Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

 Boric Acid Powder is a great way to add borates to your pool to bring it to 50 ppm. The rule of thumb is 2.4 lbs of boric acid per every 1,000 gallons of water. But using the https://www.poolcalculator.com/ Is a very easy way to calculate how much boric acid to use.  If you are interested in ordering boric acid you can get it here: https://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?query=boric+acid+powder It is pretty easy to add – simply measure the amount of boric acid you will need and broadcast it into the deep end of the pool with the equipment running.  Here are the proven benefits of having a Borate level of 30-50 ppm: Lower Chlorine usage: The Borate helps reduce chlorine usage by eliminating Carbon Dioxide and also by keeping the pH stable. Chlorine lasts longer when the pH is right at 7.6-7.8. When the chlorine is in the ideal range the killing element in chlorine the HOCI is at the most balanced percentage so the chlorine in a pool with a pH of 7.4 is 30% more effective th...

 As of today the wholesale price for a #50 bucket of 3” Tri-Chlor tablets is at $190.00. I see it retailing online for as much as $300. If you rely on 3” tablets for your pool route or your personal backyard pool the Chlorine Armageddon is upon us. With prices for Tri-Chlor doubling, it is safe to say that alternatives need to be found.   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 nation's Tri-Chlor and from some reports, it will be down until 2022 or longer. I read reports that it ma...

 If your pool is showing metal staining or testing positive for metal ions the only product that is proven to remove these metal ions and lift the staining (results vary) is the CuLator Metal Eliminator. They have two different sizes depending on the amount of metals you need to remove based on PPM. You can learn more about the two different sizes of the CuLator on their website: https://culator.com/product-category/shop-by-brand/culator-metal-eliminator/ To see a photo gallery of pool stains: https://culator.com/identify-your-pool-stains-gallery/ CuLator Ultra PowerPak 4.0 SKU: CUL-ULT-1 Categories: CuLator Metal Eliminator, Metal Eliminators & Stain Preventers, Pool & Spa Patented CuLator Ultra 4.0 removes and eliminates stain-causing metals in swimming pools to non-staining levels.   CuLator Ultra 4.0 removes 4 ppm total dissolved metals from your pool water, which prevents pool staining and water discoloration.  The goal is to have 0.0 metals in your wate...

 I asked Industry expert Harold Evans his thoughts on the Tri-Chlor shortage, and in his opinion, this can bring positive change to the industry. He believes the overreliance on Tri-Chlor was ultimately bad for the industry and he offers some ways to get through the current shortage. Other Podcasts in this series: Why the LSI is Key with Harold Evans of Orenda Technologies: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8514020 Salt Water Generators and Those White Flakes with Harold Evans of Orenda Technologies: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8514035 The Orenda Way with Harold Evans of Orenda Technologies: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8514040 About Orenda Technologies: Harold Evans is the CEO of Orenda Technologies and has run a pool service company, “the Pool Surgeon” since 1983. For many years, Orenda was primarily a specialty chemical manufacturer, building a business on quality, professional-grade products, and reputation. We have since evolved into an education company. We have in...

Starting July 19th, 2021 the DOE will begin to regulate which pool pumps can be manufactured. Basically, any pump deemed to be not energy efficient will no longer be allowed. Some of the only pumps that will be sold legally will be Variable Speed Pumps. It can be a little confusing and I invited Scott Petty of Hayward to talk about the new regulations. He has over 17 years of experience with Hayward  in their pump department and is known as “The Pump Guy.” Listen to learn all about the new DOE regulations. To learn more about the new DOE regulations: https://www.hayward-pool.com/shop/en/pools/regulations To learn more about Hayward vs pumps: https://www.hayward-pool.com/shop/en/pools/VS Other parts in this series: Common Misconceptions on the New DEO Regulations and VS Pumps with Scott Petty of Hayward: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8475549 Hayward VS Pump Line-Up and How to Choose the Right VS Pump with Scott Petty of Hayward: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8475570 Scott me...

