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You might think that a pool is a pool, and as long as it gives you a place in which to splash around, have fun and stay cool, then you’re, well, cool with that. But there are several things to think about when you decide to put in a pool, and one of the most important points to ponder is whether you want to use concrete (gunite) or fibreglass. This is not as simple a question as it sounds, and you will get different opinions and advice from everyone you speak to. Most pool companies manufacture either concrete or fibreglass pools, so they will naturally tell you that whichever one they make is the best. It’s the same when you chat to your friends. Those with fibreglass pools will rave about them, and those with concrete pools will tell you that’s definitely the way to go.

So how do you choose?

We get that this is a big and important decision, so we’ve compiled an objective list of pros and cons for both types of pool in the hope that you’ll then be able to choose the one that best suits your budget, lifestyle and swimming habits.

Concrete (Gunite) Pools

Most pools you see at outdoor water parks, resorts and high-end residential properties are made of concrete. This is primarily because concrete pools can be made to any size, shape and design you want. They are 100 percent customisable, and can easily incorporate features such as beach-style entry, steps, ledges and water features. Concrete pools can be finished in a variety of ways, from mosaic to pebbles to regular tiles, so there is something to suit your taste and your pocket. They are also very strong and reliable, and will generally only need major maintenance (such as repainting, for example) every 10 to 15 years. The downside of this type of pool is that while it doesn’t often need major maintenance, the porous nature of concrete means it will need regular brushing and heavy filtration to keep it free of algae and chemical imbalances. The higher demand on the circulation means you’ll need to keep your pump running for longer every day, which will increase your electricity costs.

Fibreglass Pools

The great thing about fibreglass pools is that they are really quick to install. Whereas concrete pools can take months from start to finish, most of the work on a fibreglass pool gets done in the factory. It is then simply transported to your property where it is lowered into the hole and connected up. Admittedly the process isn’t quite as simplistic as that, but it almost is! Fibreglass pools are less prone to algae and bacteria growth because of their smooth, gel-coated surface. These pools are also often generally warmer than concrete pools as the water heats up more quickly and the pool retains heat for longer. The most notable downside of a fibreglass pool is you are limited to the size and shape you can have. They are made from a factory mould and there are only a set number of styles to choose from. You are limited in terms of size and depth because the finished pool has to able to be transported safely to your home. Both types of pool can be beautiful when installed properly and complemented with attractive landscaping and decking, but if you’d like some expert and friendly advice as to which type would best suit your home, chat to the cool pool dudes at Pool Spa And Filtration Supplies. They can’t wait to dive into this subject with you.

Interactive fountains are very popular in America and are becoming more and more so here at home in South Africa too. They are common along popular beach fronts and water parks and offer fun in the sun and a great place to cool off on a hot summer’s day. They’re a great alternative to sitting at home in front of various screens and can make a memorable day out for the whole family. Unfortunately, if they’re not cleaned properly, they can also harbour a host of bacteria and disease. That can mean you carry a lot more home with you after your day out than a wet swimming costume and a tan.

How To Keep Interactive Fountains Clean

Many people think that moving water doesn’t contain any contaminants, but this is a dangerous misconception. Although it’s true that the water in interactive fountains is continuously circulating, this simply means that any nasties in the water – such as E-coli bacteria, dirt, urine and, yes, even vomit – gets rinsed down the drains into the water holding area, only to be sucked up again and sprayed back out of the fountain. It’s not nice to think about but it happens, and people can get sick as a result. There have been several outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases in the States that can be directly linked to specific water parks and fountains. Problems arise as there are not always Health Regulations in place governing the building of interactive fountains, and many may have been built without a proper disinfection and filtering system. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the people who handle the maintenance of these fountains to ensure that they are thoroughly and regularly cleaned. Here are some top tips on how best to keep your interactive fountain sparkling clean and contaminant-free:

• Keep a watchful eye on the readings from chlorine and acid feeders. Manually – and regularly - test the water in the filling tank – and don’t always rely on automatic readers. “Trust, but verify” is the golden rule of thumb.
• As with a pool, the water in an interactive fountain or splash pad gets filtered through a sand or large cartridge filtration system. This needs cleaning often – especially during the peak holiday seasons when thousands of bathers track in grass and dirt every day.
• If the fountain has been drained and closed during the winter, or out of season, a thorough check must be carried out before refilling and restarting. All moving parts should receive preventative maintenance, and any UV lamps should be replaced. Before the fountain is re-opened to the public, all lines should be flushed and the system should be allowed to cycle at least one full cycle before allowing the public to use it.

If you’d like any help or advice on cleaning and maintaining an interactive fountain, chat to the friendly experts at Pool Spa and Filtration supplies. Your health and happiness are important to us.

Once upon a time, there were no pool vacuum devices. I kid you not! Anyone who had a swimming pool before 1937 was doomed to the continuous tedium of sweeping and scooping to maintain a clean swimming pool. And in fact, even decades later, the clever pool cleaning devices that were being invented and honed hadn’t reached South African shores.

