The chemistry of pool water is quite complicated. It’s not something we often think about when we’re swimming in, or lounging by, our pools, but our pool water is affected by pH, water temperature and many other factors.
If your pH is not right, and your pool water becomes too acidic, this can have a corrosive effect on pool cleaners, surface finishes and other features in your pool. Chlorides, which are produced as a by-product of the disinfecting process, are also highly corrosive.
Indoor pools, such as those in gyms and spas, tend to be heated, as is the ambient air around them. Higher water temperatures increase the evaporation of water and the chemicals in it, which can significantly accelerate corrosion.
For these reasons, it’s really important to make sure you choose high-quality pool fittings that will withstand the corrosive atmosphere of your pool.
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Whether it’s for commercial or private use, why not give your swimming pool or facility the clear advantage when it comes to “fun central” with the addition of slides, lane dividers or even a diving board.
Pool Slides
The addition of a pool slide will instantly add a theme park thrill to any otherwise ordinary swimming pool. The new generation of pool slides are taller, longer and faster than ever before, with more twists and turns that are guaranteed to turn up the excitement and have people of all ages clambering up the ladder over and over again to ride the slide. While they can sometimes be a fairly expensive addition to your pool, pool slides are always guaranteed to encourage hundreds of hours of summer fun spent in the water. If you are installing a new swimming pool, consider popping in a slide at this point, as aftermarket installation can add up depending on what slide your heart desires. While much of your decision on what slide to buy will depend on the style and colour, you also need to consider the material that the slides and ladders are made from. Composite, plastic, acrylic, resin or fibreglass slides are the most economical. These materials are much longer lasting and are free of metal components, which do tend to oxidise and deteriorate fairly rapidly, especially in the presence of a salt water pool.Diving Boards
There is no doubt that diving boards are a fun way to get into a pool, however, it is mostly recommended that diving boards be installed in pools that are longer and larger in size than your average back garden variety. This is because the slope of the middle of the pool needs to be far enough away from the board itself to prevent injury. The deep end of your swimming pool would determine the size and height of the board that can be safely used in your pool. For example, a board of 1.8 metres should have at least 1.8 metres of water depth under the board. In the interests of keeping it simple - there are basically two types of diving boards to choose from – a jump board and a dive board. A jump board has a springier base and would be the one used for jumping and diving. The dive board option is usually more rigid and offers a more stable platform for diving. While a diving board is created to withstand more weight, it is not recommended if you’re expecting heavy traffic or parties around the pool.Lane Dividers
Whether a swimmer is in training or swimming a race, the straighter they are able to swim, the harder and faster they can push themselves. This is when floating lane dividers become an essential addition to a swimming pool. The primary function of lane dividers is to let swimmers know where they are in the pool to avoid collisions. Lane dividers usually have two colours on them. These alternate at regular intervals, giving swimmers a good idea of how far they have gone. At the 15 or 25 metre mark, the lane dividers will change to a solid colour which signals the end of the pool is approaching, which helps swimmers to prepare for a turn or the end of a race. The lane divider guides not only keep swimmers in their own lane by helping them identify where they are going but by swimming within the lane dividers, swimmers are also less affected by the resistance caused by other swimmers, thus offering each swimming a higher chance of success.Safety First
Any pool owner should be aware that the addition of diving boards or slides especially does present a potential for accidents and thus one should always make it a priority to establish safety protocols that are enforced from the day of installation. Pool Spa has friendly staff who can advise you on the best quality swimming pool accessories to make sure that the fun in the sun never ends. Chat to one of our experts today. Visit us at www.poolspa.co.zaNo doubt your pond gives you hours of pleasure. It’s very relaxing and tranquil to sit next to, listening to the sound of a water feature splashing, or watching your brightly coloured Koi as they flit about. Or maybe you just like to watch the sunlight sparkling off the water’s surface.
Ponds definitely add character and interest to a garden, and bring joy to their owners. But they also require maintenance to keep them at their best, and to ensure any plant or fish life stays healthy.
Over time, most ponds accumulate a layer of bottom sludge. This is made up of fish waste and decomposed bio materials – definitely not something you want in your pond. Nitrates, fungus, bacteria and protozoas grow in the sludge, and it needs to be removed before these nasties - the nitrates in particular - pose a danger to your fish.
