3 Simple Steps to Convert Your Chlorine Pool to Saltwater for Less Maintenance, Lower Costs & Better Swimming

This complete DIY-friendly guide will help you make the switch from costly chlorine maintenance to simple saltwater chlorination.

Making the switch to saltwater doesn’t just change your approach to pool care—it changes how much money you spend on chemicals, the time you invest in maintaining your pool, and how you feel in the water.

When I talk to pool owners, the biggest point of frustration is often expensive maintenance. As millions have come to learn, pool care is less costly when you convert to saltwater. That’s because you need fewer chemicals to keep the water balanced.

Easier, less costly maintenance is just one of the benefits. By converting to saltwater, you can say goodbye to green hair, burning eyes and dry skin. It’s a win-win.

The truth is, you can convert your pool in 3 simple steps – no need for draining the pool or any complicated system changes. For most pool owners, the conversion takes as little as one hour, while others may take up to three to four. Regardless, the time investment for initial setup is well worth it.

Curious how to make the switch quickly and easily? Let’s break down the simple steps to get you started.

Have an above ground pool? Read our step-by-step guide to convert your above ground pool to saltwater.

What is a salt pool?

If you’re not entirely sure what a salt pool is, it’s simple: instead of manually adding chlorine, a salt pool uses a salt chlorine generator (SCG) to create chlorine from salt, effectively sanitizing your pool.

The SCG creates pure chlorine from salt dissolved in the water using electricity. The SCG runs automatically every day when your pump is running, and it generates chlorine at a set rate to provide a steady, reliable source of pure chlorine.

Each week, test the water chemistry (free chlorine, pH, salinity, and other levels). You’ll probably need to adjust your water chemistry when you’re first getting started. If you notice chlorine levels are too high, you turn the SCG’s production down. If levels are too low, you simply turn it up.

Once everything is set to meet your pool’s needs, you’ll typically see the free chlorine level is maintained consistently. If anything, adjustments are usually only needed seasonally.

Key things to remember about salt pools:

1. Salt pools generate chlorine using a salt chlorine generator.
2. No need to regularly buy and add chlorine, shock, or algaecide. Salt chlorine generators use electrolysis to create chlorine from salt.
3. You still need to test your water chemistry for chlorine, pH, salinity, CYA, alkalinity, and other levels to keep your pool properly balanced.

Why Convert to Saltwater?

Are you tired of spending hundreds of dollars and countless hours maintaining your pool? Between testing, balancing, and constantly adding chlorine, traditional pools can feel like a never-ending chore. Saltwater systems make pool care simpler. You can save $200-$600 per year on chemicals, depending on the size of your pool, and cut down on maintenance time.

Think about it: fewer chemicals, fewer headaches, and more time enjoying your pool. It’s the solution homeowners have been waiting for.

Save Time on Pool Maintenance

Instead of being surprised by a pool suddenly turning cloudy or green, imagine a consistently crystal-clear, inviting pool. That’s the reality with a saltwater system.

Traditional pools rely on manual effort and get inconsistently chlorinated. Based on your settings, saltwater systems automatically generate just the right amount of chlorine. The salt doesn’t evaporate, so it’s not continuously added. The generator keeps everything running smoothly, so you can swim more and shock your pool less.

Cut Chlorine Costs by up to 40-50%

Saltwater pools are an investment that can easily pay for itself. By switching, you can cut your chemical costs by as much as 50%. Instead of manually adding chlorine, your generator does the work for you—requiring minimal adjustments throughout the year. Less money spent on chemicals means more savings for you.

Enjoy Cleaner, Gentler Water

Ever wonder why your pool smells strongly of chlorine or why your eyes burn after a swim? That’s due to chloramines, formed when chlorine reacts with sweat, sunscreen, and other contaminants. Saltwater systems reduce chloramines, meaning you get clearer, softer water that’s gentle on your skin and hair—no more burning eyes or dry skin after a swim.

Benefits of converting your pool:

1. You get gentler water with a more natural feel.
2. Less intensive maintenance throughout the year.
3. You only need to add salt 1-2 times per year, depending on usage and environment.
4. Much lower cost of ownership over time.

Prepping for a salt pool conversion

Getting ready for a saltwater pool conversion is much easier than you might think. No mountains of prep work here—just a few simple steps to get your pool set up for success.

Do I need to drain my pool for a saltwater conversion?

Good news: Draining your pool is not only costly (up to $100 per 1,000 gallons), but also completely unnecessary for a saltwater conversion.

The chlorine you’re already using is fully compatible with a salt chlorine generator, so there’s no need to start from scratch.You’re simply changing how the chlorine is created, not eliminating it altogether.

Salt pools are ten times lower in salinity than the ocean, which is why they don’t taste like salt. As a result, SCGs only require a very low level of salinity that’s safe for typical pool surfaces, pool equipment, and the pool environment. You add salt directly to the swimming pool water during the installation process.

