Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

It is always good to know what is in the chemical you are adding to your pool or spa. The ingredients are usually displayed on the side of and if you are curious about the exact makeup and possible hazards you can always Google the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). The MSDS will let you know the safety issues presented by the chemical and list the ingredients.  Once in a while, you will see an ingredient marked as a “Trade Secret” or as a “Proprietary blend" and then things can become a head-scratcher. Take Clorox Xtra Blue 3” Tablets for example. Here is the chemical make up according to the MSDS: Hazardous components Component / CAS-No. Weight percent  Trichloro-s-triazinetrione 87-90-1: 94.05 %  Trade secret 002: 3 - 8 %  Boron salt < 2 % From the name Clorox Blue you kinda get the idea that the little blue specs in the tablets are the 3-8% “Trade Secret” ingredient. If you do a little research you will find that the little blue specs are some form of copper t...

 Picking the right turf and turf company can be tough. It took us over one year of researching and getting bids before we settled on the right company. I suggest getting at least 3 bids so you know that you are being quoted correctly. We decided to go with a local family-owned company, All Season Turf. Since having our turf installed 6 of our neighbors have also had All Season Turf install Turf at their houses.  https://www.myallseasonturf.com/ Watch the video to learn more: This is a smaller family-owned and operated company, but you can see from the video that they definitely know what they are doing. They also install Tiger Turf which is made here in the USA and comes with a 15-year warranty (100% lead-free). I think if you get three bids you will have some idea of the cost involved and of the different turfs available. There are so many to choose from and it is also important to visit job sites of completed lawns to see the actual turf. To me, this is a pretty critical par...

  After July 19 th, 2021 you will be hard-pressed to find a single-speed 1hp pump or motor. The Department of Energy has mandated new energy rules and almost all of the single-speed pumps will no longer be sold. That leaves only Variable Speed Pumps as an option going forward after July 19 th .   Below are some of the pumps I recommend. Listen to the video below for some sales tips on VS pumps: The first option would be to replace the motor with a Century V-Green stands alone VS motor. They are compatible with most pumps and come with a round or square flange. It is the most affordable option and if the existing pump is less than 5 years old I would suggest going that route. But if you need to replace the entire pump here are some brands to look at.  Pentair was the first with their IntelliFlo VS pump and it is still the benchmark pump because there are just so many of them installed in backyards. When they first came out much thought they would never catch on and th...

The Hayward TriVac 500 is a really underrated pressure side cleaner and it is pretty trouble-free also. But if you find that it is moving very slowly in your there could be a few things wrong with it, including a bad Timer Valve. It is an easy part to replace and they sell a complete kit – the Hayward TriVac 500 Timer Valve Kit #TVX7500TV For $135.00. Check System First: Because of the nature of how a pressure side cleaner works, check to make sure both the system pump (main pool pump) and the booster pump (cleaner pump) are set to come on at the same time. The main pump if it is a VS pump should be running at a higher speed, around 2200 RPM or greater is acceptable. If the system pump and booster pump are not set to turn on at the same time the TriVac 500 will not move. Check the Quick Disconnect: Make sure the TriVac 500 has enough water going to it. Sometimes the pressure relief valve is open or cracked. Typically, it should be closed if you have a ¾ hp booster pump connected to the...

The Sutro is the most advanced floating smart pool and spa water monitor on the market today. Unlike the other devices currently on the market that use ORP sensors, the Sutro uses LaMotte reagents to test Free Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity and there is a sensor for the water temperature. It’s a lot like having a test kit floating in your pool that will give you these three reading 3 times a day.  Listen to more about the Sutor with the founder Ravi in this video Basic Lease: $199 Down $29 per month Subscription (includes a reagent cartridge each month shipped to you) Premium Lease: $199 Down $39 per Month (includes a reagent cartridge each month shipped to you) Own: $699 Once – One free year subscription then $19 per month after that All plans include a free reagent cartridge on-demand  Affordability has been the biggest stumbling block with these devices so Sutro has come up with a novel way to buy or lease the devices. The monthly subscription includes the reagent cartridge and i...

