Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

 MikeysQuickCoupler: 2-Piece Coupler that fits existing unions like the Pentair and Hayward Salt cells.  It goes on in a minute without cutting or replumbing. In the past when a nut cracks on a backwash valve, salt cell, and filter bulkhead you would need to cut it off and do extensive plumbing. The plumbing cost alone can range from $300-$500 just to replace a $15.00 part.  These 2-piece split couplers are a game changer for the swimming pool industry. Find the right 2-piece split coupler from the list below (note new ones are being made) and do the repair in about 1 minute. No cutting or replumbing is required.  To learn more and to order: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com/mickeysquickcoupler The Quick Couplers are made of very strong plastic and are molded here in the USA. Once you get one in your hands you will see for yourself that these are built to last.  P&H SLT This coupling replaces the cracked/broken couplings on either end of your Intellichlor...

Simply put, no matter how long you run your swimming pool pump, you will not get all of the water from the pool, through the filter, and back out again. So does run time matter? Yes and no. Technically speaking you should try to get at least one cycle of water through the pool, 2-3 cycles all the better as you can see from the study I am referencing below.  To calculate a cycle of water you usually need a flow meter attached to your pool equipment. As a rule of thumb 50, GPM is about the average with a single-speed pump running at the full 3450 RPM. You can get a ballpark and use this formula if you do not have a flow meter on your equipment.  Pool size/ 50 Gallons Per Minute/ 60 minutes. Here is an example with a 20,000-gallon pool: 20,000 Gal / 50 GPM /60 minutes = 6 hours and 30 minutes So a cycle of water will go through the pool once every 6.5 hours. But how much pool water actually will go through the filter and then back into the pool? Here is the study abstract for you...

The SmarterSpa is a great way to convert your spa to salt without any replumbing and it is basically a plug-and-play device! It takes minutes to mount it and a few more to add the salt and get it up and running. Drop the electrode in and after setting the level you are good to go.  Order on their site and use this code to save 10% at checkout “POOLGUY” https://controlomatic.ecwid.com/ The SmarterSpa is great for spas and hot tubs under 1,000 gallons of water which is the majority out there. Just make sure you have a plug nearby as it comes with only 15 ft of cable. Also, make sure you have a place to mount the controller outside of direct sunlight. It is water resistant but I would keep it out of the rain if possible. The only real drawback is that the electrode will be in the spa but you will get used it pretty quickly. Since there is no plumbing to make it an in-line system I would say these drawbacks are minor. There really is no easier way to add a salt system (SWG – Salt Water...

There are three main types of D.E. filters on the market today. The most common is the traditional grid type D.E. filter which consists of a Top Manifold, 8 grids in a circular pattern, and a bottom manifold. This is the type made by Pentair, Jandy, and Hayward as well as off-brand makers like Waterway. Pentair makes a unique D.E. filter known as the Quad D.E. Filter and this filter consists of up to 4 cartridges instead of vertical grids. They also make a Quad D.E. Filter for their Sta-Rite brand. The last type is made by Hayward and is often referred to as a “Bump D.E. Filter” and is their Perflex D.E. Filter. These filters are usually found in above-ground pools and are not very popular in my area. If Your D.E. filter is leaking D.E. back into your pool here are the possible sources: 1. Air gets into the system allowing the filter to drain back into the pool when the pump turns off. You will see D.E. leaking back into the pool through the skimmer and main drain. Find an air leak a...

The Riptide Pool Vacuum System made its debut in late 2016. Since then, it has gone through several transformations. The Riptide Circa 2021 is the finest version yet and it is packed with so many updated features it should have been called the Riptide SL 2.0. Listen as David Sargent President goes over some of the features for you in person.  Here are some of the great updated features: High Torque Motor (uses rare earth magnets) High Torque Motor- Our new High Torque motor utilizes rare earth magnets making it the most powerful vacuum on the market The cord -the new protective external layer –just feels so solid and durable Cord Clip – secures the cord to the cart so no more worries of it falling off and dragging on the ground Stainless steel end plates on the vacuum head The cart is now e-coated before powder coating & the Transport Rack Is e-coated now too - Electrostatic Coating- All of our powder-coated parts are now electrostatic coated (ecoating) and then powder coated o...

