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Showing posts from May, 2024

Skimmer The pool Deck Pool Pro Community

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Skimmer is always on the cutting edge in the industry, and their new forum for pool pros is just what is needed. Now you can post in a safe environment, and if you are a Skimmer user, get help right away from their team in the forum with any app questions in real time! You also receive expert advice and can get your questions answered by other pool pros. You don't even need to be a Skimmer user to join!  Here is more from Skimmer: Skimmer — a leading provider of software solutions for pool service professionals — is thrilled to announce the launch of The Pool Deck, a dynamic online community designed to foster connection, collaboration, and growth in the industry. The purpose of this new community is to bring together pool service professionals (both Skimmer customers and non) and experts in marketing, human resources, finance, water chemistry, pool service training and more to share advice, exchange ideas, and support one another on their professional journeys.  According to Skimm

Pool Deck Pro Community by SKIMMER

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 Skimmer is always on the cutting edge in the industry, and their new forum for pool pros is just what is needed. Now you can post in a safe environment, and if you are a Skimmer user, get help right away from their team in the forum with any app questions in real time! You also receive expert advice and can get your questions answered by other pool pros. You don't even need to be a Skimmer user to join!  Here is more from Skimmer: Skimmer — a leading provider of software solutions for pool service professionals — is thrilled to announce the launch of The Pool Deck, a dynamic online community designed to foster connection, collaboration, and growth in the industry. The purpose of this new community is to bring together pool service professionals (both Skimmer customers and non) and experts in marketing, human resources, finance, water chemistry, pool service training and more to share advice, exchange ideas, and support one another on their professional journeys.  According to Skim

VacDaddy 2.0 is Here!

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The VacDaddy has gotten so many updates over the past couple of years that it is safe to call the latest version the VacDaddy 2.0. VacDaddy: Revolutionize your pool maintenance routine with the VacDaddy Powerful Portable Pool Vacuum– the ultimate solution for a spotless pool! Don’t exhaust yourself cleaning – JUST VAC IT™! Our continuous power supply ensures sustained cleaning performance, making it a standout power vacuum for the pool. Unlike battery-powered alternatives, the VacDaddy boasts a lightweight, user-friendly design with no poolside assembly or training required. Benefit from our latest enhancements, including an improved IP67 dimmable transformer for international adaptability. The VacDaddy now features larger filter bags, offering a 60% larger surface area and a 108% bigger volume. Tackle pool dirt effortlessly with our power pool vacuum – perfect for residential and commercial use. Experience the freedom of efficient pool cleaning; order your VacDaddy today and dive into

Aiper Scuba S1 Pro Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner

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 The Aiper Scuba S1 Pro is a solid entry into the top-tier robotic pool cleaner category by Aiper. Some notable improvements are that the cleaner is not stuck on main drains like their previous model, the Seagull Pro I previously reviewed. It also has a sealed charging port, so there are no more worries about water getting into the motor and shortening out the cleaner.   Currently, the cleaner is most suited for a rectangle or square pool with this Firmware version, which comes with V 1.0.0. I think a Free-Form pool still needs some work on the programmed cleaning pattern.   This cleaner comes in five modes .  Auto: Floors & Walls Floors Only Waterline Only Eco will run for 45 minutes on the floors only, turn off for two days, then run again for 45 minutes, and turn off for two more days until the battery is exhausted in about a week. Wall Only: This is only accessible in the App.    I am not a big fan of the "Auto" cleaning pattern for the floors and walls. The cleaner w

Common Saltwater Pool Issues

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Salt Systems are great, and I like selling them to my service customers. The main issue is that the salt cell only lasts 4-5 years, and depending on the system, you have to explain why the customer needs to shell out $600-$1,2000 for a new salt cell.  I like to prep the customer on a purchase that 4-5 years down the road, they will more than likely need a new cell at the cost of... and if they know in advance, they are more likely to be okay with it at the time of replacement.  Other times, you inherit a client who might refuse to pay for a new salt cell. This is very common, and there isn't much you can do about it except convert the pool back into a chlorine pool. You may need to drain the pool entirely and refill it since the TDS (Tota dissolved Solids) will be around 4,500, which is way over the accepted limit due to all of the salt in the water.  Some of the most common issues are a dirty salt cell, not producing enough chlorine, and, of course, when it gets old, it stops func

