Customers of Shasta Pools have occasionally asked their professionals about the merits and feasibility of installing a salt water system.  This is an interest more often of people who are allergic to chlorine and suffering from itchy skin rashes or stinging eyes.  Other people also ask about salt water if they simply don’t like the chlorine smell and want to consider their alternatives.  While it is possible to convert your pool to saltwater, there are many differences in the way such a pool has to be maintained compared to a standard pool.  The biggest area of difference pertains to the stabilizer Cyanuric Acid (or CYA). 

Cyanuric Acid is a granular chemical which is important to make and maintain a clear, healthy swimming pool. It’s added to the water to form a chlorine shield against UV radiation. Without cyanuric acid, the sun causes chlorine to quickly break down in the water and chlorine is necessary to keep water free of harmful bacteria. On a typical sunny day, chlorine will disappear within 2 hours without CYA.  On the other hand, if too much CYA is added to the water the chlorine also won’t work properly so it’s critical to get the right balance. 

Shasta Pools tells us that in a salt-water system, the levels of CYA are much different.  There has to be greater amounts of CYA in salt-water than there is in a traditional swimming pool.  If there isn’t enough CYA in a saltwater pool, the sunlight will burn off the chlorine and the salt system will become unable to meet the demand.  In general cyanuric acid should be kept at a level of 60-80 ppm to be effective; however, the exact range will vary per pool.  If you already have a saltwater pool, consult with professionals like Shasta Pools. They can test the water, consider the pool dimensions, and make the correct recommendations for CYA.  If you’re just considering the possible advantages of a saltwater pool, discuss them with Shasta Pools or your local pool service provider.