How much salt do I need for startup?

For a brand new 20,000 gallon pool, you need about 500-600 lbs of salt (approx 12-15 bags) to reach 3200 ppm.

No. Salt only leaves the pool via splash-out, backwashing, or leaks. Do not add salt just because you added water for evaporation. Only add salt if your test confirms the level is low.

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Pool Salt Salinity Calculator

Salt Water Salinity Calculator

Determine exactly how much salt to add for your Salt Chlorine Generator.

🏊 Pool Specs

Pool Volume (Gallons):

🧂 Salinity (PPM)

Current Salt Level:

Test with strips or drop kit.

Target Salt Level:

Usually 3000-3500 ppm.

The Infinite Loop

Salt Water Generators (SWG) are miraculous. They turn dissolved salt into pure chlorine. When that chlorine does its job (sanitizing), it turns back into salt. It is a renewable cycle.

The Low Salt Danger

If salinity drops below 2,800 ppm, your salt cell works harder to produce less chlorine. This shortens the lifespan of your expensive cell (which costs $500-$1,000 to replace).

The Corrosion Risk

Over-salting (>4,500 ppm) increases the conductivity of water, which accelerates galvanic corrosion on handrails, lights, and heaters. Never dumb salt blindly.

Store vs Home Testing

Salt meters in pool stores are often calibrated differently than your home unit or your salt cell's internal sensor.
Trust rule: Trust your Salt Cell's reading *unless* it says "Low Salt" but you added salt. Then verify with a drop test kit (Taylor K-1766).