Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

Here is a look at the NEW lineup of Jandy Variable Speed pool pumps. Jandy is always improving on their VS Pump models and their latest generation features dual voltage (115V or 230V), TEFC completely sealed motors, and a 3-year warranty on all of their VS pumps. Here is a look at each pump and its main features. Jandy VS FloPro 0.85 HP and 1.65 HP With both 115V and 230V models available, you have the ability to operate with either power source — providing greater installation flexibility and eliminating expensive main power rewiring, making the VS FloPro™ 0.85 HP and 1.65 HP pumps the ideal aftermarket replacement of single-speed pumps up to 1.5 HP. High-performance pump in an ultra-compact body that easily fits in small equipment areas. Available with Onboard Controller - JEP models include an onboard JEP-R controller, providing the ability to program up to eight (8) speeds and two (2) timed programs. Automation-Ready - AUT models are automation-ready and co

The Department of Energy regulation will require all pumps past a certain horsepower rating to meet an efficiency threshold. It looks as if, effective in 2021, variable-speed pumps will become mandatory for powering a pool's or spa's filtration system and other applications. What does this mean to builders, installers, and consumers? Basically, any single-speed pump greater than ¾ hp will no longer be allowed to be sold beginning July 19 th, 2021. Manufacturers will not be allowed to sell these single-speed pumps that do not meet the new DOE regulations. Since most single-speed pumps over 1 hp currently fail to meet the DEO guidelines, one of the only options for upgrading your pool pump will be the purchase and installation of a Variable Speed pump (after July 19 th, 2021). This is not all bad however since Variable Speed pumps are now at their pinnacle in design and function and the new DEO rules have actually made the manufacturers step up their game. Jandy

The Polaris Quattro Sport and the P40 (Shown in this video) are one in the same cleaner but with a different color scheme and market sector. Both are only available at your local retail pool store or from your pool service provider and the white Quattro P40 is sold out of Leslie’s Pool Supplies. Regardless of which model you have the Quattro is a truly awesome pressure side cleaner. But nothing lasts forever and the parts in the Quattro will eventually wear out. I go over changing basically every wear part in the video and here I will go over what every part does so that you will have a guide to go along with the video. 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 pu

The Betta Solar Powered Solar Skimmer is the latest surface skimmer to hit the market and sells currently for $450. 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. 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 manufacturer: Automatically remove various floating objects on the water surface, such as leaves, dust, pollen and dead insects, etc. 100% of energy power comes from solar energy. There is no cable connection, and a built-in battery provides power for use at night. The underwater brush-less motor directly drives the thruster, eliminating the shortcomings of the low

Initially setting up the chlorine output on your saltwater generator or saltwater system can be complicated once you turn it on and realize that there are so many factors that affect the chlorine output of a SWG. To make it easy I will refer to the salt system going forward as the SWG. I will go over each factor for you here so that you get a better idea of how to set your chlorine output for that ideal range of 3-5 ppm. Pool Size: How large your pool is or specifically how many gallons of water are in it is a big factor. If your pool is 8,000 gallons the SWG will have an easier time of producing chlorine. The larger the pool the larger the Salt Cell rating is needed and the longer the run time. Salt Cell Size: Each SWG has different salt cell sizes. For example, the Intellichor 40 and Hayward T-Cell 15 are rated for a pool of up to 40,000 gallons. The Ichlor 30 and Jandy TruClear is rated for pools up to 30,000. The Intellichlor IC20 for a pool up to 20,000-gallons

I have heard this many times from customers that have a saltwater system installed. They tell me the salesperson or pool service company told them they would save a lot of money on chlorine with a salt system and it was the way to go. It may indeed be the way to go but if you get one because you think you will save money on chlorine you are mistaken or have been misinformed. You really don't save any money when you convert to a salt pool. In fact, it cost a lot more than using Chlorine or Bleach in your pool. Factor in the cost of the unit plus install, say $1,000 and then a new salt cell every 3-5 years at $500 and the salt to start $150 and you’re looking at over $1,600 for the first 5 years. So, you would have to spend over $320 a year on chlorine to match that number. Typically, you are not spending over $100 a season for your chlorine. I am pretty honest about the true benefit of a saltwater system, the fact that it adds chlorine to the pool without you having

One of the biggest problems with above ground, pools are that most of the time the equipment is undersized and underpowered. I’ve always wondered why a 10,000-gallon in-ground pool has a 1.5 HP pump and a 150 sq ft filter but the same above ground pool is sold with a tiny 40 sq ft filter and maybe .25 (1/4) HP pump. Huh? I think 10,000 gallons are 10,000 gallons whether in the cement or sitting on top of it. The Raypak Protégé CFP Filter system is the answer to this strange enigma. If your having a tough time keeping your above ground pool clean and clear the problem is more than likely an undersized filter and pump. With the Raypak Protégé CFP Filter and pump combo it will give your above ground pool exactly what it needs – a real filtration system. Dump that 40 sq ft joke of a filter and the utility pump and upgrade to a real set of equipment. Backed by a one year warranty and made by a company with over 70 years in the Industry the CFP system will make your above ground

The PAL EVENGLOW light system shown here for a pool and spa retrofit will retail for around $1,250 plus install. This set includes a new pool light, a new spa light, both with an 80 ft cord and the driver with the included remote. If you have an existing Pentair, Jandy or Hayward Automated system, you can set the DIP switches in the driver so that the lights can be controlled from your existing automated system. With that out of the way, I need to mention that the EvenGlow lights are totally awesome! This is PAL Lighting first reach into the existing pool and spa market. PAL Lighting – over 30 years’ experience in aquatic lighting and are the leaders in the state of the art engineering and manufacturing. The EvenGlow lights are designed of course for new builds but are also made to retrofit into your existing pool and spa niche. There are millions of standard incandescent lights right now in pools and spas across the country and the PAL EvenGlow lights would be a perfect up

If you have a spa or a hot tub and you are looking for a great water tester that is accurate and affordable, the Spa eXact EZ would be a perfect tester for you. Test strips are good, but they cannot give you spot-on readings like a photometer test kit. And balancing your spa water is a critical thing since the water quality impacts the bathing experience more in such a small body of water. For example, if the pH is below 7.0 a test strip won’t be able to tell you how low it is. If the pH is actually at 6.5 you will start to get itchy skin and burning eyes as the spa water pH falls below your body's pH. The Spa eXact EZ will tell you exactly what the pH is in the pool and eliminates the guesswork involved with test strips. It also is specially calibrated for the hot water of a spa or hot tub. To learn more you can go to their website listing here: https://sensafe.com/spa-exact-ez/ Buy for $129: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012DFFKOA/... The kit with a carrying cas

Here is a look at the ALPHA IQ+ in action cleaning a very dirty pool. It is truly an awesome machine and will leave your pool spotless each time you use it. This is one smart robot and if you are looking for a premium cleaner that has all the bells and whistles look no further. To see the ALPHA IQ+ cleaning a pool check out this video: The ALPHA IQ+ does an amazing job of cleaning a pool from the floors to the waterline.   There are actually 4 versions of the cleaner and the IQ+ and IQ differ in a few ways. Everything else is the same between the 4 models except the features listed. You can find the VRX white body model at Leslie’s Pool Supplies. ALPHA IQ+ VRXIQ+ Cable Length: 70 ft of cable Remote Control: In-app Targeted Spot Cleaning Cleaning Cycle: Schedule Recurring & Programming In-App Cleaning Modes: Smart Cycle, Quick Clean, Waterline Only & Custom Modes Brushes: Solid Blade This is the one in the video and the review video. It has in-a