There are many benefits to using a Saltwater Generator on your above ground pool, these include: (1) Softer water; (2) Lower cost of operation; (3) Overall less maintenance.
Traditional chlorine pools require a constant monitoring of pool chemical levels. In addition to monitoring these levels; storing, buying and adding pool chemicals to the water are tasks that would need to be performed every few days. Using a saltwater generator eliminates some of these steps as the need of buying and storing chlorine as well as having to check the pool water every few days would no longer be necessary.
With a saltwater generator, you will only need to check your pool water once a week to make sure that enough chlorine is being produced and that the pH level is between 7.2 and 7.6. Your free chlorine level should be between 1-3 ppm (parts per million). You can determine these levels using the Aquachek 7 Way Test Kit. While you still have to monitor the water, you won’t have to add chemicals nearly as often.
The Aquachek Silver 7 Way Test Kit allows you to test Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Alkalinity, Hardness and stabilizer (cyanuric acid) levels with one easy test. It’s one easy test for 7 pool symptoms. 100 Strips per bottle.
The first thing you need to know about maintaining your saltwater above ground pool is how many gallons of water your pool holds. This will let you know how much salt is needed for the generator to work properly. Follow the chart below to see the recommended amount. A frequently asked question is “where do I put the salt?” The answer to this is simply to broadcast the recommended amount of salt directly into your saltwater above ground pool. After distributing the salt evenly around the your saltwater above ground pool, use a pool brush to sweep any piles of salt that may have built up. Continue to run the filter for 24-48 hours or until all of the added salt is dissolved. This should be done as soon as the pool is filled with water. Once the generator is on and working, it will be converting that salt into chlorine to clean the pool water. This conversion is done on a residual basis eliminating those high/low levels that you may get when putting the chlorine in yourself. The generator will let you know when your salt level is low and when you need to add more.
Saltwater Above Ground Pool – Cell Maintenance
Most Saltwater generators, such as the Solaxx Saltron Retro Jet RJ, have a cell inside that needs to be cleaned off at the end of every season. They may have an indicator light that will flash “check cell” to remind you to do this. You should carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to determine the proper way to clean them.
Specifically made for Above Ground Swimming Pools, The Solaxx Retro Jet system produces a pure, elemental form of chlorine by electrolysis of salt added to the pool water. After the salt is converted to chlorine and bacteria has been killed, the chlorine reverts back to salt and this process is ongoing.
Salt Reference Table
The following table displays a pools size and shape and the recommended amount of salt one would need based off those dimensions.| SIZE | SHAPE | GALLONS | SALT (lbs.) | BAGS (40lbs.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10' | Round | 2,000 | 73 | 2 |
| 12' | Round | 3,000 | 87 | 2 |
| 15' | Round | 5,000 | 145 | 3.5 |
| 18' | Round | 7,500 | 218 | 5.5 |
| 21' | Round | 10,000 | 290 | 7.5 |
| 24' | Round | 13,000 | 406 | 10 |
| 27' | Round | 17,000 | 508 | 13 |
| 30' | Round | 21,000 | 609 | 15 |
| 33' | Round | 25,000 | 700 | 17.5 |
| 7' X 13' | Oval | 2,500 | 73 | 2 |
| 7' X 15' | Oval | 3,000 | 73 | 2 |
| 8' x 12' | Oval | 2,500 | 73 | 2 |
| 8' X 14' | Oval | 2,500 | 73 | 2 |
| 8' X 15' | Oval | 3,000 | 87 | 2 |
| 8' X 16' | Oval | 3,000 | 87 | 2 |
| 8' X 19' | Oval | 3,500 | 102 | 2.5 |
| 10' X 15' | Oval | 3,500 | 102 | 2.5 |
| 10' X 16' | Oval | 3,500 | 102 | 2.5 |
| 10' X 18' | Oval | 4,000 | 131 | 3 |
| 10' X 19' | Oval | 4,000 | 131 | 3 |
| 10' X 21' | Oval | 5,000 | 145 | 3.5 |
| 12' X 16' | Oval | 4,500 | 131 | 3 |
| 12' X 17' | Oval | 5,000 | 145 | 3.5 |
| 12' X 18' | Oval | 5,000 | 145 | 3.5 |
| 12' X 20' | Oval | 6,500 | 174 | 4.5 |
| 12' X 21' | Oval | 6,500 | 174 | 4.5 |
| 12' X 24' | Oval | 7,500 | 203 | 5 |
| 12' X 27' | Oval | 7,500 | 203 | 5 |
| 14' X 20' | Oval | 7,500 | 203 | 5 |
| 15' X 23' | Oval | 8,500 | 261 | 6.5 |
| 15' X 24' | Oval | 8,500 | 261 | 6.5 |
| 15' X 26' | Oval | 9,000 | 261 | 6.5 |
| 15' X 30' | Oval | 10,500 | 319 | 8 |
| 18' X 33' | Oval | 14,000 | 406 | 10 |
| 18' X 40' | Oval | 17,000 | 522 | 13 |
| 21' X 43' | Oval | 24,000 | 675 | 17 |
How often do you have to put salt in a 14 X 20 oval pool normally?
Hi PJ,
The salt added to your pool will never dissipate on it’s own. Only during backwash, splashing, or draining your pool will salt need to be added.
I am in the process of filling my 16×48 above ground pool. I am curious about the pros and cons of salt water vs chemical?
Hi Brittany,
Saltwater is very easy to maintain and gives the water a softer feel that swimmers love but can be corrosive to some pool components so you would need a swimming pool that is specifically made for it.
Please check to make sure that your pool is salt friendly before using a salt chlorine generator.
My 16×48 above ground has turned green rather quickly. Advice?
Hi. I have a 18000 gallon saltwater above ground pool. I put 2 bags of shocked and also 2 bottles of concentrated bleach my pool seems like twice a week. If I don’t my pool will have algea and water will turn green within that week. Please help and thanks.
can you keep an above ground salt water pool outside during a souther newengland winter?
My pool turned green after rain and I’m not sure how to get it clear again.