VS Pool Pumps Saving Tips

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The first option would be to replace the motor with a Century V-Green stands-alone VS motor. They are compatible with most pumps and have a round or square flange. It is the most affordable option, and if the existing pump is less than five years old, I suggest going that route. But if you need to replace the entire pump, here are some brands to look at.  The pool pump can be the highest energy hog in your house, passing your Air Conditioner and Refrigerator just by the sheer number of hours it runs each day. If you have a 1 ½ or 2 HP pump installed and you run it 8 hours per day, not to get into complicated conversions of kWh (Kilowatt Hours) and how your Electric Company charges you each month, imagine it as having 20-100 watt light bulbs on every hour. That is a lot of electricity each day, and if your bill is tiered by usage, the more you use, the more you are charged, and your account can get very high very quickly. On average, a pool pump in the Summer will be about 40% of your t

Phosphates in Your Swimming Pool

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Important: Algae must be treated before testing and lowering phosphates. Chlorine must be under 5ppm before testing phosphates. Directions for the use of PHOSfree: This product is designed for use in properly balanced pool water. 1. Clean or backwash filter. 2. Determine the appropriate dose. * See chart below. 3. Shake the bottle well before application. With the circulation pump running, add a dose to the skimmer. 4. filter for 48 hours continuously without backwashing or cleaning. 5. After 48 hours of filtering, clean/backwash filter. Retest phosphate levels, and if necessary, repeat steps 1-5. Note: If DE filter pressure rises to 10psi above start-up pressure, turn the pump off for 1 minute and then turn it back on. If the pressure remains high, backwash or rinse for 30 seconds. Dosage Chart: Dose per 10,000 gallons (38,000L) Phosphate Level PHOSfree Dosage 300ppb or less 0.5L or 16oz 600ppb 1L or 32oz 900ppb 1.5L or 48oz 1200ppb 2L or 67.6oz For DE & Cartridge Filters: Do not

Best Ways to Prevent Algae in Your Pool

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Borates: The Borate in the water at 50 ppm helps reduce chlorine usage by eliminating Carbon Dioxide and 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 than in a pool with a pH of 8.0. This is a significant factor in creating the safest swim environment, and the borates will keep the pH much more stable and, in turn, make the chlorine much more effective. The pH won't change much in a pool with Borate in it. So, this is a must if you have a Salt Water Pool since the pH tends to rise dramatically. In fact, the pH can rise to over 8.4 in a Salt Water Pool very rapidly. You will find yourself putting tons of acid in each week to keep the pH below 7.8. Borates in the pool will make the pH stable and easy to control.  A pool with a saltwater generator is a must. It also will

VacDaddy Shallow Water Adapter

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Shallow Water Adapter: Introducing the revolutionary Shallow Water Adapter by VacDaddy – the ultimate solution for a sparkling clean fountain and/or shallow bodies of water such as tanning ledges, stairs and benches! This innovative attachment is designed to seamlessly connect to the VacDaddy pool vacuum, transforming it into a powerful fountain-cleaning marvel. With the Shallow Water Adapter, maintaining pristine water features has never been easier! To order the VacDaddy: https://thevacdaddy.com/product/the-vacdaddy-pro-bundle-powerful-portable-pool-vac-v2w-kit-and-more/ Shallow Water Adapter: https://thevacdaddy.com/product/fountain-adapter/ 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 required to use it. Plug in and Just Vac It. Fast pool cleaning with more vacu

HASA & Orenda One Year Later

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 It has been one year since HASA, Inc. acquired Orenda Technologies, and I sat down with Terry Arko of HASA to see how the deal is going at the present time. Terry Arko was recently inducted into the “Pool Nation Hall of Fame” for his contributions to the pool service industry.  The merger means that two industry education powerhouses have now joined forces. Bob Lowry’s teachings and the Orenda Academy are an unusual mix. Bob Lowry has his target ranges, and Orenda teaches exacting math based on the LSI numbers. But they have made things work and Orenda has even added a new Commercial Pool Service course to their Orenda academy.  SAUGUS, Calif., March 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hasa, Inc. ("Hasa"), supported by Wind Point Partners ("Wind Point"), is pleased to announce its recent acquisition of Orenda Technologies ("Orenda"), a leader in the production and distribution of eco-friendly, professional-grade pool chemicals. This acquisition broadened Hasa's