My Go To Swimming Pool Water Testing Method

Here is a rundown of the different testing methods for your pool and spa. Each method has their pros and cons and I find a variety of methods works best. 

The Reagent Test Kits use a drop test, and when the reagent solution is entered into the water sample, a color change occurs. Taylor is the leading manufacturer of these reagent test kits, and you can also purchase an essential Pool Master Kit at your local pool store. The reagents can test for important factors like Chlorine, Free Chlorine, Total Chlorine, Bromine, Alkalinity, pH, Calcium Hardness, and CYA (Conditioner). These kits are easy to use and a great way to test your pool and spa water each week. The Taylor K-2005 and K-2006 are popular test kits.

The drawback of the reagent test kit is user error. You will get a false reading if you don't add the correct number of drops. If the reagents are expired, you will also get an inaccurate reading. Like test strips, you match colors to get your reading, so if you need to improve at distinguishing colors, you will have trouble reading the correct results. But these are minor drawbacks, and as you gain experience with the Reagent Test Kits, you will get better at reading the right results. Some popular test kits are the Taylor K-2005 and K-2006, which I use on my pool route.

Photometer Testers are gaining popularity, and they are the only test kit that will give you a spot-on reading of the test factors. The LaMotte Color Q 2X Pro7 & 2X Pro9 is a trendy photometer test kit, and the new Pool Lab 2.0 is also a great test kit. These kits operate when an electronic photometer reads the color spectrum of the reagent or tablet in the water sample. Since the photometer can read the exact color of the water sample, it can give you an accurate digital reading of the test factor. If you are doing a pH test, for example, it will give you the pH down to the exact level, like 7.5. This can't be done with test strips or the reagent test kits. These are great for Commercial accounts or homeowners struggling with color matching.

The drawback with the photometer testers is the price point. Since they are more advanced, the price point is typically 3-4 times that of a premium reagent test kit. However, a photometer tester is suitable if you look for the most accurate test results without guessing the actual reading.

One of the most advanced Photometer Testers is the LaMotte Spin Touch Mobile, which does 10 test factors in one minute! The price point is nearly $1,000, and each disk is $2.50. Still, it can do all of these tests in less than a minute and give you a digital readout of all of them: Free Chlorine (DPD) 0-15 ppm, Total Chlorine (DPD) 0-15 ppm, Bromine (DPD) 0-33 ppm, pH 6.3-8.6, Calcium Hardness 0-800 ppm, Total Alkalinity 0-250 ppm, Cyanuric Acid 5-150 ppm, Copper 0-3.0 ppm, Iron 0-3.0 ppm, Salt 0-6000 ppm, Phosphate 0-2000 ppb.

Digital Testers can also give you unavailable readings with test strips and reagent testers such as Salinity, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), ORP, Temperature, pH, and other factors. These are great and accurate testers and can expand the different test factors you can do in your pool and spa.

Test strips are not only popular but very easy to use. Many different manufacturers make them, like AquaChek, Taylor, and LaMotte, to name a few, and you can find them just about everywhere, from your grocery store to hardware store and local pool store. You can also purchase them online, and many different types of strips are available for testing everything from chlorine and borate to copper in the water. The ease of use of test strips makes these great for beginners. Just dip them in the water sample and match the strip's color to the guide on the back of the bottle. The color matching is accurate and will give you a good range of the chemistry levels in your pool or spa.

The drawback of the test strips is that you will get an approximate color match only sometimes. So, it is open to user interpretation, sometimes giving you the wrong results. For instance, you may think the color indicates the Alkalinity is at 160 ppm, but it is at 120 ppm because you didn't match the color correctly. You are only getting a ballpark reading with a test strip and not a spot-on reading that you would get with a Photometer tester, which I will cover later.

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Rain and More Rain! - Effects on Your Swimming Pool

 The number one call I get during heavy Rain is that the pool looks like it will overflow into the yard and house. In most cases, the worry is unfounded, as the drains around the pool should be able to handle the runoff. However, there are times when draining is needed, and it is a good idea to have it set up with the customer beforehand.

Teach the customer how to drain their pool to save a service trip. If there is a hose spigot on the equipment pad, usually above the pump, show them how to attach a garden hose to it and drain the pool. It is easy. Attach a garden hose, turn on the pool pump, and open the hose spigot. The pool will drain while the pump is running.

Plan B would be to have the customer purchase a small sump pump (submersible pump) and use that to drain the pool down when needed. They can place it on the first step in the pool, attach a garden hose to it, and plug it in. It is easy, and you do not need to go out and drain pools all day if you set things up beforehand with your customers.

Another common problem you will run into is mud getting into the pool. Making a pool a murky mess only takes a couple of pounds of dirt. In most cases, when a planter is right next to a pool and has a slope behind it, mud in the pool is unavoidable. It can take a few weeks to clear up a mud pool, so it is best to prevent it from happening in the 1st place. Have the customer get their landscaper to fix any planter or dirt areas. A good incentive is to remind your customers that dirt has a lot of iron and other metals in it, and this can lead to staining if a large amount of mud were to get into your pool. 

