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Being close to water makes us happy. True story. Numerous studies show that we are calmer and more creative when we’re near the sea or a large body of water, such as a lake, pond or lagoon. Add a fountain into the equation, and our happiness levels go up even more. Fountains are pleasing to us visually and sensually, and are especially lovely when they appear to float in the middle of a lake or pond. In urban environments, these floating fountains, which are popular in city parks and botanical gardens, also help to mitigate ambient noise from traffic, providing a peaceful oasis in the middle of a city. Although they’re called floating fountains, the fountain itself doesn’t float at all. A floating fountain is actually a self-contained submersible pump attached to a float device, which produces the signature spray of water. This can be anything from a metre or two in height to big, impressive fountains spraying many metres into the air. If your body of water is large enough, you can use several fountains placed at different angles, and with differing spray heights, to create a truly spectacular display. An anchor rope secures the whole device in place. During the day, the effect of a floating fountain is enhanced by the sunlight sparkling through the spray. At night, although the sound is still there, the dramatic visual effect is lost. This is why the simple addition of lighting is almost mandatory when installing a floating fountain. Some fountains are even supplied with lighting already built in. Floating fountains are relative easy to maintain. The most important part is making sure the intake remains free from any kind of blockage or obstruction, as this can cause the pump to overheat. In order to remove mineral build up on the pump – which can damage bearings and seals – and on the stainless steel motor housing, it’s important to remove the fountain from the water three to four times a year and flush it with clean water. Pool Spa and Filtration Supplies custom manufactures floating fountains to suit any venue or occasion. There are many interactive choice available to you:

• Various nozzle types in different patterns
• Coloured LED or ultra bright coloured halogen lights
• Infinitely variable programme sequences
• Changing heights or pulsating action
• Musical interaction

Why not chat to one of our helpful and expert technicians about how we can help you create a truly spectacular floating fountain.

A green pool is never a good thing, but a green commercial pool is potentially disastrous, not to mention extremely embarrassing. Who can forget the Olympic swimming pool in Rio that turned an unenviable shade of green overnight, after a hapless contactor mistakenly added hydrogen peroxide to the pool, effectively neutralising the purifying effects of the chlorine? Because of their size, and the sheer numbers of people who swim in them, commercial pools can be tricky to look after, and keeping them in clear and sparkly condition is a much more difficult prospect than looking after the pool in your back garden. One of the key elements to get right is the filtration system. A properly functioning commercial pool filter removes debris from the water (such as leaves and dirt) and prevents the growth of bacteria and algae. Rapid removal of this debris is important in order to reduce the impact on the disinfection system and maximise the effect of the overall pool sanitation. Because they are often outside, commercial swimming pools are vulnerable to environmental contaminants blown in by the wind, droppings from birds, and rain. Contaminants introduced by swimmers themselves can also drastically impact on the operation of commercial pools. Swimmers can introduce micro-organisms into the water from sweat, sunscreen, saliva, cosmetics, and yes, we have to say it, urine and fecal matter. A shudder-worthy statistic is that in a commercial pool of about 835 000 litres, there will be an average of 75 litres of urine at any given time. The sanitation and filtration of a commercial pool work in tandem to ensure clean, clear water. Sanitation involves the adding of (usually) chlorine to the water to kill bacteria and prevent waterborne pathogens. Filtration makes the pool water clear, which greatly enhances the visual appeal of the pool, but also adds to the safety aspect in that lifeguards or other officials can see what’s happening underneath the water. Fitting the correct filter is critical, as, in order to function correctly, it must operate within its manufacturer-recommended design limits. Pool Spa & Filtration Supplies stocks a comprehensive range of commercial swimming pool filters, including combi units, pre-filters and stainer tanks. Talk to one of our expert consultants today about the correct filter for your specific need.

Many homeowners have started to realise the benefits of having a water fountain in and around their homes. Stress relief and relaxation are listed as key benefits of fountains, as well as being aesthetically appealing. However, fountains are not only a beneficial as a soul soother. A fountain pump helps to keep your pond in a healthy condition, as the water will not become stagnant due to the distribution of oxygen through your water feature.

Size does matter

The size of your fountain pump depends largely on the size of your water feature, and what you want it to do. For example, do you need it just for circulation, or are you spraying water into the air and need a little more power for that extra flourish? A quick way to choose the right sized fountain pump is to determine if it can circulate half the water in your pond in an hour, at a minimum. Another factor would be what is living in your water feature. For example, bigger fish need more oxygen and this needs to be factored in when selecting a fountain pump.

Fountain pump options

There are a number of different types of fountain pumps for you to choose from, including direct drive, external and submersible. Depending on your requirements, we can help to ascertain exactly what your needs are.

• The direct drive pump motors are powered by electricity. They work best for waterfalls or fountains.
• External pumps are best when you have a large area of water which needs to be circulated. It is generally more reliable although, slightly noisier than the submersible pump.
• The submersible pump is designed to go completely under the water, essentially in the deepest part of your water feature.

