MissionElectric Guy

I just called my supply house & were now able to purchase Tatum spa's ( http://www.tatummanufacturing.com/products.html ), so if your in the SoCal area & you like any of these models, let me know

Im sorry for the response delay... I got my spa from Cal Spa. I never had problems with it (and mine was used by atleast 5 people every single day). I loved the lighting, got a lot of attention, but it wasnt funky & immature. the little LED lights on the top are above the water line & you also have the main light down near your feet.

I bought a large spa with the color changing LED lights around the top & inside the water, plus it hand a stereo with speakers built in on all 4 corners. The spa cost me $7,000.00

your pool should be on 75% skimmer suction & 25% Barracuda. and your return valve should be on 100% pool. this is the general way to run a pool. now your suction valve may have a second valve plummed i nto it, if so, the valve directly to the pump should be 100% skimmer & that neighboring valve distinguishes suction from skimmer to Barracuda (which is normally 75% skimmer & 25% Barracuda

everyone has their prefferences. I personally will only run a D.E. filter. I only run 60sqft (regardless of the size of your pool). Your average pool usually needs 3 - 4 filter cleanings a year. But there is no certain times inbetween filter cleanings, it all depends on the amount of dirt & leaves that blown into your pool and how often the pool is used (especially if you use tanning oils, sun blocks, etc... these are te #1 causes of filter clogging) (BTW: algae is another huge factor in your grids getting clogged) I try to only sell Jandy & Pentair products at my store. I think Jandy has the upper hand in modern-day design & function. They are super easy to take apart (ratchet w/ a 9/16 socket & a bottle of soap to lube your O-rings, and thats all you need). They also have big handles on the lids (people are known to use the gauge as a handle, which often breaks off in their hands & the threads stay in the filter lid)... you might want to try to elliminate as much debris from around the pool... for example: if there is dirt - try to grow grass or throw down any type of ground cover. this helps elliminate dust from blowing in the pool. Also trim any trees, etc...

not to sound like an Ahole, but Ive been servicing pools for 16 years & solar covers are no good for a pool. I have to admit, they do heat the pool extremely well, but they shed off the little bubbles (as they break) and then they clog your baskets & filter grids. The cover also stops the top layer of your water to suck into the skimmer, which helps clean your pool. 2 years ago I tried a product called Solar Rings in my pool. They have been extremely impressive, & heat my spa tremendously. They come in 3 sizes (5ft circles is the most common), they just float ontop of the pool & heat the water to 21,000btu & when your not using them, you can fold them into a plastic container. They have been the best seller in my store this summer.

Is it possible to swap that filter for a 60sqft Jandy filter? Or a Purex 4000 series might be a better bet, because the grids come out individually. This makes your filter cleanings much more simple, quick, & most importantly: most efficient!!! The cleaning elements help, but taking the filters out and cleaning them theroughly is by far the way to go. I clean atleast 100 commercial filters every month, so I have a good amount of experience in this field. A Diatemaceous Earth filter is by far the best way to go. A lot of my high-end commercials install cartridge filters for their spa's. But I prefer D.E. for everything.

Solar Sun Rings are incredible. they heat up to 21,000btu & they do not cover the entire pool which creates a huge mess in your pool. full covers also deterierate very quickly (which causes damage to your pool) & they are very dangerous for people & animals (especially kids... when anything falls onto these covers, it blankets you and pulls you down under water. my customers dog drowned due to this 3 months ago). you have none of these issues with Solar Sun Rings. I have 4 in my pool & 1 in my spa & I will never run anything else. They are actually the #1 seller in my store also! I honestly swear by these, & only because I use them for my self in my own pool

this is how to clear up algae: - clean your filter & add proper D.E. - add a half of a qt of SwimTrine algaecyde w/ 2 gallons of chlorine & 3 tablets in your floater - next day check your acid levels & make sure to lower the acid & add another 2 gallons of chlorine dirty filters are the #1 cause of algae (along with nl chlorine). when you brush off algae, its immediately dead, but new algae can grow over night. you vacuum algae after you brush it off and give it enough time to settle & lay on the floor, so your vac sucks it right up. #1 misconception though; lets say today you clean your filter and do chems, etc... then tonight you vac the algae. Dont think for a second that your filter will remain clean for months to come. I highly recommened you to immediately clean the filter again. The only way you will keep algae out id clear it up (out of the pool) completely, then make sure your filter is clean. if its not, new algae will come right back.

have you checked for holes in your grids? or major cracks in the top manifold? these are usually the problems

you might want to check with a product called "Solar Rings". they heat up to 21,000btu & most people know that not only is a full size cover a pain to take on & off, but they will always keep your pool dirtier & dirtier (not to mention, the little bubbles break off & cause damage to your filter). Solar Rings come in 3 different sizes (the most popular would be 5' circle rings). they look like a raft, and you dont have any troubles & nothing causing your pool to stay dirty(er). They are one of our best sellers in our store!

Also: theres nothing wrong with backwashing, but that should only be a 24-hour circulation help (that means, 24 hours later, take the filter apart and clean it). always be sure to add D.E. with an actual D.E. cup (so you know your adding the correct amount).