Pentair Leaf Trap 360476 Review

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 their canisters open and close easily.

Features:

Captures leaves and debris before they can clog and cut flow at the pump strainer basket or filter, maintaining optimum cleaning power

Leaf Trap canisters are easy to open and clean for fast, easy debris removal

2.2-liter cleaning capacity for longer times between cleanings

No tools are needed, so it’s easy to install

One male and one female hose attachment with no need for adapters

Connects to 1-1/2" pool vacuum hoses

Pentair 360476

If you are comparing the 360476 to Pentair’s larger R Leaf canister it is like apples to oranges. The R211084 186A is 5 liters so it is over twice as large. It also features a fine mesh bag which I would suggest looking at if your pool has very fine debris. The plastic insert of the new 360476 will let very fine debris through so it is best to use the R211084 instead in that case.

 If your pool has mainly larger leaf debris I suggest the 360476 because of the simple and easy-open lid. It is amazingly easy to open. The snap lid of the larger leaf trap can be harder to open over time and you will love emptying the 360476. Simply pull down on the grey handle and it opens. It couldn’t be easier and is far better than the Hayward version of this small canister.

My one hope is that the clear plastic will hold up to the sun UV rays, unlike the larger R211084 which tends to get cloudy and impossible to see through as it ages. The plastic does look thinner so I am thinking that issue will not present itself.

Overall if you are looking for a smaller leaf canister with a super to open lid that is made by a well-known brand such as Pentair, the 360476 leaf canister would be a great choice.

 

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Tenlog TL-D3 Pro 3D Printer with Dual Extruder Review

 

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.swimmingpoollearning.com/3d-printed-pool-company-logos

I am learning about 3D printers and my son knows quite a bit about them since he has purchased 3 other printers and now this is his 4^th printer. He started by buying the Ender 3 and then used the money from the prints he sold to buy the FlashForge Finder and then from that he purchased the AnyCubic Chiron and then the latest was the Tenlog TL-D3.

Here is some more about the TL-D3: Tenlog TL-D3 Pro 3D Printer, Independent Dual Extruder 3D Printer with 4.3'' Touch Color Screen, Silent Mainboards TMC2208 Drive Support PVA TPU ABS PLA, Direct Feed FDM 3D Printer 11.8''x11.8''x13.8''. To order or to check it out:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CSHPFZN/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=2ac0e0d001788185be9e31178e837e03&creativeASIN=B08CSHPFZN

INDEPENDENT DUAL EXTRUDER DESIGN: The TL-D3 Pro dual extruder 3D printer has dual nozzles independent of each other, so you can print in dual material/duplication/mirror mode. With dual-material printing mode, you can get two-color models. Choose duplication or mirror mode, you can get two models of the same color or different colors.

SUPPORT MULTIPLE FILAMENTS: The Tenlog TL-3 Pro 3D Printer is suitable for various filaments like 1.75mm PLA, TPU, PVA, HIPS ABS, wood, etc. You can choose a filament that suits your needs according to the filament you need to print the perfect model.

4.3'' TOUCH COLOR SCREEN: Tenlog TL-3 Pro 4.3”’s Touch Screen is easy to operate with its brand new friendly UI. Preview the model and printing process on screen, allowing offline printing. Say goodbye to the traditional manual knob screen.

EASY TO ASSEMBLE: It comes with several assembled parts. You can assemble the 3D printer in 3 steps, with its user manual, in about 5 minutes.

WARRANTY AND SERVICE: We provide a 1-year warranty for the 3D printer and a 3-month warranty for the extruder. With lifetime technical support as well. If you have any questions about the product, you can send an email to amazon@tenlog3d.com and we will reply within 24 hours!

Dual Material Printing

You can use two colored filaments to print on the model to obtain two-color models, or use two different filaments to print soluble supports (such as PVA) to accurately achieve difficult-to-place models.

Duplication Mode Printing

You can print two identical models of filaments (or the same or different filaments) of the same color or different colors on the Tenlog 3D printer at the same time, thereby doubling the printing efficiency and saving you time!

Mirror Mode Printing

You can print two symmetrical models of filaments (or the same or different filaments) of the same color or different colors on the Tenlog 3D printer at the same time, the two nozzles are dual-driven at all times for printing, and the two models are immediately aligned with the mirror.

Resume Printing Function

In the event of an unexpected power outage or surge, the control board will remember the last recorded position of the extruder. After the power is restored, The 3D printer will resume printing from the last recorded position.

Filament Runout Detection

When the filament runout detection detects that the filament such as PLA or ABS are used up or broken, the 3D printer will save the information and suspend printing, waiting for the 3D printer to feed the filament again to continue printing.

Unique near-end and direct-drive design

Tenlog 3D Printer uses a direct drive extruder and a powerful near-end silent motor design,so that it can print various filament, such as TPU,PVA,PLA,ABS,HIPS,WOOD,PETG,flexible.

