Converting Above Or Below Ground Pools To Salt Water Systems
Saltwater pool conversion" might sound like there is a lot involved. If you're wondering how you convert to salt, it really doesn't involve any big procedures...
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How to Convert a Chlorine Pool to Salt Water for Less Maintenance & Lower Costs
This complete DIY-friendly guide will help you convert your pool from chlorine to salt in three simple steps.
Converting to salt is easier than most people think. Converting your pool from chlorine to salt 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.
If you’ve been putting off switching your pool to salt because it sounds like a big project — there’s good news. For most people, you don’t drain the pool, you don’t replace your pump or filter, and for most backyard pools the whole thing is done in about an hour. Converting to salt really just means adding one piece of equipment: a salt chlorine generator. From there, it makes chlorine for you, automatically, every time your pump runs.
In this guide, we’ll cover what a salt pool actually is, help you confirm that you can convert your pool, and give you three simple steps to salt pool conversion. After that, we will point you to our in-depth install and setup guides for when you’re ready to get hands-on.
Prefer to watch? Our Salt Pool vs Chlorine Pool comparison video takes you through the whole thing.
Table of Contents:
What Is a Salt Water Pool?
Here’s the myth worth clearing up first: a salt water pool is still a chlorine pool. The difference is how the chlorine gets there. A salt pool uses a salt chlorine generator to create chlorine from a low level of natural salt in the pool water, effectively sanitizing your pool.
So instead of you buying, hauling, and dosing chlorine, a salt chlorine generator converts the dissolved salt into pure chlorine right in the plumbing line, working automatically when your pump runs every day. You get precise, consistent chlorination so that your water stays swimmable and pool ownership experience stays predictable.
The salt level is barely noticeable — usually around 3,000 ppm, or about a teaspoon of salt per gallon. That’s about a tenth of the ocean’s salinity, so your water won’t taste salty, and at these levels it’s safe for pool surfaces and materials. More on that below.
Why convert?
Three reasons pool owners make the switch:
- Lower overall cost. A salt system can save up to 40–50% over the lifetime cost of traditional chlorination because you’re no longer buying, hauling, and dosing chlorine, shock, and algaecide all season.
- Less work. The generator delivers a steady, consistent level of chlorine on its own, so no more algae hassle or vicious cycle of testing, dosing, and shocking.
- Better water. No more red eyes, itchy skin, faded swimsuits, or that heavy chlorine smell — just softer, gentler water.
Want the full head-to-head? Read Salt Water vs. Chlorine Pools.
Can You Convert Your Pool to Salt? What to Know.
For the vast majority of pools, yes. A salt system works with your existing pump and filter (you don’t have to match brands) — and it works with any type of pool surface, whether that’s gunite/concrete, plaster, tile, stone, vinyl, pebble, fiberglass, and more. Your PVC plumbing is unaffected.
Broadly speaking, salt systems are safe and have been used widely for many decades. Your pool will use a very low level of natural salt in the water (typically 2700–3500 ppm salinity) — it’s still comparable to actual freshwater (up to 1000 ppm salinity), and not at all like ocean saltwater (35,000 ppm salinity). Salt pools are below the typical threshold of human taste.
In-ground pools — using a salt system is not only common, it’s the modern standard! Most salt chlorinators are designed to be used with in-ground pool systems.
Above-ground pools — using a salt system is also common, though there is a fairly wide range of what constitutes an above-ground pool, so there are more details to cover. Inflatable or temporary pools are probably not a good fit, practically speaking. High-quality permanently installed pools are usually the right application — using pool-grade materials like resin, coated steel, aluminum, and other components designed for long-term pool use. If you are unsure about your pool’s construction, or if it contains metal components such as galvanized steel, check with the pool manufacturer to confirm that the pool is designed for use with a salt chlorinator. You’ll want to typically check on how the salt chlorinator will get connected with your pool system; some can hang over the edge, or otherwise would get plumbed in with either hose clamp connections, flex PVC connections, or rigid PVC fittings.
