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...
Buying a saltwater system for your pool is a big step!
It makes sense to do a little research before you buy, right?
If you want to convert from chlorine...
When it comes to saltwater pools vs chlorine pools, there are a lot of differences to consider, but we think salt pools
come out on top! Discount Salt Pools is here to help you with ...
The simple criteria for the best salt chlorine generator is that it should be able to provide plenty of chlorination
power for your pool, be a good value...
If you currently own a chlorinated
pool
but
are considering making the switch to saltwater, don’t worry! It is actually easier that
it may
seem.
With
our helpful guides, you can feel confident that you can not only choose the right system
for
your needs.
Most salt water systems are compatible with any pump and filter system you may have, so
all
you’ll need
to
do is add a new piece of equipment (the salt system) and some salt! The actual salt
system only
has two
main
components, the control module and the salt cell.
The Control Module – This is the electronic part of the salt system. The Control
Module
controls the output of power to the Salt Cell - so that it generates the right
amount of
chlorine
for your pool’s needs. The control module is designed to be mounted outside just
like any
other
pool equipment. It is typically designed to be powered by the same circuit as your main pump. A
salt
system’s
controller works interchangeably with whatever brand pump or filter you currently have, so there
is no
need
to
pick a system that is the same brand as your current pump or filter. To make sure you get a salt
system
that
best fits your needs, we carry a wide variety of different models that can fit into any
budget. If
you’re
having trouble deciding, we have a handy comparison
guide that compares different specs & features, as well as
warranties
and
other
ratings.Many control modules have various different features like reading the salinity of your
pool or
cell
lifespan indicators, which can make things a lot easier on you to keep up with your pool to make
sure
your
pool
is ready for use.
The Salt Cell – The salt cell uses a natural electrolytic process to
generate a pure form of chlorine from the salt that you put in your water during installation!
The salt
cell
is
plumbed right into the return line that comes from your pump and filter back to your pool.
These
cells
contain
titanium and rare-earth minerals, and usually last around three to eight years. To make
sure you
get
the most
for your money and to make sure you maximize the efficiency and lifespan of your system, you’ll
want to
make
sure you oversize your cell. We also offer clear cells so that you can see exactly how your cell
operates
and if
there's any need for maintenance.
Other Basic Salt System Components:
Aside from the major components in a salt system unit, there are other parts that all of our
newer
systems have that help make sure you have the best salt water pool experience and the highest
quality
water.
Water Sensor / Flow
Switch – A standard feature of a salt system is the ability
for it to
detect that
water
is present inside of it - this is needed for it to work and is a
protective
mechanism.. For many
models, this water sensor is present inside of your cell. Alternatively,
a salt
system may use
a
Flow Switch that is also plumbed into the line along with the Salt Cell.
A flow
switch allows
the
salt system to actually detect whether or not your pump circulation
system is in
operation and
that
water is flowing. That is extremely useful if you have (or ever
plan to
upgrade) to a
variable
speed pump that has its own built-in programmable controls. Some cells
have the
flow switch
built
into the cell, though for most it is a separate component plumbed into
the line
along with the
Salt
Cell.
Basic Salt System Features You Should Consider:
If you’ve taken a peak at our website, you’ve probably noticed that there are a lot
of
different
options that you can choose from when picking a system. We have made our comparison
chart so
that you
can
see what features each system offers. Below are some additional features that you should
consider in
order
to get the most for your money.
Warranty: think you found the right system for you? Great!
Before you
go to
checkout, make sure to double check the warranty on the system you are
planning
to buy. If you
plan
on installing it yourself, you’ll want to make sure you won’t void your
warranty
if you install
it
yourself (some manufacturers’ warranty terms require that you pay for
professional
installation.)
Also, the life of the cell is usually reflected in the amount of time
your
warranty covers. Most
of
our systems come with a three to eight year warranty, which generally
gives you
a good idea of
how
long your cell will last before you need to buy a
replacement.
