Salt water pool care questions

[MisterBigglesworth]

Have started looking after our pool, at the pool service that did it was just getting a bit much and we need to start getting more money wise. I use to look after our chlorine based pool when I still lived at home...that was no issue. Salt water pools...Im a bit unsure of. So I read up a bit about it.

I then bought a salt testing kit...which is just some strips that you dip in the water and it tells you PPM salt. So ja...reading came back and all seems fine there, no salt needs to be added for now.

I now need to test the pH etc etc, but not sure what testing kit I should buy. Do I just get the HTH one and test the water as I would for a non-salt water pool? The labels are a bit confusing as they dont mention you can use the HTH testing kits with salt water pools?

 

[GMAN03]

Firstly, smart move, the pool services seem like a bit of an overpriced service in my opinion, but I guess it differs from person to person.

Treat it as an ordinary pool except without the need to add chlorine. Just get a standard kit and test as with non-salt pool. I use the HTH testing kit instead of strips because it makes more economic sense but my local pool shop uses strips when I take a water sample to them for testing.

I have personally noticed my pH and alkalinity being exceptionally stable since the switch to salt, I probably adjust once a year, maybe twice at most. Shock treat every now and then, particularly when you notice algae growth even in the presence of sufficient chlorine.

One thing that you may need to consider though will be the calcium hardness of the water. If you can keep this down you will find that the chlorinator electrode is a doddle to clean, whereas if the calcium hardness is higher, it makes cleaning the chlorinator a bit more challenging. As mentioned, I take water samples for tests at my local pool shop who are kind enough to do it free of charge as I buy all my chemicals there. Their test strips are able to test calcium hardness, something that the HTH kit that I have is unable to do.

Last hint, winter is coming and as such I always switch off my chlorinator when the water temperature starts to drop quite low. I have found that this significantly extends the life of my chlorinator electrode and as it's winter, the demand for adding dry chlorine to the water is minimal, but still keep it within the recommended range. If your pool water doesn't get exceptionally cold in winter there is no need for this measure.

 

[HvRooyen]

HTH test kits work fine.
Manage pH readings as you would normally. You may notice higher acid needs than with regular chlorine pools.

 

[HvRooyen]

GMAN03: How do you reduce the Calcium levels?

 

[Frikkenator]

I have no idea, but I do know that pH is a standard, so I can't think that it would differ based on what you're testing.

 

[wetkit]

Hey, salt pools is great.
I also find that the PH levels stays extremely constant, but I do have a fiberglass pool.
As the clorine levels stay very constant, you find that you have to shock it every now and again, but 3kg of dry HTH lasts me a year.
I also find that you have to keep the stabiliser levels in check. If they too low, you can add HTH till it comes outta your ears but the pool stays green.

 

[Compton_effect]

I had a bad experience with a chlorinator. I ended up having it removed. Two chlorine tablets a week in summer, and a pack of Pool-Magic every 6 weeks. Have to run metal remover through my pool every 6 months, but did the same with the chlorinator.
Clear blue pool water, with no burn.

 

[DJ...]

Those strips are brilliant - they've got the pH, chlorine etc levels on them. Alternatively you simply use an ordinary liquid drop testing kit...

 

[GMAN03]

GMAN03: How do you reduce the Calcium levels?

That is a very good question. I just buy a product for that purpose from the pool shop, although I can't seem to find the name of it. I initially believed it might be a load of BS but after about a month I noticed a huge difference in the ease of cleaning the chlorinator. Just ask any reputable shop for a product to reduce calcium hardness. I would first be sure that it is too high though because having it too low can cause problems such as corrosive water etching of the pool surface.

 

[Ou grote]

Just check the expiry dates of those test strips, they don't last forever.

 

[MisterBigglesworth]

Awesome replies all, thanks so much! Glad to hear is very similar to maintain a chlorine pool, except adding acid. Read up you need to add a different acid if needed, but ja...feeling bit better.

I bought that salt test strips, 10 in a bottle one. R120...eish...expensive. Saw they had the other test strips that pretty much tell you everything...but again...at R90, and to test twice a week = expensive.

Will grab myself a HTH test kit