How to Convert a Sand Filter to Salt Water

Check your pool pump and filter to be sure it is compatible with a salt system. Your pool's compatibility information should be in the owner's manual. If you can't locate the information or have misplaced the manual, call the equipment manufacturer and ask about compatibility.

Select a salt system compatible with your current swimming pool equipment. The manufacturer of your pool equipment or a pool care specialist can help guide you to the system best-suited to your needs. Choose a system from a brand you trust with a control panel that's easy to read and use.

Drain your pool of all the chemically treated water. Once it's drained, refill the pool with fresh water.

Wire, or hire someone to wire, the salt-chlorine generator to your pool's existing pump. Doing so ensures that the generator turns on each time the swimming pool pump is turned on, allowing the generator to convert the pool salt to low-level chlorine. The low-level chlorine cleans and sanitizes your pool.

Add pool salt to your swimming pool. Use the amount recommended in your salt system instruction manual or have a pool care specialist recommend the amount to use for your swimming pool.

Test your pool water regularly to check for proper pH levels. If you are unsure about how to test the water, have a pool care specialist test it for you. Adjust the salt generator control panel as needed until your pool water is at the proper pH levels.