Green Your Pool: 5 Eco-Friendly Pool Tips

There are many benefits environmentally friendly pools offer including lower electricity bills, reduced water and energy waste and reduced chemical usage. Going “green” with your pool doesn’t require an expensive overhaul, but rather a few simple changes. The following five eco-friendly pool tips can help save you money, reduce your pool’s environmental impact and make your pool a healthier one for your friends and family to enjoy all summer long.

Energy Efficient Pool Pumps

When it comes to pool pumps, there are more options available today than ever before. Newer model pumps are available in dual-, four- and variable-speeds that increase energy efficiency by reducing the day-time flow rate while increasing the total amount of run time. A lower flow rate for a longer period of time uses less energy and makes less noise. Longer circulation periods also help to decrease algae growth, reducing the amount of cleaning time and chemicals needed. A more efficient pool pump means your filter has to work less, leading to even more savings.

Pool Covers

Pool covers are the easiest way to cut back on water usage and heating costs. Pool covers reduce water evaporation so you have to refill your pool less often, saving you money and making the planet smile. If you have a heated pool, solar pool covers harness the power of the Sun to heat your pool naturally, greatly reducing your overall energy usage and costs. Pool covers are also useful in keeping unwanted debris from being blown into the pool.

Natural Pool Cleaners

There are many benefits to switching to natural pool cleaners and chemicals. Pool cleaners and chemicals made of naturally-occurring, sustainable materials are less harsh compared to man-made pool chemicals and are better for both your family’s and the environment’s health. A popular line of natural pool cleaners is Natural Chemistry. Natural Chemistry pool chemicals are made from naturally-created enzymes and use a mixture of malt, molasses and citrus-based botanicals to keep your pool clean and sparkling.

Salt Water Chlorinators

While having a salt water pool doesn’t completely take the place of other pool chemicals like chlorine, it does mean that you’re going to be using a lot of them, reducing pool maintenance costs and dry and itchy skin that results from swimming in a chlorine-filled pool. When salt water is added to swimming pools, chlorine generators use a low voltage electrical charge to convert salt ions into chlorine. While the initial cost of a pool salt chlorinator is not cheap, it’s a worthy investment because it can end up saving you thousands of dollars in pool maintenance and cleaning costs.

Automatic Pool Cleaners

Automatic pool cleaners make cleaning the pool practically effortless, more efficient and ensures the task is not overlooked. Skipping regular pool cleanings allows algae growth to flourish and more debris to build up in the pool filter, making your expensive pool filter and pump work harder. Robotic pool cleaners keep your pool clean and running efficiently.

There are several easy ways to “green” your pool that will help reduce environmental impact, lower maintenance costs and create a healthier swim experience for your family and friends. For more information about optimizing your pool system visit The Pool Guy Store and we’ll be more than happy to help!

Dogs and Pools: Is It OK to Let My Dog Swim in the Pool?

If you’re one of the many people wondering if it’s OK to let your four-legged friend take a dip in the family swimming pool, you’ve likely noticed that it’s a highly debated issue. There are a couple of different factors that you should consider when deciding if you’re going to say “yay’ or “nay” to dogs in the pool.

During the hot summer months, pet owners want a place for their furry friends to both cool off and burn off some extra energy, without the threat of overheating. Swimming is the ideal hot-weather activity for dogs, and if you’re a pool owner, it seems like a no-brainer to let them jump right in. There are however a couple potential problems, both for your pool and your pet, that can arise if you’re not careful, but with a couple of quick fixes and a little planning ahead, both man and friend can safely enjoy the pool this summer.

Protecting Your Pool

Liners

Dog paws have claws and these claws can puncture, scrape or tear your expensive pool liner. Quick fix: The best way to protect against damage to the lining of your pool is to train your dog to use the stairs when getting in and out of the water. You should always be present when your dog is taking a dip, both for the safety of your pool and the dog. Keep dogs from swimming too close to the edge of the pool and from trying to climb out of the pool using anything but the steps.

Filters

The biggest debate over dogs in the pool usually stems from all that hair. Yes, it’s true, dogs do have a lot more hair than (most) humans but with a little extra attention, it shouldn’t cause a problem. The main drain and filtration systems of your pool are designed to remove excess hair and particles found floating around in the water. Quick fix: Empty the skimmers a little more often than you normally would. Allowing your pooch to take a swim every once in a while will not cause serious damage to the balance of the water or to filtration systems, as long as you take a little extra care in cleaning them.

Water Safety

Attached to all that hair is a long list of possible pool water contaminants such as dirt, leaves, bugs and fecal matter and is another main point for those who say “nay” to dogs in the pool. However, pool water contaminants, whether brought in by dogs or humans, are counter-acted by pool chemicals like chlorine. Quick fix: Spray down your dog with the hose before letting them get into the pool. A simple pre-swim rinse can help remove not only dirt, leaves and bugs, but also some extra hair, keeping it out of the pool in the first place.

