Easy Saltwater Pool Care with Simple Scoop

Saltwater pools are awesome, but it's important to understand how saltwater pool care does--or does not--differ from traditional chlorine pools. In this guide, we'll explore the key steps to caring for your saltwater pool.

The basics

Before diving into maintenance, it is important to understand the basics of how a saltwater pool works. 

Saltwater pools have a saltwater chlorine generator which converts the salt in your water into chlorine through a process called electrolysis. Then, the chlorine generated sanitizes your pool just like the chlorine you can buy in stores. So instead of adding chlorine directly to your water to keep your chlorine levels up, you add salt to your water that produces chlorine. 

Caring for your Saltwater Pool

Salt 

It is crucial to maintain the correct salt level in your water, otherwise, your generator will not be able to create the chlorine that keeps your pool clean.

The great thing about saltwater pools is that you shouldn't have to add salt very often. That's because the salt is used by the generator to make chlorine, then it is recycled back into the water to be used again and again!!

However, you will lose salt or dilute your salt levels in other ways. So, it is important to check your salt levels when you open your pool for the season, add more water into your pool, have heavy rains, or splash a lot of saltwater out of the pool. 

Usually, you will want your salt level to be between 2,700 to 3,400 parts per million (PPM), but check your saltwater chlorine generator's manual for your recommended range. Follow your manual for details on how much salt you will need and how to add. 

Simple Scoop

Each week add Simple Scoop to your pool to keep your water clear and prevent issues like algae or cloudiness. If you use Simple Scoop, you won't have to purchase a bunch of other products (clarifier, shock, algaecide, etc.) and your pool should be much easier to maintain. 

Keep your water balanced

Test your pH, Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Alkalinity and Calcium Hardness each week to make sure they are in line. Head over to our Pool Chemicals 101 guide to see exactly what you need based on your test strip to get these levels balanced. 

If you are using Simple Scoop regularly you won't have to balance as often, but we still recommend testing weekly because external factors like storms or heavy pool use might throw something off. 

By following this guide you can keep your salt water pool sparkling. And if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our Pool Day team!