The
Jacuzzi brand of pool equipment has been around for a while now and the quality
of the product has really improved over the years. They also offer one of the
best warranties in the industry and include a solid 3-year warranty on their
filters. With the price point often discounted and at the time of this post you
can find this filter for around $800 online and at Leslie’s Pool Supply. At
that price, it is a solid choice for a larger D.E filter for your pool.
The
cartridge type D.E. filter has some advantages over the standard grid D.E.
filters. First, it will give you a larger filtration area as most standard D.E.
grid filters max out at 60 sq ft of filtration area. Also with this type of
filter, you get the ease of cleaning it like a cartridge filter. If you have
ever had a standard grid type D.E. filter you know what a pain it is to clean
it. Here is more about the filter and the features from the manufacturer.
Jacuzzi®
J-DEQ80 80 sq. ft. DE In Ground Pool Filter: The
J-DEQ80 is a Professional-Grade Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) Pool Filter that's
designed to combine the highest water clarity with all the easy-maintenance
features of a cartridge filter. D.E. is a natural substance that captures dust,
dirt and, debris as small as 5 microns. It also removed body oils, suntan
lotions, pollens and, dust ensuring you with a pool that stays clean and
healthy.
Leslie's
Equipment Protection Plan: The
Leslie's exclusive plan adds to the benefits of the existing manufacturer's
warranty program. With your purchase of this Jacuzzi® product, you will get an
extended warranty period, access to certified Leslie's warranty center,
certified technicians for installation and repair, and no in-store labor charge
for repairs. This offer is available to Leslie's Rewards Customers only.
*Requires professional installation to be eligible for Leslie's Equipment
Protection Program.
LPM
Part #: 42271: The
J-DEQ80 is a Professional-Grade Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) Pool Filter combines
the highest water clarity with the easy-maintenance features of a cartridge
filter.
D.E.
is a natural substance that captures dust, dirt and, debris as small as 5
microns. It also removed body oils, suntan lotions, pollen, and dust ensuring
you with a pool that stays clean and healthy.
The
J-DEQ80 D.E. Pool Filter features four easily accessible and removable
cartridges that greatly increase the cleaning capacity of this filter giving
you better performance and superior water quality. By maximizing the filtration
area, there will be longer periods between cleanings. If this D.E. Filter is
used properly, it can reduce water use and energy costs using a lower pump
pressure. For a D.E. Pool Filter that gives you cleaner and clearer pool water
with the same easy-cleaning benefits as a cartridge filter, the J-DEQ80 is the perfect choice.
I
think at the price point of $800 you really can’t go wrong with this filter. It
is backed by a very strong warranty and you can also get it professionally
installed by Leslie’s Pool Supply. A real win-win. If you do pool service and
have a wholesale account at Leslie’s this would be a good filter option for
your customers. With the dual inlets, it is easy to install and is designed to easily
replace either an existing cartridge or existing D.E. filter.
The
Industry-standard for lowering the pH in a Pool is to use Muriatic Acid. It is
readily available at your local pool store, hardware store and many grocery
stores. There are two other alternate and safer ways to lower the pH in your
pool and that is by using Dry Acid (Sodium Bisulfate) or Acid Magic (Hydrochloric
Acid). I will cover all three methods here for you so you can make an informed
decision.
Since
the use of Muriatic Acid is well known I will only touch on it briefly here.
They sell it in different strength, but the Industry Standard is the 31.45% and
you can readily find this strength at your local pool store. Since this is a
very strong acid, I suggest wearing gloves when handling it and also you need
to be aware of the fumes when you pour it. Also, be careful not to get any on
the pool deck as it can stain the surface.
Acid
Magic: Acid
Magic is Hydrochloric Acid with the same strength as 31.45% Muriatic Acid but
it has some great benefits over Muriatic Acid. Acid Magic has 90% fewer fumes
than Muriatic Acid and it has a buffering agent that will protect your skin
from getting burned. It also won’t etch the surface like Muriatic Acid and it
is a safe alternative or as they say, a user-friendly form of Muriatic Acid.
