Swimming pools

Pool Forums

2008-10-09T08:24:00.002+03:00

The Swimming Pool Forums have grown so big that they are scheduled for a move to a new domain on its own server.

Check back frequently for news or register at the Pool Forum to get email updates of the changeover.

Swimming Pool Help Blog

2008-02-15T13:34:00.004+02:00

This pool help blog is being continued at its new address - pool-help.com

Please update any links to reflect the new Swimming Pool Blog.

Pool Forum

2009-02-08T13:18:00.000+02:00

The Pool Forum is one year old and is getting more popular each day. Why not visit and see for yourself?

The Pool Forum requires no registration so you and your personal information remain safe.

Spring - pool opening

2005-03-08T13:43:00.000+02:00

With spring around the corner it's time to start thinking about opening your pool. Early planning and preparation mean that you will avoid problems such as algae bloom as the weather gets warmer.

Swimming Pool Help Forums

2005-01-25T17:43:00.000+02:00

Our swimming pool forums are now up and running. Please visit and participate to make the forums a destination for pool owners and pool maintainers alike.

See you there => Swimming Pool Help Forum

Pool Wizard in the USA

2004-11-21T10:25:00.000+02:00

Great news! The Pool Wizard is now available online throughout the USA and Canada. Get it at www.poolwizard.net

Pool water testing

2004-03-13T11:46:00.000+02:00

The key to a safe, healthy pool with balanced water starts with regular water testing. The results of the tests enable us to ascertain any problems or potential problems in the pool water. Using the values from the water tests, we can determine what chemicals and the quantities necessary to ensure ideal water balance.

Usually these tests are confined to pH and total chlorine. Unfortunately there are critical water tests which need to be done intermittently and which are as important as these two tests.

The tests which have to be done are as follows: total alkalinity, calcium hardness (or total hardness), stabiliser (conditioner), and total dissolved solids (TDS). Failure to measure these values inevitably results in one pool problem or another.

More on these pool water tests soon.

Happy swimming.

Green algae - pool problems

2004-02-23T10:55:00.000+02:00

Green algae is perhaps the most common type of algae occuring in swimming pools.

Thankfully it is also relatively easy to treat.Assuming the pool's pH, TA and other facors are in balance, superchlorination or shock treatment along with frequent brushing, vacuuming and backwashing should get rid of the algae.

! Remember to use a non-stabilised (or conditioner-free) chlorine for any large chlorine additions to avoid problems of overstabilisation.

There are many commercial algaecides (algicides) or "algae-killers" available. Most will hasten the destruction of the established algae, and algaestats may help prevent further regrowth.

Mineral systems such as the Pool Wizard not only kill all algae but also prevent any future growth. If you have an ongoing algae problem in your pool, why not look into getting a Pool Wizard for peace of mind?

Happy swimming.

Algae problems in swimming pools

2004-02-05T22:51:00.000+02:00

Swimming pool algae, while in itself harmless, is unsightly and can lead to a host of illnesses in the pool.

Green pool water is not appealing and detracts from the joy of your swimming pool. There are thousands of types of algae, many of which are useful to us, and very few which can harm us directly.

Algae in swimming pool water provides an ideal substrate for the growth and reproduction of bacteria, which feed off the oxygen and sugars produced during photosynthesis by the algae in the pool water.

Pool algae also creates a huge chlorine demand, depleting the supply of free chlorine in the swimming pool and increasing the likelihood of harmful pollutants remaining in the pool.

It is far easier and more economical to prevent algae growth than it is to destroy established algae in the water. Regular pool water testing and chlorination (or the use of other sanitisers) can prevent pool algae. Algaecides or algaestats can destroy or prevent the growth of most types of pool algae. Mineral sanitisers such as the Pool Wizard can prevent algae with minimal maintenance even when the swimming pool water contains little chlorine (or no chlorine for periods up to a few days).

Happy swimming.

Cloudy swimming pool water problems

2004-01-25T18:19:00.000+02:00

Cloudy swimming pool water should be dealt with according to the reason for the cloudiness.

If the swimming pool water is milky, it is advisable to have the level of stabiliser (cyanuric acid) tested. A level of over 80ppm in the pool water is likely to lead to "chlorine lock" which can turn the water milky. If the problem is the stabiliser, you will need to drain some of the swimming pool water and refill with fresh water to bring the stabiliser level down to 30-50ppm. To avoid the level getting out of control, use a non-stabilised chlorine product such as calcium hypochlorite.