 The Hayward Phoenix is a Leslie’s Retail only cleaner and is available at your local Leslie’s store. It is in the same Hayward family of cleaners as the Poolcleaner and Aquanaut and note that these parts are the same ones for all three cleaners. The Hayward Phoenix is a solid cleaner but it will wear out over time just like any other product. The one part you will need to change more often than any other is the rubber tires. Depending on how long you run your pool and the pool surface type will determine the tire lifespan. Generally speaking, you should get at least 15 months to 18 months out of each set of tires. For best performance, once the wear mark is reached I suggest changing the tires. For the four-wheel version, I like taking the front tires when worn and just cutting the hump off. Then I put them on the back tires, thus saving $50.00. I then put a new set of tires on the front. The best thing about this cleaner is that Hayward sells what they call the Lower Body Convers...

Leslie’s Pool Supplies is best known for selling pool products to retail consumers but did you know that they also sell Wholesale to the Pool Service Pro. And opening an account is simple and easy and also free! How to open an account: Simply go into a local Leslie’s store – there are over 900 of them and ask the manager about opening a wholesale account. All you need is a business card basically and you are all set. If you want to be part of Leslie’s Pool Service Provider Program you would need at least $1 million dollars in General Liability Insurance. You can also open an account online by going to this link and entering your email address: https://lesliespool.com/commercial-services.html/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=spll&utm_campaign=spll Wholesale Pricing: Of course, the number one benefit of opening a Leslie’s Wholesale account is the fact that you get wholesale pricing. With over 900 locations purchasing your pool service equipment and chemicals couldn’t be simpler. T...

 If you are looking for an inexpensive battery-operated vacuum for your above-ground spa the Water Tech Pool Blaster Spa Vac Plus would be an affordable choice. If you compare it to the manual spa wand in price and performance the Pool Blaster Spa Vac comes out on top. Not only is it compact breaking down about 1 ft for storage vs the Spa Wand, it picks up dirt and leaves faster and more effectively. For around $55.00 and a pack of 4-C batteries, the Spa Vac Plus is not a huge investment.  It works well for small amounts of dirt, sand, and leaf debris and will keep your spa clean and ready for use each time you get in. It has a power rating of 50 from Water Tech so it is not going to blow you away with the suction power but it does work well. The Spa Vac Plus is the direct replacement for their Spa Vac Ultra. They look about the same except the front has small brushes instead of the wheels. I am pretty sure they will be available very soon from your local pool supply store and...

Skimmer is the Premiere Pool Routing and Invoicing Software with over 2K customers & 7K app users including pool service owners, technicians, and admins. In October 2020, our customers serviced 135,000 pools and completed 44,000 work orders. Skimmer’s customers to date have recorded almost 35 million readings and dosages to date. Skimmer is also very affordable starting at $29.99 a month or .50 cents per service account whichever is greater. So a route of 100 accounts will cost you just $50 per month. You get a lot for your money with Skimmer and below are some of the many things this routing app will do for you. To learn more or to sign up: https://getskimmer.com/?via=david Everything You Need to Run Your Pool Service Business: Skimmer is pool service software that makes it easier to run your pool business. Now, you can finally ditch that old paper-based system and run your business the modern way. Customers Track all your customers, each with the ability to have multiple location...

Everyone knows that the Big 3, Pentair, Jandy, and Hayward make Saltwater Generators. But Saltwater Generators came out of Australia and they were made by smaller companies until the Big 3 caught on and decided to make Saltwater Systems the norm instead of a niche pool product. CircuPool has been quietly making one of the best consumer rated Saltwater Generators and they are worth a look for sure. Here are some of the key features that makes the CircuPool Systems so good. 15,000 Hour Cell-Life Unlike other salt systems that work off of a 10,000 lifespan rating, the CircuPool cells are rated for 15,000 hours of use. This means that you will be replacing the cells less often.  Titanium Plates One thing that makes the cell so long-lasting is that the salt cell is constructed with Titanium Plates. Clear Cell Casing The clear cells offer several advantages. It makes for easy inspection and you can tell right away if there is any calcium build-up on the cell plates. You can also see if t...