Another question I often get is when to go out in the Rain to service your pools. How much Rain is too much Rain? That is for you to decide, and a good rule is that if you can't even see the pool bottom, there is too much Rain, and it is useless even to go out. Typically, 1-2" of constant Rain is when I pull the plug. Rain of less than 1" is pretty easy to work in, so make the call based on common sense. 

If you expect Rain multiple times on your service day in two weeks, shuffle the service day to avoid a 3-week service gap. For example, if it is raining on a Thursday and you can't go out, but next week's heavy Rain is also predicted, skipping your Wednesday pools and moving the Thursday pools to Wednesday that week is lovely. And if it doesn't rain, you can always do your Wednesday pools that Thursday. 

Rain is a common issue, and there are ways to set up your pool route to deal with the effects of weeks and months of Rain.

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The Bottom Feeder Vacuum System for 2024 - New Features!

 The Bottom Feeder has been around for several years, and it is safe to say that it has developed quite a fan following. It has had its share of production issues, but rest assured that the newest version is the best.

To order: https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/

The new LiFePO4 batteries are a lithium battery type considered the safest lithium battery type available. They have a long cycle life, high power density, and a wide temperature range.

Safety: LiFePO4 batteries are considered one of the safest lithium-ion battery chemistries available. They have a stable chemical structure less prone to thermal runaway or combustion, making them a reliable choice for applications where safety is crucial.

Long Cycle Life: LiFePO4 batteries have an impressive cycle life, capable of enduring thousands of charge-discharge cycles without significant capacity loss. This makes them ideal for applications that require frequent cycling, such as electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.

With a 400-watt Power Inverter, you can quickly charge the bottom feeder while driving between stops. A 10-minute charge will give you seven minutes of battery life. You will want to use at least a 300-watt Power Inverter with the car charger adapter on end, and you can plug it into your car charger port (older cars' cigarette lighter port). 

If you prefer to charge it at home, it will take about 2 hours to charge the battery fully.

The compact size makes this ideal for those pools that need more than a quick skimming but have too much debris for a traditional manual vacuum with a hose and a vacuum head. It is also great if you do not need the standard Vacuum System with the cart. The Bottom Feeder weighs just 12 lbs. and is fully assembled, including the battery pack. 

Here is what the manufacturer says about the Bottom Feeder: "The Bottom Feeder " is a revolutionary pool cleaning system combining innovative technology and lightweight flexibility. Powered by a long-lasting rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, The Bottom Feeder requires no hoses or lines – which saves you time and gives you the mobility and flexibility needed to vacuum pools in minutes. Designed by professionals for professionals, The Bottom Feeder is durable and practical and vacuums in as little as 4″ of water."

I like the portability of the Bottom Feeder. It is easy to carry back to my service accounts, and it takes less than 30 seconds to connect it to my pole and drop it into a pool. It is powered by an 18-pound thrust motor, which is less potent than a standard vacuum system but still very powerful. I only noticed a little power drop-off between the Bottom Feeder and my other Vacuum Systems. The Body is light and maneuverable, like using a standard manual vacuum head with the swivel on the handle. The great thing about it is that there are no hoses or cords, so using it couldn't be easier.

The Bottom Feeder would be ideal for a homeowner with large debris in their pool each week. The compact size makes this ideal for use and storage. If you have a pool route and only a handful of heavy debris accounts, investing in the bottom feeder would save you time without needing a full-size vacuum system and cart. Overall, Carrying back to your service accounts is a convenient vacuum.

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Suction Pool Cleaner Vs Robotic Pool Cleaner

Robotic Cleaners:

A good Robotic cleaner with all the bells and whistles will usually run you over $1,500. It is quite an investment, but you get a good investment return. Today's robotic cleaners are much improved over the 1st generation, which came out a few years ago. The motors are more reliable and longer lasting; they can now clean the walls and tile line, and there are added features like a programmable cleaning cycle, remote control, and an anti-tangle cord swivel. 

There are now cordless cleaners from significant manufacturers like Polaris and Dolphin. The cordless cleaners eliminate the cord, and I think the future of robotic pool cleaners will be the cordless type.

Most higher-end Robotic cleaners come with a two or 3-year warranty. They are well built and reliable, and the manufacturer can offer a longer warranty since you will unlikely have to use them.

Some of the benefits of a Robotic Cleaner are:

It runs independently from your pool system, so your filtration system stays cleaner, and it doesn't matter if your equipment is old or not functioning well.

There are no hoses to worry about, and once you

You can remove the Robotic cleaner and store it after cleaning the pool.

They clean the pool very well in most cases -the more expensive models will even clean the tile

line.

The negative factors are a high price point in most cases and the need to send it out for service versus fixing any problems yourself. Most now come with at least a two-year warranty, so that is not a deal breaker. They are highly reliable and effective pool cleaners.

Suction Side Cleaners:

This is the most familiar and most popular type of cleaner to most consumers. 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 $400 or less.