Adding large amounts of this same chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) can cause the calcium level to rise and this may result in either scaling or cloudy pool water if the pool water balance has a scaling tendency. The level of calcium hardness should ideally be between 200ppm and 400ppm.

If the cloudy pool water is caused by an excessive amount of dust or pollutants in the water, you may have to use a flocculant (also known as a coagulant or clarifier). The flocculant clumps the pollutants together allowing them to be trapped by the filter or causing the clumps to settle on the bottom of the pool from where they can be vacuumed. If the swimming pool has a regular tendency to become cloudy, it is suggested that you check the filter medium. In the case of sand filters, it is necessary to change the sand at least every 5 years to ensure efficient filtration. The pool sand filters generally use quartz, but nowadays zeolite minerals are becoming more popular.

Zeolite, particularly clinoptilolite, is able to trap particles as small as 3 microns, resulting in filtration comparable to that of a DE filter. Zeolite is also able to absorb metals, ammonia and nitrates, all of which pose a problem for swimming pools.

Happy swimming.

Cloudy pool water - pool problems

2004-01-15T22:24:00.000+02:00

Cloudy swimming pool water can be the result of one of a number of factors.

The cloudy pool water could be caused by an excessive amount of dust or pollutants in the water.

High doses of pool chemicals such as calcium hypochlorite (unstabilised or shock chlorine) can cause a high salt level in the pool resulting in cloudy, milky pool water.

Milky pool water may also be from an excessively high stabiliser (cyanuric acid) level in the swimming pool.

If you have cloudy pool water, the first step is to determine the cause before attempting to solve the problem and clarify the pool water.

Happy swimming.

Swimming pool horror story

2003-12-24T13:33:00.000+02:00

And you thought you had problems!

With the festive season just around the corner, I began thinking about an old high school friend. The summer holidays in the southern hemisphere are in December and January - the swimming season.

My friend went to a New Year's party and in the spirit of things he got quite drunk. He decided to take a swim - I suppose he felt hot. He stripped off and dived into the pool. Unfortunately the swimming pool was empty and he cracked his skull. Since then he has been in a wheelchair.

During the festive season, please be extremely careful around swimming pools. Pools are fun places to be, but a swimming pool accident can result in disaster.

On that sad note, I would like to express my best wishes to all over the holiday period. And please remember that alcohol and swimming pools do not go well together.

Pool water problems

2003-12-21T18:04:00.000+02:00

Swimming pool water problems are always a result of one of the pool water values being out of balance. Regular water testing should include tests for total alkalinity, pH and your sanitiser (most commonly chlorine).

Other swimming pool water tests which should be carried out periodically are calcium hardness, stabiliser (cyanuric acid) and total dissolved solids.

If any of the pool water test results are not within the recommended parameters, adjust the level without delay to avoid serious pool water problems and visible swimming pool problems.

Happy swimming.

Problem of the week: pool water balance

2003-12-18T22:33:00.000+02:00

Swimming pool water balance depends on a few main factors. They are: water temperature, pH, calcium hardness and total alkalinity. Each of these factors can result in the water going out of balance.

Imbalanced swimming pool water usually results in scaling or the pool water becoming corrosive. Other results include the start of pool algae problems, pool staining and similar pool water problems.

The combination of the above factors should be considered when trying to ascertain the state of the swimming pool water. For example, a high total alkalinity can be offset by a low pH level, resulting in completely balanced swimming pool water.

Happy swimming.

2003-12-16T13:09:00.000+02:00

Pool problem of the week: Algae problems
Pool algae problems. The most common algae problem is "algae bloom". This means a rapid growth of algae in the swimming pool. Algae can be in the form of green algae, black algae, mustard algae or"pink algae".

"Pink algae" is not an algae, but is in fact a bacteria so will not respond to classical algicides. Chlorine treatments are generally effective against this bacteria.

Green algae problems are perhaps the most widespread and are relatively easy to treat. Mustard algae and black algae problems are somewhat more resistant to algicides and chlorine shock treatments.

Black algae in particular is very resilient and requires ongoing attention. This is due to the black algae creating a "shield" of dead cells on the surface of the algae clump. This "shield" protects the algae beneath it, making it extremely difficult to kill. Brushing with a stiff brush after each chemical treatment removes the upper dead layer of algae, making it possible for the chemicals to destroy the living cells of black algae underneath.

