How to Maintain a Saltwater Pool

The job of your saltwater generator is to convert the salt in the water into chlorine. However, this is not the only chemical balancing you need to worry about when taking care of your above ground saltwater pool. Purchase the Saltwater Series chemical maintenance kit with test kits along with your saltwater pool and saltwater chlorine generator. This will ensure you will have everything you need to get yourself up and running, with the exception of actual salt. Inside your Saltwater Series Chemical Maintenance Kit you will find:

• Saltwater pH increaser
• Saltwater pH decreaser
• Saltwater alkalinity increaser
• Saltwater alkalinity decreaser
• Saltwater oxidizing shock
• Saltwater stabilizer
• 4 way test strips (50 strips)
• Salt test strips (16 strips)

pH Balancing

To control the acidity of your pool water, use the pH increaser or decreaser to adjust it to the proper level. To determine your current pH level, use the Pool Check 4 in 1 Chlorine Test strips included in the kit. The pH helps the chlorine in your pool work more effectively when it is between the range of 7.2 and 7.6. If the pH level is too high, bring it down with the pH decreaser. If the pH level is too low, bring it up with the pH increaser. How much you add is determined by how many gallons of water your pool holds as well as the current level of pH. Follow the instructions on the bottle to get the level where you need it to be. Run the circulation system (filter) for at least 8 hours to insure proper distribution.

Alkalinity Balancing

Similar to pH, alkalinity needs to be adjusted to its proper level. Alkalinity helps keep your pH balanced. Your alkalinity level should be between 80-120 ppm. To determine your current alkalinity level, use the Pool Check 4 in 1 Chlorine Test strips included in the kit. If the alkalinity level is too high, bring it down with the alkalinity decreaser. If the alkalinity level is too low, bring it up with the alkalinity increaser. How much you add is determined by how many gallons of water your pool holds as well as the current level of alkalinity. Follow the instructions on the bottle to get the level where you need it to be. Run the circulation system (filter) for at least 8 hours to insure proper distribution.

Oxidizing Shock

Oxidizing shock is a non-chlorine shock that replaces super chlorination. Use this product for the initial treatment of the swimming pool water (opening), when you are closing the pool for the winter and also for weekly care and after heavy use. Broadcast the required amount uniformly over the surface of the pool water. Run the circulation system (filter) for at least 8 hours to insure proper distribution.

Saltwater Stabilizer

Stabilizer helps protect chlorine in pool water from dissipation caused by sunlight. You should use stabilizer if intense sunlight causes difficulty in maintaining chlorine residual. To determine your current stabilizer level (cyanuric acid), use the Pool Check 4 in 1 Chlorine Test strips included in the kit. The ideal range for a salt water pool is 60-80 ppm. With your circulation system on add this product slowly to the pool water. Follow the chart on the bottle to determine how much stabilizer you should use. Check the stabilizer level weekly and add this product as needed.

The Pool Check 4 in 1 Chlorine Test strips are used to determine your pool water’s chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer levels. All you need to do is dip one strip into the pool’s water and match the colors to the chart on the bottle.