If you want to go deeper, read our full article with more common questions people wonder about when checking if they can convert their pool.
Not sure about your specific setup? Call our salt pool experts at 866-766-5243 — we’re happy to talk it through.
Before you convert — steps to make things easier
As mentioned, you don’t need to drain the water to convert a chlorine pool to saltwater — there is nothing incompatible with the chlorine in your water currently compared to the chlorine the salt system will generate. No major repiping or big system changes are usually needed. However, it’s a good idea to address any issues in your pool water at the start, which means: Start with a clean balanced pool.
Test and balance your water chemistry before converting your pool to saltwater. If things are out of balance, or if you have issues with algae or other organic matter, take care of it first so it doesn’t continue to affect you or complicate things later. Starting with things in check sets you up for a smoother transition.
How to Convert Your Pool to Salt in 3 Simple Steps
Since “converting” essentially just means adding a salt chlorinator to your existing setup, these steps help make it simple. Overall it’s DIY-friendly, and a qualified person with basic tools can typically do it in as little as an hour (or less). As always, follow the instruction manual that comes with your system.
1) Choose the right system.
Match the salt chlorine generator to meet your pool’s needs. The industry rule of thumb is to pick a system rated for 1.5×–2× your pool’s gallons (as we like to say, it’s wise to oversize). A right-sized system isn’t working at its max every day, so it lasts longer and has power in reserve for heat waves, storms, and pool parties. Want an easy way to get right-sized options and compare specs? → Smart option: Use our Salt Pool Genius tool to get model recommendations in 30 seconds.
2) Install it.
The generator’s cell plumbs into your return line — the last stop before the water heads back to the pool — and the controller gets wired to power (typically same power source as the pool pump, though some models allow an easy plug-in option). It can be DIY-friendly for anyone capable of cutting/gluing PVC and correctly doing simple wiring. → Full walkthrough: DIY Guide to Installing a Salt Water Chlorinator.
3) Set it up.
Add salt (typically 30 lbs per 1,000 gallons), let it fully dissolve, confirm your salinity, then turn the system on and dial the output in until you’re holding 1–3 ppm of free chlorine. → Full walkthrough: How to Set Up Your New Salt System.
Pro Tip: You can add the salt ahead of time, so you don’t have to wait for it to dissolve!
DIY or hire it out?
Plenty of pool owners handle the whole conversion themselves. If you’d rather not, a handyman, plumber, or electrician can do the install — often for less than pool company quotes. And if you want the simplest possible path, an all-in-one plug-in model like the CircuPool CORE Series can go in as little as 10–15 minutes.
Ready to Get Started?
Use our Salt Pool Genius tool to get smart, right-sized model recommendations in seconds, or call 866-766-5243 and talk to a real salt pool expert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — you can retrofit almost any chlorine pool in just a few steps. You add a salt chlorine generator and a pool-grade salt. No draining, no replacing your pump or filter.
It’s the same three steps every time: install the generator, add the salt, and set the output. To change a chlorine pool to salt water you’re really just adding one piece of equipment to the setup you already have — most owners are done in about an hour.
Converting your pool to a saltwater system makes pool care simpler. Eliminating the need to regularly buy chlorine and shock can save up to 40–50% over the long run. It’s convenient and much less work. The swimming experience feels more natural and you don’t have the harsh chemical effects.
It depends on your pool size and the system you choose. See our cost-to-convert scenarios.
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 it’s 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. While plain, fine-grain Water Softener salt may often be used by pool owners, avoid salt with additives or anti-caking agents, avoid rock salt, and be sure to read the salt chlorine generator manual carefully in order to choose such salt and to avoid potential issues.
Yes — the generator draws only a small amount of power, on the order of a couple of amps while running.
The opposite — for most owners it’s easier. Here’s why.
Lighter than you’d expect: test and skim as usual, keep your water balanced (adjusting the salt chlorine generator when needed to make sure your free chlorine level stays in range, usually seasonally), add a little salt a couple times a year, and clean the salt cell a couple times a season. The generator handles the chlorination day to day.
