanitation? Don’t worry, salt system pools provide the same amount of of sanitation as manual chlorine pools. They just don’t come with the drawbacks of handling chlorine. With salt system pools you’ll never have to deal with the smell, bleaching, or stinging of chlorine again.
Ask the Pool Guy Salt System Service
- Salt System Installation: Our team can install your Pentair IntelliChlor salt system and convert your swimming pool to a chlorine generating salt water pool.
- Salt System with Automation: Our team installs IntelliChlor systems with automation on all of our new swimming pools that we build. We can also install the systems on a pool as an upgrade option.
- Salt System Maintenance: includes acid wash of the cell, clean and check of system. This should be performed yearly for a properly functioning salt system.
- Zinc Anode Installation or Replacement: A zinc anode is critical in your salt system. There are many options for the anode placement, our team can help you determine the best one for your pool.
Ask the Pool Guy Recommends the IntelliChlor
Salt systems by intelliChlor use common table salt to produce chlorine for your pool. It is safe, effective, and the best part- automatic. It sanitizes your pool just as effectively as chlorine, so no need to worry you will be swimming in germs. With intelliChlor’s chlorine generator you’ll never have to handle harsh chemicals like chlorine again.
With just natural table salt, the intelliChlor Salt Chlorinator automatic chlorine generator creates pure chlorine for your pool. This is very economic because you will no longer need to regularly purchase chlorine. It is also a more environmentally friendly option because it eliminates the packaging and transportation involved in chlorine usage.
Using only natural table salt, the IntelliChlor Salt Chlorinator automatic chlorine generator creates pure chlorine in the pool and eliminates the need to buy, store, and add harsh chlorine products manually. In effect, fewer resources are used in the production, packaging, and transportation of these chemical compounds.
Ask the Pool Guy talks about Salt System Conversion
How much salt do I need to add?
You only need to add salt to your pool or spa if your chlorinator control box indicates your levels are low or you drain your pool and use fresh fill water.
The salt level for a safe, chlorinated pool is about 2,500 to 4,000 PPM (parts per million). Most people can’t taste salt until the PPM is around 5,000. So for most people, it’s not even noticeable.
Formula (using feet) for adding salt to fresh water:
Average Depth x Length x Width x 7.5 = Gallons
Example:
The pool is 50’ long and 20’ wide. The shallow end is 3’ and the deep end is 9’.
Average depth = (3’ + 9’) / 2 = 6’
6’ x 50’ x 20’ x 7.5 = 45,000 gallons
If this is a new pool, you will need 50 lbs salt for every 2,000 gallons to get about 4,000 ppm, a good starting point. So for this example, you would need 1,125 lbs of salt
For existing pools, the previous usage of chlorine bleach or tablets will have already created a level of salt in the water. Have the water tested and then add the appropriate amount to establish 4,000 ppm.
How do I add the salt?
Pour it in. Agitation, sweeping, or brushing will help the salt dissolve faster. It will happen even faster if you turn on the pump, open the bottom drain, and add the salt over the drain. Running the pump for about 24 hours will dissolve it evenly throughout the pool. Granular salt will dissolve 60 – 70% before even hitting bottom. The remaining salt can simply be brushed into the drain. Other forms of salt, take longer to dissolve but the same actions will make apply.
Added too much salt?
You will have salty tasting water, but there is no harm done to your chlorine generating system unless it gets above the maximum level. The maximum salt level is over 6,000ppm. This can cause damage to metallic equipment. Simply drain some salty pool water and replace it with fresh, high-quality fill water.
Importance of a zinc anode for salt water pools:
You absolutely need a zinc anode for a salt water pool! It protects the metal components of your swimming pool from corrosion. The zinc anode will be the first thing to corrode, saving other parts of your pool from corrosion. This saves you a lot of time and money.
Give us a call at Ask the Pool Guy for a complimentary quote on a salt system conversion!