Once the salt dissolves, it gets continually recycled by the generator. It doesn’t get used up or evaporate from the water as the chlorine is made, unlike traditional chlorine. The “salt” aspect of the pool is really the easiest part – you'll almost forget it's there.

Do I need to change my pool’s filter or pump?

The great news is, your salt chlorine generator typically works perfectly with the pump and filter you already have—no need to replace anything. They are designed to work regardless of what brand of the pump and filter you currently use.

If you’re looking to save even more time and money on pool maintenance, you might want to consider upgrading to a variable speed pump. It’s an easy way to maximize efficiency while introducing better filtration overall.

Should I test and balance my pool water before starting the conversion?

Yes, it’s a good idea to test and balance your pool water before starting the saltwater conversion. Having your water chemistry in check sets you up for a smoother transition. Here’s why:

Proper Water Chemistry

Ensuring your pool’s water chemistry is balanced from the start (especially free chlorine and pH). This will help your salt chlorine generator work more efficiently from the start.

Avoid Issues Later On

If you have algae or greenish water to start, it’ll be an uphill battle from the start of the conversion process. Balancing your water before a salt pool conversion helps avoid the headaches of scaling, cloudy water, or other maintenance issues once the conversion is complete. Taking a few minutes to test and adjust the water beforehand can save you time down the road.

Simpler Setup

Starting with balanced water means your generator can immediately begin producing chlorine at the right levels, making it easier to maintain consistent sanitation as you switch to salt chlorination.

In short, testing and balancing your water before the conversion ensures a clean, easy start for your new saltwater system.

Add pool grade salt to the water

After you’ve balanced your water and before you install your salt chlorine generator, you’ll want to add pool grade salt to the water. You’ll need about 30 lbs of salt for every 1,000 gallons of water, bringing your pool to the ideal salinity level of 3,000 to 3,500 ppm.

How to add salt to your swimming pool.

How much salt do I need to add to complete the conversion?

For example, with a 15,000-gallon pool, you’ll need roughly 450 lbs of salt. You can usually pick up pool-grade salt at any home improvement store for around $5 to $10 per 40-lb bag (or have it delivered).

Won’t my pool taste like the ocean if I add all this salt?

Don’t worry about your pool tasting salty! The salt levels are far lower than the ocean—your pool’s salinity will be around 3,000 ppm, while seawater is about 35,000 ppm.

Just pour the salt directly into the water and let your system take over. There’s no need to drain the pool, and once the salt is dissolved, your chlorine generator will start producing chlorine automatically.

Choosing the right salt

When it comes to maintaining your saltwater pool, selecting the right salt is key. It's always a good idea to use pool-grade salt to ensure that its compatible and to avoid the chance of there being additives to the salt that could cause staining) .

• Look for salt with purity levels of at least 99% pure sodium chloride (NaCl). This should be listed as a percentage on the packaging.
• Models can technically have a wider operational range, but generally speaking the sweet spot of 3,000 - 3,500 ppm ensure that most systems will have optimal performance and a long lifespan.
• While plain, regular Water Softener salt may often be used by pool owners, be sure to read the SCG manual carefully in order to choose such salt and to avoid potential issues.

How to prepare for conversion:

1. You don’t need to drain your pool to convert to saltwater.
2. No major repiping or big system changes usually needed.
3. Test and balance your pool water before completing the conversion.
4. Add salt before starting the conversion process to ensure proper water balance.

Convert your pool in 3 simple steps

Find Your Perfect Salt Chlorinator

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Salt Pool Genius

Not sure what size to get? We got you. Get the perfect chlorinator for your salt pool conversion using our free tool.

• Find
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• Set

Find your Chlorinator

Step 1: Choose the right salt chlorinator

Start by selecting the right salt chlorine generator for your pool’s size, usage, and climate. A properly sized generator ensures consistent chlorination can limit how often you need to add salt or shock your pool.

Things to think about when choosing an SCG:

Pool size

Manufacturers list chlorine generators by “maximum efficiency,” or the largest pool they can handle. For best results, choose a generator with a capacity at least 1.5 to 2 times your pool’s actual size. For example, for a 20,000-gallon pool, a 40,000 max-gallon generator is ideal.

Climate & usage

If you live in a hot, sunny area or your pool gets heavy use, consider a larger generator to meet the increased chlorine demand. More capacity means less wear on the system, longer-lasting equipment, and the ability to increase chlorine production during peak swim season.

Find your pool’s perfect Salt Chlorine Generator with our FREE tool, the Salt Pool Genius.

Step 2: Install the chlorine generator

Installing a salt chlorine generator is straightforward, with two main tasks:

Connect the generator to your pool’s plumbing

This allows the salt cell to distribute chlorine through the pool’s circulation system. Follow the instructions to place it after your existing equipment (pump, filter, heater) and ensure the cell is securely connected to the plumbing.

Mount the controller and connect the power

The control box is mounted near your pool equipment and usually connected to the same power source as your pump. This syncs the system so they run together, producing chlorine whenever the pump is on.

Once installed, you’ve completed most of the work involved in converting the pool to salt!

