Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

 My basic principle of setting the run time of a Variable Speed pump is to keep it simple. Yes, you can set up to 8 different speeds and run times in most pumps but why bother with that? I prefer to just set two different run times and call it a day. I like just using a low and medium speed. A high-speed program is not necessary in most cases. What I mean by low is 1700 to 1800 RPM or if you are using percentages to set your speed that would be 50%. Going off of 3450 RPM being 100%, half of that would be around 1,700 RPM or 50% in the menu. Then I would set a medium speed of 2400 RPM to 2600 RPM or roughly 70% if you are setting it that way. You really are not saving anything if you set the speeds any higher.  Basically, you can set your low speed by simply taking your current single-speed pump run time and doubling it on the low-speed mode. So if your pool ran for 8 hours per day at 3450 RPM you will need to set your low speed (1700 RPM) to run for 16 hours. This will give yo...

 Because of the Deep Freeze suffered by those in Texas and the surrounding areas I thought I would put together some things to think about when replacing your pool equipment. No one can really budget for multiple pieces of equipment that have been damaged and forget about any type of manufacturer warranty if “Freezing” was the cause. I think you need to focus on just what is needed to get the pool up and running which is the pump and filter.  Of course along with that are many small parts like check valves, diverter valves (Jandy Valves as everyone calls them), chlorinators, and salt cells. Anything in the plumbing that is leaking needs to be fixed or patched so that you can get the pool pump and filter running. If your pump was damaged or needs to be replaced, now would be a good time to consider moving to a variable speed pump. 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 signi...

 The Jacuzzi JMC16 Multicyclone reduces pool filter cleaning by spinning out debris before it reaches your pool filter system. This is considered a pre-filter and it will complement any pool filtration system. Imagine 80% less dirt getting to your pool filter and that sums up the JMC16. There are a few things to note about installing a Pre-filter. It does require some space above your pool pump and if you have a wall or the equipment is behind a structure be aware that it may stick up higher than your pool filter. That is just a note for aesthetics and does not affect the pool equipment in any other way. These are great for new construction because they can be added in easily but just be aware that you have to make sure your current equipment pad can accommodate the JMC16. If you have a D.E. filter there is a second caution and that is that you will need to plumb in an additional bypass to the JMC16 unit so that when the time comes to add D.E. you can bypass the device since it wil...

 Cal Hypo tablets have been around for a very long time. One of the drawbacks of Cal Hypo tablets is that after 1 day they would be fully dissolved. So there was no real way to use them in place of 3” Trichlor tablets to release chlorine slowly over the course of a week. But the Poolife NST Cal Hypo tablet is an exception to this and it is designed to slowly dissolve over the course of one week. So you can now use these NST tablets as a direct replacement for Tri-Chlor tablets. One critical thing to note is that you never want to introduce any Cal-Hypo tablet in a Tri-chlor feeder or Tri-Chlor floater. Mixing these two chemicals together will cause an explosion. Because Cal Hypo has such a high pH (over 9) you can use them directly in a pool skimmer without any harmful effects on the pool equipment. Poolife actually has two types of NST tablets, one for skimmer use and one for feeder and skimmer use.  To learn more about the product you can listen to this podcast as well: http...

Basically, if you had set your pool to run 24/7 and the power did not go off you are fine - even if the pool surface was frozen. But if the power goes off for any length of time it could spell total disaster for your pool equipment and plumbing.  Your local pool store is here to help. If you need your equipment inspected you can reach your local Leslie's pool store here: https://lesliespool.com/stores To learn more about Orenda Technologies: https://www.orendatech.com/ If you have a deep freeze and the power goes off here are some of the side effects: Damage to underground plumbing Damage to equipment O-rings Filter damage Pump damage Heater damage Other equipment damage Skimmer cracking Equipment unable to turn back on Equipment turning back on when power is restored and becoming damaged Before turning the pool back on check to make sure the return line is not obstructed by ice or that any check valves in front of the pump and after the filter are not frozen in the closed position...

