Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

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...