Step 3: Set the salt chlorine generators output level

Now that you’ve got your SCG installed and your pool’s chemistry balanced, it’s time to set the generator’s output level. The step is all about fine-tuning your system to keep the water clean without wasting time or resources.

Start with Balanced Water

Double-check that your pool water is properly balanced before turning your generator on. Again, you’ll ideally want your free chlorine, pH, and stabilizer levels especially to be in the right range.

Power up the Pump

Once your water is balanced, it’s time to flip the switch on your pool pump. As soon as the pump starts, your SCG should activate too. For many models, you’ll know it’s working when status lights like the green “power” or “generating” lights turn on. If the SCG has a clear cell, you’ll usually also see a “fog” or “mist” being produced in between the titanium plates inside - that’s the chlorine!

If you see the system go through a startup process, like having a “no-flow” light flashing, don’t panic! This is typically the system making sure everything’s working correctly. Give a SCG at least 60 seconds once the pump gets going.

Dialing the Right Output

To kick things off, it's often recommended to set your generator’s chlorine output to 75%. This is usually a good starting point to get a feel for how much chlorine your pool needs. Over the next couple of days, keep an eye on your free chlorine levels using a test kit or test strips.

After 1-2 days, check your chlorine levels:

• Too high? Turn the output down a notch.
• Too low? Bump up the output a little.

It's usually good to make incremental changes, but if levels are much too high or low, you might make proportionally larger adjustments. Over the first week, you should expect to do a few adjustments. But once you find the sweet spot, your system will do the hard work of regularly generating the chlorine your pool needs to help keep your chlorine levels consistent.

Seasonal Tweaks

Remember, as the weather changes, so do your pool’s needs. When the summer heat rolls in or you have a pool party, you might notice that you need to slightly increase the chlorine output to keep your pool sanitized.

After one-off things like pool parties or even storms, consider using the SCG’s temporary boost mode which will have the system run at full output for a cycle and then return to its previously set output.

You can dial it back down once the weather gets cooler or usage decreases. The important thing here is to test the water and adjust the SCG as needed!

By properly setting your SCG, you’ll cut down on manual maintenance while keeping your water clean and ready for swimming at all times.

Recapping the steps to convert your pool to saltwater:

1. Choose the right chlorine generator
2. Install the chlorine generator by connecting it to the pool’s existing plumbing, mounting the controller and connecting to the power.
3. Set the output level of your salt chlorine generator to 75% initially. Test and adjust the output settings as needed to keep your pool maintenance automated.

Life after converting your pool

Now that you’ve made the switch to a saltwater pool, what can you expect when it comes to upkeep? While your salt chlorine generator takes care of producing chlorine (which for most people represents the majority of pool chemical hassle), you’ll still need to monitor and balance your overall water chemistry just like any other pool.

The good news? You’ll no longer have to regularly, manually add large amounts of chlorine, making your maintenance routine much simpler.

Ongoing pool care

Keeping your saltwater pool in great condition is fairly simple. In fact, these tips mostly apply to all pools. Here’s what to focus on:

Daily Tasks

To keep things looking great, skim the surface for debris like leaves, insects, and other floating materials. Keeping debris out helps the filtration system run smoothly and keeps the debris from becoming food for microorganisms.

Weekly Tasks

Test your water for free chlorine and pH levels. It’s a quick process that ensures your salt chlorine generator is producing the right amount of chlorine. This is a good time to clean out your skimmer basket and check your pool filter’s pressure gauge (so you can know when the filter eventually needs to get cleaned).

Monthly Tasks

On top of weekly maintenance, you’ll want to ensure these levels are balanced (which can often need less frequent attention):

• Alkalinity
• Calcium hardness
• Cyanuric acid (CYA)
• Salt

Lastly, if needed, scrub the pool walls and vacuum the floor to prevent dirt or sediment buildup.

Every 3 Months

Inspect the SCG’s cell for calcium buildup or scaling.

When needed or when indicated by the system, clean the cell according to its product manual, typically with a mix of water and muriatic acid (5 parts water to 1 part acid on average). Be sure to read the instructions carefully and wear protective gear, like gloves and a mask. Let the salt cell foam in the mixture for about ten minutes. This process dissolves mineral scaling if it has accumulated. When finished, rinse thoroughly with a hose.

Here’s a guide on how to clean your salt cell for more information.

By following these simple steps, you’ll maximize the lifespan of your salt chlorine generator and enjoy a pool that’s always ready for a swim.

Remember, while saltwater pools make maintenance much easier, they’re not set-and-forget systems. But with a little attention, you’ll spend less time on upkeep and more time enjoying the water.

Common questions about converting pools to saltwater

Keep Reading

If you want to dive a little deeper into converting your pool to salt chlorination instead of traditional chlorine chemical maintenance, check out a few of these resources:

• 3 Common Myths About Salt Pools
• How Do You Use A Salt Pool System?
• Saltwater Pool System: How Does It Work?
• Saltwater System Guide: Find Your Perfect Fit