Salt in non-SWG pool result observations

[gonefishin]

Hi Steve,

Your at 2,200 now...how much difference did you find going over the 1,000 area?


thanks,
dan

[medvampire]

Kristen
I picked up my salt at Lowes. Diamond Crystal Solar salt was around $4.50 a bag. I took a water sample to the pool store before and after due to I dont have a salt testing kit as well. See pool stores are good for some thing. ** No offence water bear you are an exception to that statement. **



Dan
I noticed little difference in feel but I didn’t really give it long enough between bag 3 and bag 4. I did notice a difference from Saturday to Sunday when I dumped in bag no 5. The feel of Dawn’s hair and skin did feel a little softer and slick. I did notice a difference in taste as well.
If you don’t like the taste of salt I wouldn’t go over 1000 too far. It doesn’t bother me but I try not to drink too much pool water.

Steve

[waterbear]

** No offence water bear you are an exception to that statement. **

Steve

No offense taken. I tend to share your views of pool stores. To give an example of the type of incompetence that I find I went to a local one yesterday (NOT where I work but closer to my house) for a few things I needed. I told the kid ringing me up that I also needed 2 gal muriatic acid. He asked me if I got it already. I know they keep it in the back and I said no, not yet. (Gee, that's why I was telling him that I needed it!). A girl working there said she would get it and he rung up my sale. She carried it out to my car and I loaded it in along with my other purchases. (At least they offer good service) I was stopped at a red light while driving home so I looked at my reciept. He never charged me for the 2 gal of acid! I guess he was too busy trying to impress me with his knowledge commenting on the reagents I purchased for my Taylor kit! (He didn't have a clue about them either!) I guess the right thing to do is tell them the next time I go back there. It will be a while since I only use them for Taylor reagents and acid.

Sorry for going off topic!

[NWMNMom]

We too added the solar salt to our pool and posted the results under Rangeball's thread on this. It was solar salt at $3.27 for #40 - 3 bags. This was probably 2 weeks ago. We are almost thinking of one more bag.

The water DOES feel great, hair/skin/eyes all benefit. The heat retention theory is interesting and makes me wonder....our pool sits around 84-88 these days, but then its been 80s one week, 90s another, now 80s......nights in high 50s, low 60s (one or two exceptions that were higher)

[Sherra]

I'm going to add salt to my pool next season. I told hubby that a few days ago and he's fine with it...but I do all the pool stuff, so he really doesn't care as long as he gets to swim in it. As for the heat thing...man, I hope it's not true! Our pool temp hasn't been below 90 in a couple of months! July 3rd it was 101 when we took the solar cover off...can you say hot tub?! We've pretty much had it off since then with the exception of a few days. But, we all (my hubby and daughter and myself) all feel "refreshed" if the water temp is below about 95. But, our pool is in full sun from about 8:30 in the morning until sunset, so maybe we've just gotten used to the warmer water.

[NWMNMom]

I wonder if circulating your water at night or leaving the cover off at night might cool it down some? Do you have a solar panel heater? Running that at night will definitely cool the pool down (kind of a reverse heating system) Ours was sitting at 89 today, but we forgot to open the diverter so it had been going through the panels during the day. Lucky for us, 8 teenagers had a swim this afternoon and splashed out a LOT so we got to top it off with some nice cool water - the salt REALLY does make such a nice difference in the way the water feels. I am picking up another 40# tomorrow along with my bleach supplies.

[KirstenHW]

Well, I took the plunge yesterday. Got four 40# bags of the stuff MedVampire recommended from Lowes ($4.43/bag) and dumped in in both the skimmers and into a leaf net over the side. I noticed a difference immediately! Verrrry nice. I am assuming my salt ppm is around 800 ppm (per the BleachCalc app). I took before and after water samples that I will try to get tested today at the pool store. Not sure if I'll add any more - I can't believe the difference it made - especially with my hair - no more nasty tangles after a swim. I did see the temp drop 2 degrees - it was wild. I have a floating digital thermometer that read 80 all day yesterday - as soon as I put the first batch of salt in, it dropped to 78 before my eyes. Pretty cool science experiment!

[handy1]

I'm not sure how much salt you need to add to a 30k gallon inground concrete pool. I see lots of posts about adding 4 lbs or so - but in what proportion to the water?

[medvampire]

Handy
I would recommend getting a salt level before you start. You can buy salt test kits from Ben but I just took my water to the pool store and had it tested. After you get the salt level decide where you want the level to be. I wanted 2000 ppm. I needed 200 lbs to get me to around 1700 – 1800 according to bleachcalc. A few days after adding the salt I had the water retested at another pool store and had a 2200ppm witch is no big deal for me.
Quick summary
1. Get salt tested.
2. Use bleachcalk for needed amount of salt.
3. Get the amount of pure salt recommended by bleachcalc.
4. Pour salt bag in pool 1 bag at a time checking your tolerance, preference, or calculated goal ppm is reached
5. Enjoy salty pool.
6. Get salt tested a few days after pool is salted.
7. Tell us about your experience.
Steve

[matt4x4]

Well, I added 200 lbs of salt to our pool last week while on vaca, I just love it!
The kid had fun playing with the pellets for the afternoon.
Is it just me or does it seem to become a lower maintenance pool once you add salt? From my experience so far, it looks as though the bugs and stuff that sink are not decomposing as quickly, and there is absolutely no sign of dirt in my pool since adding the salt, the water has been sparkling clear, it seems to me I'm adding less chlorine too.....
And it's been hotter that he11 around here too!!!!