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8.8.3
Adding Salt
Type of Salt to Add
It is important to use Sodium Chloride (NaCl) salt that is greater than 99% pure. Acceptable
types of salt include granular food grade, pool salt, water softener pellets, or solar salt
flakes; these are usually available in 25 to 60 lb. bags (11 to 27 kg) at local pool or building
supply outlets. Pool salt or food grade granular salt will dissolve faster than pellets or flakes.
Rock salt and Granular Salt with Iodine or Rust Preventatives should not be used, as these
mixtures contain high levels of impurities and will cause staining. Granular salts containing
anti-caking additives such as YPS (Yellow Prussiate of Soda) or sodium ferrocyanide are
not recommended as they can cause a localized tint to the water or yellow staining of the
pool/spa finish.
Amount of Salt Required
Test the water for current salt content first!
The ideal salt range is 3,000
– 4,500 ppm (mg/L). The minimum salt level is 2,500 ppm
(mg/L). However, if so desired, the Digital Nano/Nano+ can operate with salt levels in
excess of 35,000 ppm (mg/L). Salt levels above 6,000 ppm (mg/L) are not normally
recommended, as corrosion issues may result. Salt levels below 2,400 ppm (mg/L) will
reduce the efficiency of the Digital Nano/Nano+, and will result in low chlorine production.
Extremely low salt levels below 1,900 ppm (mg/L) will activate the low salt safety cut off,
and will halt chlorine production until salt is replenished to proper levels. Once the Digital
Nano/Nano+ is programmed to the pool water volume, the controller will automatically
indicate how much salt is required to attain ideal salt levels.
See the Salt Addition Chart and reference table, on page 52 for information on amount of
salt to be added relative to the volume of water to be treated vs. existing salt level.
How to Add Salt to Pool
CAUTION:
Failure to heed the following may result in equipment damage.
Do not use a pool cleaner or vacuum head with wheels, as wheels can leave
track marks on newly-plastered pools. Do not allow Granular salt to pile up in
one location, without brushing, as staining may occur.
The circulation pump should be run continuously until the salt has been fully dissolved
–
typically 24 hours. Add salt directly to pool (or spa, if a spa-only installation), and over the
main drain (if main drain is present). If there is no main drain, a vacuum head may be used
to encourage salt circulation. Distributing the salt by brushing is also helpful; brush the salt
toward the main drain (if one is present). Set pump operation to normal run time after salt
has fully dissolved into water.
If the salt level becomes undesirably high, the only way to remove excess salt is to partially
drain the pool/spa and refill with fresh water.
