How To Care For A Fiberglass Salt Water Pool

Updated: 02/17/25

Maintaining a saltwater or saline pool, is essentially the same as maintaining any other swimming pool. Why, you ask? Because there’s no real difference between a saltwater pool and a traditional chlorine pool. Both rely on chlorine to keep the water clean. The main distinction is that in a saltwater pool, chlorine is generated from salt, while in a traditional pool, chlorine is manually added.

The process: The simple explanation

When your pool is installed, around 200 to 400 pounds of salt (depending on the pool size) is added to the water to reach a salt concentration of 2,800–3,200 parts per million. A conversion cell is then placed in the pool's equipment area. This cell transforms the dissolved salt into chlorine molecules. These chlorine molecules then circulate back into the pool, attach to and destroy waste molecules, and return to salt form. The cycle continues as the salt returns to the pump, gets converted into chlorine, and repeats.

For a deeper explanation see blog post: Salt Water Chlorine Generators: History, Types, Operation, and Considerations

Salt system maintenance:

Maintaining a saltwater pool is straightforward. Other than periodically checking the chlorinator cell for mineral deposits or buildup and ensuring the salt levels in the pool are sufficient, there’s not much else to do. Typically, you’ll only need to add salt every other year, and even then, only about 20 to 40 pounds. Over time, usually within 3–8 years, the conversion cell will need replacing. The lifespan of the cell depends on factors such as power output, water chemistry, and maintaining the correct salt levels.

Normal pool maintenance:

That’s right—regular pool maintenance still applies. Owning a saltwater pool doesn’t free you from regular pool upkeep, aside from the need to buy chlorine. You’ll still need to check the total alkalinity, ensuring it’s within the 80–110 ppm range. You'll also need to monitor the pH levels, which should be between 7.2 and 7.6, and ensure the chlorine level stays between 1.0 and 2.5 ppm.

In essence, saltwater pools simplify chlorine management, but you still need to perform routine maintenance for optimal water quality

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