ABOVE GROUND POOL WATER TROUBLESHOOTING: GREEN POOL WATER

We all remember this picture right?  One beautiful blue pool and one very very green pool.  For those of you that are ready for your pool opening and take off your pool cover only to discover you have the pool on the left, there is help!

Green pool water is caused by one culprit - yes, only one - ALGAE.  There are about a thousand types of algae out there, but you can treat the vast majority of them with the same approach.  Basically, you take away their food (phosphates), and you make the environment inhospitable.  There are other things algae need to survive, but taking them away in the summer when you are using your pool is impossible - sunlight being a main culprit.  So, you starve and attack it.

Step one to getting rid of the algae in your pool is to take away the food - the phosphates.  You will want to add some type of product that essentially removes the phosphates.  We recommend Natural Chemistry PhosFree, but if you have a favorite, use it.  The key is to keep your phosphate reading under 500.  At a reading above that (even just 501) algae can begin to thrive. 

Tip:  Treating for phosphates will be a proactive process you will want to continue periodically throughout the summer to stay on the offense.

Step two is killing the existing algae.  For this, you will want to utilize an algaecide and shock your pool.  These approaches work very differently when attacking the algae, but both are effective.  Think of the algae as a green bubble floating in your pool - the algaecide is a knife, stabbing through the bubble, and the shock basically pops the bubble.

Once you have killed the algae (via stabbing and popping), you have to get it out of the pool - you will want to filter your pool on high until the algae is gone.  Any algae that is on the bottom of the pool can be vacuumed out. 

Make sure you are backwashing frequently to enable your filter to effectively clean the water.  We recommend a filter helper - like Clear Results Sand Filter Aid - this will allow your filter to remove particulates at a very small level, helping it clean the dead algae out at a quicker pace.

Once you have gotten rid of the algae, the best defense is a good offense.  We recommend making your water as inhospitable to algae as possible - on the plus side, the pool water will be very hospitable to you and your family!  You can do this by keeping your phosphate level low and maintaining a stable pH which allows your sanitizer to effectively attack the algae.  We recommend a once / season dosing of Haviland Activator or Activator Plus - this will help your sanitizer keep algae at bay all season long by helping to buffer your Alkalinity and keep your pH stable, which ultimately makes the water more enjoyable for you.

Need help testing your water for phosphates?  Our water lab will test for them and keep you informed on where your levels are so you can ensure the dinner table is empty for any algae that may be trying to make a home in your pool.

Happy Summer Swimming Season!

Official Website: Chemicals For Swimming Pools,OK

More Info Click Here: Hot Tub Manufacturers Moore, Ok

8 EASY STEPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ABOVE GROUND POOL OPENING

Temps are on the rise, which means it is TIME FOR YOUR POOL OPENING! 

The indicator that summer is right around the corner  (other than all those end of year school activities) is getting your above ground pool opened up and ready to go...  Some people dread this process, but we are here to help!  We have outlined 8 steps to getting your pool opened up.  While there may be a bit of 'fine-tuning' needed for your chemicals to be perfectly in balance, these steps should get you 90 - 95% of the way!

• REMOVE YOUR POOL COVER:  Clean off the pool cover of leaves or debris (a leaf blower works pretty good here as long as things are dry), remove the cover from the pool, allow the cover to dry and then fold up and store for your pool closing.

• RE-INSTALL POOL EQUIPMENT:  Re-install your pump if you brought it in for the winter.  Hook up all of your pump and filter hoses that were disconnected at closing.  Put the drain cap back on the filter and the drain plug back into the pump.  Turn your multi-port valve to 'Backwash' setting.

• FILL YOUR POOL:  Fill the pool back up to the correct water level as indicated on your skimmer plate.  Once filled, unplug the skimmer and return jets and backwash and rinse the sand filter.

• VACUUM DEBRIS:  Vacuum any debris from the bottom of the pool.  Backwash and rinse your filter - you may need to add water to your pool at this point depending on how long your filter needs to be backwashed.

• BALANCE PH AND TOTAL ALKALINITY:  Add 2 ounces of Pure 'N Blue Fresh per 1,000 gallons of pool water.  Run your pump for 24 hours with your filter on the 'Filter' setting and then test your pool water.  Balance your pH and Alkalinity.  You may need pH Reducer, Alkalinity Increaser or Muriatic Acid to get your water to acceptable readings of 7.2 - 7.6 and 60 - 120 respectively.

• ADD 'HELPER' CHEMICALS:  Once your pH and Alkalinity are balanced, add up to one bottle of Natural Chemistry Pool Magic Spring & Fall and up to 1 bottle of Natural Chemistry Scale Free (amount added depends on the size of your pool and gallons of water).  Add these chemicals in the morning and allow your pump to run all day on the 'Filter' setting.  **If you are a chlorine based pool, you will add Combat 60 in lieu of Scale Free.

Official Website: Chemicals For Swimming Pools,OK

More Info Click Here: Hot Tub Manufacturers Moore, Ok

Preparing for Your New Hot Tub!

In continuing our blog series about the most common reasons we hear from people on why they don't own a hot tub, #4 is a consistent one - fear of what it takes to prepare your space for a hot tub.  This one is actually not too bad if you know the right people to call - or in some cases, your hot tub retailer may even be able to take care of it for you!

The first step for a new hot tub is the location.  You will need to have a flat, level surface ready - approximately 10' x 10' will fit most standard hot tubs.  You can level your surface with paving stones or have a concrete pad poured, if you don't already have an existing surface ready.

