You've installed a new Salt Chlorine Generator to your pool and you've reached the point where you have to add salt. This guide tells you which salt to use, how much to add and how to add it.
First check your Salt Chlorine Generator Owner's Manual to determine what level of salt your Salt Chlorine Generator operates at. They generally operate at target levels between 3000 to 4000 ppm. For this example we will assume that your Salt Chlorine Generator operates at 3500 ppm. So, you will want to add enough salt to your pool to bring the salt concentration level to 3500 ppm.
Your next step is to determine the current level of salt in your pool. If you have just installed a new pool, your salt level will be 0 ppm. If you have an older pool and are converting from a standard chlorinator, your pool will have a low level of salt concentration, typically around 500 ppm. .
Measure your pool's current level using a Salt Water Test Strip. Assuming you have an older pool, your reading will be around 2.0. The table on the back of the test strip container converts the reading of 2.0 to a salt level of 500 ppm. If you have a pool store nearby, we would also recommend taking a water sample to them to verify your measured salt level. This service is generally free and more accurate.
To determine how many pounds of salt you will need to bring your salt level to 3500 ppm, calculate the number of gallons in your pool and add salt according to the Salt Table. For our example, if your pool has 10,000 gallons of water and your current salt level is 500, you need to add 250 lbs of salt. If you don't know the number of gallons in your pool, see the first steps of How to Size a Pool Pump for instructions.
Salt is typically packaged in 40-pound bags. So in our example, if you have to add 250 pounds of salt you will need to add about six bags. Use a salt that is at least 99.8% pure sodium chloride (NaCl). The preferred salt is an evaporated, granulated, food quality, NON-iodized salt. Avoid using salt with anti-caking agents like sodium ferrocyanide, also known as Yellow Prussiate of Soda (YPS). These cause some discoloration of fittings and pool surface finishes. DO NOT use calcium chloride.
Before adding salt to your pool, be sure to TURN OFF the Salt Chlorine Generator at the Control Unit. The generator should not be turned on until the salt has completely dissolved. Leave the PUMP ON to circulate the water and help dissolve the salt.
When you add salt, DO NOT pour it directly into the skimmer. For best results empty the required salt into the shallow end of the pool and let it dissolve and circulate through the main drain. The salt may take about 24 hours to dissolve completely. Finer grades of salt will dissolve faster.
After the salt has dissolved, turn on the salt chlorinator. Check to see that the salt level is around 3500 ppm. Your pool should be maintained at around this level. A low salt level (below 3000 ppm) reduces the efficiency of the salt generator which results in low chlorine production. A high salt level (above 4500 ppm) can rapidly reduce the life of the cell.
A word of advice: if you think you need six bags according to your calculations, only add five bags at first. Let it dissolve and retest your salt level before adding your last bag. It's a lot easier to add another bag, if required, than to have to reduce the salt level if you've overshot your target salt level. If you do end up with too much salt in your pool, see our guide, How To Reduce the Salt Level In Your Pool, for instructions.
Inyopools Posted: 08/13/2016 11:33 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Aquikine Cl2 - It could be a bad cell reading. As cells age (3-5 years depending on chemical maintenance) they deteriorate and lose capability to measure salt levels accurately.
Anonymous Posted: 08/12/2016 18:01 PM
My aquiline Cl2 generator reads low salt (shut down generation) but I know my salt levels are actually around 4000 ppm, a bit high (had it measured at a local store). This is even after cleaning the cell. Anybody have an idea what is going on? I plan on taking the cell to the local store to have them check it. It does generate for a short while but then shuts down due to low salt levels.
Inyopools Posted: 07/19/2016 18:22 PM Inyo Product Specialist
AL - One bag of salt (40#) should bring your salt level up to 3000 ppm for your 6670 gallon pool. A bag and a half will bring it up to ~3400 ppm. Add one bag first to see where your salt level actually is. Then add a partial bag after 48 hrs if you want to raise your salt level higher.
Inyopools Posted: 07/19/2016 11:23 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Skg - The residue in your cleaner bag would not be salt unless you have several times the limit of salt for your pool. Any salt in your pool would dissolve in 24 hours. It's more likely a chemical like a Stabilizer or the result of adding a clarifier to precipitate small particles to the bottom of the pool. If there is a residue on the bottom of your pool, try vacuuming it out manually to the Waste line.
AL Posted: 07/17/2016 9:43 AM
I have a 18x48 pool. My salt reading is at 2490ppm. Should i just add one bag of salt. Thanks.
Skg Posted: 07/15/2016 23:39 PM
The cleaner bag in my saltwater pool is filled with what I think is salt now. I have to empty it every two days. Readings are normal. Problem?
