Does salt disappear over winter?

[pb4uswim]

I closed late September. Chlorine was at slam level. I pulled a sample today and tested. Water looks good. Chlorine is at 4 and Ph is 7.6. CYA is between 60 and 70. So, things look good. I’ll be opening on April 8 so I think it can sit until then.

One thing that looked odd was the salt. I was at about 3200 before close and now I’m at 2250. I’m thinking it may just be that the salt has settled to the bottom and my sample, taken at about 18” just didn’t get low enough. Said another way, without the pump working, I think the salt has settled and not disappeared. Does that make sense? Or, should I get some salt on hand for opening day? I don’t really want to store salt so I don’t want to get it only to find out I don’t need it once the pump starts circulating the water.

 

[mknauss]

Always wait until the pool is filled and fully circulated for several hours prior to taking a water sample for water chemistry purposes.

 

[pb4uswim]

That makes sense. My main goal was to get some idea what the chlorine was doing. I tested it a couple times during the winter, when it wasn’t frozen, and the chlorine seemed to be holding. Main thing is that the water appears clear.

Thanks.

 

[Pool_Medic]

Snow melt and rain will dilute your salt. I have found with almost all my pools the level goes from 3400 to 2000-2500.

 

[pb4uswim]

Snow melt and rain will dilute your salt. I have found with almost all my pools the level goes from 3400 to 2000-2500.

Interesting. So I should probably go ahead and pick up some salt? Pool math says 100 pounds. I think they come in 40 pound bags. Probably safe to pick up two bags?

 

[Pool_Medic]

Yes

 

[zea3]

If you have room to store it in case you don't need it right away then go ahead and pick up some salt, but fill, circulate, and test your water before you add it.

 

[pb4uswim]

Thanks everyone. I’ll just wait until I an get an accurate reading. I don’t want to store salt.