The thought of cleaning your pond is probably making you shudder. Removing the fish, clambering around in the dirty water, maybe even draining the entire pond….Relax. With a pond vacuum cleaner, you don’t have to do any of those things.
Many of you might not even have known prior to reading this that there was even such a thing as a pond vacuum cleaner. Fortunately for pond owners, there are actually several makes, models and sizes to choose from, so you can make sure the one you get is perfect for cleaning your pond.
A pond vacuum is a real time and effort saver – especially if your pond is large, deep or both. They are easy to use, and there’s no need to disturb either your plant life, or your fish. They work in exactly the same way as domestic vacuum cleaners, but instead of suction being created by airflow, a pump pulls water up through the hose, bringing the sludge and debris with it. The cleaned water goes back into the pond via a discharge hose, while the sludge stays trapped inside the machine. You can later use it as a fertiliser for your garden – it’s full of nitrogen-based compounds and your plants will love it!
Just remember when cleaning your pond to keep your vacuuming sessions quite short – you don’t want to remove more than 10% of the pond water at a time, as replacing more than that amount with cold tap water could stress your fish unnecessarily.
At Pool Spa and Filtration Supplies, we stock a range of pond vacuum cleaners in different sizes, and also keep spares in stock. Some can even double as wet cleaners for inside your home! Take a look at the range, or come and chat to us about which one is best for your pond.
The main purpose of owning a swimming pool is its entertainment value which can also make your home the most popular one on the block come summer, but this prestige comes with a fair amount of responsibility.
Regular, which means weekly, swimming pool maintenance is an absolute requirement if you are to avoid becoming the proud new owner of a rather large and less than desirable ‘frog pond’, fraught with algae build-up, mosquito nests, and other health-affecting issues.
What we mean by Regular Swimming Pool Maintenance
To put pool maintenance in better perspective, let’s first take a look at a few time consuming and energy sapping tasks that could be avoided if you made the decision to contract your swimming pool maintenance out to the professionals. Skimming the pool – the time-consuming job of using a pool net to remove any floating debris, which is entirely necessary to ensure that your pool filters don’t get clogged and the pool floor remains stain free. This task also includes removing and cleaning out the strainer baskets. Brushing – You know that keeping the walls of your pool clean is important but not many pool owners realise that the kind of brush you need to use will depend on the material of your pool’s wall. Plaster walls benefit from a stiff-bristled brush, while vinyl, tile and fibreglass walls need a soft-bristled brush. Vacuuming – because a skimmer can’t get everything, which includes any debris that has just been brushed off the walls. While automatic vacuums such as a ‘Creepy Crawly’ are a wonderful invention, unless you are able to master the art of training it to overlap on its passes, you may have to do the odd stint of manual vacuuming using the old fashioned method of attaching a manual vacuum to a pool pole. Cleaning Filters – Depending on what type of filter you own – sand, cartridge or diatomaceous earth – each one has unique cleaning requirements. Cleaning your filter correctly is paramount to pool maintenance. Water Level – Pools lose water for a number of reasons. Water levels should never be allowed to fall below the skimmer basket intake tubes as this can ruin your pump. If your pool is losing an unusual amount of water, it may have sprung a leak somewhere, which needs to be located ASAP. Maintaining the PH – The bane of many a pool owner’s investment and the step that can end up draining your wallet if you lose the plot completely. The water’s PH level determines its acidity and alkalinity. Acidic water damages your pool liner, pool equipment, and your skin. Alkaline water clogs filters, makes the water cloudy and can cause eyes, noses, and skin to burn or become dry. In most pool owners experiences, maintaining the perfect PH is not always as easy as using a home testing kit followed by throwing in a cupful of this and a teaspoon of that. Sounds exhausting, doesn’t it?Giving up Swimming Pool Maintenance to the Experts
While some may feel perfectly capable of performing basic pool maintenance projects on their own, most of us would much rather spend our weekends relaxing around the pool rather than repairing or cleaning it. Contracting your swimming pool maintenance out to pool specialists is, in the long run, not necessarily much more costly than taking care of the maintenance yourself. In fact, it can often save you money because you are not constantly fiddling with things you may know very little about. Pool maintenance services are generally carried out on a weekly basis, with crucial maintenance aspects being reviewed and performed every six months. Weekly visits from the ‘pool man’ will ensure that your swimming pool is always crystal clear and ready for all to enjoy at any time. All the chemicals, chemical balancing, swimming pool cleaning and pool repairs can be taken care of, without you having to lift a finger – how fantastic! The cost of the swimming pool maintenance contracts would generally be based on the size of your pool and the services you require, so don’t stress - there is sure to be a maintenance package for you, should you still find enjoyment in vacuuming your pool, yet abhor attending to the chemistry. Pool Spa has friendly staff who can advise you on consistent maintenance to keep your swimming pool sparkling. Chat to one of our experts today. Visit us at www.poolspa.co.zaSwimming pools, ponds and courtyard fountains are all great ways to add fun, interest and atmosphere to your garden, but we’re not usually so enthusiastic about water inside the house (flashbacks to the Great Geyser Burst of ’05, or the Overflowing Bathtub Incident of ’09!)
