| Salt water pools have many advantages when | | | | high range and can easily move above 7.8. It is |
| compared to traditional chlorine pools. Softer and | | | | very important to test the pH at least once a |
| more comfortable water, less chemical expenses, | | | | week and add muriatic acid as needed to keep |
| and more flexible maintenance scheduling are just | | | | the pH in the proper range. If the pH is allowed to |
| a few of the potential benefits. Unfortunately salt | | | | stay too high, it could lead to problems with the |
| pools systems are often sold by telling pool | | | | salt cell... read ahead. |
| owners that the pool will be "maintenance free", | | | | Salt Cell Maintenance - calcium buildup on the salt |
| which is just not the case. A salt pool requires the | | | | cell, caused by unbalanced water chemistry, will |
| same care and maintenance that a traditional | | | | render the cell inefficient at best and could get so |
| chlorine pool needs, along with a few additional | | | | bad that chlorine production will completely stop. |
| tasks that are specific to the salt chlorine system. | | | | Be sure to inspect the salt cell at least quarterly |
| Below are five tips that will lead to success with | | | | and clean as necessary. See the owners manual |
| maintaining a salt swimming pool. | | | | for inspection and cleaning instructions. |
| Salt Level - be meticulous about monitoring and | | | | Run Time - since the salt chlorine generator is the |
| maintaining the salt level in the pool. Consult the | | | | only source of chlorine for salt pools, it is |
| owners manual of the salt chlorine generator for | | | | extremely important to run a long enough filter |
| the level of salt required to produce chlorine. | | | | cycle to allow enough chlorine be produced for the |
| Then, check the salt level at least once a week | | | | pool. Too short of a filter cycle is probably the |
| and add additional salt as needed. | | | | number one mistake salt pool owners make that |
| Stabilizer Level - stabilizer (cyanuric acid) protects | | | | leads to algae and other pool problems. |
| the chlorine from the sun and without it any | | | | Salt swimming pools are certainly not |
| chlorine in the pool will quickly dissipate, leaving the | | | | "maintenance free' and perhaps require even a |
| pool water without chlorine protection. Since the | | | | little more knowledge than the conventional |
| chlorine produced by salt chlorinators is not | | | | chlorine swimming pool. But the advantages of a |
| stabilized, stabilizer will need to added from time | | | | salt pool are well worth it to many pool owners. |
| to time. Test the stabilizer level at least quarterly | | | | Spend a little time studying and understating how |
| and adjust as needed. For salt pools, maintain a | | | | the salt system works and follow the five steps |
| level of 60 - 80 ppm.pH Level - the acceptable | | | | listed above on the way to successful salt |
| range for pH in swimming pools is 7.2 - 7.8. With | | | | swimming pool care. |
| salt pools the pH has a tendency to move to the | | | | |