 I thought with Podcast #500 I would reset for you the things I do in the Swimming Pool Industry. Thank you for tuning in each day for subscribing to the podcast. If you wish to listen to more great content Monday through Friday you can subscribe here. This YouTube version of the podcast is only my Monday podcast converted here for YouTube.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832 I am a Pool Service Professional with over 25 years of practical experience. I currently maintain a pool route so I am right there in the trenches every day. I have extensive experience in water chemistry, automatic cleaners, pool filtration, pool equipment, and automated systems. I work in Southern California and have been in the pool industry since 1988 with a brief hiatus in the late 1990s to buy and sell Real Estate. My wife and I have been following the Dave Ramsey plan for several years and we have paid off all of our debt plus three houses in Southern California - WE ARE DEBT FREE! Being financially...

 The Pool Blaster Pulse by Water Tech is a Cordless, Rechargeable Pool & Spa Vacuum. This is the 2nd generation pulse with an upgraded larger debris chamber and a metal handle for the pool pole attachment. Overall the upgraded Pulse is a better unit than the original Pulse.  It combines the fixed vacuum head of the Catfish Model with the larger debris chamber of the Centennial model to produce a compact and powerful cleaner.  The Pulse is a very compact and versatile vacuum. I like that the cleaner has some weight to it and it feels very balanced on the end of my pool pole. You can connect it directly to a standard pool pole with the Pole Connector adapter or use it with the included plastic pole sections. The compact size makes this ideal for your spa or to spot vacuum your above ground or in-ground pool. The large debris chamber is great for those pools with a lot of leaf debris. To purchase the Pulse: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08668NNL2/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til...

 There are many products on the market today which I describe as chlorine enhancers. With their coming tablet shortage, these enhancers will become more and more important. The nature2 by Fluidra is a product that will allow you to use less chlorine in your pool.  Here is more about the Nature2  product: “Nature2 is a line of simple and effective mineral sanitizers that work in conjunction with your pool and spa's filtration system. Nature2 delivers sparkling clean water and is proven to help destroy bacteria and fight algae without the harsh effects of traditional chemicals. Inspired by Nature Minerals like silver have long been known for their sanitizing, antimicrobial properties. Nature2's pool and spa mineral sanitizers use these proven ingredients to create clean, clear water while reducing chlorine levels and the potential for the common discomforts and unpleasant odors of chemical sanitization.” I have seen the Nature2 on my pull route but never tried it on my own ...

 The Betta Solar Powered Solar Skimmer is the latest surface skimmer and I have been running one in my pool for the past 6 months. The biggest upgrade to the Betta is new and improved corrosion-resistant motors and propellers. So now it is compatible with Saltwater pools. The overall design of the Betta is great and it has the look and feel of a high-priced RC boat. Maybe it is the brushless motors on the back or the sleek design, but this thing looks and feels impressive. It comes backed by a 1-year limited warranty. So if you have a Saltwater pool the Betta will be perfect for you. It now comes in 3 different colors - white, silver, and the blue one seen in the video. I really like the fact the Betta will now be much more reliable going forward. Order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0882M9ZQR/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=c79d1b6492513ab41cf49bcd45b014dd&creativeASIN=B0882M9ZQR Here is more about the Betta from the manufact...

 Backwashing your D.E. Filter or Sand Filter is a task that can seem difficult if you are new to pool ownership. It is relatively easy once you understand the nature of your particular backwash valve and the typical problems you may run into with that valve. Here are the two most common backwash valves, the Piston Type and the Multi-Port Valve, and the things to note about each one. First, what exactly is backwashing a filter? This is basically reversing the flow of water to loosen up any dirt and debris in the filter when the filter PSI or pressure gets too high. The filter PSI can be found on the gauge on top of your filter. Since starting filter pressure varies it is a good idea to mark your gauge at the point when you just cleaned your D.E. filter or when you either installed your sand filter, changed the sand, or gave it good backwashing. It becomes time to backwash when your filter PSI goes up by 10 PSI from the clean mark on the gauge.  When you engage the backwash two ...