The Pool Wizard, a patented mineral system, effectively kills all algae including the resistant black algae colonies. It will also prevent new algae growth for up to 9 months when used in addition with small amounts of chlorine. For more information on the Pool Wizard mineral disinfection system, click through to the relevant pages.

Happy swimming.

2003-11-30T17:33:00.000+02:00

Pool problem of the week: High pool water pH
High pH. High pool water pH is often the result of high Total Alkalinity. When the total alkalinity is within the recommended parameters of 80-120ppm, the pH of the swimming pool is generally quite stable.
Environmental factors as well as the quality of the fill water can create changes in the pH of your swimming pool. The effects of the sun on pool water is to increase the pH, which tends towards a stable value of 8.5.
The addition of chemicals (such as chlorine, algaecides, flocculants, ...) can change the pH of the pool water. If you have a pH problem in your swimming pool, the above should be taken into account when trying to ascertain the reason for the pH problems.

Happy swimming.

2003-11-17T10:40:00.000+02:00

Pool problem of the week: Low calcium hardness.
The ideal range for calcium hardness is 200-400ppm. Low calcium hardness is a result of a good, scale-free water supply. Unfortunately a certain level of hardness is required in swimming pools. Low hardness levels can cause some pool problems. The most serious is the etching or breakdown of the pool plaster or tile grouting. This is because the swimming pool water leaches the hardness it needs from the pool's surfaces.
Low calcium hardness results in corrosive pool water, but can easily be increased. Adding calcium chloride will increase the calcium hardness level in your swimming pool. You can find the quantities your swimming pool needs using the pool calculators on this web site. Also, using unstabilised chlorine (calcium hypochlorite/ shock chlorine) will help to increse the calcium hardnesslevel and maintains the calcium level in the swimming pool water.

2003-11-10T20:32:00.000+02:00

Pool problem of the day: High total alkalinity.
The ideal range for total alkalinity is 80-120ppm. To reduce total alkalinity, an acid shock is generally suggested. In practice, I have found that pools with high total alkalinity need ongoing shock treatments. When your swimming pool needs acid (high pH), add the pH reducer as an acid shock each and every time. After a few weeks the total alkalinity should begin approaching the ideal level, and continuation of dosing in this way usually offsets the rise in total alkalinity resulting from the addition of fresh water as a top up.

2003-11-08T14:51:00.000+02:00

I had a really interesting morning - a huge pool problem. I was called out to a pea green pool. Talk about algae problems! It was more like a swamp, what with the frogs, mosquitoes and thick, slimy algae growth.

A few kilos of chlorine and a couple of Pool Wizards later, I am completely confident that the pool problems are over for now. Once again I was shocked at what a lack of basic pool water care can result in. Okay, nobody is using the pool in this weather, but at least a maintenance program can help to prevent more permanent pool problems such as staining.

An acid wash can usually remove the stains resulting from algae growth, but what about the plaster or grouting? Solving the pool staining like this results in the breaking down of the pool's surfaces. Is it worth it? Personally I don't believe it is. In the long run, pool care becomes extremely expensive and is detrimental to the swimming pool itself.

Until next time and more swimming pool problems . . .

2003-11-06T00:07:00.000+02:00

After having set up these pages I have been extremely busy. I attended a very successful swimming pool trade fair, where a lot of interest was expressed in the Pool Wizard and the solution it provides to every algae problem.

Other exciting pool developments have been happening. We have secured the distribution of zeolite filter minerals. I have been doing some research on the various zeolites available for (pool) water treatment and the most common, clinoptilolite, is available in both high quality and at a reasonable price.

Turkish clinoptilolite is up to 95% pure and is ideal for use in swimming pool filters. The zeolite gives several advantages over regular quartz filter sand:
=> ability to filter down to 3 microns, making the filter as effective as a DE filter;
=> ability to absorb ammonia and its compounds, thus reducing and preventing the formation of combined chlorine, chloramines and trihalomethanes (THMs);
=> reduces backwashing requirement by up to 50% and so saves time and pool water;
=> can be regenerated using regular salt (sodium chloride) for an ongoing solution to ammonia-related swimming pool problems.