Joe Posted: 06/29/2016 16:19 PM
In my last post, I referred to my SWG unit as an Aqua Tech. It should have been an Aqua Rite.
Joe Posted: 06/29/2016 13:42 PM
As the Aqua Tech has a high and low salt level shutoff based on the reading of the Aqua Tech sensor, isn't that the commanding salt level regardless of the pool store or test strip readings. The generator is going to operate only within that range. I would agree that the pool store or test strip readings can be an indicator of a problem if there is a gross difference from the reading at the salt generator control unit display.
Inyopools Posted: 06/28/2016 15:16 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Steph09 - Yes, you can swim in your pool while the salt is dissolving. You may taste the salt a little but nothing like the salt taste in the ocean which is over 10 times as concentrated.
Steph09 Posted: 06/28/2016 14:43 PM
Are we still able to swim around in the pool while the salt is dissolving?
Inyopools Posted: 06/26/2016 12:33 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Cathy - You will be alright with having salt in your pool. The low salt content will not affect your existing or future patches to your lining.
Cathy Posted: 06/24/2016 8:44 AM
Hi. I just bought a house with a pool (my first time) and it has a salt generator already attached, but was never hardwired in. Just had it hardwired in. My question is there are a few patches in the pool lining (repairs) if I start using the salt generator, will it do any more damage (than traditional chlorine) to the patches or any potential leaks I may be unaware of?
AshleyJohanna Posted: 06/23/2016 23:27 PM
Love this website ! One of the most helpful and user friendly website for pool owners and beginners ! Thank you !!!!! :)
Machelle Posted: 06/15/2016 8:36 AM
I am converting my above ground pool to the salt water system. My I have a I have SFS Electric Filter Pump system along with my 12x30 pool. It holds about 1600 gal. Do I need a generator?
Inyopools Posted: 06/07/2016 13:19 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Tracie - Your pool holds about 7000 gallons of water. Have a pool store measure your salt level. If it is at 1600 ppm and your ideal operating level is 3500 ppm, you will need 111 lbs of salt to raise you pool's salt level from 1600 to 3500 ppm. I would only put in 2 bags first. Let it completely dissolve for 24 hours, and then have a pool store re-measure the salt level. Add the last bag if needed. It's a lot harder to remove salt from your pool that to add it.
Inyopools Posted: 06/07/2016 13:03 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Mikewend - If you have a 24' x 52" deep pool, we will estimate that your water level will be 4" down from the top of the 52" wall or 4'. That gives you a water volume or ~ 13,500 gallons. Have a pool store check the salt level of your fresh water. Assuming your fresh water has no salt in it, you will need 394 lbs of salt or ten 40lb bags to raise your salt level from 0 to 3500 ppm. I would only put in 9 bags first. Let it completely dissolve for 24 hours, and then have a pool store re-measure the salt level. Add the last bag if needed. It's a lot harder to remove salt from your pool that to add it.
Tracie Posted: 06/07/2016 11:10 AM
My pool is 18 x 48 and my salt level is reading about 1600 ppm. How much salt do I need to add to bring it to the ideal salt level?
Mikewend Posted: 06/06/2016 20:41 PM
I have a 24x52 pool and just starting the salt system this year. Can anyone tell me how much salt I need to add to start with. Thanks,much appreciated
Inyopools Posted: 05/30/2016 9:48 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Windy – The salt will dissolve completely as more water is added to the pool. The pool company should have at least checked the cell and then have cleaned it if required.
Windy Posted: 05/25/2016 12:05 PM
The pool company I use for start up and shut down-put the salt on the bottom of the pool before it was filled. Doesn't that hamper the salt from dissolving. I am also not sure that they cleaned the salt cell before start up.
Inyopools Posted: 05/23/2016 12:34 PM Inyo Product Specialist
Judy - The only reason to add salt to your pool is if you have a salt chlorine generator system. Salt by itself does not purify your pool. You need a SCG system to convert the dissolved salt into chlorine.
Inyopools Posted: 05/23/2016 10:32 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Dad2b - The best Salt Chlorine Generator for your money is the Crystal Pure Salt System. This SCG comes in two sizes: 20,000 gallons and 40,000 gallons. We recommend getting the 40,000-gallon size for your 20,000-gallon pool. It will require less frequent cell cleaning and gives you more flexibility in adjusting to chlorine output requirements.
Judy Posted: 05/21/2016 23:28 PM
I just got an Intex soft side pool 16' 48" deep 5000 gallon with a sand filter system I want to add salt to the pool but do not want a salt filter system I like the sand filter how much salt would I add for my new setup
Dad2b Posted: 05/20/2016 15:49 PM
What system will you recommend for a 20k gallon pool?
