Swimming Pool Tips and Reviews

  PSI is: Pounds per square inch a standard unit for measuring pressure and the most common factor used in determining when to backwash or clean a pool filter. A filter pressure gauge is used to measure a filter's PSI and every filter should be equipped with one. The most obvious reason for high PSI is that the filter is dirty. Simply cleaning the filter or backwashing it if you have a D.E. Or Sand Filter will usually lower the PSI down to an acceptable range. The clean starting filter PSI will vary from filter to filter, some hover around 10-15 PSI but many cartridge filters start at 20 PSI. The best way to know in your case is to clean the filter and then mark on the gauge the clean PSI for your particular filter. A general rule of thumb is that if the PSI goes up by 10, if it is at 15 and goes up to 25, then a cleaning or backwashing is due. This is the best way to lower high filter pressure and get the pool circulating again. After cleaning the filter or backwashing it the...

The AquaStar Pipeline VS pump line-up has some very nice features. It is AqauStars first generation of VS pumps and it was designed to complement their Pipeline Filter. If you purchase the Pipeline Pump and Pipeline filter together as a combo AquaStar will give you a 3-year warranty for both! Here are some of the features of the Pipeline Pump: •  App capability Google & Apple •  Connect to Pentair automation via the PLCM •  Permanent magnet motor (PMM) drive system •  Two sizes, variable speed 1.5 HP and 3 HP •  Four programmable speeds from 800 to 3400 RPM •  Noise reduction vibration dampening rubber insert •  RS485 communication port •  Automation capability, programmable start and stop times •  Integrated 2.5" and 2" (socket) pump union connections •  Ergonomic lid handles with quick-release quarter-turn 4-point locking lid •  High-capacity self-aligning HDPE ultra-durable basket •  High-efficiency volute design, patent...

If your pool pump doesn’t seem to be working, the problem could be at the pool skimmer. The first thing I check is obvious. Is the water level at the right spot in the pool, usually halfway up the tile line, or if you look at the skimmer opening the water should be filling the opening halfway?  Low water can of course cause the pool pump to lose its prime. Next, is something blocking the skimmer? A pool toy or pool float maybe or there may be a twig or debris stuck in the weir gate keeping that in the closed position. The weir gate is the white plastic device in the front of the skimmer and if it is in the closed position when the pool is running it will prevent water from getting to the pump. I then check the skimmer basket to make sure that is free of debris. If it is full of leaves that will prevent the pump from priming also. Nest, check the pump basket to make sure that is free of debris as well. If the pump basket is full of debris the pool pump will not prime. If all of thos...

 Manually vacuuming your swimming pool and spa with a manual vacuum head and pool hose sounds like something very simple and easy to do. Simply attach the vacuum head and hose and you are good. But it can be a little more complex than that. I will be going over some do’s and don’ts in this article for you so that you can avoid making some typical mistakes. Let me lay out some of the most critical don’ts so that you won’t damage your pool or equipment. When you submerge the vacuum head and pool hose make sure all the air is out of the hose. This can be achieved by using a hand-over-hand motion and pushing the hose down into the water.  You want to connect the hose to the skimmer suction line without any air in the hose. Air can cause the pump to lose its prime and if you let it run for several minutes without water in the pump basket area known also as the wet end, this could cause air leaks to develop in the system. Air leaks then lead to water leaks and a loss of pool suction...

Suction Side Cleaners: This is the most familiar type of cleaner to most consumers and the most popular type. A suction cleaner works off your pool's existing pump and is attached to the skimmer or a side/ vacuum port in your pool. Depending on the pool and type of debris this can be the most effective and cost-effective cleaner type for you. Most suction-side cleaners retail for $500 or less. The Suction side cleaner is the one most popular on my pool route as they are affordable, effective and there are a lot of different models to choose from. In most cases, I will suggest a good suction side cleaner since they are also easy to set up and easy to repair when something breaks. Pressure Side and Return Side Cleaners: Pressure Side cleaners are extremely effective. They have a large debris opening and a large bag on top of the debris. They can clean a large pool in 2- 3 hours or less. The drawbacks are that they need a separate booster pump installed and a dedicated return line. So...

The Hayward TracVac is Haywards first new suction side cleaner in several years. I think it is their first new suction side cleaner in decades if you are not counting the fact they purchased the rights to the Hayward Aquanaut and it did not technically come in-house.  The TracVac is a combination of the Hayward Aquanaut with of course some new patented technology. You will find the gearing and cam similar to the Aquanaut but then things diverge considerably. The tank tracks, turbine, and overall body of the cleaner are all original.  In testing what I like about this cleaner is how well it scales the walls and main drains in a pool. Set at just 2600 RPM with the side port open to 75% the TracVac has no trouble climbing to the waterline. It is also amazingly balanced so it will scale the walls at different angles and with the hose float set at 20” it rights itself whenever it falls off the wall at an awkward angle.  If the gearing is anything like that of the Hayward Aquan...

One of the biggest problems that you can run into with your swimming pool is that it stops holding chlorine. We refer to this in the industry as the chlorine zeroing out. There are several reasons for this and it is more noticeable in the Spring and Summer when the weather starts heating up and the Sun’s UV Rays become stronger. I will touch on the most common reasons why your pool is not holding chlorine week to week. One of the first things to look at is the pool’s filtration system in run time. This is often overlooked and is crucial to the pool holding chlorine. If the skimmer basket is clogged with debris or the pump basket is clogged the pool will not circulate well. The filter is just as crucial so if it is dirty or the cartridges or grids have tears in them, chances are the pool will have a zero-chlorine reading due to the organic contaminates not being filtered out properly. First, check your pool filtration and your skimmer and pump baskets and make sure they are running ef...

Cordless Robotic Pool cleaners are probably the future of this technology. The Dolphin Liberty 200 by Maytronics is their first cordless cleaner and it is a very good entry into this sector. It is loaded with features and is also very reasonably priced. This cleaner is made for a small to medium pool which I would say is a 15,000-gallon or less body of water. Any pool 30 x 15 in length or less would be ideal. The main reason is that the Liberty 200 only runs for 1.5 hours on a full charge. I am sure later models will have larger batteries and longer run times. The cleaning pattern is quite effective given the short run time and I wouldn’t worry about it not leaving your pool spotless each time. The debris basket is rated at 70 microns and you can also order the Dolphin Genuine Replacement Part — Fine Filter Panels (4PK) — Part Number 9991463-R4 which will filter down to 20 microns. CORDLESS & HASSLE-FREE: No more tangled cords! The Dolphin LIBERTY 200 robotic pool vacuum cleaner fe...