 

 

The 3" Tri-Chlor Shortage

 

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, dotted with chemical plants and oil and gas refineries, trouble began early Thursday at a BioLab plant that manufacturers chlorine for swimming pools and disinfectants.” -Forbes

The Bio-Lab plant produced about 40% of the nations Tri-Chlor and from some reports it will be down until 2022 or longer. I read reports that it made over 2 million pounds of Tri-Chlor each year. That is a lot of product that has been wiped off the market. With fewer tablets available and with Tri-Chlor being the main way pool service companies maintain a Free Chlorine level in their service accounts, how we manage pools going forward will be forced to change.

What are some ways to maintain a pool going forward and use less 3” Tri-Chlor tablets and can it even be done? Back In the early ’90s when I first got started in the pool service industry we were not so reliant on 3” Tablets. In fact, they were not used nearly as much as liquid chlorine and gas chlorine in that era and that was a good thing because some of the side effects of overuse of tablets were not present back then.

One of the downsides of using 3” Tri-Chlor tablets is that it will add Cyanuric Acid to your pool, sometimes to levels that are above the recommended 30-50 ppm. For example, if you have a 20,000-gallon pool and use a full 50 lbs. bucket of tablets in one season because about 50% of that bucket was Cyanuric Acid you have effectively added 150 ppm of CYA to your pool. The effects of this are that the chlorine will need to work harder to be effective and you will also need to keep your chlorine level high at all times for it to be effective – around 10 ppm. This is because the Cyanuric Acid molecule will bind and unbind with the chlorine molecule to protect it from the Sun’s UV rays and if your CYA level is over 100 ppm this process will make the chlorine less effective as it is “tied up” in the bonding and unbinding process. This is known is some circles as “Chlorine Lock.”

One way to reduce your reliance of 3” Tri-Chlor Tablets would be to drain those pools with CYA levels of 100 ppm or greater and keep them in the 30-50 ppm range. Then you can switch over to using un-stabilized chlorine (a chlorine product without Cyanuric Acid in it) like liquid chlorine or cal-hypo. If that is not possible another option would be to continue using 3” Tablets but add an enhancer to each pool to extend the life of the chlorine in the water. There are several different types on the market and I cover these in other articles and podcasts. For your reference here they are adding Borates to being the level in the water to 30-50 ppm. Adding a PoolRx to the skimmer or pump basket. Using a combination of Phosphate Remover and Enzymes each week in the form of a maintenance dose. Anyone of these will be effective and, in my testing, can cut your 3” Tablet use by 50%.

Back to the early ’90s and I will explain how we were able to get through each week by using liquid chlorine. With the CYA level at 30-50 ppm, the chlorine would stay in the water for quite some time and be very effective against algae. But if the pool was larger and in the peak of Summer, 1-2 gallons of liquid chlorine would burn off before the week was over. In that case, we would leave a case of chlorine (4 gallons) at the customer's house and they would add it mid-week or a few days after you serviced the pool. This worked pretty effectively, and it wasn’t too much to ask the customer to do this each week.

In fact tens of thousands of homeowners who follow the Trouble Free Pool Method (BBB Method of Pool Care) do this effectively with their pools every season. The key is keeping the CYA level at 30-50 ppm so that chlorine will be effective in the water and adding more liquid chlorine when needed during the week.

Will this method work for your pool route? It may have to if you are unable to get 3” Tablets in the quantity you are used to. And yes, this method will work as long as the homeowner can be relied on to add liquid chlorine during the week.

 Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Swimming Pool Pump & Motor Average Lifespan

 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 you have a Variable Speed pump the motor will last a very long time – 10 years plus. But for a standard single speed pump, you will get 3-5 years out of it at best. Then you will need to replace it. The typical cost for having a new one installed is $400-$700 depending on your region and the pump HP rating. This will be the most common piece of equipment you will be replacing.

Pool Pump: The pool pump is the wet end where the pump basket sits as well as the motor on the back. Typically they last several years before needing replacement but figure every 10-12 years or after 3-4 motor replacements. The parts do wear and age over time and it is a good idea to just change the whole thing out over time. Again, I suggest a VS pump if your single speed pump is due for a replacement. A good Variable Speed pump will run you $1,000-$1,500 installed.

The best way to save money on your utility bills is to replace your standard single speed pump with a Variable Speed Pump or VS pump. This will significantly lower your electricity bill each month by dropping your total usage down. I will go over this in a separate article in more detail but if you can make the switch do it. Your single speed pool pump is probably your home's number one energy consumer next to your Air Conditioner.

Another great benefit of a variable speed pump is that they are very long-lasting. It has to do with a few factors but one of the main reasons is that you are not running the pump at the full 3450 RPM all the time. Think of it like this. Your standard single-speed pump is like driving a care 70 mph on the freeway every day 365 a year. Whereas a VS pump will give you the ability to run it at different RPM or speeds. So you can set if for 1800 RPM for 8 hours and 2300 RPM for 4 hours each day. Now, this is like driving a care 35 mph and 50 mph every day. The wear and tear have been significantly reduced.

