What Percentage Should I Set My Salt Chlorine Generator To?

 

At the heart of keeping your saltwater pool in top condition is your saltwater chlorine generator. But one common question for many pool owners is, “What percentage should I set my saltwater chlorine generator to?”

Getting this setting wrong can lead to issues like algae growth, cloudy water, or rapid wear and tear on your entire pool system from over-chlorinating.

This guide will simplify the process for you. By the end of this post, you’ll learn how to determine the ideal settings based on your pool’s unique needs and how to maintain the system for long-term performance.

 

If you're looking for more information on how to care for your salt water pool you can check out our Salt Water Pool Care & Maintenance Guide 

 

 

Saltwater pools operate using salt chlorine generators (SWC), also known as Salt cells. These devices convert dissolved salt into chlorine through a process called electrolysis. During this process, electrical currents are applied to the saltwater, resulting in the formation of chlorine. This chlorine effectively disinfects the pool water by eliminating harmful bacteria and contaminants.

Once the chlorine has performed its disinfection duty, it naturally transforms back into salt, which means the system can repeat this process indefinitely. This self-sustaining cycle makes saltwater pools a popular choice for pool owners looking for a more efficient and lower-maintenance way to keep their water clean and clear.

 

Many saltwater pool owners mistakenly believe that increasing the setting on their salt systems boosts chlorine production. In reality, salt cells produce a static amount of chlorine.

The percentage (%) setting indicates how long the salt chlorine generator operates during its cycle. For example, a 50% setting on a salt cell with a 10-minute cycle generates chlorine for 5 minutes and is off for the remaining 5 minutes. This cycle repeats, so a higher percentage leads to more chlorine production.

It's important to remember that the salt system only functions when your pump is running and providing sufficient water flow.

Finding the right percentage is important. Setting it too low can allow algae or bacteria to flourish, while setting it too high may damage your pool and equipment due to over-chlorination.

 

Determining what percentage to set your salt chlorine generator to is based on a number of factors primarily your pools current chlorine level.

 

By now you should recognize that a salt water pool is a chlorine pool and that the main sanitizer is chlorine.

The number one factor you should take into consideration when setting the output percentage is what is the current chlorine level in your pool?

You need to test your pool water by using test strips or a test kit to determine your pools chlorine level. 

If the chlorine level in your pool is low or below 1-3ppm then you will want to turn the percentage setting up. 

If your chlorine level is high or above 1-3ppm then you will want to turn the percentage setting down.

 

People bring contaminants into your pool when they go swimming. So the more people you have using your pool and the frequency at which the pool is getting used will increase the need for chlorine to kill those contaminants. This is referred to as "bather load".

If your pool experiences a high bather load then you will want to turn the percentage setting up. 

If your is getting little or no use then you can likely turn the percentage setting down. 

Rainfall introduces contaminants into your pool and will likely require a higher output percentage to deal with these newly introduced contaminants 

Sunlight quickly burns off chlorine due to UV exposure, requiring higher percentages for pools in sunny areas. If your pool doesn’t get much shade, you may also want to consider using stabilizer to help mitigate the demand on your salt system.

Debris in your pool will increase the demand for chlorine which will require a higher output setting on your salt water chlorinator.

Debris such as leaves and other organic material should be removed from your pool to reduce your pools chlorine demand.

If you get Algae in your salt water pool often times the salt water chlorinator just can't generate chlorine fast enough to eliminate the algae completely.

If you get algae in your salt water pool we highly suggest "shocking" your pool with a chlorine based shock to eliminate the problem and get your pool back into shape.

You can eliminate Algae in your salt water pool by following our guide on How to get rid of algae in a pool fast.

 

Using a pool cover reduces UV chlorine breakdown and evaporation, making it possible to set your generator to a lower percentage. 

If you have an automatic pool cover it very important you turn down your salt system when closing the cover. Having your salt cell running at a high percentage for long periods of time with the cover closed can cause damage to the cover and its components.

 

This one is fairly self explanatory. The larger your pool and the larger the volume of water the higher your salt chlorine generators output setting will need to be set. 

This will exact setting will depend on our next and last point which is

 

Salt cells are sized and installed based on the volume of water your pool is. Salt cells if installed correctly will be oversized for your pool.

Depending on how oversized they are will also have an impact on your overall percentage setting. 

For example a 15,000 gallon pool with a salt cell sized for a 20,000 gallon pool will need a higher output percentage than a 20,000 gallon pool with a salt cell sized for a 40,000 gallon pool.

 

There is no one-size fits all answer for every salt water pool as it largely depends on the variables we have just discussed but if your new to salt water pools here are some starting points to get you started.

 

• Small pools (up to 10,000 gallons): Start with a setting of 20-40%.
• Medium pools (10,000–20,000 gallons): Start with a setting of 40-60%.
• Large pools (20,000+ gallons): Start with a setting of 60-80%.

Your initial setting should be an estimate. From there, monitor chlorine levels using a pool test kit and tweak your settings accordingly.

 

Most salt water pools require a salt level between 2700 to 3400 ppm to operate correctly. With the ideal level being 3200 ppm.

You should monitor your pools salt level by using salt test strips and add pool salt to your pools as needed.

A saltwater chlorine generator isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it device. Regular checks ensure everything runs smoothly. Here is what we recommend for ongoing maintenance. 

 

• Test chlorine levels 2-3 times per week during summer and once per week during cooler months.
• Monitor other aspects of water chemistry like pH (7.2–7.8 is ideal) and total alkalinity (80-120 ppm). Imbalanced water chemistry can reduce the efficiency of your generator.
• Test your pools salt level every 2-4 weeks and add pool salt as needed
  
  

Calcium build-up can coat the interior of salt cell over time, reducing efficiency and prventing the salt cell from working all together.

Clean your salt cell every 3 months using a cleaning solution and method recommended by the manufacturer. This can be found in the manual for your specific salt chlorine generator.

 

Your saltwater chlorine generator is the backbone of a sparkling, healthy pool. By understanding the percentage setting, regularly monitoring your chlorine levels, and adapting to conditions like usage and weather, you can ensure a long-lasting and enjoyable swimming experience.

Got tips from your own experience setting up a saltwater generator? Share them in the comments! Pool ownership can be daunting, but together, we can master the art of hassle-free chlorine management.

 

If your in need of a Swimming Pool Contractor & live in Ontario, Canada our team of pool specialists here at Hipel Pools Is here to help!