This independent website is funded by its readers. It can earn a commission on any purchases made through product links, at no extra cost to the buyer. Learn more >
Already an owner of an Intex above ground pool? Maybe you’re thinking of buying one and and want to upgrade from a chemical chlorine method of pool hygiene management to the Intex saltwater system.
It can be a little bewildering when looking at the choices available and trying to understand the all the technical specifications.
Don’t worry we have assembled all the tools that you will need to decide which of the Intex range of saltwater systems is going to be best for your above ground pool.
We’ve also included some alternative systems for larger pools too.
Intex Saltwater System Benefits
- Lower chlorine level
- No chlorine smell
- Soft silkier feeling water
- Less maintenance
- No more “red eye”
- Consistant sanitation
- Lower chlorine level
- No chlorine smell
- Soft silkier feeling water
- Less maintenance
- No more “red eye”
- Consistant sanitation
The initial cost to set up the Intex Saltwater System can seem a little high, but this upgrade is a major enhancement to pool your experience and pool enjoyment.
It’s a particularly good investment for the children. They’re probably be spending hours everyday playing in the pool during the summer and a salt chlorination system is much less aggressive approach to pool hygiene.
From the very first season the saltwater system will start paying back the cost of buying and setting it up by eliminating many of the traditional chemical additives.
Ease of use, pool pleasure, and peace of mind, well we can’t put a value on that.
Choosing a Saltwater System For Above Ground Pools
Knowing your pools capacity is the first obvious step in knowing which system to choose.
Below is a convenient table of typical Intex pools with their water capacities to help select the best Intex saltwater system for your pool range and size.
Intex Saltwater Systems. How Much Salt ?
These are official Intex salt recommendations. From our experience and other user reports they may be a little on the high side in terms of salt quantities. We suggest starting up using 50 – 75% of the values below and building up after testing.
Remember it will take several days to reach your desired values, so be patient.
ABOVE GROUND POOL | Pool Dimensions | Pool Capacity (90%) | Startup Salt Requirement | Topup Salt Recommendation |
Typical Pool Products | Feet / Inches | Gallons | Pounds | Pounds |
EASY SET POOLS | 15' x 33" | 2587 | 65 | 20 |
15' x 36" | 2822 | 65 | 20 | |
15' x 42" | 3284 | 80 | 20 | |
15' x 48" | 3736 | 95 | 20 | |
16' x 42" | 3754 | 95 | 20 | |
16' x 48" | 4273 | 110 | 30 | |
18' x 42" | 4786 | 120 | 30 | |
18' x 48" | 5455 | 135 | 35 | |
18' x 52" | 5894 | 150 | 40 | |
CIRCULAR POOLS | 15' x 36" | 3282 | 80 | 20 |
15' x 42" | 3861 | 100 | 20 | |
15' x 48" | 4440 | 110 | 30 | |
16' x 48" | 5061 | 125 | 30 | |
18' x 48" | 6423 | 160 | 40 | |
18' x 52" | 6981 | 175 | 45 | |
20' x 52" | 8638 | 220 | 60 | |
24' x 48" | 11483 | 290 | 75 | |
24' x 52" | 12481 | 310 | 85 | |
OVAL POOLS | 18' x 10' x 42" | 2885 | 65 | 20 |
20' x 12' x 48" | 4393 | 110 | 30 | |
24' x 12' x 48" | 5407 | 135 | 35 | |
28' x 12' x 48" | 6420 | 160 | 40 | |
ULTRA FRAME | 16' x 48" | 5061 | 125 | 35 |
18' x 52" | 6981 | 175 | 45 | |
18' x 9' x 52" | 4545 | 115 | 30 | |
24' x 12' x 52" | 8403 | 210 | 55 | |
32' x 16' x 52" | 14364 | 360 | 95 |
For pools other than the specific Intex range listed above here are some easy equations to follow.
Remember the volume we are looking for is water volume NOT total pool capacity. Typically water volume will be between 85 and 90% of total capacity.
SHAPE of POOL | FOR GALLONS |
Rectangular | L x W x Av Depth x 7.5 |
Circular | D x D x Av Depth x 5.9 |
Oval | L x W x Av Depth x 6.0 |
Intex Saltwater Systems
Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System with E.C.O
The Budget Intex Saltwater System with E.C.O
- POOL CAPACITY: Two models are available to suit pools up to 7000 gallons or for larger pools with a maximum volume of 15000 gallons
- PUMP REQUIREMENT: Both models require between 700 and 3000 GPH for optimum efficiency.
- ELECTRO CATALYTIC OXIDATION: This helps to create powerful oxidants that are more efficient in destroying contaminants and bacteria and it also prevents algae build up.
- DIGITAL CONTROLS: This new updated Intex Saltwater system has a completely redesigned user interface. Easy to understand read out allows you to set timer, boost the system and self clean the electrolytic cell. An array of LED warning lights tell you the condition of the pool water and when to add more salt, etc.
- DIMENSIONS: The larger capacity model measures 13.7 x 17.8 x 12 inches and the smaller 13.7 x 16.8 x 11.5 inches. They both weigh in around 16 lbs-
- WARRANTY: 1 year.
on Amazon.com
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Intex Saltwater System & Sand Filter Pump COMBO
1500 GPH SPECIFICATION
- 1500 GPH MODEL: Suitable for above ground pools between 2600 and 8500 gallons.
- 1500 GPH CHLORINE OUTPUT: 7 g/hr.
- E C O: This helps to create powerful oxidants that are more efficient in destroying contaminants and bacteria and it also prevents algae build up.
