Yes, saltwater pools still need chemicals including pH adjusters, alkalinity increasers, stabilizer, and calcium hardness increasers. The salt chlorine generator only produces chlorine - you must manually balance all other water chemistry parameters.
Find on Amazon: Taylor K-2006C Pool Test Kit , Muriatic Acid pH Decreaser , Sodium Bicarbonate Alkalinity Up
Yes, saltwater pools absolutely need chemicals. While your salt chlorine generator (SWG) produces chlorine automatically, you still need to manually add pH decreaser, alkalinity increaser, stabilizer, and calcium hardness increaser. The generator only handles chlorine production - all other water balance parameters require chemical additions just like traditional pools.
Salt chlorine generators naturally raise pH as they operate, often pushing levels above 8.0. You'll need muriatic acid or dry acid to bring pH down to the ideal range of 7.4-7.6. Expect to add pH decreaser weekly or bi-weekly. For a 20,000-gallon pool, start with 1 quart of muriatic acid to lower pH by approximately 0.2 units, then retest after 4 hours of circulation.
Total alkalinity acts as a pH buffer and should stay between 60-80 ppm for saltwater pools (lower than traditional pools). When alkalinity drops too low, pH becomes unstable and difficult to control. Add 1.5 pounds of sodium bicarbonate per 10,000 gallons to raise alkalinity by 10 ppm. Always add alkalinity increaser to the deep end with the pump running.
Saltwater pools need higher stabilizer levels than traditional pools - target 70-80 ppm to protect the chlorine your generator produces. Without adequate stabilizer, sunlight destroys chlorine faster than your SWG can produce it. Add 1 pound of cyanuric acid per 3,000 gallons to raise levels by approximately 30 ppm. Pre-dissolve stabilizer in a bucket before adding to prevent cloudy water.
Maintain calcium hardness between 250-350 ppm for plaster pools, or 150-250 ppm for vinyl/fiberglass. Low calcium causes corrosive water that damages pool surfaces and equipment. Add 1.25 pounds of calcium chloride per 10,000 gallons to raise hardness by 10 ppm.
Salt chlorine generators work through electrolysis, converting dissolved salt into chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide. While this process creates sanitizer, it also:
Many pool owners mistakenly believe saltwater pools are "chemical-free," but this misconception leads to water balance problems and equipment damage.
Test your saltwater pool chemistry twice weekly using a quality test kit like the Taylor K-2006C. Check free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, and salt levels each test. Monthly, test cyanuric acid and calcium hardness levels.
Weekly chemical additions typically include:
Your salt chlorine generator should maintain free chlorine levels between 1-3 ppm automatically, but verify this with testing. If chlorine levels stay low despite proper salt levels and generator operation, check your cyanuric acid - insufficient stabilizer causes rapid chlorine loss.
Salt pools require specific water balance ranges for optimal performance. Keep total alkalinity lower than traditional pools (60-80 ppm) because high alkalinity combined with salt generator operation causes pH to rise rapidly and scale formation on the generator cell.
Safety warning: Never add muriatic acid directly to the skimmer or while people are in the pool. Always add acid to the deep end with the pump running, and wait at least 30 minutes before swimming.
Monitor your generator cell monthly for calcium buildup. If you see white, flaky deposits, the cell needs cleaning with a mild muriatic acid solution (1 part acid to 10 parts water). Proper water balance prevents excessive scaling and extends cell life.
While saltwater pools reduce the need for liquid chlorine purchases, you'll still spend money on pH adjusters, alkalinity increasers, and other balancing chemicals. Budget approximately $100-200 annually for chemicals in an average-sized saltwater pool, compared to $300-500 for traditional chlorine pools.
Was this guide helpful?
Try our free pool calculators and tools to help diagnose and fix your pool problems.
Browse Pool ToolsSLAM calculator, pH calculator, salt dosing & more
Pool Repair Question