Adding salt

[chclark]

So I am new to all this, so if I am off base please let me know. I would like to add salt to my pool for the added "feel". I do not have a SWG, so how is the best way to add it? Just dump SLOWLY and brush? Does the salt effect the pump and filter? Pool Calc says 350lbs to get 2000ppm, which I have read on here is a good number without a SWG. I have a t-100 and use BBB. Is there any chemical number I need to be at, like with borates, before adding? any advice good or bad would be helpful.

test last night...
FC 6.6
CC 0
ph 7.8
TA 110
cya 60
CH 190

brought the PH down to 7.2 and TA to 100

 

[jblizzle]

Just dump it in. It does not impact any other level.

We just had a birthday party and I was dumping the 40 pound bags onto the kids swimming at the time ... I think some of the parents briefly freaked out

The kids loved playing with it ... often referred to a "Diamond Day" on the forum.

BTW, you can use solar salt for much cheaper than the "pool" salt.

 

[chclark]

Awesome! thanks much! going to add it this weekend. This might be a dumb question.... but is it safe to assume that my salt level is now Zero? I will buy a test kit, but I would like to add salt ASAP.

 

[Butterfly]

Awesome! thanks much! going to add it this weekend. This might be a dumb question.... but is it safe to assume that my salt level is now Zero? I will buy a test kit, but I would like to add salt ASAP.

You will have some level of salt in the pool. All sources of chlorine leave salt behind.

 

[ping]

This situation is one time that I recommend going to a pool store and let them test the salt level. Don't bother buying a salt test for yourself as you would hardly if ever need it.

 

[jblizzle]

I was at 1200 ppm salt before adding any bags. So you certainly want to test before adding any.

 

[chclark]

great thanks!!!

 

[chclark]

update.
Got the salt test strips along with speedstir (awesome). Im going to add salt tonight. Lowes has pellets and crystals which route should I go? They are only about a $1 differnece in price.....

 

[jblizzle]

I used the solar salt from Lowe's. Pellets are fine as long as they have no additives, they will be slower to dissolve.

 

[chclark]

So I tested the salt using test strips from tftestkit.net before adding salt reading was about 300ppm. Pool calc said to add 320lbs to get 2000ppm. So I did that saturday, and tested last night. Test strips are saying 1000ppm...there is a very slight salt taste. Is this normal at 2000ppm? seems that the strips were off. im hoping that I didnt add too much...... not sure that i trust the strips. hopefully the inital reading of 300 wasnt way off base.