Poolsalt is used together with a salt chlorinator that converts chloride ions into active disinfection. Too low or too high a salt level can trigger alarms, reduce output, or place unnecessary strain on the equipment, so dosing should always follow the system's target range.
Short answer: Measure the salt level, calculate the pool's actual volume, and add salt in stages. Let it dissolve with circulation before measuring again.
How much pool salt is needed?
Start with the difference between the measured salt level and the salt chlorinator's recommended level. A practical rule of thumb in the calculation is that 1 kilogram of salt in 1 cubic meter of water raises the salt level by about 1 gram per liter.
Example: if 30 cubic meters of water need to be raised by 1 gram per liter, about 30 kilograms of salt are needed. Always check the product's and system's instructions before dosing.
Measure before adding
The pool may already contain salt from previous seasons and certain chemical products. If you add based on an estimate instead of a measured value, it is easy to end up too high.
Take the sample when the water has circulated and use a method intended for the range your system operates in.
How to add salt
Common causes of incorrect salt levels
- Incorrectly estimated water volume
- Top-up after backwashing or splashing
- Heavy rain and draining
- Measuring before the salt has had time to mix
- Sensor that needs cleaning or calibration
Gentle operation over time
Check the salt cell and material compatibility according to the system's service plan. Salt does not disappear through evaporation, but leaves the pool when water is spilled, drained, or backwashed. Therefore, dose based on measurement, not the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Can regular household salt be used?
Use salt that meets the salt chlorinator's requirements and does not contain unsuitable additives. Always follow the equipment's specifications.
What do I do if the salt level is too high?
Salt cannot be filtered out. The level is normally lowered through controlled water replacement, taking local regulations and the pool's construction into account.
See Pooltime's solutions for water treatment and salt chlorination.
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