Boost Mode: Boost mode is great for those of you who live in
areas
that tend
to have heavy rains or for those who sporadically get heavy pool use (a
pool
party, for
example).
This is essentially a one-touch “super chlorination” mode that raises
the
chlorine output to the
maximum power for an allotted amount of time to compensate for certain
pool
situations where
you’ll
want more sanitation, like after a party or heavy storm.
Clear Cell: A clear cell is exactly what it sounds like- a
cell that
is
clear so you can see any mineral-scale, debris or anything you need to
fix or
maintain. It is
another feature that makes salt pools easier to maintain because you
don’t have
to guess at what
is
wrong with your system if something goes wrong, you can just look inside
the
cell and check it
out!
Ever been unsure if your system is working properly? With a clear cell,
you can
also look inside
the
cell and see it operating. With proper water balance, cells will
typically only
need maintenance
or
basic cleaning one or two times per season, but if mineral scale or
debris gets
inside the cell,
you’ll want to clean it out.
PPM Salinity Reading: This is a feature that many pool owners
love to
have. Many of our high-end systems come with this feature and it is
great being
able to know
what your salinity range is.
Self-Cleaning Function: All modern salt systems have this, and
you’ll
for
sure want your system to be self-cleaning because it minimizes the
amount of
maintenance and
effort
you would normally need to put into any other pool. Self-cleaning, or
“reverse
polarity”
reverses
the direction of electric flow every so often to help reduce or prevent
mineral
scaling. This
means
you can sit back and relax and rest assured that your pool is safe and
clean.
Without it, older
salt
systems needed to be cleaned as much as once a week or more; with
reverse
polarity
self-cleaning,
salt systems typically only need seasonal cleaning if your pool’s water
chemistry is properly
balanced.
The Only Thing Left is the Salt Itself:
Salt -This step couldn’t be easier! All you will need to do is
go to
your
favorite home improvement store and purchase the right amount of salt
for your
pool (find more
info
here) and then dump it directly into your pool! After about twenty-four
hours,
the salt will be
completely dissolved and your pool will be ready for use! Don’t worry
though,
your pool water
will
not taste like salt, the resulting salinity level is so low that
most
people aren’t able
to taste
anything at all! After you’ve waited twenty-four
hours,
you’re ready to turn
on your
system. From that moment, the unit will create its own form of pure
chlorine
through a process
that
uses electrolysis to separate the chlorine and sodium molecules that
pass
through the salt cell.
You
may be thinking that if this water is getting moved through the plumbing
and
turned into
chlorine
that you’ll need to replace the salt or always keep adding bags, similar
to what
you may be
experiencing with a chlorine pool. Luckily, with salt pools, that isn’t
the
case! The salt does
not
get consumed and even when the water evaporates, the salt still remains.
The
only time you’ll
ever
need to replace the salt is when water gets physically removed from the
pool by
outside means,
like:
a heavy rain that makes the pool overflow, splash-out during a big
party, or if
you have to
drain
your pool. That means a lot of saved money for you and a lot less
up-keep than a
typical
chlorine
pool.
We understand that with all our options, it may be a bit overwhelming at first when
you
decide to
take the plunge into salt water pools but we promise it's a lot easier than it looks.
However,
if you
have
any questions or need further help, we are here for you! Just give us a call at
866-766-5243
Converting your pool to salt just means adding a chlorine generator! Use our intelligent
product
recommendation system to see what the best choices for you might be. See
more now
►
CircuPool CORE15, Complete Salt Pool System with 8-Year Limited Warranty, for up to 15,000 gallon poolsReplacing An Existing Chlorine Generator? Add an Adapter Kit to eliminate re-plumbing.
I currently have an inground 18x36.6 40,000. Gal pool with a DE pool filter. I’m looking into switching over to salt water. My question is can I still use the DE filter for the salt water? And where can I purchase the items I will need to do this? Thank you...
