When Should I Add Salt

[dielseman]

Hi all, I would like to know when I should start adding salt to the pool. I am currently using liquid chlorine in the pool and need some advice around adding salt. Do I wait until the pool temp stays above 60' or higher? Also, what are the directions for adding salt into the pool and running the pump and SWG. I think I need to maintain above 2,500-3,000 ppm for the SWG to function, but pool math has it set to 1000 ppm. Please confirm what your suggestions are. Thanks,

 

[PoolStored]

You fusion specified 3000-3500 I'd aim for 3300.
Wait until temps rise a bit, will help the salt dissolve.
I'd recommend Diamond Crystal Solar Salt. Has the fewest mentions of issues.
Make sure SWG is OFF. Dump it in the shallow end and brush back and forth until dissolved. I can usually do 4 bags at a time for a reasonable amount to push around.
Leave pump running for 24 hours before starting up the SWG.

 

[kul]

Have you measured what salt level you are starting with? Do that first before determining how much to add.

 

[ajw22]

Hi all, I would like to know when I should start adding salt to the pool. I am currently using liquid chlorine in the pool and need some advice around adding salt. Do I wait until the pool temp stays above 60' or higher? Also, what are the directions for adding salt into the pool and running the pump and SWG. I think I need to maintain above 2,500-3,000 ppm for the SWG to function, but pool math has it set to 1000 ppm. Please confirm what your suggestions are. Thanks,

Salt - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

You can add salt now.

Set PoolMath to your SWG salt requirement of 3,000 ppm.

 

[dielseman]

Salt - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

You can add salt now.

Set PoolMath to your SWG salt requirement of 3,000 ppm.

The pool temp keeps fluctuating to below 55' though. In this case the SWG will not work.

 

[dielseman]

Have you measured what salt level you are starting with? Do that first before determining how much to add.

I have not. I need to get a new kit for this. Was waiting until I would add salt to get the new kit.

 

[Newdude]

The pool temp keeps fluctuating to below 55' though. In this case the SWG will not work

To me, this allows you plenty of time to creep up on the target after adding 75% of the dose from baseline to target. (Test first and undershoot).

I'd get started to hit the ground running once its warm enough. My cell usually produces enough to get by with low daily loss when the temps are dancing the cold water shutoff. If it comes on for one day, the FC it produced will last a week until it kicks on again.

But there's are a couple ways to skin this cat and nobody is wrong.

 

[dielseman]

To me, this allows you plenty of time to creep up on the target after adding 75% of the dose from baseline to target. (Test first and undershoot).

I'd get started to hit the ground running once its warm enough. My cell usually produces enough to get by with low daily loss when the temps are dancing the cold water shutoff. If it comes on for one day, the FC it produced will last a week until it kicks on again.

But there's are a couple ways to skin this cat and nobody is wrong.

So basically your saying is this allows you to be ready when the temps are warmer.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

Let the pool run for a while to mix the water well before taking readings, I learned the hard

+1 for Diamond crystals solar salt, the bags 've gotten have been clean.

 

[Newdude]

Let the pool run for a while to mix the water well before taking readings, I learned the hard

I generously undershot with a fresh fill (0 - 200 tested salt) and still missed the mark.

So basically your saying is this allows you to be ready when the temps are warmer.

Exactly. No harm in waiting but also no harm in using the cool weather to make it less of a rush. Because rushing is bad. Lol.

Plus, like I said, when the water is cool your daily loss is very little so if the cell kicks on at all here and there (once you're at salt target) you might not need to supplement with LC.

 

[dielseman]

I generously undershot with a fresh fill (0 - 200 tested salt) and still missed the mark.

Exactly. No harm in waiting but also no harm in using the cool weather to make it less of a rush. Because rushing is bad. Lol.

Plus, like I said, when the water is cool your daily loss is very little so if the cell kicks on at all here and there (once you're at salt target) you might not need to supplement with LC.

so take readings first with Taylor kit then add slightly less salt than in recommend on pool math?

 

[ajw22]

So two

so take readings first with Taylor kit then add slightly less salt than in recommend on pool math?

Add 2/3 of what you calculate you need, let it dissolve for 24-48 hours, test the salt level, then sneak up on your desired level.