Your saltwater pool still needs chlorine.

Yes, even with a mineral or ozone system, you need to maintain chlorine residuals. Don’t let the marketing fool you.

A “saltwater” pool is actually a chlorine pool that generates its own chlorine from salt. A mineral system (like Nature2 or Frog) reduces the amount of chlorine you need but doesn’t eliminate it. Ozone systems kill bacteria and oxidize organics on contact, but they don’t leave a lasting residual in the water. Without a small amount of chlorine (usually 0.5–1.0 ppm), you’re betting the water stays clean on hope alone.

So the balancing is still the same as any other pool: pH between 7.4–7.6, alkalinity 80–120 ppm, calcium hardness 200–400 ppm, and a stable chlorine level. Test weekly at minimum. The only difference is you might use less chlorine or generate it from salt instead of adding it by hand.

Don’t treat a mineral system like a chemical-free shortcut. It’s a low-chlorine system, not a no-chlorine system.