ACID
Magic is a full-strength muriatic-based product formulated to ship, use, and
store easier than standard muriatic acid. This revolutionary blend of
proprietary ingredients offer the cleaning and pH reduction of powerful acids
while providing increased usability.
POOL
AND SPA:
•
Tested safe in all heated/unheated pools.
•
ACID Magic is certified by NSF to NSF/ANSI Standard 50.
•
Adjusts pool and spa water chemistry.
•
Extremely effective acid wash.
•
Cleans filters, chlorine generators, and meter electrodes.
DRINKING
WATER TREATMENT:
•
ACID Magic is certified by NSF to NSF/ANSI Standard 60.
•
Corrosion and scale control.
•
Descaler.
•
pH adjustment.
Dry
Acid: Sodium
Bisulfate (Dry Acid) Sodium Bisulfate is a dry, granular form of acid. This
makes it safer for handling, and it is far less corrosive in a pump room or
other space as it is not a strong oxidizer like muriatic acid. It Sodium
bisulfate needs to be stored in a dry place, without moisture getting into the
container.Sodium bisulfate must be
pre-dissolved before being added to the pool, just like any other dry chemical.
But if you spill it or get any of it on the pool deck it won’t burn your skin
or stain your deck.
Benefits:
Does
not burn your skin
Longer
shelf life
Easy
to store
No
toxic fumes
It
won’t rust everything around your house or equipment room
Strong
as muriatic acid with proper dosage
Easy
to use
Adjusting
the pH in your pool is critical for proper water balance and to make sure that
the water in your pool is not scale forming nor is it being corrosive. The pH
is one important element in this. Note also that when you adjust the pH you are
also adjusting the Alkalinity. And that the higher the Alkalinity is over the baseline of 80-120 ppm the more dry acid you will need to lower the pH. This is
because Alkalinity is a buffer in the water and will slow down the affect of
any acid you add if the water is very alkaline.
Dry
acid is a bit more expensive than muriatic acid if you are comparing pound for
pound which is a bit more difficult because one is in a dry form and the other
in a liquid form. But if you measure the dosage of the dry acid correctly it is
just as strong as 31.45% muriatic acid. I think for the safety and storage
benefits dry acid is hands-down better for homeowner use as well as some
service pro use. I like to carry 50 lbs. bucket in the back of my truck and
find it very handy as it gives me more space to carry my other chemicals and
equipment. It is also good for adding acid to those service accounts were pets
are present or the homeowner is next to the pool. The last thing you want to do
is pour in a quart of muriatic acid and have them overcome by fumes.
This is a complete backyard remodel of one of my rental properties that took four days and included a pad of Stamped Concrete, a Cement Curb, Artificial Turf, and River Rocks. It was all brought together by All Season Turf who also did a project at my personal residence. I took over 10 hours of footage and condensed it to a 22-minute long video for you.
It was extremely hot that week in Southern California with temperatures ranging from 112 degrees on day one and cooling off to 105 degrees by the end of the week. The workers for All Season Turf did an amazing job in spite of the extreme weather and they do A+ work! While I was working the main camera my son Caleb was flying the drone (Mavic Air 2) to capture things from the air. Here is more about the project.
Stamped Concrete: This is a process where just as the name describes, a pattern is stamped into the concrete just before it completely dries. The stamp can be anything from a rock pattern, cobble stones, wood grain and hundreds of other available patterns. We chose a more natural look and went with a stamp called Seamless Belgium Slate. It looks like a natural rock pattern that you would see on a hike in Yosemite or Zion and gives the project a very natural look.
Besides the stamp, you can add a second color with a Release Agent. This is a powder that will keep the stamp from sticking in the wet cement. If you wanted only one color you would use a clear liquid release agent, but for this project we wanted the two-color look to give the stamp some definition. For the concrete we wanted a color to match the desert landscape where the house is located and chose Davis Color San Diego Buff 5237. This is a medium tan color and with the darker release color it really makes for a great combination. The release color was Brickform RA-810 Walnut. Next month we will have the concrete sealed to give it a “wet look” as well as to protect it from wear. But it needs to cure for 30-days before that process.
