QUESTION: After many years of having pools sanitized with chlorine, we now have one with a salt generator. Could you tell me the approximate hours the pool should be running during the day in hot temperatures? The pool gets little use, but my wife insists the pump should still be running during the daylight hours.ANSWER: When you had a pool that used regular chlorine (tablets, powder or liquid), did you use more chlorine in the summer than in cooler months? The answer is yes.Warmer weather makes chlorine work even harder to sanitize your pool water. The sun degrades chlorine while evaporating water. So, the hotter pool-water temperature in the summer will require you to run the pump for a longer period of time.Remember, the salt generator doesn't produce chlorine unless the pool pump and filtration system are running.Don't skimp on when you run the system; you want to operate your pool's filtration and sanitizing systems during the day versus the night when bacteria blooms occur and are more active.Consider this guide. The number of hours you run the pump will vary depending on the pool's size in gallons and on whether the pool is heated:• Fall, six to eight hours.• Spring, eight to 10 hours.• Summer, 10 to 12 hours.For a pool with a salt generator, it is also advisable to clean and inspect the cell periodically, following the manufacturer's instructions. You also can boost the chlorine production for an extended period of time to superchlorinate the pool water.Questions are answered by Paul Roth of Roll-A-Way Protective Pool Fence in Orlando. He is a member of the Florida Swimming Pool Association, Central Florida Chapter, an industry trade group.