Indoor water features (intentional ones, that is) are actually a wonderful way to add drama, a touch of luxury and an undeniable Zen-type vibe to your home. They create an impressive focal point in a room or entrance area, and provide a soothing background of “white noise” which can relax and calm you without you even knowing.
Indoor water features also have a number of proven health benefits that make them not only pleasing to look at but highly beneficial to our well-being as well.
Natural Air Purification
Running water attracts negative ions, which in turn attract dust and dander, pulling them out of the air and into the fountain. Indoor fountains are also natural air humidifiers, as they constantly add a little moisture to the air. This works to counteract the dryness caused by air-conditioners or heaters.Stress Relief
We all experience stress at some point – some of us more often, and at higher levels, than others. The sound of running water has been proven to soothe our minds and calm our nerves, helping to reduce stress levels. Even just sitting and watching water moving has a calming, almost hypnotic effect that helps relieve tension and stress.Sleep Improvement
A tabletop water feature in your bedroom might seem like the ultimate indulgence, but it is actually a wonderful way to improve the quality of your sleep. You’ll fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply, waking up refreshed and recharged.Noise Barrier
Although you don’t want a really loud, splashy fountain in your home, even the gentle noise created by softly falling water can create a natural, pleasing barrier to other noises you’d rather not listen to – traffic, dogs barking, the TV in the next room or the person in the apartment above you who loves to stomp around. Look for features with adjustable pumps so that you can adjust the water flow to suit your needs. At Pool Spa And Filtration Supplies, we have a wide range of water feature products for indoor and indoor use, so come and talk to usIndoor Water Features Are, Well, In!Indoor Water Features Are, Well, In! about how you can bring the wonder of water into your home, and start enjoying all the benefits that indoor water features bring.One advantage pond owners in South Africa have over pretty much anywhere else (except maybe Australia!) is that we don’t have to worry about how to keep our ponds from freezing solid during the winter! Thankfully, we don’t have prolonged cold spells, and even if the temperatures do drop below freezing every night for a while (common in Gauteng and the Free State), things have warmed up enough by midday the following day to melt any thin layer of ice that may have formed.
If you have Koi or goldfish, you may be concerned that they might still be uncomfortable in water that gets cold enough to ice over, even thinly. But remember that Koi originate from Japan, and they are built to withstand very cold water. They are actually extremely clever and go into a kind of hibernation during winter, slowing their metabolic rate right down and remaining virtually motionless in the deeper water of your pond. They use hardly any energy at all in this state, so remember to dial right back on your feeding routine! Many Koi experts say you shouldn’t feed your fish at all in the winter.
If you are worried about the temperature of your Koi pond during winter, you can put a cover over it (while still making sure oxygen can get in), which will help to conserve heat in the air directly above the pond during winter. Although they don’t mind cold water, your Koi will love you for heating their pond up a little in this way! You can also take advantage of our bountiful winter sunshine and install a solar heating system for your pond.
Even though your fish don’t mind cold water, and don’t need much, if any, feeding, during winter, you do still need to do a bit of pond maintenance and just keep an eye on things. You can make your winter pond care easier by doing a little pre-season clean up, clearing out any debris and making sure the water quality is where it should be long before the really cold weather hits. It’s important to ensure your bio-filter is clean, as the last thing you need in a dormant winter pond is a high population of potentially harmful bacteria living with your Koi!
At Pool, Spa and Filtration supplies, we have a extensive range of pond accessories, such as biofilters, vacuums, water treatment kits and much more. We’d be happy to chat to you about how you can ensure your pond is winter-ready, so why not pop in and see us, or call +27 11 7931381/2/3 or +27 11 793 6722.