 Everyone has to start somewhere. In the pool industry, it can sometimes be a long haul to reach your goals. And there is the added fact that we are in customer service whether you see it that way or not. One aspect is the pool service and the other is customer relations. I sat down with 6 of my group members and we talked about their successes and failures. Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/7484074 The members of the panel are: Karl in Sacramento and owner of Pool Ninja Pool & Spa Service Dean in Chandler AZ of Big Family Pools Lance in Tucson AZ of Southwest Pool Service Brennen in San Diego CA of Blue River Pool & Spa Chris in Tampa FL of Pool Guardians John in Coachella Valley of J&J Flawless Pools Each member has a unique background and also services a different area so the challenges although similar do differ. All are excellent examples of successful pool service pros.  Here are some qualities that I think you need to be successful in the indust...

 Jacuzzi has a new line-up of Variable speed pumps and they are now available at your local Leslie’s Pool Supply. These VS pumps have been designed with the new Department of Energy (DOE) regulations in mind and all of them meet the new standards. They also feature a lot of other upgrades and there are currently 3 models to choose from. There are the new Jacuzzi JVS Series pumps: JVS270 is a 2.7 THP VS pump with a DOE rating of 12.9 WEF JVS185 is a 1.85 THP VS pump with a DOE rating of 10.1 WEF JVS165 is a 1.65 THP VS pump with a DOE rating of 10.7 WEF All of these pumps are dual voltage which means they will work with either 115 volts or 230 volts. So if you have an older pool that is wired on a 110 v breaker, you can use any of these three pumps as the voltage is automatically modulated. I would suggest the JVS165 or the JVS185 to utilize the total hp rating of these pumps. The JVS270 will be throttled down to about 1.5 hp when connected at a 110 v breaker.  All three pumps ...

Swimming pool pH is often a test factor that is misunderstood or not given the proper attention. We know it is one of the big 3 test factors alongside Chlorine and Alkalinity but why I the pH important to measure and keep in the range each week? I go over pH in-depth with chemistry expert Bob Lowry. Bob Lowry has created over 100 chemicals used in today’s Pool & Spa Industry and has written over 20 books on pool & spa chemistry.  He has been in the industry for over 47 years and is the Lead Consultant at Lowry Consulting Group, leads the Pool Chemistry Training Institute, and has created the Certified Residential Pool & Spa Certification Program. Learn more at  https://pcti.online/ Here are some other recordings I did with Bob Lowry: pH and Why it is So Important in Balancing a Pool With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry (this video): https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/7361140 Raising and Lowering the pH in a Pool With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry: https://www.buzzsprout.com...

Check out this custom made apron made specifically for the messy job of filter cleaning! It is hand made in Mexico and is water-resistant. Extra-wide sides keep your pants and legs clean, large pockets in the front are perfect for the Spring Barrel Nuts and other filter bolts. It unclips from the neck as well as the back for easy removal. From the makers of the Riptide Cover and Clear Pool Vacuum Bags.  The Clear Pool Filter Apron is great! Get yours today: https://clearpoolproducts.com/?v=f24485ae434a I have always worn an apron when I clean my pool filters because let’s face it, no matter how careful you are the job can be very messy. I first started with a regular cooking apron from Walmart. That didn’t go so well as it would become very dirty and stained and it didn’t offer any protection after it got saturated with gunk. I then moved to a waterproof butcher-type apron which was good except that the waist was a tie strap and it always would come undone – at the wrong moments. I...

 PoolRx is an effective way to enhance the chlorine in your customer’s pools but there are some things you need to know before you drop one in the skimmer or pump basket. It is of course not a magic bullet so using it in a pool that is more balanced will get the best results. PoolRx is a simple way to keep your pool algae free all season long. It is also effective in cleaning a green pool and a side benefit of the product is that you will use less chlorine in the pool all season long.   PoolRx is a Mineral Technology that does two very simple things when used in your pool or spa; it eliminates all algae and will allow you to use less chlorine during the pool season. The active ingredient is Copper Sulphate Pentahydrate (chelated). What Chelated means is that the metals in the PoolRx have been bonded to form two coordinated bonds similar to what Metal Sequestering Agents do. This means that the Metal Ions will remain in the PoolRx unit with no metal ions being introduced i...