The suction side cleaner is the most popular on my pool route as they are affordable and effective, and there are many different models to choose from. In most cases, I suggest an excellent suction side cleaner since they are also easy to set up and repair when something breaks.

Outline

Suction cleaner:

Prices start at $200 for a good cleaner

Work constantly when the pump is running.

Great for dirt and small leaf debris

Easy to repair.

Suitable for all pool surface types

Drawbacks

Not suitable for large debris

Hoses in pool

All dirt will go into the filter

It uses more energy as you will need to run the pump longer and at a higher RPM.

Not allowed in public pools

Large pools have poor coverage

Robotic Cleaner:

Complete cleaning of the entire surface

Good for larger debris

Good warranty of 2-3 years

Can filter down to 20 microns

No hoses – that clean look

Independent from the pool filter

Energy efficient – can leave the pump on lower RPM all week long

Expensive when compared to suction cleaners

Usually, can't do repairs beyond brush and belt changes

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State of the Swimming Pool Industry 2024

 Many of you here participated in the survey and the results are now in. I sat down with Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer, and Niki Acosta, who runs their marketing department, and we discussed the very comprehensive pool service industry survey that Skimmer performed.

To read the report:
http://bit.ly/42AU9WL
 
The report combines survey data from over 1,700 pool service professionals; platform data aggregated from the activity of over 25,000 users, and market research from the pool service industry.
 
Skimmer CEO Jack Nelson went over:
 
Pricing data from over 500,000 pools and spas
Trends in business models, labor, and business operations
Opportunities for growth through digital marketing
 
Here are some of the questions that were addressed:
Why did Skimmer decide to issue an industry report?
How did you create the report?
What were the top takeaways?
What would you say are some of the biggest opportunities for pool pros?
What advice do you have for pool pros?
Can we expect further reports like this?
 
About Sponsor:
Skimmer is America’s #1 pool service software platform. The company is on a mission to modernize the pool and spa service and repair industry through easy-to-use software and best-in-class support. Over 5000 pool service companies trust Skimmer to get organized, get paid faster, and grow their businesses.

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If you are not using pool service software Try Skimmer free for 30 days at https://www.getskimmer.com/poolguy

Skimmer, Everything you need to run your pool service business, all in one app

The Bottom Feeder Vacuum Update for 2024

The Bottom Feeder Vacuum System has had some problems in 2023, mainly centering around the battery and the availability of parts. This has led to recalls and shipping delays, which frustrated the customers. Glen Heffernan, the creator of the Bottom Feeder, goes over some of these issues in the podcast interview.

Some key takeaways are that the Bottom Feeder has a new battery that won't catch on fire but reduces the rune-time to 1.5 hours. To compensate for this, the new battery can fully charge in 2-3 hours, and you can also set it in your truck between stops so that you never run out of juice. The ability to charge the battery quickly will allow you to get even more significant run time over the previous battery, which took 8-10 hours to charge fully. If you service a standard-size route, this should be plenty of time each day. The battery is what makes the Bottom Feeder so compact and light. It attaches to your pool pole and rides behind the Body, making the battery pack submersible. 

The price point has also crept up over the past few years, and like everything else, that is due to part cost increases, labor increases, and other factors out of its control of Glen. Since each Bottom Feeder is made by hand, it is very labor intensive, raising the cost of making each unit and the cost of the new battery back. The good news is that the price should remain steady for 2024. 

Everything else is similar since the bottom feeder was already refined to be today's best portable vacuum system. 

The compact size makes this ideal for those pools that need more than a quick skimming but have too much debris for a traditional manual vacuum with a hose and a vacuum head. It is also great if you do not need the standard Vacuum System with the cart. The Bottom Feeder weighs just 12 lbs. and is fully assembled, including the battery pack. 

Here is what the manufacturer says about the Bottom Feeder: "The Bottom Feeder " is a revolutionary pool cleaning system combining innovative technology and lightweight flexibility. Powered by a long-lasting rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack, The Bottom Feeder requires no hoses or lines – which saves you time and gives you the mobility and flexibility needed to vacuum pools in minutes. Designed by professionals for professionals, The Bottom Feeder is durable and practical and vacuums in as little as 4″ of water."

I like the portability of the Bottom Feeder. It is easy to carry back to my service accounts, and it takes less than 30 seconds to connect it to my pole and drop it into a pool. It is powered by an 18-pound thrust motor, which is less potent than a standard vacuum system but still very powerful. I only noticed a little power drop-off between the Bottom Feeder and my other Vacuum Systems. The Body is light and maneuverable, like using a standard manual vacuum head with the swivel on the handle. The great thing about it is that there are no hoses or cords, so using it couldn't be easier.

The Bottom Feeder would be ideal for a homeowner with large debris in their pool each week. The compact size makes this ideal for use and storage. If you have a pool route and only a handful of heavy debris accounts, investing in the bottom feeder would save you time without needing a full-size vacuum system and cart. Overall, Carrying back to your service accounts is a convenient vacuum.