Leslie’s Jacuzzi line-up of products is a great line-up of branded products that were handpicked from major manufacturers for both the retail customers and pool pros. The Jacuzzi name has been around for decades and Leslie’s is trying to take it to the next level with the new lineup of products. Here are some of the great features of the new jacuzzi line-up by category. Note that through Leslie’s Equipment Protection Plan if you buy the product in Leslie’s store you get an additional extended warranty and pool pros who are part of Leslie’s Pro program also qualify for the extended warranty beyond the manufacturer’s warranty listed here.  Variable Speed Pumps: The 1st generation of Jacuzzi pumps lacked a few features such as connectivity to automation and a time-out mode. Two things that were very important to homeowners. The new Jacuzzi Vs Pumps feature all of that and more. 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 ...

 The VacDaddy is a pretty solid product. No question that it performs as advertised. Putting it into a category of vacuum systems is another story. It has the same gallons per minute power as a full-size vacuum system like a Hammer-Head but is designed more like a system vac.  To order the VacDaddy at the discounted price of $895.00 go to their site and log in as a "Dealer" Create an account and buy the VacDaddy for $895.00 Get a FREE EXTRA bag with code: VACBAG at checkout! https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/vacdaddy-portable-pool-vac Here is more about the VacDaddy from the manufacturer: The primary benefit of The VacDaddyTM is EASE-OF-USE. Lightweight and compact. At only 10 pounds, The VacDaddy is easy to operate and maneuver. Minimal assembly which is easy and intuitive. No special training is required to use. Simply plug in and Just Vac It. Fast pool cleaning with more vacuuming power than other heavy-duty commercial vacuums. Eliminates the need to set up and prime a...

 Algae in your pool are one of the biggest issues you will face as a pool service pro and as a homeowner. The most common answer to pool algae is to reach for an algaecide and treat the pool with either copper, sodium bromide, or a polyquat. But there are other proven methods to treat algae and preventing algae in the first place is the key. Other Podcasts in this series: Are Adding Borates an End All Cure-All? With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry= https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8417625 Signs a Swimming Pool Has a Leak with Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry: https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8417637 What is TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)  with Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8417666 Color Bodies: Why Your Water Has That Odd Color to It with Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry https://www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8417687 Bob Lowry is the author of over 23 books but this has to be one of his most relevant and shortest books coming in at just 19 pages thick. But it is packe...

 If you are looking for a well-made and easy-to-clean single cartridge filter the Jacuzzi JCF150 (150 sq ft) cartridge filter would be a perfect filter for you. It comes with Pleatco Advanced ULTRA cartridges installed from the factory which in my opinion is the best cartridge on the market today.  It is also backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty and an additional 1-year warranty by Leslie’s through their Equipment Protection Plan – if you purchase it in-store and have Leslie’s install it or a Leslie’s Pro member install it (So 3 years total). You really can’t beat that type of warranty on any filter on the market today. Here is more from the manufacturer: Jacuzzi JCF150 150sq. ft. In-Ground Cartridge Filter Cartridge Pool Filter makes a great option for those wanting long-lasting, efficient equipment that really delivers. Manufactured in the USA Fiberglass Reinforced lid with UV resistant body for superior performance in the harsh elements Viton Seal Air Relief Valve Ergon...

 Ever wish there was a kit designed for swimming pool stain treatment? There actually is one. From the makers of just about every metal and stain eliminator product comes the No-Drain Metal Stain eliminator Kit by Periodic Products.  When you start to see a stain in your pool it can be hard to identify it at first. Is it a metal stain or is it organic in nature? Other times it may be more obvious, like adding too much copper algaecide, or upon opening your pool the surface is completely covered in brown staining. On the Culator website is a helpful gallery of all types of metal staining. You can see the photos here at this link: https://culator.com/identify-your-pool-stains-gallery/ Treating the staining promptly is the key as older stains may not come off easily. Once you see the stain try to jump on things right away and of course this kit is ideal for that reason. Everything you need to treat and remove the stain is in the kit.  Here is more about the kit from the manu...