A concrete slab is generally your best bet, and most cost effective.  Most slabs run $8 - $12 / square foot, so for the 10' x 10', you are looking at $800 - $1,200.  Ask your hot tub retailer if this is a service they provide - if it is, you can finance it in with your purchase if you opt to use financing.

You want to avoid placing your new hot tub directly on grass or leveled dirt - in most cases this will void the warranty - and it allows for moisture to find an easier path in and wreak havoc on the equipment.  Also, hot tubs are heavy - with a heavy rain, you may wind up with a sinking hot tub...

The second step to prepping your area for a new hot tub is the electrical connection.  If you are purchasing a 110v hot tub and you have a dedicated outlet near the location you want to place your hot tub, you are done and have nothing else to worry about!

Official Website: Chemicals For Swimming Pools,OK

More Info Click Here: Hot Tub Manufacturers Moore, Ok

Product Spotlight: Caldera Utopia Series Niagra

As previously noted, we write blogs about many hot tub topics - how much does a hot tub cost, hot tub maintenance, the benefits of owning a hot tub, but we haven't spent very much time looking at each particular model in depth, and the benefits of each one.  Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to you, so that you can research, shop, analyze, etc at your convenience.  Some prefer to come and see all the hot tubs in person and that's great.  For others, making a trip to the store, might not be ideal - hopefully, we can walk you through each model in an effort to help you narrow down your choices, and potentially save you a trip to the store if you prefer!

We are going to wrap up our review of the open seating hot tub models with the 'MOM' of the family - the Caldera Utopia Series Niagra. (I would consider the Salina to be the older sister and the Vanto to be the baby of the family.)  This hot tub is in Caldera's Utopia Series, which is their high end hot tub series.  The Niagra is an open seating concept, meaning it has no loungers.  This allows for more seating options and is very conducive to chatting and social interaction. If you look at the Niagra compared to the Salina and the Vanto, you will see similarities in the shell, but the Niagra is much 'beefier' so to speak - it offers a more thoughtful design with each seat, even more jets, including an increased variety of jets over the Salina, and top of the line features throughout, allowing for a more customized massage and overall hot tub experience.

Official Website: Chemicals For Swimming Pools,OK

more info Click Here: Swimming Pool Designers Norman,OK 

Trick or Treat! October Highlights

Thanks to those that joined us for Paradise in the Parking Lot - it was a lot of fun seeing everyone out with their family and watching the kids enjoy the activities!
Just a quick rundown of what we have going on during the month of October, and a change to our business hours for the off-season.

• October 1 - October 31:  Monthly specials for October    In the market for a pool and hot tub?  This month take advantage of a $2,000 instant cash rebate on any above ground pool & hot tub combo purchase.   Need a new pool liner?  During the month, we will offer 25% off any above ground pool liner replacements - you can even couple this discount with some of our clearance liners (limited quantities and sizes available).  Also, we have final end of season clearance items throughout the store - this is the time to take advantage of the lowest prices on some great outdoor living items, furniture, toys and pool accessories.

• Saturday, October 6:  Pool School 9 - 10am    This will be the final pool school of the season.  Topic will be pool closings and we will touch on the recommended way to close your pool for an easy opening in the Spring.  Coffee and Donuts will be provided and we will stream on Facebook for those of you that cannot make it.

More Info Click Here: Chemicals For Swimming Pools,OK

Product Spotlight - Paradise Series Salina Hot Tub

As previously noted, I recently realized that we write blogs about many hot tub topics - how much they cost, how to maintain your hot tub, the benefits of owning a hot tub, but we haven't spent very much time looking at each particular model in depth, and the benefits of each one.  Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to you, so that you can research, shop, analyze, etc at your convenience.  Some prefer to come and see all the hot tubs in person and that's great.  For others, making a trip to the store, might not be ideal - hopefully, we can walk you through each model in an effort to help you narrow down your choices, and potentially save you a trip to the store if you prefer!

We are going to continue our in depth look with what I would refer to as the 'older sister' to the Vanto - the Caldera Salina.  This hot tub is in Caldera's Paradise Series, which is their mid level hot tub series.  The Salina is also an open seating concept, meaning it has no loungers.  This allows for more seating options and is very conducive to chatting and social interaction. If you look at the Salina compared to the Vanto, it is virtually the same hot tub shell - it offers more jets, increased variety of jets, and updated features throughout, allowing for a more customized massage and overall hot tub experience.

Official Website: Pool Cleaning Service And Repair,OK

More Info Click Here: Chemicals For Swimming Pools,OK

Product Spotlight - Vacanza Series Vanto Hot Tub

I recently realized that we write blogs about many hot tub topics - how much they cost, how to maintain your hot tub, the benefits of owning a hot tub, but we haven't spent very much time looking at each particular model in depth, and the benefits of each one.  Our goal is to provide as much information as possible to you, so that you can research, shop, analyze, etc at your convenience.  Some prefer to come and see all the hot tubs in person and that's great.  For others, making a trip to the store, might not be ideal - hopefully, we can walk you through each model in an effort to help you narrow down your choices, and potentially save you a trip to the store if you prefer!

We are going to start our in depth look with one of the most popular hot tubs we offer - the Caldera Vanto.  This hot tub is in Caldera's Vacanza Series, which is their base level hot tub series.  The Vanto is an open seating concept, meaning it has no loungers.  This allows for more seating options and is very conducive to chatting and social interaction. 

Official Website: Swimming Pool Chemical Advice,OK 

More Info Click Here: Pools & Hot Tubs Installation Service,OK