A salt system works with any brand of pump or filter, and they don’t need to be replaced if they are working. If you have an above ground pool, check if you use plumbing hoses or rigid piping, so you can choose a salt system which can work easily with your system (or choose a model which hangs over the side of the pool).
Salt pools generate chlorine using a salt chlorine generator. This means there is no need to regularly buy and add chlorine or shock, since salt chlorine generators use electrolysis to regularly create chlorine from salt. You still need to test your water chemistry for chlorine, pH, salinity, CYA, alkalinity, and other levels to keep your pool properly balanced. Your chlorine level should typically be consistent (which covers the lion’s share of most pool chemistry cost and hassles), and you’ll adjust it by raising/lowering the chlorine output of the salt system. You’ll adjust the other pool chemistry levels the same way you did previously.
Get right-sized salt chlorinator recommendations for your pool size, climate, and usage in about 30
seconds.
Find your Chlorinator
Tagged Products
- Newer Model:
Autopilot ChlorSync CS30 - Comparable Model:
CircuPool RJ30 - Or, thinking about upgrading your system?
Interactive Guide →
- Other Model Size:
AQR9 Salt System - Comparable Model:
Universal25 Salt System - Alternative Model: CS30 Salt System
- Or, thinking about upgrading your system?
Interactive Guide →
with 8-Year Limited Warranty, for up to 15,000 gallon poolsReplacing An Existing Chlorine Generator?
Add an Adapter Kit to eliminate re-plumbing.
Who We Are:
At Discount Salt Pool, we're pool owners who want to help other pool owners enjoy the simplicity and the savings of saltwater chlorine generators. Unlike the pool store or pool pros, we're not the last step of a long & overpriced distribution chain. We're lifelong swimming pool enthusiasts & experts with decades of experience in the industry who want to give other pool owners direct access to the best pool technology that's out there- along with unlimited access to our friendly customer support and online DIY resources. Discount Salt Pool is a BBB member with an A+ rating.
Did You Know?
DiscountSaltPool.com is America's largest specialty provider of saltwater swimming pool equipment. Since 1997, we've helped hundreds of thousands of people convert their pool to salt! Order online today, come visit our Texas headquarters, or call in for personalized help and recommendations.
Comments (0)
Add Commentjohn allen
I have a 20x40 pool im interested in over to salt what would u recommend for doing this
DSP Staff
If its rectangular, that could be about 30,000 gallons. You may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 45,000 gallon max capacity or more.
We're happy to go over all the details about the pool and help you pick out the right system if you call: 866-766-5243.
In the meantime, you can read more about that here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/how-to-choose-the-right-salt-system-for-your-pool
Leslie Armstrong
Please share the information on the capacity for small, medium and large pools. Our pool will hold 8,640 Gallons.
DSP Staff
This link will take you to a page that has categorizes salt systems that are rated for different pool sizes.
robert f steffen
I HAVE A SYSTEM WITH ALL KINDS OF MIXING VALVES ND AREA WITH ROOM FOR 12 INCHES OF PIPE T0ADD A SALT SYSTEM
DSP Staff
Give us a call and we may be able to help you figure out what you are looking at, 866-766-5243. We have salt systems that can get installed in as little as 7-10" of space.
Paul McCarty
I live in central Alabama. I Have an above ground 15 x 30 x 4 oval pool. Calculates out to be about 12,000 gal water volume. Right now I have a 1.5hp jacuzzi pump with a sand filter. We have been using Clorox Xtra Blue 3 inch chlorinating tablets. What salt system do you think will be adequate for this system. And is there a need to reduce the current chlorine level when converting to salt?
DSP Staff
If your pool is current up and running, there is not typically anything else that you need to do beside installing the salt chlorinator and adding the salt to the water
At that pool size, you may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 20-30,000 gallon max capacity or more.
We're happy to go over all the details about the pool and help you pick out the right system if you call: 866-766-5243.