Concrete Curb Extruder: The curb extruding machine was something that I found fascinating as well an ingenious. Semi-moist cement is used, and the machine pulls it out into the curb size that your project calls for, in our case it was a 5” curb. In the heat it dried very fast, within an hour in fact and they actually started the turf process shortly after that. The two operating the curb extruder machine where excellent and knew what they were doing. It has to be fast work and they were clicking on all cylinders.
Artificial Turf: All of the work was done by All Season Turf and of course they specialize in the fake grass/artificial turf. Like the project at my personal residence we went with Tiger Turf which is made in the USA and comes with a 15-year warranty. The install comes with a 3 year warranty. After looking at countless samples we thought the Tiger Turf “Diamond Pro Spring” looked the most realistic in color and form. It looks like freshly mowed grass and I highly recommend this turf. The process is very detailed and the installer really needs to be experienced for it to come our right.
3” River Rock: The large river rock goes great with the green turf and I think it is the best combination. The smaller rock looks good but the larger 3” style adds a lot to the overall look of the project. We used the same rocks on both projects. To see the project done at our personal residence click on the below video link.
Artificial Turf Install: 9 Hour Job in a 6 Minute Video! Step by Step Featuring All Season Turf https://youtu.be/fYinG-IwKuc
I think all of the elements of the project came together to create a backyard oasis in the middle of the desert. You enter the backyard from the Stamped Concrete with the natural rock pattern, see a swath of River Rocks and then your eyes rest upon the green turf. A great project completed by a top company in All Season Turf.
I
am all in when it comes to adding Borates to your Swimming Pool. There are just
so many great benefits and the cost to do so for the average size pool is
around $50.00. Adding Borates to your pool to achieve a level of 30-50 ppm has
many benefits. I have a series of videos on Borates and highly recommend adding
Borates to your pool. I have added Borates to my pool and couldn't be happier. The results are well worth it.
Here
are the proven benefits of having a Borate level of 30-50 ppm:
Lower
Chlorine usage: The Borate helps reduce chlorine usage by eliminating Carbon dioxide and also by keeping the pH stable. Chlorine last longer when the pH is
right at 7.6-7.8. When the chlorine is in the ideal range the killing element
in chlorine the HOCI is at the most balanced percentage so the chlorine in a
pool with a pH of 7.4 is 30% more effective than in a pool with a pH of 8.0.
This is a big factor in creating the safest swim environment and the borates
will keep the pH much more stable and in turn, make the chlorine much more
effective.
pH
is stable: The
pH won't change much in a pool with Borate in it. So, if you have a Salt Water
Pool this is a must since the pH tends to rise dramatically. In fact, in a Salt
Water Pool the pH can rise to over 8.4 very rapidly. You will find yourself
putting tons of acid in each week just to keep the pH below 7.8. With borates
in the pool, the pH will be stable and easy to control.It is a must for a pool with a Salt Water
Generator. It also will keep your salt cell from building up calcium rapidly
since it sequesters the Calcium in the water. This means the salt cell will
remain clean and your salt system will run much more efficiently.
Water
is more sparkling: The
Borate is more reflective so when the sun hits the pool the water will really
sparkle. The fact that it sequesters calcium will give the water an added
clarity and you will notice the sparkle is almost blinding. The difference is
very marked and noticeable and it is a good bonus benefit of borates.
Softer
and less irritating water: The
water feels softer and doesn't burn your eyes. It also will keep your skin and
hair hydrated so after swimming your skin won't be as dried out. Borax has been
used for a very long time as a softener for laundry. You will find it in the
laundry aisle and it makes sense that it will also make the water feel softer
and prevent dry skin.
Less
Algae growth: Boric
Acid is a known Biostat. This prevents the algae cell from forming and
multiplying. Thus, a pool with a Borate level between 30-50 ppm will prevent
algae growth. Since borate prevents the algae cell from growing, algae blooms
will be a thing of the past. No more algaecides or shocking the pool, algae
just won’t grow in your pool any longer.