- 6 WAY VALVE: Select either filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, waste and close.
- SAND CAPACITY: Tank holds 55 lbs of pool filter sand or 40 lbs of glass filtration medium..
- DIMENSIONS: 17.1 x 17.5 x 34.4 inches
- DRY WEIGHT: 43 LBS.
- WARRANTY: 2 year.
on Amazon.com
2150 GPH SPECIFICATION
- 2150 GPH MODEL: Suitable for pools between 4800 and 15000 gallons capacity.
- 2150 GPH MODEL CHLORINE OUTPUT: 11 g/hr.
- 6 WAY VALVE: Usual selection options: Filter, backwash, rinse, recirculate, waste and close.
- ELECTRO CATALYTIC: For more efficiency in destroying contaminants and bacteria and in preventing algae build up.
- SAND CAPACITY: Tank holds 120 lbs of pool filter sand or alternatively 85 lbs of glass media.
- DIMENSIONS: 28.2 x 16.6 x 27.1inches
- DRY WEIGHT: 52 LBS
- WARRANTY: 2 year.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Saltwater System For Pools Larger Than 15000 Gallons
ControlOMatic Saltwater Chlorine Generation System
- MAX POOL SIZE: 17000 gallons capacity.
- INSTALLATION: No Plumbing Required Easy installation all pools types.
- FEATURES: Ten power level options, self-cleaning reverse polarity. Easy control panel with just three buttons to adjusting chlorine production and four alert lights when it’s generating chlorine. It automatically start making chlorine when required.
- MAX SALT GENERATION: Up to 100 grams of chlorine per day
- DIMENSIONS: 3.5 x 9 x 23.2 inches
- WEIGHT: 2 LBS
- WARRANTY: 1 year.
on Amazon.com
BLUE WORKS ABOVE GROUND POOL Saltwater Chlorine Generator
- MAX POOL SIZE: 20000 gallon Above ground pool capacity.
- INSTALLATION: Works with with any pump filter combination.
- CONTROL PANEL: Easy to read and understand.rom 3000 ppm up to 4000 ppm.
- SALT LEVELS: Nice wide a salinity range, from a minimum of 3000 up to 4000 ppm
- TOTAL WEIGHT: With controller 18 LBS
- WARRANTY: 1 year full warranty.
on Amazon.com
Hayward AquaTrol Salt Chlorination System
- MAX POOL SIZE: Up to 18000 gallons above ground pools
- INSTALLATION: Simple in-line installation, comes with an excellent guide showing best placement of this best selling pool chlorinator.
- CONTROL PANEL: 24 hour timer and an array of LED lights to inform of the pool and saltwater systems condition. Includes super chlorination, check salt, no flow, inspect cell and generating chlorine.
- MAX SALT LEVEL: 3200 ppm
- WARRANTY: 1 year.
on Amazon.com
BLUE WORKS Large Pool Chlorine Generator
- MAX POOL SIZE: Range covers pools from 15000 to 40000 gallons Above and In Ground Pools
- INSTALLATION: DIY level installation. Simple to fit and simple to operate.
- CONTROLS: A full visual readout of all pool and chlorinator parameters.
- WORKING SALT LEVELS: Between 2300 and 4500 ppm.
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES: A reverse polarity system cleans the chlorine generating cell and chlorine levels can be adjusted depending on pool condition.
- DIMENSIONS: 14.4 x 11.8 x 10.5 inches
- WEIGHT: 21 LBS
- WARRANTY: 2 year limited.
on Amazon.com
CIRCUPOOL CORE35 Pool Chlorine Generator
- MAX POOL SIZE: Suitable for pools up to 40000 gallons
- INSTALLATION: No dreaded DIY install penalty with this top quality salt generator. Easy installation too.
- CONTROLS: A great display panel shows low salt, insufficient flow, clean cell and change cell indicators. Simple increase or decrease chlorine level buttons or a turbo boost option.
- SET UP: A really excellent manual accompanies the Circupool Core35. Full instruction in real English !!
- ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Winter mode senses cold water and reduces chlorine output automatically.
- DIMENSIONS: 11.0 x 11.0 x 6.0 inches
- WEIGHT: 10.4 LBS
- WARRANTY: An outstanding 8 year limited warranty with this model.
on Amazon.com
Maintaining An Intex Saltwater System
One of the most compelling reasons to convert to a saltwater system for your pool is the ease of maintaining a proper chlorine balance in your pool.
Theoretically after it is set up correctly it should run on autopilot. This is true to a point.
Most systems have an indicator alert when chlorine levels are starting to run low and it is just a simple matter of adding a little more salt to increase the salt content Ito your pool.
The normal values for correct pool hygiene are between 3000 and 3500 ppm (part per million). At these concentrations the added salt cannot be noticed by taste or by unpleasant chlorine smells.
In our table above we show the recommended top up quantities when the Index saltwater system shows a “Code 91” low salt alert. These values are just guide lines, so add cautiously and check as the ppm readings rise.
However from our experience we recommend doing a manual salt ppm check prior to adding more salt as the salt level monitors on many makes of generators can give misleading readings.
There are various reasons for this but the most common is calcium build up on the plates of the salt cell generating a false reading.
Finally run the saltwater system long enough to build the system content back up to the desired levels, then simply cut back the timer to maintain the level.
Intex Saltwater Systems Spare Parts
Interesting Articles
Best Above Ground Pool Reviews
Best Intex Pool Pump Reviews
Best Above Ground Pool Sand Filter
Best Solar Pool Cover Reviews