How best to get salt into pool

gary300 · Apr 23, 2019

I am about to convert my 38000 gal chlorine pool to salt. From what I have read, it will take about 800 to 1000 lbs of salt. What would be the best way to get all this salt into the pool?
Should I add it slowly over a few days or just start putting it in? I have a VS pump. Should I increase the speed to further agitate the water? Also, I have a robot and wonder if I should run it (without the filters) to get the salt to dissolve. Many other questions, but these are the main ones. Any tips or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Gary

kimkats · Apr 23, 2019

Let the kids get in the pool. Throw the diamonds aka salt into the pool and let them have fun watching and playing with the diamonds. They will help mix it up. Many people call it diamond day!!!

If no kids then just throw it in and brush it with the pump running and call it good!

Kim :kim:

PoolGate · Apr 23, 2019

Kim is spot on! I line up bags on the side with the top over the edge and cut them one by one and let them pour in. You could put the pump on high or not, it does't matter so much but you want some water circulation. Turn off SWG while adding salt. Make sure you test with the K-1766 BEFORE putting any salt in the water! And then put HALF what you think you need. Many people think they have a MUCH larger pool than they actually have and end up having to drain water to lower the salt level. Not to mention you probably already have at least 1 ppt of salt (1/3rd of your salt).

Jimrahbe · Apr 23, 2019

Gary,

I would not add the robot... Normal salt water will not hurt them, but I would not want mine running around and sucking up salt crystals by the truck load.

Thanks,

Jim R.

splashpad · Apr 23, 2019

gary300 said:
I am about to convert my 38000 gal chlorine pool to salt. From what I have read, it will take about 800 to 1000 lbs of salt. What would be the best way to get all this salt into the pool?
Should I add it slowly over a few days or just start putting it in? I have a VS pump. Should I increase the speed to further agitate the water? Also, I have a robot and wonder if I should run it (without the filters) to get the salt to dissolve. Many other questions, but these are the main ones. Any tips or comments would be appreciated.

Some quick reads

Water Balance for SWGs

Saltwater pools are becoming more and more popular. We discuss How salt generators work and water balance tips for SWGs to run them.

www.troublefreepool.com

Skip Down to Salt:

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

SBall · Apr 23, 2019

Aim low and add more gradually. I added 8 bags @ 40lbs each, total 320 lbs and my salt levels went from 400 ppm to 3000 ppm in 16,000ish gallons.

bmoreswim · Apr 23, 2019

I dumped in 160 lbs of Diamond Crystals Solar Natural salt on Saturday. It was dissolved in 45 minutes with the pump running on high and no brushing.

I’d dump it all around, a few bags less than you think, and run the pump for at least two hours. Test the next day and repeat to arrive at goal.

Don’t turn on the salt cell until the next day after some pump runtime.

gary300 · Apr 24, 2019

Thanks for your replies, I appreciate it. Turned out salt already present due to years of chlorination. See my other thread "Enough room for an IC60?".