Not only is clinoptilolite ideal for swimming pool filtration systems, it is also useful in all kinds of water filtration plants. The area where we are located suffers from heavy metal problems in our municipal water. Unfortunately we are obliged to buy the substandard water for use in our homes. The levels of iron and manganese are way above the maximum tolerance levels permitted by law, but nevertheless we have no choice. The amount of manganese is about 50 times higher than the maximum permissible level and the result for the plumbing and appliances is horrendous - black toilet bowls, basins and water tanks, yellowing clothes and more . . .

In an initial test, about 1,5kg of clinoptilolite (zeolite) has managed to absorb all the iron and manganese at the point of entry to our plumbing system. Unfortunately it reached saturation after 3 weeks, but was easily washed and regenerated using salt. It is now back in place and continues the great work. I am working on a backwashable filter system for myself and other victims of substandard water in our municipal area. Another of the results of the zeolite has been softer water and we have far less scale in the municipal water after putting in the clino. Soap and shampoo lathers so much more, and we had fogotten what "normal" water was like.

At present I am working on water problems - pool water problems, water mains problems, water balance problems, cloudy water problems, hard water problems, water chemistry problems and so on. The swimming season has come to an end and most pools are green with algae. Why don't the pool owners want to maintain their pools? Budget! So unfortunately the algae problem is here to stay until the spring.

Further developments and details about water problems and solving any water problem we come across will be updated regularly. Take care for now.

Swimming bugs

2003-10-06T11:16:00.000+03:00

Poorly sanitised swimming pools can result in illnesses to the swimmers. When a swimmer carries a bug into the water and there is inadequate disinfection, others who swim are prone to pick up the bug which has been allowed to multiply in the pool.

Despite having the recommended levels of chlorine, some bugs are able to survive for days, posing a health risk to those using the swimming facilities. For example, "crypto" can survive for up to 4 days despite chlorine levels of 2.0ppm, creating a serious risk from this bug.

E. Coli and Pseudomonas are two further bugs found in pool water and which can survive for long periods even with sanitiser levels of 2ppm. Eye and ear infections are common, as are stomach upsets and fungus infections. The Pool Wizard can effectively destroy these pathogens in the presence of even very low levels of chlorine.

Don't risk your health or the health of the swimmers using your pool; make sure that any bug that enters the swimming environmnt is destroyed promptly, or everyone may be affected.

Happy swimming.

2003-09-10T12:50:00.000+03:00

Summer's finally drawing to a close. I've had a really busy time and haven't been able to swim much. I've probably visited over 600 swimming pools, though. I've seen and dealt with countless pool problems, algae blooms, over-stabilised pools and total alkalinity problems.

So I suppose it hasn't been in vain. Others have enjoyed a healthy and relaxed swimming season as a result of my efforts. But now it's time for a break.

Two glorious weeks at the coast - sun, sea and lots of sleep! School holidays have ended so that means real peace of mind, the resorts being empty and the screaming, nagging little ones facing the wrath of the teacher as the school year tries to get underway. The Turkish coast is a holiday paradise that offers everything any holidaymaker could possibly want.

I haven't been totally honest. Part of the two weeks is going to be spent at a trade fair, also at the coast. So there's a bit of work involved but I really enjoy these Pool and Spa trade fairs - you get to see all the fun, new pool stuff and you have the chance to catch up with out-of-town colleagues.

So while this blog is still in its infancy, it has become necessary to take a break for a while. I will be back with more rants, more focused writing and hopefully some fun things during the month of October. That's when we'll all be working like mad to close all those pools before the winter sets in. So until then . . .

2003-09-08T11:11:00.000+03:00

We're well into September, and that means we are approaching the end of the swimming season in the Northern Hemisphere. That means many pools have begun to turn green, and many others have signs of serious algae growth. That's fine if you let your pool go in the winter.

How about the pool that you look at each morning when you wake up? It is time to tackle the algae problem before it gets too strong a hold in the pool. That leads to all sorts of problems such as staining and cloudy pool water.

Please don't wait until it's too late.

2003-08-29T18:29:00.000+03:00

OK. So I set up this blog and now don't know what to do with it. I suppose it can be useful to give advice and tips on swimming pool care, or to talk about things that one could be doing for their pool during this time of year. Or I could go on about things totally unrelated to pools, algae, pool problems, home pool maintenance, etc.

I suppose time will time how this develops. I look forward to you looking forward to reading these pages.