Once you have decided to convert your pool over to salt water, you have to find the system that is best suited for your pool.

There are several issues to consider:

1. Find a brand that you are comfortable with.

Look at the control box.  Are the controls easy to read?  Is it weatherproof? Do the controls give you enough information to be able to easily diagnose any problems?

2. Find a unit that will produce enough chlorine.

Make sure that it will be able to handle your pool’s chlorine needs even during times of highest usage. If you are not sure what size unit you need, see our salt system sizing chart.

3. Make sure your pool equipment is compatible with a salt system.

Most pool equipment is compatible with salt, but there are a few pieces that are not.  If in doubt, check with the manufacturer of the equipment to see if your pump, filter and heater are compatible.  Some warranties may be voided by the installation of a salt system.  In particular some heaters and newer stainless steel filters are not designed for use with a salt system.  The older stainless steel filters like Swimquip DES series filters handle salt just fine, but the newer Pentair NS stainless steel filters can develop corrosion issues quickly and the manufacturer will not warranty it.

NOTE: Technically water is not officially considered to be “salt water” until you reach a threshold of 6000 ppm salt.  Up to that point it is considered to be “fresh water”, but the salt in the water even at 3000 ppm can accelerate corrosion in some situations.