Browse Salt Water Pools articles, guides and tips on the Pool Care Australia blog.
Your salt cell will last 3 to 7 years, depending on water chemistry, maintenance, and usage. Poor pH balance, high calcium, and infrequent cleaning push failure closer to 3 years.
Converting a pool to salt water in Australia typically costs between $800 and $2,500. Your biggest expense is the chlorinator unit, ranging from $400 to $1,200. Installation adds $150 to $400, and your initial salt load runs $80 to $200.
If your salt water chlorinator isn't working, start with the five most common faults: salt levels below 2,700 ppm, pH above 7.8, calcium buildup on the cell plates, flow rate under 15–25 litres per minute, or a worn cell past its 3–5 year lifespan. Each fault has a direct fix.
Your salt water pool still needs regular chemistry management even though the salt cell handles chlorine production. Test pH, free chlorine, and alkalinity at least twice weekly, targeting pH 7.4–7.6 and free chlorine 1–3 ppm. Check salt levels weekly, keeping them between 2,700–3,400 ppm.