Salt pellets or granulated?

[gonzo]

I got a print out from the PB stating the following:

" There are many different types of salt on the market. We prefer to use salt pellets, they can be added directly to the pool water and will dissolve in a few hours. We don't recommend using granulated salt. That type of salt contains an anti-caking agent that tends to stain the pool surface."

Any thoughts? I will be first time salt buyer and want to make sure I get the right one.

 

[jblizzle]

Never heard that before. I always use Solar Salt. If the pellets are very pure (no additives) they are fine too, just take a little longer to dissolve. At least they do not appear to be trying to sell you the overpriced pool salt.

 

[Patrick_B]

He may mean types of softener salt.

Blizzle has it right, the best buy is solar salt. It's high purity rock salt and it's perfect to put in pools.

 

[JasonLion]

Table salt has an anti-caking agent that contains iron, and thus can cause stains. It is, however, quite rare to see table salt sold in 40+ lb bags, so it doesn't normally come up.

 

[gonzo]

Thanks for the info. Where your guys are getting the Solar salt from?

 

[jblizzle]

Hardware store. Lowe's or home depot

 

[JasonLion]

Solar salt is usually sold for water softeners. Sometimes it is in the water softener aisle, sometimes they are in the outside area.

 

[gonzo]

Great, thanks

 

[robl45]

Great, thanks

The blue bag is usually the cheapest and works fine. Although I haven't seen them lately. Publix was also cheaper than lowes on the last bags I bought. It should be diamond crystal in a blue bag, usually a dollar cheaper or so than the other bags.

Oh and if you buying a lot of it, Lowes does have a 10% off coupon and home depot will take that coupon as well. You can also get discounted gift cards online for home depot and end up saving approximately 20%.

 

[Donny]

OK guys, not to hijack this thread but I'm lost here. Why are you adding the Solar salt to the pool water ??

 

[JasonLion]

Donny, gonzo has a SWG, which requires a certain amount of salt in the water to work correctly.

 

[Donny]

Thanks Jason. I'm in the middle of switching to a SWG. Thx again.

 

[Divin Dave]

I bought 7 bags at Home Dept today.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Diamond-...arse-Water-Softening-Salt-100012454/100172669

Thanks for the info. Where your guys are getting the Solar salt from?

 

[gonzo]

I found this one at Home Depot instead, I hope is ok to use.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Diamond-Crystal-Sun-Gems-60-lb-Water-Softener-Salt-100012439/100119995

 

[JasonLion]

Diamond Crystal Sun Gems are fine, Diamond Crystal Solar Naturals are also fine.

 

[gonzo]

Thank Jason

 

[Chuckiechan]

Do note the two different sizes. The guy down the street sells 40's for the same price that HD sells the 50's.

And that product looks OK as long as it has no additives. Salt is salt as long as all you are buying is salt and impurities that aren't harmful, thus the closer to 100% salt the better.

BTW, as a first time salt buyer, if you are getting a SWG, shut the unit off when you add the salt until it's fully dissolved, and remember, once it's in if you have too much you have to dilute it out. So don't over salt your pool accidentally! Been there, done that.

 

[gonzo]

Will do. Thanks for the advice

 

[eaamon]

I have used solar salt, but most times it leaves a bunch of small little black spot
stuff/residue where it was dumped.
my local pool shop has some pool salt listed as food quality for $4 more than solar. I now use it
since there is no residue left over. last year they ran out.
is there a solar salt that does not leave the residue I mentioned? I did get mine at lowes.

PS my SWG runs salt between 2100 and 3400 ppm. so be sure to use what yours recommends.

 

[JasonLion]

Solar salt is not 100% consistent. The great majority of the time there is no residue. Look for the salt with the highest percentage pure salt, typically 99.6%, or better, pure salt.