Saltwater pool 4213750 220704382 2008-06-21T04:22:43Z 76.204.208.115 I removed the section that stated salt count is lowered by evaporation; the salt count is never reduced unless water is splashed out, backwashed, or it is diluted by rainwater. {{Verify credibility|date=August 2007}} '''Saltwater pools''' use dissolved [[salt]] (3,000-6,000 [[parts per million|ppm]]) as a store for the [[chlorination]] system. The chlorinator uses [[electrolysis]] to break down the salt ([[Sodium chloride|NaCl]]) and release the chlorine into the water. The main advantage of this is that the main chemical added to the pool is salt which is harmless compared to the usual bleaching agents like chlorine. As such, a saltwater pool is not actually chlorine-free; it simply utilizes a chlorine generator instead of direct addition of chlorine. When chlorine levels are low in the pool, your salinity level is down, you increase chlorine levels by adding more salt into the pool. Salt count can be lowered due to splash out, backwashing, and dilution via rainwater. ==Technique== To super chlorinate the pool, as is recommended monthly, the chlorinator and pump are left to run for 24 hours rather than the usual 8. Note that super chlorination is not a substitute for oxidation. It is recommended to shock/oxidize your pool weekly to break down bacteria and contaminants that may get in your pool as well as to help prevent algae. Super chlorination is not strong enough to oxidize a salt water pool. The chlorinator cell consists of parallel plates made of a mesh coated with [[ruthenium]], [[iridium]] and [[titanium]]. The cell needs regular cleaning in a mild acid solution (1 part [[HCl]] to 15 parts pool water) to remove the buildup of [[calcium]] which can reduce the effectiveness of the cell. Running the chlorinator for long periods with not enough salt in the pool can strip the coating off the cell which then requires an expensive replacement as can using too strong an acid wash. Saltwater pools also require stabilizer ([[cyanuric acid]]) to help stop the chlorine from evaporating out of the pool. Usual levels are 60-80ppm. They also require the [[pH]] to be kept between 7.0 and 7.8 with the chlorine being more effective if the pH is kept closer to 7.0. The salt levels are much less than the ocean, which has salt levels of around 35 parts per thousand (ppt)<ref>[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/dissolved_salts.html&edu=elem http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/dissolved_salts.html&edu=elem]</ref>. The salt is poured across the bottom of the pool and swept with the pool brush until it dissolves. Concentrated salt solution should not be allowed into the skimmer as it may damage the cell or controller. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://phoenix.about.com/cs/wet/a/saltpool01.htm About: A Salt-Water Pool is Often the Pool of Choice] [[Category:Swimming pools]]