Can you fill and top up a swimming pool that uses a saltwater conversion system with sea water rather than fresh water with salt added?

Answer 1

I would not recommend using sea water in a fresh water pool even if it uses a salt water sanitation system.

First, the amount of salt in a saltwater treated pool is very low (around 0.5%, which is one-half of one-percent). This concentration of salt is about half as much as a teardrop (1%) and nearly eight times less than sea water (3.75%).

Thus, you would more than likely not be able to get the salt level correct due the to differences in salt concentration (between sea water and a salt-treated fresh water pool).

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Most of the salt/chlorine generators on the market for residential pools have a set range of salt concentration, temperature and flows that have to be satisfied for these units to even start do generate chlorine. To little salt or to much, the unit will not produce. The range of salt concentration is roughly 2400 ppm -- 3700 ppm, temp is 55 degrees on bottom and 98 degrees on top. The main concerns with the chlorine generator community is that you still need to balance the pool water anyway. PH,ALK,HARD,ACIDIC all of these have perimeters that should stay in a certain range. Maintaining water balance is key for optimal life of the equipment and pool shell surfaces.

Answer 2

You can if you want, but you would have to make sure you do not open your eyes underwater by any means or of course "accidentally" drink the water. You're much better off getting a freshwater pool The question related to topping off a pool with water not purchasing a pool. Your pool equipment has to be of a specific design and certified to work well with sea water. Most swimming pool equipment is not built to those standards. Besides, a lot of locals or cities that are situated near the ocean usually have contamination in their sea water. Not a good idea.

Answer 3

You can without doing any particular harm to any thing. However you must keep in mind that you run the risk of importing some pretty nasty algae that may give you a lot of trouble in the future both in work and cost.