Borates
in the water also don’t evaporate so the initial dose will not need to be added
every season. Simply measure the borate level at the beginning of the season
and add a maintenance dose to bring the level back up to 30-50 ppm. It can
leave the water through filter backwashing, splash out and it is diluted by
freshwater.
In
some estimates, you will use 40% fewer chemicals in your pool during the
season. Imagine cutting your chemical use and cost in half! This is one of the
best benefits of adding borates. Since it buffers the pH you will need less
acid week to week. Since it enhances the chlorine by keeping the pH stable you
will use less chlorine each week. And since it prevents algae from growing you
will not need to add algaecides or add large amounts of shock to your pool.
There really is no good reason not to add borates to your pool.
Dry
acid is one pool chemical not talked about much. I think mainly because the use
of muriatic acid to lower the pH in a pool is so widely entrenched in the minds
of pool pros and homeowners that Dry Acid is often overlooked. It is also a bit
more expensive to use over muriatic acid, although as the price for muriatic acid
continues to rise dry acid is becoming more and more popular because of the
safety and storage benefits.
You
will see dry acid sold as pH Reducer, pH down or of course labeled as Dry Acid.
Just look for the active ingredient sodium bisulfate on the label.
Safer
to Use:
Sodium
Bisulfate (Dry Acid) Sodium
Bisulfate is a dry, granular form of acid. This makes it safer for handling,
and it is far less corrosive in a pump room or other space as it is not a
strong oxidizer like muriatic acid. It Sodium bisulfate needs
to be stored in a dry place, without moisture getting into the container.Sodium bisulfate must be pre-dissolved before
being added to the pool, just like any other dry chemical. But if you spill it
or get any of it on the pool deck it won’t burn your skin or stain your deck.
Benefits:
Does
not burn your skin
Longer
shelf life
Easy
to store
No
toxic fumes
It
won’t rust everything around your house or equipment room
Strong
as muriatic acid with proper dosage
Easy
to use
Adjusting
the pH in your pool is critical for proper water balance and to make sure that
the water in your pool is not scale forming nor is it being corrosive. The pH
is one important element in this. Note also that when you adjust the pH you are
also adjusting the Alkalinity. And that the higher the Alkalinity is over the
baseline of 80-120 ppm the more dry acid you will need to lower the pH. This is
because Alkalinity is a buffer in the water and will slow down the affect of
any acid you add if the water is very alkaline.
Dry
acid is a bit more expensive than muriatic acid if you are comparing pound for
pound which is a bit more difficult because one is in a dry form and the other
in a liquid form. But if you measure the dosage of the dry acid correctly it is
just as strong as 31.45% muriatic acid. I think for the safety and storage
benefits dry acid is hands-down better for homeowner use as well as some
service pro use. I like to carry 50 lbs. bucket in the back of my truck and
find it very handy as it gives me more space to carry my other chemicals and equipment.
It is also good for adding acid to those service accounts were pets are present
or the homeowner is next to the pool. The last thing you want to do is pour in
a quart of muriatic acid and have them overcome by fumes.
It
is best to pre-dissolve the dry acid in a bucket and then once it is dissolved
to pour it around the perimeter of the deep end with the pool on and running for
at least 3 hours minimum. You can toss it directly in but it is not advised and
it only takes 3-5 minutes to dissolve it in a bucket. You will also need a
scale to weigh the product to get the exact dosage and I recommend using an
online app to get the right dosage amount. Remember that the Alkalinity is a
factor so if it is above 120 ppm you will need more of the dry acid to move the
pH down.
There
are many sites that list the Top 10 Swimming Pool Robotic Cleaners but did they
just read the online reviews and build their list or did they use and test
these cleaners? The answer is usually no. I have personally tested and filmed close
to 50 different robotic cleaner models and would consider myself an expert in
the field.
