Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

THE HASA LIQUIDATOR  is a chlorine feeder that is safer and cleaner than, and just as convenient as, floating tablet feeders. By attaching to and running off of your pool’s pump, The Liquidator saves you the trouble of having to worry about putting the right amount of chlorine into your pool every single day. This is a great alternative to Tri-Chlor tablets and liquid chlorine is affordable and readily available.  At the moment Tri-Chlor tablets are in short supply and are going up in price every week. If you are considering an alternative there are a few logical options and as some may suggest a Salt Water Generator or Salt Water System is not the best option. Let me list the pros and cons of the available sanitizer options for you. Tri-Chlor: This is an easy method no doubt. Drop some tablets or as some call them pucks into a floater or in-line chlorinator and you are done. The tablets slowly dissolve during the week and your free chlorine level is easily maintained. The mai...

 CircuPool SmartFlo Variable Speed Pool Pump is a solid pump for those looking for an affordable way to upgrade to a variable speed pump. It is super easy to set up and it is designed to be a direct replacement for a Pentair Wisperflo or Intelliflo VS pump. This basically means that you can swap out those two Pentair pumps with the Smartflo Vs with little or no replumbing. You can even use the existing unions for these two Pentair pumps and install the Smartflo VS directly in without any plumbing.  The CircuPool SmartFlo® variable-speed saltwater pool pump is a next-generation, ultra-efficient pump that can provide up to 90% energy savings over traditional swimming pool pumps! It features a super-duty Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) permanent-magnet motor and highly-engineered hydraulics, which deliver premium efficiency, long lifespan, and whisper-quiet operation. Specifically designed to replace existing high-performance pumps, the CircuPool SmartFlo® has integrated progr...

 The ColorQ 2x Pro 9 is much like the ColorQ 2x Pro 7 with some notable exceptions. It uses the same photometer unit but the one that comes with the Pro 9 can also test for Copper, Iron, and Biguanide (Reagents sold separately). Included are reagents and TestTabs for Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, pH, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness, Cyanuric Acid, Iron & Copper. So it does all of the test factors of the Pro 7 with added test factors to check for metals in the pool water (Copper & Iron). If you feel that testing for metals in the pool water is something that you need on your pool route, then I would suggest getting the Pro9 over the Pro 7. To order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XD9SJ8M/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=6eddee4ed164970873c58df1e9f11baf&creativeASIN=B08XD9SJ8M Here is more about the ColorQ 2x Pro 9: “The ultimate on-site hand-held pool and spa photometer. It measures nine pool & spa tests directly...

I think one of the best keep secrets and very unintentionally is the fact that Lesli’s Pool Supplies also has a growing Wholesale Division. The difficulty in getting the word out is that everyone sees Leslie’s as a retail pool store. They get that. That is why Brian Agnew and Chad Christensen recently sat down with me to go over the ins and outs of Leslie’s Wholesale Division.  To help implement even greater rewards they also recently launched the Leslie’s Pro program in which wholesale pool shoppers can get added benefits above and beyond just wholesale pricing.   How to open an account: Simply go into a local Leslie’s store – there are over 950 of them and ask the manager about opening a wholesale account. All you need is a business card basically and you are all set. If you want to be part of Leslie’s Pool Service Provider Program you would need at least $1 million dollars in General Liability Insurance. You can also open an account online by going to this link and ent...

Ease of programming is the key to a successful Variable Speed pump experience. If you can’t easily program and set up your VS pump it kind of defeats the purpose of having such a cutting-edge piece of technology. Fortunately, the new line-up of Jacuzzi VS pumps is super easy to set up and program. If you watch the video I walk you through all the key points. The control panel is set up with four easy-to-program speed buttons and unlike its predecessor, this pump features a programmable “Time Out” or “Quick Clean Mode.” A super important feature for the pool pro and homeowner alike. It also features a built-in Freeze Protect Mode so in low temperatures the pump will turn on and run to prevent damage from freezing.  You can pull up the programming instructions here as well: https://lesl.a.bigcontent.io/v1/static/JVS165S-Manual Here is more on the JVS Line-up of pumps: Jacuzzi has a new line-up of Variable speed pumps and they are now available at your local Leslie’s Pool Supply. Thes...

Cordless robotic pool cleaners are the wave of the future and the market is pretty wide open for them at this point. Aiper is a company that has two other smaller cordless cleaners already on the market and their newest cordless cleaner is the Aiper Smart 1500 or AIPURY 1500. This is a surprisingly powerful and compact cleaner that works very well. Note these things before ordering: The run time is 90 minutes, so it is designed for a small to a medium pool. I would not use it in a pool over 14,000 gallons unless you are okay with running it twice to achieve a full cleaning. In the right size pool, this thing excels and cleans very well. It spends some time on the walls and waterline so if you are not interested in a cleaner that cleans more than the bottom there is no way to set this cleaner for floors only.  If you have non-compliant flat main drains that stick up ½” off the pool floor this cleaner may get hung up on those drains. It all depends on the slope of the deep end and wh...