The Birth of The Pool Vacuum

So, we’d like to tip our hat to Roy Everson who rather cleverly invented the basic model of the pool cleaner which was the first suction side apparatus which cleaned the bottom and the sides of the pool. There were previous inventions of course, and many patents filed, which allowed busy homeowners to suck up debris and dirt from the pool walls. However, most of these required some human intervention and were a far cry from the plug-n-play devices that we now enjoy. It was our very own South African inventor, John Raubenheimer, who invented the Pool Bug in 1972, predating the ubiquitous Kreepy Krauly by a good two years. Since then, we have seen an explosion of smart devices designed to make our lives that much easier. But as with everything in life, more choices lead to more questions.

Which Pool Vacuum is Right for Me?

Pool vacuums can be broken down into three main types:

1. Suction side pool cleaners
2. Pressure pool cleaners
3. Robotic swimming pool cleaners

So, what is the difference?

There are a number of makes and models available to pool owners, so we will talk generally. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have. Suction side cleaners attach to your pool pump which allows it to propel itself around your pool independently. These popular options are fairly affordable, low maintenance and do a pretty darn good job of cleaning your pool walls. On the downside, they increase pressure on your filter and only work when your pump is running. Pressure cleaners, on the other hand, don’t use your filtration system to remove dirt. Rather, they use a filtration bag to collect the debris, while running off your existing pressure system. While this is also an affordable option, and easy to maintain, they can require an extra booster pump to work effectively. They too, require your pool pump to run, but this option doesn’t work your filter quite so hard. Robotic pool cleaners are incredibly efficient little machines which run off your home power grid. They don’t place any strain on your pump or filter system as they operate independently. Some makes are able scrub the steps and the waterline which eliminates the need for your normal Saturday morning brushing. Robotic cleaners are a pricier option, but they do a great job and are more energy efficient than the other options. Whatever your pool needs are, Pool Spa are here to help.

When you install a swimming pool, there is rather a lot more to consider than just making space for the hole in the ground, adding the shell and filling it with water. The finishing off of the outside of your pool should be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. To do this, one would need to consider pool grating, coping and tiling.

Pool Grating

Pool grating aka overflow grating is essentially flexible tiles available in a variety of colours, styles and sizes that minimise the overflow of water from a swimming pool. Their clever design allows for easy seepage of water into a drain which is connected to the drainage system of a swimming pool, which means less yelling at children to keep their splashing to a minimum. Pool grating is generally fabricated from high-grade polypropylene plastic using injection moulding and can bend easily over corners – flexible up to 180 degrees. The unique design of the weather resistant and anti-slip pool grating allows for easy installation, cleaning and maintenance. They are also UV and chemically protected for a longer life.

Pool Coping

Pool coping is the edging placed around the top rim of a swimming pool which covers the concrete edges. It comes in a variety of finishes, depending on the look most suited to your environment and taste. Popular choices of materials for pool coping are natural stone, brick and pre-cast concrete pavers. While natural stone such as granite or sandstone is more expensive than brick or pavers, it is an extremely durable material. Besides finishing off the pool, other functions pool coping serves is to prevent water from getting behind the pool shell and also for swimmers to have something to grab onto when they need a rest from swimming or want to make a quick exit from the pool without having to head for the steps. Coping should be installed slightly tilted away from the pool to encourage any water splashes to flow away from the pool and onto the pool grating system which will return it to the pool drain. Pool coping is generally sealed to prevent the pool water from leaving marks and to make sure that the elements and chemicals don’t cause it damage. The addition of a non-slip coating will provide a safer surface to walk on that helps keep pool accidents to a minimum. There are various profiles for pool coping such as: Drop down face – This provides a seamless finish with the tile having a lip which fits over the edge of the pool and hides the rim. The surface of the water appears to be flush with the coping. Square edged – The edges of the pavers are square and give a clean look which is popular for a contemporary feel. Bullnose – One or more of the edges are rounded to provide a softer finish. Tumbled edge – Intentionally uneven edges give a more rustic appeal.

Pool Tiling Tips

Swimming pools are wet, hence it is important to choose tiling that is a durable material. You want your pool to look fabulous for years of use. It is necessary that your pool has a properly cured waterproof shell behind the tiles and that the bond strength of the tile adhesive is able to withstand being immersed in water day in and day out. Make certain that the grout used is something like an epoxide-resin, as cement-based grouts are porous and will allow the pool water to soak in. You should only add water to your pool 3 weeks after grouting and make sure to fill the pool no more than 0.75m of depth per day. This will allow any tile shifting and movement to take place slowly – which is a good thing! Pool Spa knows their stuff. Chat to one of the friendly experts today to order a pool grating system for your swimming pool. Visit us at www.poolspa.co.za

Koi are a member of the carp family and are generally quite robust fish. However, generations of inbreeding (to obtain the exact desired physical characteristics, such as colour, pattern, size and physical shape) means today’s Koi are genetically weaker than their ancestors. This inherent weakness makes them more susceptible to disease, which means you should take extra care when it comes to creating the perfect environment for your Koi. Generally speaking, the two most important things we need to get right with Koi are water quality and the correct diet.