There
are three categories that I think the different cleaners fall into. You have
the Low-Range which are the bargain robots that sell for $350-$500. Then you
have the Mid-Range which sells for $500-$800 and then the High-Range which is
any robot over $900 and up. The features are what set the price point so
depending on what you want in a cleaner is what you will be paying for. For
example, if you want your cleaner to clean the pool floors, walls, and waterline
and have a programmable weekly timer, expect to pay $900 or more for that
category of cleaner.
I
think the robotic cleaner is the best choice for your pool care needs because
it does many things exceptionally well. Since it is a self-contained
mini-filter of sorts it will clean your pool effectively and keep everything
out of your pool’s filtration system. This allows your pool filter to run
cleaner and allows for better overall water quality. It also cleans your pool
rapidly. What would take a suction cleaner all day to clean, a robotic cleaner
will do that in less than 2 hours. A robotic cleaner is also energy efficient.
If you have a Variable Speed Pump you can run it at lower speeds all day since
there is no real need for a high-speed setting to run a suction or pressure-side cleaner. And last, once you are done it is easy to remove the robotic
cleaner form your pool which means no hoses in your pool all week long.
Choosing
the right model can be tough and that is why I have put together a list of my
top picks for each category. You can also refer to the videos below to see
other models that might interest you.
Choosing
the right battery operated cleaner requires some knowledge of how they work.
Water Tech is the leading manufacturer of these cleaners and they also make the
Jacuzzi line. There are three typical sizes for the homeowner and based on your
need would determine which one you would choose. I go over the three size
typical sizes here for you.
For
a spa or very small kiddie pool the basic small handheld “D” battery unit like
the JVP 100 would be a great choice. This is designed primarily for a very
small body of water and is perfect for your fiberglass spa.
Here
are some of the features of the JPV100:
Use
by hand or attach to any standardized size telescoping pole.
Up
to 2.5 hours of use (multiple cleanings)
Includes
Vacuum Head, Filter Bag, Power Head, Battery Chamber, Pool Pole Adapter, and
Micro Filter Bags.
2-Year
Warranty.
Powered
by five D-Cell Batteries, the Jacuzzi JPV100 Professional Grade Pool and Spa
Vacuum vacuums up unwanted debris, including sand, silt, and algae without the
use of a pool hose for approximately 2.5 hours of run time with multiple
cleanings.
The
JPV100 has a small debris chamber and a compact size so it is ideal for spas
and hot tubs. That would be my primary recommendation for the JPV100.
If
you need to vacuum a larger surface area I would suggest looking at the JPV200
or JPV300. These are designed for vacuuming larger areas and both of these
feature larger debris bags.
The
Jacuzzi ® JPV200 - Professional Grade Pool and Spa Vacuum, is a rechargeable
portable vacuum for your pool or spa. There are many great features of the
JPV200 and I really like the compact size and large debris chamber and the
power of the JPV200. Here are some more features of the JPV200:
“7.5
inch Wide Vacuum Head for catching more debris
Large
Debris Chamber for the toughest jobs
Powerful
Motor with Fully Rechargeable Lithium Powered Battery
Cordless
Operation
2-Year
Warranty
Includes
Vacuum Head, Nose Cap, Filter Bag, Cleaner Body, Motor Box, and Battery Charger
Small
enough to navigate spas and fountains, but strong enough to clean medium-sized
above and in-ground pools, this cleaner can take on just about any job.
With
its large debris chamber and filter bag, the Jacuzzi JPV200 Professional Grade
Pool and Spa Vacuum, Rechargeable cleans large areas of the pool, spa, or hot
tub.
Featuring
a cordless, hose-less design, a reusable Extreme Multi-Layer filter bag and
rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery technology.