 I always like to do a quick recap when I reach these even number hundred podcast episodes. In this one, I thought I would address something that isn’t talked about much and that is the End Game. What goals are you working towards and do you have a plan when your career reaches its end? A little about me: I am a Pool Service Professional with over 30 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.  Being financially independent has allowed me to freely share my knowledge with others through my videos and articles so that you can save money as you take care of your pool. I give out free advice to whoever asks and you can post a question or commen...

  The Emaux Water Technology Superior SSC Series Salt Chlorinator is packed with some really cool features and is easy to set up and install. One of the coolest features is the built-in timer which is great for pools with a stand-alone VS pump, automation, and for setting a cooling down period for the salt cell. This system reminds me of the Ecomatic salt systems that were very popular in the early 2000s when salt systems were emerging in my area. It has a similar salt cell connection and cell shape and size. The control panel is of course very advanced and it features two power modes. A standard “on” mode will turn the salt system on with the pool pump and a unique “Auto” mode that utilizes a build-in timer in some of the SSC models (SUC-T).  This “Auto” mode is very innovative and can be used alongside a stand-alone Variable Speed Pump.  In “Auto” mode the built-in timer will control when the salt system turns off and on. That way let's say you have your VS pump set to ...

The Jacuzzi JCRX In-ground Robotic Cleaner provides powerful cleaning with rotating brushes to vacuum and scrub your pool floor and walls. Utilizing patented technology from their partnership with Polaris, the JCRX is loaded with the latest technology. It also features a patented Lift System that allows you to effortlessly remove the cleaner from the pool.  Here are some key features: STRONG SUCTION POWER - Pulls in dirt and debris COMPLETE COVERAGE - Cleans pool floor, scales walls, and maneuvers obstacles with ease EASY-TO-SEE LARGE DEBRIS BASKET - A clear lid and interior light let you see when the debris basket is full ROTATING SCRUBBING BRUSHES - Brush design helps direct dirt towards the inlet for more effective cleaning ILLUMINATED DEBRIS CANISTER - Leslie's exclusive feature CLEANER CADDY - Transport and store cleaner with ease 60' TANGLE-FREE CORD - Twirling design prevents the cable from tangling TREADS - All-terrain tank treads traverse pool surfaces and obstacles SC...

 The Riptide Pool Vacuum System uses a unique type of bag that is designed basically never to blow off the vacuum head. One of the main issues you will have with the bags is that they can be hard to get on if you don’t follow the proper method. The good news is that once you learn how to get the bag on it will be super easy going forward. In fact, you may laugh later at yourself once you learn how easy it is to get the bag on. The overall method is basic physics. If you are trying to force the bag on and breaking a sweat you are doing it wrong. If you look at the head of the Riptide Vacuum you will see that it has an edge or rim to it. The bag has a grove built into it. So how do you get the bag on without forcing the bag down over the rim into the grove?  The best way to get the bag on is to set the bag on top the vacuum and tilt it so that the grove on just one end fits inside the rim of the vacuum and then once it is set in there put both palms on top of the bag and then pu...

 I am a big fan of saltwater systems, known also as Saltwater generators (saltwater chlorine generators), and would recommend anyone who is interested in making their pool care easier to invest in one. There are a few things that make the new Jacuzzi JSCS40 Salt System and Cell for pools up to 40,000 gallons even easier. The cell can be cleaned by using an included plastic stick and no acid is required. I will say that again, no soaking in acid is required. The system also does not use a flow or temp sensor eliminating two common points of system failures. Pool salt system and salt cell for pools up to 40,000 gallons new 15,000 hours extended life plate Clear cell housing to easily inspect cell plates Clean with zero acid - cell plates are completely removable for easy cleaning Easy to read design for the control unit Heavy-duty custom cleaning tool included Manufactured in the USA 3-Year Equipment Protection Plan Warranty   The metal plates in a Powerclean Salt cell are each ...

 Rudy Stankowitz is unique among experts in the field as he has actual practical pool service experience. You can really see this in his new book, “How to Get Rid of and Prevent Swimming Pool Algae” as he tackles the algae issue from not just the perspective of a chemist but as a pool service tech. You can order his book on Amazon from the link here and it is currently priced at $29.99: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W7SH8PJ/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=swimmingpooll-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=af0c5091232433ab3079b9da506c3549&creativeASIN=B08W7SH8PJ Here is more about the book from the Author: Great for anyone who takes care of swimming pools! A MUST HAVE that applies to pools of any shape or size - you'll have fewer bouts with green, yellow, and black algae with this How to book on your shelf. Use less chlorine without spending tons of money on costly treatments! Swimming pool algae is easy and super inexpensive to prevent when you know what to look for. Rudy shares tips ...