Ann, you can still use your filter. The salt system is just going to be added in addition. To pick the best system for you pool, you might like to start looking here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/Best-Salt-System-Sales-Rebates-Deals-and-Promotions
Henning Ottsen
Date
8/27/2018
I have bought and installed your RJ60-Plus chlorine generator. I am thinking about adding a heater to my pool. Does the heater go before or after the RJ60-Plus in the return line?
Thanks.
The salt chlorinator is the last thing the water goes through before returning to the pool, so the heater typically goes after the filter and before the salt system.
Jerry Toms
Date
9/8/2018
What is the mid range cost for the complete set up. My pool is 17,850 gal.?
No, due to its electrical conductivity that is one of the only situations where a salt chlorinator should not be used. Copper pool pipes need to be updated to standard PVC plumbing.
Allison McCormick
Date
5/9/2020
Hello,
We are interested in buying our own salt system for this pool:
12x25 4.6 ft deep
The pool will be in Pittsburgh PA and generally have 2 people using it but up to 6 on occasion. What is the best system and price you recommend to maximize cleanliness and minimize issues and maintenance? Thank you.
If its rectangular, that could be about 10,000 gallons. You may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 20,000 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.
If its rectangular, that could be about 15,000 gallons. You may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 25-30,000 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.
Tara, based on 3000 gallons you might want to take a look at the MegaChlor chlorine generator. It doesn’t require virtually any installation and should be able to handle that amount of water. If desired, we are also able to special order its “inline” version that can be installed out of sight in the pool plumbing.
https://www.discountsaltpool.com/controlomatic-megachlor-pool-and-swim-spa-chlorine-generator
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 CommentAnn Piquette
I currently have an inground 18x36.6 40,000. Gal pool with a DE pool filter. I’m looking into switching over to salt water. My question is can I still use the DE filter for the salt water? And where can I purchase the items I will need to do this? Thank you...
DSP Staff
Ann, you can still use your filter. The salt system is just going to be added in addition. To pick the best system for you pool, you might like to start looking here: https://www.discountsaltpool.com/Best-Salt-System-Sales-Rebates-Deals-and-Promotions
Henning Ottsen
I have bought and installed your RJ60-Plus chlorine generator. I am thinking about adding a heater to my pool. Does the heater go before or after the RJ60-Plus in the return line? Thanks.
DSP Staff
The salt chlorinator is the last thing the water goes through before returning to the pool, so the heater typically goes after the filter and before the salt system.
Jerry Toms
What is the mid range cost for the complete set up. My pool is 17,850 gal.?
DSP Staff
At that pool size, you may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 30-35,000 gallon max capacity or more. Current pricing here.
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
ismael vazquez
i would like to know what i'll need to make my pool saltwater.
DSP Staff
You just need to add a salt chlorinator!
Paul Hunt
Is the salt system OK to use with old copper pipes?
DSP Staff
No, due to its electrical conductivity that is one of the only situations where a salt chlorinator should not be used. Copper pool pipes need to be updated to standard PVC plumbing.
Allison McCormick
Hello, We are interested in buying our own salt system for this pool: 12x25 4.6 ft deep The pool will be in Pittsburgh PA and generally have 2 people using it but up to 6 on occasion. What is the best system and price you recommend to maximize cleanliness and minimize issues and maintenance? Thank you.
DSP Staff
If its rectangular, that could be about 10,000 gallons. You may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 20,000 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
Stanley Czarnecki
15X30 inground pool 3to 6 ft deep
DSP Staff
If its rectangular, that could be about 15,000 gallons. You may want to pick out a salt chlorinator rated for at least a 25-30,000 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
Timothy
Good article thanks
Tara Elizabeth Lehner
We have an above ground 3000 gallon plunge pool. What would you recommend for that?
DSP Staff
Tara, based on 3000 gallons you might want to take a look at the MegaChlor chlorine generator. It doesn’t require virtually any installation and should be able to handle that amount of water. If desired, we are also able to special order its “inline” version that can be installed out of sight in the pool plumbing. https://www.discountsaltpool.com/controlomatic-megachlor-pool-and-swim-spa-chlorine-generator
1xcasinouz
It seems to me, you are right