In the meantime, you can read more about that here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/how-to-choose-the-right-salt-system-for-your-pool
Ben Vasquez
I want to convert my pool to a salt pool what do I need
DSP Staff
You just need a salt chlorinator!
In addition to this article, you can see more here about how to convert your swimming pool to saltwater
Jeffrey Wells
Would like to switch my 21.120 gal in ground pool to salt.
DSP Staff
At that pool size, you may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 30-40,000 gallon max capacity or more.
We're happy to go over all the details about the pool and help you pick out the right system if you call: 866-766-5243.
In the meantime, you can read more about How To Choose The Right Salt System For Your Pool
Lewis Agin
What do you do when your pool is 40,000 gallons which is above the 20,000 limit for a salt chenerator?
DSP Staff
If you already have a salt system, and for some reason its too small for the pool, its worth checking if that model can accept a larger capacity cell on it. Some can, some only work with one cell type.
Andrew
You would want to look at a 60,000 max gallon model like the RJ60+ system
kevin
I have a inexpensive clomen pool (300.) Is there a converter I can use to make this a salt water pool. The pool is 10ft. by 16ft and 4 ft. deep. Is it worth it for me to use salt water verse convention. Thanks
Nathan
You may like the easy to use MegaChlor model which is less expensive too.
Justin Adams
I have 2 return lines, one to each side of the pool. Which side should it be installed on? Does it matter?
DSP Staff
Justin, ideally you would put the salt chlorinator "upstream" from where the return line splits to go back to different return jets. Sometimes due to the space available you may need to do a little plumbing to achieve this. If that is impossible, then adding the salt chlorinator after the split would mean that the chlorinated water would just be coming back to one "side" of the pool.
Dawn stevens
My gunite pool was built in 1967, with a stainless steel pool filter. Will I be able to convert to salt water???
Aaron
Gunite pools and stainless steel components are very common in swimming pools. As long as your plumbing is PVC, you should likely be just fine.
Terry Sanders
We have a 300 gal. vinyl Intex spa and woud like to change over to salt. Can we do this and what would you recommend? Thanks
DSP Staff
You may like a spa model like this one: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/controlomatic-chlormaker-spa-chlorine-generator
Russell Harmon
I have a 15 foot round, above ground pool. That holds about 6,400 gal. What system would be the choice & how much would it be?
DSP Staff
You typically want a salt system that can handle at least 1.5x to 2x the water in your pool. You can see a little more sizing information here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/what-size-salt-pool-system-is-right-for-me Based on the size you mention, one of the systems on this page would likely be a good fit: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/salt-water-chlorine-generators-for-small-pools
margarita
I have 18,000 gallon 24*52 round above ground pool what kind of system would i need
DSP Staff
You typically want a salt system that can handle at least 1.5x to 2x the water in your pool. You can see a little more sizing information here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/what-size-salt-pool-system-is-right-for-me Based on the size you mention, one of the systems like the CS30 or Universal25 on this page would likely be a good fit: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/salt-water-chlorine-generators-for-small-pools
Terri Chamblee
When your pool is still green and you’re converting back to salt all the equipment is in. We’ve got a 25,000 gallon inground pool. We bought 15 bags 40 pounds each and have started putting the salt in just dumping it around the all around the edge of the pool can’t finish it in one day. So do we keep the pump running 24 hours until we get all of the salt in?
DSP Staff
Terri, essentially you want to just keep adding salt until you reach your salt chlorine generator's specified salinity range, typically near 3000-3500ppm depending on model. Running your pump will help the salt dissolve by circulating the water. A good rule of thumb is to test the water's salinity at least 24 hours after adding salt, to give it enough time to dissolve. If you have more questions about your equipment, give us a call at 866-766-5243
Janet
Hi I have bestways powersteel 20 by 48 above ground pool. What would I need to do to convert it to a saltwater pool?