 The Water Tech Volt Leaf Vac Recharge is something that a lot of pool owners have been waiting for. This is a Leaf Vac that now features a built-in Lithium Ion battery and it can be easily recharged by plugging it in. In a nutshell, this is a cordless, rechargeable leaf vac and now you can vacuum out leaves without using a garden hose or worrying about using an endless supply of AA batteries. Who is this designed for? The pool owner with a pool with a lot of leaf debris and the pool pro looking for an effective way to vacuum up leaves from a pool. You can also lock the handle and use the Leaf Vac to skim leaves off of the surface and it is surprisingly effective. This is primarily designed to replace the standard leaf vac that uses a garden hose connected to a water source to “power it.”  Here is more about the Volt Recharge: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Automatic On/Off Water Sensor Up to 3 Hour Run Time (2) reusable all-purpose filter bag Flip Leaf Vac upside down to sk...

 First off credit for all of this goes to the Legendary Bob Lowry who before his passing last year cemented this theory in the industry through his books, seminars, Certification course, and here on my podcast show as well as others. So all credit of course goes to Bob Lowry and I am just expounding on his teaching here. The formula is thus: Your pool’s FC level should be 7.5% of your pool’s Cyanuric Acid (CYA) level to effectively prevent algae and kill viruses and bacteria (summarized). Bob Lowry devised this 7.5% number and under the surface, there was a lot of complicated math involved. With Borates in the pool that magic number drops to 5% of FC to the pool’s CYA level.  Here are two examples.  A pool with a CYA level of 50 ppm will require 3.75 ppm of FC (4ppm to make it easy). 50 x 7.5% = 3.75 A pool with a CYA level of 100 ppm will need an FC level of 7.5 ppm 100 x 7.5% = 7.5 If you have a pool with constant algae or other water quality issues try this formula out...

 The VacDaddy vacuum to waste makes this one of the most versatile pool vacuums on the market today. Since you are watching the Pool Show video VacDaddy will give you the show discount! Order now and use code: DVB100 to save $100 on the VacDaddy V2W. To order Vac Daddy Vacuum to Waste Version: https://thevacdaddy.com/product/the-vacdaddy-v2w/ The vacuum to waste aspect of the VacDaddy is a true gamechanger for your pool route. Now you can use the VacDaddy to do clean-ups, green pool clean-ups, and any other use that requires a portable pump to vacuum a pool to waste. This makes the VacDaddy a truly versatile vacuum and expands the use from a daily vacuum to a device that takes the place of a larger portable pump. Here is more about the VacDaddy unit from the manufacturer: The primary benefit of The VacDaddy is EASE-OF-USE. Lightweight and compact. At only 10 pounds, The VacDaddy is easy to operate and maneuver. The minimal assembly is easy and intuitive. No special training is requ...

 Here are some must-have tools for your pool, all of them are useful and these will make your life a lot easier. I love these simple inventions because someone has to think of them! Hole In One Suction Cleaner Skimmer Basket: The Hole in One Basket solves the problem of your pump basket clogging up with debris when you attach a Suction Side Automatic Cleaner to your skimmer. The idea is simple. The hole in the bottom allows the cleaner hose to slide through the basket and connect to the skimmer line. All surface debris is trapped in the Hole in One Basket just like a standard skimmer basket. A simple solution to a big problem. Keep the flow. https://clearpoolproducts.com/product/hole-in-one-basket?v=f24485ae434a Mickey’s Quick Coupler: Building 2- Piece Couplers I make a 2-Piece Coupler that fits the Pentair and Hayward Salt cells.  It goes on in a minute without cutting or replumbing. Takes longer to break/cut the old one off!    I am making other sizes, for differe...

  The Nidec VS pump comes with a pre-programmed run cycle however you may find programming in your schedule and run times more advantageous. Also, setting the pump run speeds or RPM to your liking is something you may also want to do. Detailed instructions can be found here as well as in the video: https://acim.nidec.com/motors/usmotors/-/media/usmotors/documents/techdocs/manuals/neptune-16527-thp-pool-pump-installation-and-operation-guide.ashx The Neptune variable speed motor and control provide flexibility and ease when it comes to upgrading to a variable speed pump. After all, the real heart of the pool pump is the motor on the back. Why spend $1,600 on an entirely new pump when just replacing the motor on the back with a Neptune VS motor will fix the problem. And no replumbing is needed. Simply remove the old motor and install the Neptune VS motor on the back of your existing pump. The Neptune variable speed pool pump motor is a premium efficient product that includes a fu...