The Importance Of Water Quality

Poor water quality causes stress in Koi, which can put their already weakened immune systems under pressure. Parasitic and bacterial diseases are more prevalent in fish that are stressed. This is because stressed Koi produce less mucous, and it is this mucus that forms a protective, disinfectant barrier over their skin, helping to shield them against infection. Optimal water quality means happy Koi, and happy Koi are stress-free! This means their immune systems are running at maximum efficiency, giving them their best chance against potentially life-threatening disease.

What Do We Mean By Optimal Water Quality?

The ideal water quality for happy Koi has a pH of between six and nine and has zero levels of ammonia and nitrates. Oxygen levels should be at a minimum of 6mg per litre, and there should ideally be no trace of the chemical elements commonly found in tap water. These include chlorine, copper, iron, lead and zinc. “Harder” water is preferable to “soft,” although this is more difficult to control as it depends largely on where you live. Toxins have a more difficult time dissolving in hard water, and it also helps with osmoregulation, which is the process by which Koi regulate the fluid levels in their bodies. Remember that the quality of the water is not always indicated by its clarity. A clear pond can be “bad” and a murky pond can be “good.” Green pond water is actually full of algae, which is fantastically beneficial for Koi.

Food Glorious Food

There are several high-quality brands of Koi food available and it is essential to use one of these and not be tempted to use a generic fish food. You’ve invested a lot of money stocking your Koi pond – now is not the time to economise by buying less expensive food! Koi food is specifically formulated to look after the fishes’ health, colour and growth, as well as the overall strength of their immune system.

A Diet For All Seasons

Koi are poikilothermic, which means their body temperature is determined by the temperature of the water. They, therefore, need a different diet in summer to the one they require in winter. In low temperatures, food passes through a Koi’s gut much more slowly than when the water is warmer. If it stays there too long, it starts to decay, making the fish very sick. It’s therefore essential to feed your Koi a low protein food during the winter, and a higher protein diet in the summer. For more really helpful advice on taking care of your Koi, on how to design and install a Koi pond, or anything else to do with ponds or swimming pools, chat to the passionate pond and pool people at Pool Spa & Filtration Supplies.

As delightful as they are to behold, fish pollute their own pond water through natural metabolism causing nitrogen based toxins to build up. These toxins will reach lethal levels if they are not regularly removed and your fish will expire. A bio filter is thus a must have to remove suspended solids and return the water to a clean and healthy environment for the fish.

What is a Bio Filter?

A bio filter holds sponges, brushes, plastic tubing, plastic balls, lava rock, string bags and other means of trapping solid particles, all housed in some form of ‘box’. The collective name for the contents of a bio filter housing is bio media. The bio media create surfaces for bacteria colonies to live and thrive. The bacteria work to naturally convert waste products that are produced in the pond to less polluting materials. The sponges and brushes remove some of the solids that are circulated by the pump. Bio filters thus work by purifying the water at the interface with the bio media and also remove solids that can otherwise make your pond water cloudy.

Choosing a Bio Filter for your Pond

If you have a small to medium pond and don’t intend on stocking it with expensive fish, then you don’t need to overspend on a bio filter. Price is not necessarily the determining factor of how good a filter is. Your choices usually will be between a gravity filter or a pressurised one. To choose the appropriate bio filter, you should know the volume of the water in your pond to about 80% accuracy. Another consideration is the greater the mass of fish in the pond, the greater the level of pollutants they generate and the larger the filter you would need. To err on the side of caution, and if you can afford it, it’s best to get a slightly larger filter to ensure better performance. It’s important to note that a bio filter will not clear a pond where the murky water has been caused by suspended algae unless it has help from an Ultra Violet Clarifier (UVC). Most modern bio filters have these built-in and are a good buy. There are three kinds of bio filters that are suitable for ponds with fish.

1. Gravity Flow Bio filters – These are low-cost bio filters and can be used in any size pond. A gravity flow system consists of open tanks typically at pond level or above. These systems give you good filtration and save electricity.
2. Pressurised Bio filters - These can be easily hidden or located at a distance from the pond. Pressurised bio filters need an extra powerful pump head to push the water through the system. Most pressurised bio filters are combined with a UVC to ensure crystal clear water and to make installation easier.
3. Bubble Bead Bio filters – This is also a type of pressure filter and is used for larger ponds of 100 000 litres or more, rather than your average garden pond. It is both a mechanical (removes solids) and a bio filter.

Pool Spa has friendly staff who can both provide you with top shelf Bio Filter systems and also advise you on pond maintenance to keep your fish swimming in comfort. Chat to one of our experts today. Visit us at www.poolspa.co.za