Protecting Your Dog

Skin and Coat

Chlorinated pool water can dry out your dog’s skin just as it can dry out yours. Quick fix: Rinse your dog with the hose after swim time to remove any residual pool chemicals that can cause skin irritation. This is also extremely important as it stops your dog from ingesting too much chlorinated pool water later when he is cleaning himself and licking his fur.

Ears

Excess water and moisture can get trapped under those cute, floppy ears and potentially cause an infection. Quick fix: Dry your pooch off after his swim, paying extra attention to the ears. It may also save you from getting drenched when your dog decides it’s time for a shake.

Floatation Devices

Many dogs are natural born swimmers, but not all dogs are. If your dog is not a strong swimmer or is a little timid when it comes to the water, using a doggie floatation device is always a good idea. Available in a variety of sizes, it’s easy to find a perfect fit for your best friend. And, as we said before, it’s always best for you to be present whenever your dog decides to go for a swim.

In the end, the decision whether to let your dog swim in the pool or not comes down to personal preference. Some people say that the risk and extra effort required for sharing your pool with a dog is not worth it, but that is something only you can decide. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons and, most importantly, enjoy your pool this summer!

The Pool Guy Store is a leading retailer of residential and commercial pool supplies and products offering free shipping on every order of $79 or more.

Product Spotlight: Jandy ChemLink ORP and pH Interface C1900

The Jandy ChemLink ORP and pH Interface C1900 automatically monitors and controls both the sanitizer level and the pH balance in swimming pools and spas so you can spend less time maintaining your pool and more time enjoying it.

Automatic pool chemical controllers adjust chlorination and pH levels in response to swimmer load, water temperature and Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) – a measurement of organic contaminants in the water. If the ORP or the pH levels fall below a predetermined point during the filtration cycle, the controller activates the chemical feeder, restoring pool water balance to safe and healthy levels.

The Jandy ChemLink C1900 is designed for easy installation and operation from an AquaLink RS or PDA system and is compatible with the following pool chemical feeders:

• Liquid feed pumps
• Granular and tablet erosion feeders
• Ozone generators
• Salt chlorinators

It is not recommended for use with chlorine gas systems.

The C1900 provides constant monitoring in order to avoid both excessive and insufficient chemical levels in pools and spas. Automated pool chemical systems can help reduce the cost of owning and maintaining a pool or spa because precise dosing and efficient use of chemicals safeguards against unnecessary waste.

The Jandy ChemLink C1900 is versatile, allowing for user customization in order to meet the needs of every pool water system. Multiple feed time and feed delay options, as well as auto alerts and internally programmed safety shut-downs protect expensive equipment and pool systems.

When you purchase the ChemLink kit you’ll receive the following:

• C1900 ORP/pH Controller
• Flow Cell with Flow Switch
• Parts Bag
• ORP Sensor
• pH Sensor
• Manual

The Jandy C1900 ChemLink Interface is now available for purchase at The Pool Guy Store, a leading supplier of swimming pool and spa equipment and supplies. This product qualifies for free shipping.

Product Spotlight: AqquaWALKING Treadmill

Looking for a new exercise routine that’s as fun as it is effective? The AqquaWALKING Treadmill is the perfect choice for a fun, safe workout routine.

Water exercise has become very popular in recent years because the water buoyancy lowers the risk of stress related injuries, especially in the joints, and allows muscles to work their full range of motion. For years now, people suffering with sports injuries and physical limitations have been using aquatic exercise to rehabiliate injured bones and joints, as well as stay fit and healthy, and now the rest of America is learning about this fantastic way to exercise.

Using a water treadmill is especially great for people suffering from soft tissue injuries or arthritis, as the pressure of the water helps provide both resistance and cushioning for the person exercising.

This treadmill was engineered specifically for the water, offering stainless steel construction so it’s long-lasting and requires less maintenance. Instead of using a motor, the belt on this aquatic treadmill is moved by the user pushing down and backwards with their legs, making this treadmill safe under water while also providing more versatility. Users can walk, run or even walk backward. The treadmill comes with rubber wheels for easy transportation, and it folds down when not in use, allowing for easy storage.

For optimal exercise results, place this treadmill in 40-55 inches of water and exercise regularly.

Have you tried aquatic exercise before? What did you think of it? Let us know in the comments!