TEFC motors are relatively new but I think will become the norm in the Pool & Spa Industry. The TEFC motors provide superior performance and longevity over traditional open drip-proof (ODP) motors. Their Innovative hydraulic design and thick-walled body parts deliver super-quiet operation. The fact that they are completely enclosed means that they are also extremely weatherproof. Many manufacturers make TEFC motors and the common features are: Finned Aluminum Totally Enclosed (TEFC) frame keeps windings and bearings drier, cleaner, and cooler. Top-mounted conduit box is easier to access in tight spaces and better protected from weather, making this one of the easiest motors to install on the market. 115/208-230 Voltage rating for poor power quality areas and the ability to change the voltage at the flip of a switch. In this video, you will see the Jacuzzi brand and they feature both a Square and Round Flange so they are compatible with Hayward, Pentair, Jandy, and other manufacture...

 The Tenlog Hands 2 3D printer is a great compact Dual Extruder Printer. The nice feature of the Tenlog Hands 2 is that each extruder functions independently from the other. This means that you can print with two different color filaments, print in Duplicate Mode and in Mirror Mode. This gives you many more options over the single Extruder printers. For a size comparison, the Ender 3 is the closest in overall size and build area. The Hands 2 bed is slightly smaller than the Ender 3 and comes in at 8.6” X 8.6” X 9.8” which seems small but it is actually bigger than most of the Dual Extruder printers on the market today. If you are looking for a larger build area I suggest the Tenlog TL-D3 which has a build area of 11.8” X 11.8” X 13.8” – quite larger than the Hands 2. My son uses these printers for his 3D printing business. He currently has the Ender 3, Flashforge Finder, Anycubic Chiron, Tenlog TL-D3, and now the Tenlog Hands 2. Here is his Etsy storefront if you are interested in ...

  There are a handful of Industry-specific publications, but Aqua magazine is at the top. No other pool & spa publication has the reach and notoriety of Aqua. If you are in the Pool & Spa Industry in any capacity you should be receiving your free subscription to Aqua Magazine.  AQUA Magazine is the top resource for retailers, builders, and service pros in the pool and spa industry. Every month, thousands of spa and pool professionals turn to the online and print pages of AQUA for its valuable mix of news, trend, and product coverage. Subscriptions to the print magazine are free to all industry professionals. What keeps each issue fresh is that they all feature articles that will appeal to you no matter what position you hold in the industry. Here are some of the top features in each article: Features Retail Builder Service Hot Tubs Pools Products Each Issue also has a theme and here is the 2021 calendar  2021 Calendar: January: Pool & Spa Show Feb: Small Busin...

 I have always thought it was a good idea for someone to create a cover for your vacuum system. It is of course a durable piece of machinery but still, exposing it to the Sun, rain, and wind day in and day out will wear anything down. Riptide is the first vacuum system now that has its own exclusive Weather Proof cover and it comes in Riptide Blue.  To order: https://clearpoolproducts.com/product/rip-tide-cover?v=f24485ae434a This is a Weather Proof Cover much like the ones you would find for your outdoor furniture and BBQ. The cover is surprisingly thick and is made of premium fabric hand made in Mexico. There is a strap and clip-on back to pull the cover tight and a strap on the front to clip the cover to your hitch to secure it during transport. So, on those really rainy days, your Riptide will stay nice and dry even attached to the back of your truck. This is a fitted cover made specifically for the Riptide dimensions. It is narrow at the top so it won’t fit the Power Vac ...

 The Sutro is the most advanced floating smart pool and spa water monitor on the market today. Unlike the other devices currently on the market that use ORP sensors, the Sutro uses LaMotte reagents to test Free Chlorine, pH, Alkalinity and there is a sensor for the water temperature. It’s a lot like having a test kit floating in your pool that will give you these three reading 3 times a day.  Affordability has been the biggest stumbling block with these devices so Sutro has come up with a novel way to buy or lease the devices. The monthly subscription includes the reagent cartridge and if you do the math and do water testing each day you would easily go through several reagent bottles each month. Of course not too many people do 9 tests per day nor test more than once a week but the cost of the subscription is basically for the reagent cartridge. I like the fact that I don’t have to go out and test my pool water, I can just sit on my couch and check the app and see where my po...