DSP Staff
That calculates to be about 9500 gallons of water. Give us a call so we can give you more detailed recommendations (866-766-5243). In general, you could take a look at the Controlomatic Megachlor for an inexpensive option, or one of the more permanent salt chlorine generators on here : https://www.discountsaltpool.com/salt-water-chlorine-generators-for-small-pools
Patty
have a above ground poolbut it just has two holes at the top. We already bought a salt and sand filter pump that had 3 hoses to it .the holes on the pool are on the top part ground poolbut it just has two holes at the top. We already bought a salt and sand filter pump that had 3 hoses to it .the holes on the pool are on the top part of the pool can we use this pump at all? There's not like a return whole. Am I screwed?
Susan Woofter
What do you recommend for converting a hot tub to salt water?
DSP Staff
Good question - there are tailor-made salt chlorine generators for hot tubs and spas! It is very easy to add and simple to use. You can see those models here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/saltwater-chlorinators-for-spas-hot-tubs-and-swim-spas
Ricky
My pool is green and not clear. Do I have to get it clear before changing over to a salt system ?
DSP Staff
For the salt chlorine generator that you would be adding, all that it needs to work is for enough salt to be added in the water. Practically speaking though, if the pool is very bad (and especially if you need to drain any water first) it will likely be most efficient to take care of major issues first. Once you're sure you don't need to drain any water, you can install the salt chlorine generator, add the salt to the pool water, and then let the salt chlorine generator run constantly at 100% so it is adding as much of chlorine as possible to the pool water that you might need, and then once your chlorine levels are in range you can reduce its operation as needed. If you have more questions, feel free to speak with our product experts at 866-766-5243.
Kathy brown
Will salt chlorination hurt my pebble tech lining?
DSP Staff
No, salt chlorine generators are safe for pool surfaces and equipment. It is extremely common for people with pebble-tec pools to have a salt system.
Darci
We have everything set up and hooked up for our new salt chlorinator converter. I know that you need to add salt to the pool and run it through your sand filter for 24 hours before you turn the converter on. My question is, can we run water through the converter without turning it on and without harming it? We have all of our hoses already hooked up and connected to our converter because that was the only feasible way that it would work for us.
DSP Staff
Simply leave the salt chlorinator off until your pool's salinity has reached the right level, then you can turn it on.
Bobbi
We replaced our liner, put the winter chemicals in and closed our pool without hooking the pump back up last year. We have added a salt chlorinator to our system. What is the best way to open the pool?
DSP Staff
The main thing that the salt chlorine generator needs is the salt to be added in the pool water. If when opening your pool you think that the water may require being drained to some degree (say because of excessive algae), do this first since the draining would remove some of the salt that you would add. Once the salinity level of the pool is proper, use the chlorine generator to provide as much sanitation as possible to the pool water to ensure that the water stays blue and clear.
Christine Kobrynich
Can I remove my chlorine feeder and replace it with the salt cell?
DSP Staff
If you have the space available, you could install the chlorine generator adjacent to the chlorine tablet feeder (and of course, stop adding chlorine to it on a regular basis). Otherwise yes, it would common to remove the chlorine feeder and put the chlorine generator in its place.
Mike
Do I run the retuning salt water through my sand filter
DSP Staff
Mike, you’ll install the salt chlorine generator as the last piece of equipment the water goes through before returning to the pool. Example: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/assets/images/installation-example-of-salt-chlorine-generator-system.jpg
Kelly
Does a salt system replace the need for chlorine and for pH balancing chemicals, etc.?
DSP Staff
A salt system is a chlorine generator, so a properly-size model takes care of your daily chlorination needs without the need to manually buy and add chlorine or shock. You'll still balance your water chemistry, but the lion's share of the work & expense for most pools is the chlorine. For many people after adding a chlorine generator, you may balance your pH a few times a month (varies by pool), and then balance the other supplementary levels as needed (usually seasonally).
Jim Hopper
I am converting to a salt system. My pool is 30,000 gallons how much salt do I need to add to pool.
Staff
So, if there is not currently any salt in the water, you'll add about 30lbs of salt for every 1000 gallons of water.