Swim-Inn

Heavy rains = change in water chemistry. Rain water fills the pool and basically dilutes any chemicals levels you currently have. Get him to test his chlorine level after the heavy rains - he may find that it has dropped. It will take time for the chlorinator to make up the lost chlorine and during this time algae is flourishing, and as per chem geeks advice, the algae starts eating any new chlorine produced up, so the chlorinator cannot catch back up. Rain water also washes phosphates from fertilisers into your pool - given the fast algal bloom it's highly likely he has phosphates - he should do a test, it makes ideal growing conditions for algae. Low chlorine levels + phosphates + hot weather = algae in 2-3 days The easiest solution is to give it a chlorine boost after the rains. All the best http://www.SwimIn.com.au

Yes I agree with you, they definitely did not provide you with good service. Normally once they completed the job and determined that was not the problem, they should have told you this and then given you the right advice. My advice before, is don't let them get away with it next time on an excuse that they did what you told them. If you call someone out, let them figure it out. If they get it wrong you have a better chance of getting your money back, or having them come back to fix it for free. Unfortunately pools are complex things. The dead algae advice - definitely incorrect. You will not be vacuuming to waste every day if it was dead algae. You still have the two same possible scenarios - sand getting back into your pool, or mustard algae. Have you stuck a pool broom in there and given it a rub? When you bring the broom out, do you have some slimy stuff on it? Does it disturb quickly (if so it's sand) or can you get your hand on to it to feel it's texture. Once you determine this - if it's mustard algae, you will need to treat your pool with a tropical algecide and make sure you have a consistently high chlorine level and low ph - to really knock it on it's head. Mustard algae is quite resistant, and can be resistant to high chlorine levels. Every time you vacuum to waste you must be losing a fair amount of water - and chemicals - it's an expensive process. If it is sand, you are back to a problem in your filter area - maybe there really is a broken lateral, in which case, this is something you can definitely take up with the previous pool company..... As your first priority, you really need to test it to see what it is...

Hello, I'm not sure about the Kreepy Krauly - which model are you talking about? All the Kreepy's I know have HEAPS of replacement parts - new skirts, bumper straps, wings etc, etc, etc..... we have a shop and do quite nicely out of kreepy The hayward has less replacement parts than most creepys (sorry, slip of the keyboard...) And if you are getting the model which has a hammer inside it - get ready for some thumping early in the morning.. The Zodiac barracuda - G2 & G4 essentially have only 2 replaceable parts - the skirt and an internal diapraphm (which does not make any noise!) and are a much better choice. On another note - what is happening to your hayward? Normally they are a pretty good cleaner. They are not fantastic for pools over 35,000 litres, but other than that they have an internal turbine which improves water quality as it goes and should not need to be replaced every year?? Regards SwimIN http://www.SwimIn.com.au

Hi Guys, Looking for a pool professional to answer my question. I'm an Aussie so some of the things you guys do in Amercia are a little different from us. Can someone tell me what kind of vac is commonly used in the US for removing sand from large gravity fed/pig belly sand filters? I'm looking for a better system than we currently use, and there's not much info about it on the net. Thanks! http://www.SwimIn.com.au

You can easily pick sand up from the bottom of the pool. Not so easy with algae. Also sand has a rough feel to it Hi - yes it happens, mustard algae can be mistaken for sand at the bottom of a pool. If you can't get in there to feel it (algae is slimy) - then if it is difficult to move (i.e. sand will disturb and move very quickly) when you try to brush or vacuum it - then it is mustard algae. You can brush mustard algae away - but it will soon return to the same spot - very quickly. It is also a very chlorine resistant algae and can survive in high levels of chlorine. In answer to your first question (and I don't mean for this to sound harsh) I believe you need to let it go and take it as a learning experience. HOW? if you are having problems like this in the future and you call a pool company to fix it - DON'T diagnose it for them (even if another company has diagnosed it already). Let them come out and inspect it and then tell you what think they need to do. WHY? Because if you disagree with them, you can tell them what you think on the spot and even not go ahead with their service, or if you say ok - go ahead, when/if they get it wrong it will be their fault - no questions about it. As it now stands, you diagnosed the problem and they have your specific instructions to change the sand and the laterals - which is for all intents and purposes what they did! (they have to remove the sand to inspect the laterals, and once it they have removed it, they put the new sand back in). Look at if from their perspective, you called them for a job, they went there and did it, decided the laterals were ok and didn't need replacing - maybe they could have been less honest and changed your laterals as well.... Now that they have specifically told you it is mustard algae, ask them what is involved in fixing it and if they provide any guarantees on their service i.e. if they come out and do a mustard algae treatment and this still does not solve the problem what will they do? All the best! http://www.SwimIn.com.au

The only people I can think of who really do make a quality diving board are S&R Smith. Your board looks similar to their Glass-hide board. There are heaps selling on the net - have a look at the big sites like www.aquasuperstore.com etc. they are a tad bit cheaper on the net and usually include free delivery. Cheers! http://www.SwimIn.com.au

Dear Pool Problems! I feel for you - there are quite a few things that can go wrong with a pool. If your pump is leaking water it is likely to be the seal. You should get it fixed immediately - that is our rule, because anything to do with leaking water and electricity can be dangerous. If you are unsure about what you are doing, you should get it repaired by a qualified person - i.e. your pump repairer should be a qualified electrician, and have a proper test bench where he can set your pump up and test it. If you go to your local pool shop, they should also have some adhesive to put the tiles back on. Basically it has to be one which can dry and stick even when the surface is wet. We have some amazing silicone in our store that applies and dries under water. Leaks - can't help you much there - they are a diagnostic thing and can be expensive. Silly question from me - how much water are you losing out your pump? i.e. is this the problem?? Leak detection is a process of elimination. Since you will need to take your pump off for repair, let the water level drop, and then see where it stops. ie. if it stops at the skimmer box, then it is a leak in the skimmer or the pipework. If it stops at a pool light, theres your culprit, if it keeps going - it's your main drain... Isolating the problem saves time and money, and skips expensive pressure tests if they are not needed! Hope this helps, if not so much now - at least for the future! http://www.SwimIn.com.au

Congrats on the new pool! I try to make things simple - but pools can be quite complex. You should always have your pool water regularily tested by a pool shop to keep things on track, but bascially you will also need a test kit at home. When you first fill your pool - normally all you need to do is add chlorine, like you have done (sometimes the tabs can release a little slowly - so you could add powder to start up faster). Tap water generally is perfectly balanced - think about it - it has to be, because we drink it, bath in it ..... You should have your pump set to run for a certain number of hours per day - I'm from Australia, so we recommend 8 hours in summer and 4-6 in winter. I really depends on how quickly your pump can turn over your water. You should always test the water before you go in - which is why you will need a test kit. As a minimum it should test for Chlorine, PH and Total Alkilinity. It is important to make sure you test before you go in the pool, especially if you have young children, to make sure your chlorine and Ph (how alkaline or acid your pool is) is correct. The more you use the pool - the more out of balance the ph and total alkilinity become as our bodies, suntan lotion, shampoos all have the effect of raising your waters Ph. It is then you will have to start adding cominations of Bi-carb and alkilinity increasers and acids. Bioguard is definitely a very lovely product for your pool, and if you go to one of their dealers, they will start you on a regular maintenance program - i.e. tell you when you will next need your water tested and keep you on a regular schedule. You can choose to use a preventative algecide. Basically if you keep your pool in perfect balance, you will not have problems with algae, but so many of us let it slip every now and then, and a preventative algecide helps keep it at bay. Hope this helps! http://www.SwimIn.com.au