What Chemicals Should Be Added to a Saltwater Pool?
- Freshwater swimming pools normally need to have a constant chlorine level of between 2.0 and 3.0 parts per million (PPM) or higher. Saltwater versions, though, only require chlorine levels of between 0.5 and 1.0 PPM, and rarely do you need to add more than an occasional amount because saltwater, by its nature, contains chlorine within its own composition. Salt naturally doesn't provide a very welcoming environment for bacteria and germs.
- In freshwater swimming pools, chlorine stabilizing chemicals such as cyanuric acid (CA) need to be added frequently. In a saltwater pool, you only need to add something like CA when chlorine levels begin to rise above or drop below recommended chlorine minimums. Because saltwater, in effect, acts much like chlorine, there's usually little chlorine demand, which causes dissipation. For saltwater pools, a level between 80 and 125 PPM works best. Use a CA test kit to measure.
- All water features a certain natural level of pH or it wouldn't be water. For both freshwater and saltwater pools a pH level of 7.0 to 8.0 is recommended; 7.2 to 7.6 is usually best, though, which would make the water slightly alkaline in nature. Many different brand name pH balancing chemicals are available; read their package labels carefully for instructions on how to use them.
- A couple of other chemicals, calcium and magnesium, are used in saltwater pools. Both help to make saltwater softer, or less hard. Hard water can cause minerals in salt water to build up along pool walls and in piping systems. Salt water is naturally corrosive. Making it less so is the job of calcium and magnesium. Both come in packs ready made for saltwater pool systems. Add according to directions.