twitch Posted October 13, 2008 Report Share Posted October 13, 2008 We just converted our standard chlorine pool over to a saltwater system. We have been in friends pools (more than one) that have the saltwater system and loved it. It felt so clean and didn't have that chlorine smell. We installed ours, our poolman added the salt (as he said does for numerous others in the area) but now not only does our pool still smell like chlorine, our skin itches so much after swimming it makes us crazy. Also, before we added the salt we changed the water since it had been 5 years. Any suggestions? I do trust that our poolman has experience in this but even he is stumped. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkusmier Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 We just converted our standard chlorine pool over to a saltwater system. We have been in friends pools (more than one) that have the saltwater system and loved it. It felt so clean and didn't have that chlorine smell. We installed ours, our poolman added the salt (as he said does for numerous others in the area) but now not only does our pool still smell like chlorine, our skin itches so much after swimming it makes us crazy. Also, before we added the salt we changed the water since it had been 5 years. Any suggestions? I do trust that our poolman has experience in this but even he is stumped. Thank you! Available or FC, aka free chlorine doesn't cause the chlorine odor you're experiencing - the culprit is combined chlorine or CC, aka combined chlorine. Salt water can sometimes cause a reaction to persons sensitive to it, but that's probably not the cause since multiple persons are complaining of itchy skin after swimming in your pool. Buy a good test kit and learn to use it - test your FC, CC, pH and TA. I would wager the itchiness is due your pH levels. The chlorine odor can be corrected by shocking the pool to burn out the chloramines. You should also check your salt level, and monitor the output setting on your salt water generator - it may not be set high enough to produce enough chlorine (aim for 3-5ppm FC w/ a salt-water pool). There are tons of fact-filled posts on this forum - use the search engine. Meanwhile, take at least a couple samples to a couple local pool stores and have them test your water. Hint - you should have the samples tested immediately after taking them from the pool - levels, especially FC, can drop quickly and delay will produce inaccurate results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strannik Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 salt water (in concentrations required for operation of SWG) cannot cause any reactions it's about the concentration of human tears so you would be having reaction all the time other than that - yeah it's chloramines shock your pool, try to find out what causes the level to rise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twitch Posted October 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 We just converted our standard chlorine pool over to a saltwater system. We have been in friends pools (more than one) that have the saltwater system and loved it. It felt so clean and didn't have that chlorine smell. We installed ours, our poolman added the salt (as he said does for numerous others in the area) but now not only does our pool still smell like chlorine, our skin itches so much after swimming it makes us crazy. Also, before we added the salt we changed the water since it had been 5 years. Any suggestions? I do trust that our poolman has experience in this but even he is stumped. Thank you! Available or FC, aka free chlorine doesn't cause the chlorine odor you're experiencing - the culprit is combined chlorine or CC, aka combined chlorine. Salt water can sometimes cause a reaction to persons sensitive to it, but that's probably not the cause since multiple persons are complaining of itchy skin after swimming in your pool. Buy a good test kit and learn to use it - test your FC, CC, pH and TA. I would wager the itchiness is due your pH levels. The chlorine odor can be corrected by shocking the pool to burn out the chloramines. You should also check your salt level, and monitor the output setting on your salt water generator - it may not be set high enough to produce enough chlorine (aim for 3-5ppm FC w/ a salt-water pool). There are tons of fact-filled posts on this forum - use the search engine. Meanwhile, take at least a couple samples to a couple local pool stores and have them test your water. Hint - you should have the samples tested immediately after taking them from the pool - levels, especially FC, can drop quickly and delay will produce inaccurate results. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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