Pool Salt Level Guide: How to Test and Maintain Perfect Balance

Do you have trouble keeping saltwater pools clear? A perfect salt level is necessary for pool clarity and health. This article discusses how to test, fine-tune, and maintain pool salt levels, addressing many common problems with pool salt.

What Are Pool Salt Levels? 

In a pool, the salt concentration in the water is termed the pool salt level. The pool salt level is typically measured in parts per million (ppm). Then, what is the ideal pool salt level? We want the salt level to hover, in fact, between 3,000 ppm and 3,500 ppm, since this is a sweet spot for the salt-chlorine generator to operate well. With lower or excessively high levels of salts, troubles begin to arise concerning water clarity and upkeep of your pool.

Why Pool Salt Levels Matter 

The ideal pool salt concentration ranges from 3,000 ppm to 3,500 ppm, with 3,200 ppm being the best. Below that level, the chlorinator does not perform well, and the water gets cloudy. Thus, keeping your pool at a salt level below the prescribed level means that not enough chlorine is being generated to prevent algae or bacterial growth. You might wonder why my pool salt level is low. Low salt levels may be attributed to salt being washed out of the pool due to heavy rainfall. 

If the salt is too high, corrosion and damage to the lining of the pool and pool parts may occur. This often happens when excess salt is added to the pool or high evaporation from sunlight raises the concentration of salt in your pool. In these incidents, dilution with fresh water will be required, either by adding water to the pool or draining some of the saline water.

How to Test Pool Salt Levels 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to testing pool salt levels:

1. Mix the pool water thoroughly before taking a sample for the test.
2. Dip a water sampling container into the water being tested. Rinse thoroughly. 
3. Fill the container up to half full.
4. Remove the protective cap from your salinity meter and turn the unit on. 
5. Immerse the salinity meter in the sample up to the raised mark (approximately 25 mm), and slowly swirl the meter. The two electrodes of the meter must be covered. 
6. Allow the displayed value to stabilize. It takes several seconds to compensate for the sample's temperature. 
7. Read the number on the meter, then convert it to the desired units and record the reading. 
8. Wash off the lower part of the meter with fresh water, especially the electrodes.

Tip: Test every 1–2 weeks or after rain or backwashing.

How Should You Adjust Pool Salt Levels

Maintaining salt levels in your swimming pool within their ideal range allows the pool chlorinator to perform well and keep the pool water clean and pure. In case the pool salt level needs to be adjusted, whether high or low, here’s how to adjust the pool salt level in either case.

Low Salt Level

• Use salt test strips, a drop test kit, or a digital salt meter to determine your current salt level. This helps you calculate the amount of salt you need to add.
• Once you know your current level, use a pool salt calculator or follow product packaging to determine how many pounds of salt are required to reach the target range. For example, to raise the salt by 500 ppm in 10,000 gallons of water, one would need about 125 lbs of pool salt.
• Only use pool-grade salt (sodium chloride that is 99.8% pure or more). Never use rock or table salt, or any salt with additives, which can harm your pool system.
• Broadcast the salt across the shallow end of the pool with the pump running, so it dissolves quickly. Also, brush the pool floor to prevent the salt from settling there.
• Run the pump and filter for 24 hours to completely dissolve and evenly distribute the salt.
• After circulation, retest the water. Add more salt if needed, but avoid overcorrecting.

High Salt Level

• If your salt level is above the recommended range, the only way to lower it is to dilute the pool water. Use your test result to estimate how much water needs to be drained.
• Partially drain the pool, then refill with fresh water. The amount you drain depends on how far above the ideal range your salt level is.
• Run the pump for 24 hours to allow even mixing. Retest the water to confirm the salt level is within range.

Here’s a pool salt calculator to find out the ideal pool salt levels

Common Pool Salt Level Problems and Solutions 

When balancing pool salt levels, there are certain mistakes pool owners make that affect the overall balance. 

• Not testing free chlorine: The saltwater generator generates chlorine, and the chlorine levels must be between 1-3 ppm for ideal water sanitation. If the balance is offset, it may affect the generator’s functioning and may not sanitize your pool correctly. 
• Not testing pH levels: pH levels of a saltwater pool are naturally higher due to the salt-chlorine generator. If the pH is higher than 7.6, it may cause skin irritation or a burning sensation in the eyes. Test and balance your pool’s pH every week by adding a pH increaser or a decreaser.
• High salt levels damage pool equipment: If your pool has higher salinity, it may corrode your pool equipment. Rinse your pool ladder with a garden hose at least once a week. Use a pool lube to prevent O-rings from breaking down.

Tips for Maintaining Pool Salt Levels 

• Regularly test your pool salt levels to see if they are balanced. 
• Use pool-grade salt to maintain your pool’s salinity. 
• Monitor water loss occurring due to evaporation or splash-out.
• Make sure to balance pool pH, alkalinity, calcium, and salt levels weekly to maintain water balance.

The Key Takeaway 

Testing and maintaining pool salt levels is pretty easy. By using testing strips and making necessary adjustments, your pool salt levels will be in check. If it’s too low, add pool-grade salt, and if it’s too high, dilute it with fresh water. You may use a pool cleaner for saltwater pool maintenance, as it can perfectly work in saltwater and is helpful in maintaining salt levels. Enjoyed this guide? Share your pool salt tips in the comments below.