Jerry Moss Posted: 04/30/2016 15:19 PM
Check for Phosfate. Most pool company,s do not. You can have this in your pool after a storm. Phosfate will eat your chlorine and make you add more salt or chlorine. You can buy very cheaply a product from a pool company to correct this condition and solve the problem.
Inyopools Posted: 03/18/2016 11:48 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Susanne - Our table shows that you would need about 10 bags of 40 lb salt to bring your salt level from 1700 to 3500 ppm. Since you only want to go to 3200 ppm you would only need about 9 bags. Two words of caution: Have a local pool store check your current salt level. The readings displayed on the SCG's are not always accurate. And when adding salt, hold one bag back - add eight - and check your salt level after 24 hours. If you need the other bag, then add it. It's a lot easier to add salt than to reduce it
Suzanne Posted: 03/17/2016 18:46 PM
Have a 30k gallon pool and need to add salt to bring it up to 3200. Right now my instant pool read is 1700. If I do the math correctly, I think I need about 10 40 gallon bags of salt? Can someone please check my head?
Mike Posted: 10/01/2015 21:57 PM
I covered to salt about 14 months ago. Since then I have had to add several hundred pounds of salt. The pool store that checks the level says that it is still too low (about 2200). I have put in about 200 pounds in the last month alone. I believe the pool does have a leak and the water hardness is pretty high. Are these contributing to the salt issue? What other factors could be contributing to it losing salt so quickly?
Poolman Posted: 08/06/2015 16:15 PM
Loved the article bro - clear, concise and easy to follow. Thanks for taking the time.
Inyopools Posted: 08/04/2015 17:13 PM Inyo Product Specialist
carlos - I have not used this meter myself. I'm a little confused about it measuring TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) which includes more than salt and increases with time. But it does have good reviews for accuracy from people who have used it.
carlos Posted: 08/04/2015 11:03 AM
I am considering to use an electronic salt meter for my salt pool, do you have any opinion about using HM Digital TDS-4TM meter? http://www.tdsmeter.com/products/tds4.html
Thank you!
Donzi1 Posted: 08/03/2015 11:26 AM
Good idea to shut coordinator off when adding salt.
I did not and it screwed up my Hayward system. Had to call Hayward to recalibrate generator. Should have read your article first..Ed
Inyopools Posted: 07/31/2015 11:11 AM Inyo Product Specialist
Al - If your salt level won't display above 2000 ppm, you may have a bad Printed Circuit Board. I would suggest calling your SCG manufacturer and checking with them. Also have a pool store check your salt level. It may be too high if you added 6 bags.
Al Posted: 07/29/2015 21:04 PM
I've added salt to my pool but can't get the salt level to rise? Stays on 2000, added 6 bags of salt and waited 3 days and still hasn't changed? Is my cell bad?
Inyopools Posted: 06/28/2015 12:10 PM Inyo Product Specialist
wcob - According to the Aqua Trol Owner's Manual, your salt level should be between 2700 and 3400 ppm. Your reading of 2800 is within this range. Sometimes these readings are off a little. I would take a water sample into a local pool store and have them verify this reading to see how close it is. When your first start a Salt Chlorine Generation system, set the % output at 50% and monitor your chlorine levels for a couple of weeks to see if this setting has to be adjusted up or down.
wcob Posted: 06/27/2015 21:48 PM
We have a 27 round pool 4.5 deep. I've put a total of 11 40 lb bags of salt. I bought the Hayward Aqua Trol System.ive turned it on and it's reading 2800...I'm not sure what setting the system should be on to get a correct reading. Please help!
Inyopools Posted: 06/16/2015 10:32 AM Inyo Product Specialist
rain and low salt - It depends on how long your pool can go without your SCG producing chlorine. When the "low salt" light comes on, your SCG will stop generating chlorine. However, if you add salt now and have significant rain, you are going to dump some of that new salt when you have to lower the pool level. Salt is relatively cheap. I would add the salt to get the SCG running again and add more if I had to dump water later.
Anonymous Posted: 06/15/2015 21:05 PM
We have had a lot of rain my salt gen. Says low salt do I add it now or wait until rain let's up suppose to rain for a week
Inyopools Posted: 06/12/2015 10:46 AM Inyo Product Specialist
phosphates - White scale buildup on your cell plates is usually due to your pool's chemistry being out of balanced not phosphate level. Make sure your chemical reading, especially pH and calcium hardness, are within acceptable ranges.
Anonymous Posted: 06/10/2015 8:36 AM
I couldn't get my salt system to make chlorine and the cells kept getting white in a day or so. Figured out that the phosphate level was too high. The pool store I originally went to doesn't normally check phosphate levels so you might have to ask. I guess some less expensive salt systems can be very sensitive to phosphates.