The
Jacuzzi® JPV300 Cordless Professional Pool & Spa Vacuum is a great tool
that fits in perfectly between skimming your pool and manually vacuuming your
pool with a system vacuum. It is priced just under $230.00 making it an
affordable tool for your pool or spa maintenance. It is ideal for spas, above
ground pools, and small to medium in-ground pools. It is an extremely convenient
way to vacuum your pool or spa and the fact that it is cordless allows you to just
connect it to your pool pole and drop it right in. A huge time saver
Here
are some of the features of the JPV 300:
LPM
Part #: 58202
Up
to 1-hour run time on a full charge
10.5
inch Wide Vacuum Head
Advanced
Motor. Lithium Battery, Cordless, and Fully Rechargeable
Multi-Layered
Filter Cone to catch debris
High
Volume Debris Chamber and Unique Filtration System
Includes
Vacuum Head, Debris Chamber, Filter Assembly, Cleaner Body, Pool Pole Adapter,
and Battery Charger
Fully
Charges in less than 4 hours
2-Year
Warranty
Push
Button On/Off
One
of the things that I like the best about the JPV 300 is the very large debris
chamber. It can pick up large amounts of the debris before needing to be emptied
and the filter cone in front traps dirt and debris extremely well. You will
find the JPV 300 to be a great all-purpose vacuum for your pool or spa.
Depending
on the overall size of the pool or spa, you are vacuuming will determine the
battery operated cleaner you should purchase.
I
first found out about Bio-Dex when I started doing acid washes back in the day.
I was looking for a way to reduce the fumes to make the acid wash process more manageable
and my local supplier suggested Bio-Dex White n’ Brite. After doing an acid
wash with it I was sold. The fumes were reduced by 75% and the acid washes became
so much easier to do.
Of
course Bio-Dex makes a number of other products for algae treatment, scale
treatment and tile cleaning and I have used most of them with very good
results. Here is more about Bio-Dex:
“Bio-Dex,
is a trusted Industry leading manufacturer of chemicals for pools & spas.
Our continuous dedication to developing and improving the chemicals that make
swimming pool treatment and maintenance easier and more effective is the reason
Bio-Dex products have been the choice of pool service professionals for over
five decades.
Our
products are for anyone concerned with pool maintenance for both chlorine and
salt water pools who are looking to prolong the life of a pool and protect the
expensive equipment involved.”
Here
is more on my favorite product for acid washes and how to use it.
Plaster
White n’ Brite Instructions
A good starter mix is one gallon of acid added to two gallons of water. Use a
five gallon clean plastic pail. Add eight ounces of Plaster White ‘n Brite to
the diluted acid solution and stir for one minute. (option: add 8 oz Aquadex 50
Stain-Off as a booster)Pour the mixed solution along the tile line and allow it
to run down the plaster and dwell for at least five minutes. Hose the product
off. You can brush the pool if desired (optional). TIP:Spa Foam stop will help to cut the foam when
removing the wastewater.Refill with
Protect-All Supreme or Salt Protect for continued brightening.
If
you notice some stains on your pool or if you are doing an acid wash then the
AquaDex 50 would be a great choice.
Aquadex
50 Stain-Off / Spa Stain Off removes copper iron and metallic stains from
plaster pools and black cobalt stains from fiberglass. Stain removal results
can be noticed within 48 hours up to 10 days depending on how old or fresh the
stains are. The product is stable at higher temperatures so works well in the
spa environment. The effectiveness of Aquadex 50 Stain Off won’t be compromised
by chlorine, acid, or other sanitizing products. The product can be mixed with
Plaster White ‘n Brite as a booster for removing difficult metal stains in an
acid wash.
Aquadex
50 Stain-Off Features
Metal
stain remover. Quicky removes metal stains in spas, pools, and fountains. It
stays stable at high temperatures. Stain removal will be apparent in one to 10
days depending on the age of the stain and severity. The second application might be necessary
after 10 days.
Aquadex
50 Stain-Off Instructions
Aquadex
50 Stain off is applied directly to the water where the staining exists.
Swimmers can enter the water after thirty minutes. High temperatures won’t
affect the product’s stability. Stain removal takes time and may require
additional treatment for resistant stains. Run the filter often and for
complete results within 10 days. Lower pH of 7.2 rather than 7.8 for best
results
You
can learn more about all of their chemicals from their website here:
