How to Convert a Pool to a Salt System

Swimming pools commonly use chlorine as a sanitizer to remove bacteria and other harmful substances from the pool water. Chlorine is added to the pool by hand or through tablets placed in the skimmer. Converting a swimming pool to a salt system eliminates the need for handling sanitizers directly and greatly reduces overall maintenance needed for the pool. Salt systems work by converting salt found in the pool water into chlorine, which sanitizes the pool. Converting to a salt system is as simple as installing the salt generator and adding the initial salt to the pool.

• 1

  Neutralize any nonchlorine sanitizers used in your pool, including bromine and Baquacil. Bromine and Baquacil react poorly with the chlorine generated by salt systems and cause discoloration in the water and staining on the pool equipment. Bromine and Baquacil are removed from a pool by draining the pool completely and refilling it or by adding a neutralizing agent to the pool water.

• 2

  Turn all pool equipment off, including the pump, filter and any motors. Install the salt generator into the existing plumbing. Some salt systems simply slide onto cut pipe and are held in place using glue and primer. Other salt systems require a special union as well as glue and primer. Refer to the system's owners manual for specific installation instructions.

• 3

  Turn the pool equipment on. Add 50 lbs. of pool grade salt to the pool per 2,000 gallons of water held in the pool. Predissolve the salt in a bucket of water or brush the salt that is settled on the bottom of the pool to help it dissolve.

• 4

  Wait until the salt is dissolved completely. Take a sample of pool water from elbow's depth. Test the water for salt content. Generally recommended salt levels are 4,000 ppm. Refer to your salt generator's owners manual for the specific operating range of the system.

• 5

  Test the pool water's salt content weekly for at least one month after installation and then every month after that. Ensure the salt levels remain in the 4,000 ppm range or the range recommended by the owners manual.