The only part to really worry about on a VS pump is the Drive. It is basically the controller that sits on top of the pump and controls the speeds and priming of the pump. Once that Drive dies the price to replace it is so high that you are better off getting a new VS pump. Fortunately, the drive lasts for a very long time and this is not something to worry too much about but something you need to be aware of.

 Overall like anything else your pool pump will wear out and replacing it is something that you should be budgeting for.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

 

 

Water Tech Pool Blaster Catfish Ultra Li - a Great Mid-Range Battery Powered Vacuum!

 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

• Minimum operating depth:12.25” @ 45 degree angle

• Warranty: 1 year limited

  (1)Reusable X-Treme multi layer filter bag

• SKU# -21001DL

• Power Rating 265

• Lithium powered, fully rechargeable in 4 hours

• Unit size: L-19.25" x W-10.50" x H-7.0"

• Unit weight: 3.40 lbs

 

You can purchase the Catfish Ultra Li at Home Depot:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Water-Tech-Water-Tech-Pool-Blaster-Catfish-Li-Ultra-Spa-and-Pool-Vacuum-Cleaner-21051DL/203410768

Ideally the Catfish Ultra Li is designed for an above ground spa or small pool. Because it is a mid-range cleaner I wouldn’t suggest it for a larger pool. Water Tech makes a line of cleaners for larger pools including the Pool Blaster Max and Volt FX8Li. You will be very pleased with the Catfish Ultra Li with the larger debris chamber, larger vacuum head and more powerful motor.

If you have very fine sand and silt in your pool you can use the Pool Blaster Max Sand Silt Bag found here. This is perfect if your pool gets really fine dust in it and I find this bag to be very long lasting and durable.

Sand Silt Bag:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JMI7DQ/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=92f1072e067cabc1081edf2e0063425e&creativeASIN=B000JMI7DQ

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Using Dry Acid in Your Swimming Pool to Lower the pH

 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 ingredient sodium bisulfate on the label. 

Safer to Use: 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 a 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.

 A good online tool is the https://www.poolcalculator.com/

There are many very good reasons to switch to dry acid and of course the fact that it is safer to use is a big one.

Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.

Why You Need a Riptide Vacuum System Today!

 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 Riptide Vacuum Head with just a Battery Box, the Riptide XP.

Riptide has recently revamped the power switch and plugs on the SL Cart and the XP Battery Box. To say that the power switch and plug have been upgraded would be an understatement. The new design has been tested thousands of times making it the most reliable plug in the industry. I doubt if the switch or plug will wear out for years, it is that good.

The Riptide SL is a great vacuum system and the manufacturer is always looking for ways to make it better. The Riptide now comes standard with the Steering Knuckle. This makes the Riptide Vacuum much more maneuverable in a pool and it will allow you to easily turn and pivot the vacuum head while pushing it along the bottom or on the step area of a pool.  The Steering Knuckle takes the Riptide to the next level.

The SL Cart can hold up to a class 27 100 Ah battery which gives you about 6-8 hours of vacuuming time with the Riptide. I prefer a 55 Ah, or a 35 Ah battery to make the cart a bit lighter. You will get less vacuuming time but the battery is easy to charge each day so it is not a major drawback to use a smaller battery.

The cart also features large rugged rubber wheels that are ideal for rough yards and step areas. This is a very lightweight cart and even with the battery in the bottom, the wheels make it effortless to pull the cart over any terrain. It is also very well balanced and even pulling it up hills it is very steady. The handle on top is adjustable, so you can turn it at an angle for different heights, making it even easier to pull.  

I think a vacuum system is essential if you are servicing a full pool route. It will save you so much time in your pool route that it will pay for itself in just a year or two in time savings. With more time you can service more pools and a vacuum system like the Riptide will allow you to service pools that other companies would pass on. Those accounts with a lot of leaves each week on the bottom are no problem for the Riptide. I think purchasing equipment that will save you time and make your job easier is well worth the investment.

Riptide Videos:

Riptide SL Pool Vacuum System Review & Overview: https://youtu.be/Wp2c9CLDrgY

Riptide SL Pool Vacuum System Set Up Video: https://youtu.be/aLvYT2KuD5s

Riptide Battery Box: Riptide XP Optional Accessory or Stand Alone Purchase with Vacuum Head: https://youtu.be/Bi1sEDTw6mw

Fastest Way to Vacuum up Leaf Debris on Your Pool Route: Riptide SL Pool Vacuum System: https://youtu.be/bX3KUUGuqFI

 Visit my Website: http://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/

eBook: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/swimming-pool-care-ebook

YouTube Video Index: http://poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/03/swimming-pool-tips-reviews-how-to-video.html – A list of all of my videos.