Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

The Pentair Leaf Trap 360476 is Pentair’s first smaller capacity Leaf Trap and one that has many great features. Pentair kept this leaf canister simple and easy to use and if you have a suction side cleaner this may be the perfect canister for you.   I always recommend a leaf canister of some type for your suction side cleaner. I would not run any suction side cleaner without a leaf canister just because I have seen pool skimmer lines and pumps clogged up with debris that is picked up by the cleaner. A leaf canister will prevent this and also prevent the pool from losing suction since the pump basket will stay clear allowing for maximum flow. Here is more about the 360476 leaf canister: To keep suction-side cleaners working at top efficiency without stopping to open and clean the pump strainer basket, use a Pentair Leaf Trap. Pentair Leaf Traps capture leaves and other debris poolside, where it’s easy to see, open and clean. They are also simple to install and use, as the...

  My son has been 3D printing now for the past 2-years and recently decided to get a Dual Extruder 3D printer so he can print in 2 different colors for hos key chain business. We tried 2 other printers before we settled on the Tenlog TL-D3 printer. If you are interested in some of the 3D prints that you see in this video you can purchase them on my son Caleb’s ETSY storefront. Buy Pool Industry 3D Key Chains:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/3DPoolPrints?ref=search_shop_redirect Currently he has these key chains available: Riptide, PoolRX, Bottom Feeder, Primate Pole, Spin Touch, ColorQ, HASA Chlorine, HASA Acid, MX8, CuLator, Multi-Tork. & Taylor Txt Kit   With new key chains being added soon.   You can see all of his prints here:  https://www.swimmingp oollearning.com/3d-printed-pool-company-logos I am learning about 3D printers and my son knows quite a bi t about them since he has purchased 3 other printers and now this is his 4 th printe r. He started...

  Because of a few things coming together at the same time, there is an emerging Tri-Chlor   Tablet shortage looming on the horizon. If indications for how this season is ending is an indicator of things to come, there will be less 3” Tri-Chlor tablets available on the market going forward into next season. Already there are steady price increases of 20-40% and rationing of tablets by suppliers. In Houston, one supplier is allowing only 2 #50 bucket of tablets per company. In other areas, the price has spiked up from $80 to $130 for a #50 bucket or more. What are the root causes of the shortage and how will next season look are some of the questions I am often asked. Because of 45% tariffs on products from China, importing 3” Tri-Chlor tablets was not an option for US suppliers in 2019. So the tablets were homegrown so to speak and recently the largest US producer of Tri-Chlor went up in smoke literally when Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana.   “In the Lake Charles region...

  I am often asked how long will my swimming pool pump last? It is a pretty general question and there are actually several separate components that make up your pool pump. You have the wet end or pump pot area, then the motor, starter, or run capacitor, and if you have a Variable Speed Pump you have what is called the Drive. Each of these has different lifespans and they can vary by brand, environment, and run time. Nothing seems to last as long as it should and that is the same thing we run into in the pool industry nowadays. Let me list the pool equipment for you with their serviceable lifespan and replacement cost. I also like using a yearly sinking fund to help budget for overall equipment replacement costs. So set some money aside each season for a new pump and motor so that when the time comes you will have the ready money to buy a new one. Pool Motor:   This is the piece of equipment that you will be replacing most often if you have a standard single-speed pump. If...

  The #1 selling vacuum for Water Tech is their Catfish model. It is a solid vacuum but for some it can be lacking because t has a small debris chamber. So, Water Tech took some of the best features of it’s popular Pool Blaster Cleaner and combined it with the Catfish creating the Catfish Ultra Li.   Here are some of the specs on the Catfish Ultra Li: Cordless Pool & Spa Vacuum Durable. Powerful. Hand-held cleaner with extra debris capture. The Catfish® Ultra incorporates the same durability and power as the Catfish and includes more accessories and debris capacity. Perfect for quick and easy cleaning in the Hot Tub or Spa or the entire swimming pool. SKU #: 21001DL 10.5" Vacuum Head w/Soft-Bristle Brush, Wall Charger, (1) X-Treme Multilayered Filter Bag, Four piece pole set (45" length), (1) pole adapter   • Up to 45 minutes run time • Push button ON/OFF switch • Vacuum head width: 10.5" • Four piece sectional pole set (45" length) included ...

  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.   Although there are a lot of positives about dry acid there was one study done that highlights some potential negative effects of dry acid. But according to my source to achieve this level you would need to add 75 lbs. of dry acid and bring the level in a pool to 300 ppm. So the study may not be all it is cut out to be. Here it is for you so you can see both sides of the product: https://www.pwtag.org/sulphate-attack-february-2011/   You will see dry acid sold as pH Reducer, pH down or of course labeled as Dry Acid. Just look for the active i...

  Riptide excels in so many areas. The vacuum system is solid and has evolved over the past 4 years to a premiere vacuum system. Riptide also sells direct. Place an order online and within a few days, the vacuum system will be on your doorstep. But the one thing Riptide is known for is their great customer service. Matt and Dave the owners of Riptide are 100% hands-on and it is reflected in how responsive they are to their customers. This goes a long way with customer service. The Riptide vacuum uses a 30 lbs. thrust motor to spin a propeller on top and suck large debris into the debris bag on top. I have been using the Riptide SL on my pool route and for over 2 years now and it works exceptionally well. The Riptide Vacuum System is an essential tool if you service pools that get destroyed by the winds, or if work in an area where the pools get a lot of large debris all season long. For the homeowner or service tech who doesn't want or need the SL cart, you can now order the Ript...