Saltwater pools are a popular option for in-ground pool owners. They are preferred for their gentle approach to pool care. But let’s be clear, saltwater pool care still requires chlorine to sanitize the water. A saltwater pool converts salt to unstabilized chlorine that dissipates quickly and therefore requires regular water balancing and maintenance to keep your water sparkling and your equipment protected.
We know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry: it’s easy. And it doesn’t take a lot of time.
The point of a pool is maximizing fun, and with the BioGuard SaltScapes Saltwater Pool Care System, you can do just that. Even better, you’ll be having fun with sparkling water and protected pool equipment.
BioGuard SaltScapes Program Steps
Get BioGuard SaltScapes started right in five easy steps:
- Add SaltScapes SunShield Stabilizer directly to the water. One five-pound bag will treat up to 20,000 gallons of water. Your salt cell generates unstabilized chlorine that diminishes rapidly when exposed to UV rays, but SaltShield protects the generated chlorine, allowing it to last longer.
- Add the appropriate amount of salt. Each salt-chlorine generator needs a different level, so check your owner’s manual (or ask us). If you’re using a Pentair Intellichlor, 3,200 parts per million (ppm) is needed. On average, one bag of salt per 10,000 gallons of water will increase salt by 480 ppm.
- Add one bottle per 20,000 gallons of water of SaltScapes Algae Remover. Because algae can bloom in saltwater pools, it’s important to eradicate it before it has a chance, and this product kills all types of algae.
Allow your water to circulate for a few days, then begin balancing the water.
- Use a water bottle (or similar) to scoop up about a half pint of water from the pool. Do this away from the skimmer and return jets and make sure to dip down at least elbow-deep.
- Bring the water sample to any one of our locations for free testing. We’ll run it through the BioGuard Alex Water Test System. If the water is out of balance, we’ll give you detailed recommendations as to how to balance your water.
Saltwater Pool Maintenance
Now that you’re all set up and your water is balanced and your family and friends are enjoying the pool, it’s a matter of maintaining the pool.
Every week, you should:
- Add one bag of BioGuard OxySheen per 10,000 gallons of water to remove contaminants from the water that aren’t removed by chlorine alone.
- Add one ounce per 5,000 gallons of SaltScapes Algae Remover to prevent algae blooms.
- Test the water, keeping in mind it’s common for saltwater pools to have a high pH due to how the chlorine is produced. We may suggest using SaltScapes pH Decreaser to balance the water if the pH is too high.
Every month, you should:
- Add one bottle of SaltScapes Scale Defender per 10,000 gallons of water. Add it directly to the water with the pump running. Scale Defender binds to calcium-based scale crystals and prevents them from gathering and clumping on your pool surfaces, salt cell, and heat exchanger.
- Test the Stabilizer level and maintain a minimum of 30 ppm.
Every year, while you winterize your pool in the fall, you should acid-clean the cell in your chlorine generator.
BioGuard Optimizer
Optional but highly recommended, BioGuard Optimizer is a polishing agent for water molecules. Essentially, it removes the jagged edges from water, making it smoother and less likely to have algae attach to it. This product is only added to your pool water once and then additional doses are only needed as you add new water to your pool.
With proper setup and routine maintenance, your saltwater pool will give you season after season of sparkly, clean water and endless fun. That is why you bought it, right?