10 Tips for Getting Your Pool Ready for Summer

It might feel a little early to be opening your pool for summer, but now is the time to start thinking about getting your pool ready for its busy season. In this post, our experts will share their 10 best tips for you to get your pool in shape for summer:

1. Remove your cover — Hopefully, you’ve winterized your pool appropriately before the cold weather hit and covered your pool to keep out debris, bacteria and algae. This means your first step to getting your pool ready for swimmers is to take off the cover.
2. Fill your pool back to its normal level — It’s normal for pools to lose some water to evaporation over the winter, so add enough water to get it back to a normal level. Ideally, your pool will be filled to where the top of the water sits between the one-third to one-half mark on your pool skim filter.
3. Check your equipment — Make sure your pump, skimmer and filter are all in working condition before the season starts. If they’re not, either work on repairing them or replace them before you let swimmers into your pool.
4. Get your water tested — It can be difficult to know what’s hiding in your pool water by just looking, so be sure to buy an easy-to-use pool water testing kit. At The Pool Guy Store, we offer a huge variety of testing kits so you can find the best one for you.
5. Adjust your pool’s levels — Based on the results of your test, adjust the total alkalinity, pH, calcium and sanitizer levels into balance. While you’re making these adjustments, take a look at your chemical supply and make sure you have enough to get you through the summer. If you’re running low, take a look at our pool chemical selection and stock up.
6. Brush and vacuum your pool — This is the time to clean up all the gunk that’s been growing in your pool for the last few months. Be meticulous here so your pool can start the season as clean as possible.
7. Shock the pool — Get your water safe by super chlorinating your pool before the season starts.
8. Begin routine maintenance — Your break from maintaining your pool is over. Follow a routine of cleaning your pool often and check your equipment regularly to ensure your pool stays in shape all season.
9. Have your water tested regularly — Make sure your levels stay in check by testing your water on a regular basis. This will help you know which chemicals to add to keep your pool safe all season long.
10. Enjoy your pool — Now that you’ve done all of the hard work of getting your pool ready for summer, you’re free to enjoy relaxing in your pool. Invite some friends over, pull out a pool float or start swimming — whatever sounds best to you!

5 Most Common Replacement Pool Parts

In this post, our pool experts will take a look at five of the most commonly replaced pool parts. In order to keep your swimming pool in top shape, it's important to have a regular maintenance schedule. However, some pool parts may need to be replaced sooner rather than later. These pool products include:

1. Pump Motors & Seals
2. Lights & Bulbs
3. Pool Chlorinator Parts
4. Multiport Gaskets
5. Skimmers & Pump Baskets

1. Pump Motors and Seals

The pool pump is the heart of every swimming pool. When the pump's motor isn't up to par, your water isn't going to circulate properly. This can lead to a lot more problems like algae build up, dirty pool water and unhealthy swimming conditions. All of which can completely ruin the experience of swimming in your pool.

2. Light Bulbs

Like the light bulbs in your house, swimming pool lights do not last forever. They have a fairly predictable lifespan and since there are a number of them you can expect to replace your light bulbs on a regular basis. These are also easy ways to switch up the look of your pool, which is why some owners decide to replace the lights even if they aren't burned out.                     

3. Chlorinator Parts

Keeping the pool water clean and free of bacteria, algae and viruses is not an easy task. Chlorine is often the solution to maintaining clear pool water. Pool chlorinators regulate chlorine, continuously monitor the water levels and disperse chlorine as needed. Because it is a constant job, chlorinator parts succumb to wear and tear quicker than other pieces of pool equipment.

4. Multiport gaskets

Multiport gaskets, also known as spider gaskets, are a part of the filtration system. This system is constantly working to keep the pool water clean, so it’s understandable that from time to time the pool products within this system will need replacement. Multiport gaskets are one such product, but fortunately they aren't too difficult to replace.

5. Skimmer and Pump Baskets

Catching all the debris in a pool is no easy task. Over the years a lot of junk needs to be filtered out. Skimmers are part of the pool drain system that handles this process. Water flows through the skimmers at the waterline of the pool and into the filtering system.

If you look underneath the skimmer lid you’ll find the skimmer basket. These parts are subjected to a lot of gunk and need to be replaced if they become worn. This area of the pool should be replaced regularly to avoid costly repairs. 

Need to find pool parts to get your personal watering hole up and running? Give The Pool Guy Store a call and we'll help you find the necessary replacement pool parts!

Pentair MasterTemp Product Review

Warm up Your Water with the Pentair MasterTemp Heater

Taking advantage of your pool year round is easy if you can warm up the water when it’s cold out. One of the most efficient ways of getting your pool to the perfect temperature is with the Pentair MasterTemp pool heater. 

When you make the investment to increase the value and use of your pool with a heater there is a lot to consider. Today, there are many options available and it can be hard to determine which heater offers the best performance at the best price. The MasterTemp heater is one piece of equipment that pool owners have come to rely on and trust that it will keep the water temperature where it needs to be even in the middle of winter.

Economical and Efficient – The Pentair MasterTemp is designed to be efficient with its energy usage to lower the long-term costs of heating your pool. It heats up quickly and is certified for low nitrogen oxide emission.

Convenient – The MasterTemp pool heater is easy to install, use and maintain. Its compact design makes it easy to incorporate and the quiet motor makes it easy to relax while you soak away the worries of the day.

Durable – When a piece of equipment is out in the harsh elements it has to be solidly built. The Pentair MasterTemp 400 parts include a rust-proof exterior that can handle all kinds of climates.

If you are in the market for a pool heater the Pentair Mastertemp won’t disappoint. Using the latest technology and solid design it offers superior energy efficiency and performance.