The correct fountain pump, and the accommodating fountain, can become a beautiful and restful feature in your home without very little effort. Added benefits of a fountain include its natural humidifying properties, and the ability to reduce air pollution. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Pool Spa and Filtration Supplies will happily answer any questions you might have regarding fountain pumps, do not hesitate to phone, or read more on our website.

Having a pond is very soothing for the soul, but it can become hard work if not maintained. Keeping the quality of the water is at its best condition, and your fish happy, is an all-year-round task. You may not be overly concerned about the bottom of the fish pond, which is never really seen. However, when debris is allowed to accumulate at the bottom of your fish pond, the water quality and health of your fish are at risk. Constantly cleaning your pond can become a real bore. But what can you do about uneaten fish food, waterlogged leaves and plants, or even dead fish which could be decaying at the bottom of your pond? This is where the pond vacuum comes to the rescue. Pond vacuums do all the hard work for you, reducing maintenance time drastically. (And especially so for bigger ponds which can really become a back-ache.) How does it work? The pond vacuum has a pump very similar to the filter pump on a swimming pool. So, you no longer have to empty your pond completely to clean it from top to toe – upsetting fish and flora along the way. The bottom of your pond is vacuumed, the water and debris filtered, and pumped right back into your pond. The debris that is removed can then be thrown away like any normal vacuum cleaner. When you’re done, simply check your pond level to ensure that the water is still sufficient for your fish, and top up with fresh water if necessary. By using the pond vacuum you will ensure that your fish pond is clear, the water maintained at the correct levels and a you have a happy home for your fish. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Pool Spa and Filtration Supplies will happily answer any questions you might have about pool vacuums, so please phone, or read more on our website.

Salt chlorinators for swimming pools are becoming more and more popular worldwide. Virtually all new in-ground pools in Australia have them, and the trend is catching on in South Africa too. Salt chlorinators can also be retro-fitted, so they can easily replace the traditional chemical chlorine system in your existing pool. If you’re thinking about salt chlorination for a new or existing pool, here are a few important facts to help you understand exactly how this method works, so you can decide if it’s what you’re looking for. The most common misconception about salt chlorinated pools is that they don’t actually use chlorine. They do - salt alone will not eliminate bacteria, algae and viruses. The difference with a salt water system is you don’t add chemical chlorine to the water. Instead, it’s made within the system itself, using a chlorine generator. This generator uses electrolysis to break down the salt (scientifically known as sodium chloride), and convert the chloride part into chlorine gas which, when dissolved in water, becomes sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine). This generated chlorine is almost identical in chemical structure and function to the products you’d normally buy from your local pool shop or supermarket. Unlike traditional chlorine however, the chlorine produced by salt chlorinator systems doesn’t contain chloramines, which are the nasties responsible for the red eyes, strong smell and bleached or green hair that we often associate with regular pool chlorine. Another big advantage of salt chlorinated pools is that they need minimal maintenance. Once you’ve added the initial dose of salt, you will probably only need to top up once or twice a year, depending on how much the pool is used, and the weather conditions. Salt is most commonly lost through rainwater overflows, backwashing the filter and general “splash out” from happy swimmers! It’s also a good idea to remove and clean the generator cell once a year. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at Pool Spa and Filtration Supplies will happily answer any questions you might about salt chlorinators, so please phone themch for a chat, or read more at Salt Chlorinators info

In South Africa, we’re lucky to have the type of climate that means we can enjoy outdoor living and entertain for at least six months of the year. For many of us, this includes taking full advantage of all the fun of a swimming pool for the entire summer – and a bit beyond if we’re brave! But a pool is not only a worthwhile addition to your home for entertainment reasons. It can greatly add to the value of your property, and can visually enhance your garden and outdoor area - so it’s definitely a worthwhile consideration if you have space. Designing and installing a swimming pool is undoubtedly a lot of fun, but there are a couple of more serious issues you need to consider as well. South Africa is a water-poor country, so you’ll need to first make sure you’ll be allowed to fill your pool once it’s built. Your pool contractor should be able to give you proper advice on this, as well as guide you through any other relevant process, such as planning permission etc. Once the official stuff is out of the way, you’re ready to get down to the fun part – deciding on the shape and style of your pool. Although you can really design any shape you like, the most common are L-shape, rectangular, oval and kidney. The shape you choose will depend on two main things: What your primary use of the pool is going to be, and how much space you have. If you want to use the pool for swimming training and exercise, for example, a long, rectangular pool will suit your purpose perfectly. If you have smaller children, an L-shaped pool might be better, as you can separate the pool into two separate areas to accommodate two different depths, one for adults and one for children. This is when selecting the right contractor can really make all the difference. As well as bringing your ideas and designs to life, a reputable contractor will be able help you balance your dreams with your budget, tell you what is practically possible given the space available and offer suggestions on what the best finishes and surrounds will be. At Pool, Spa and Filtration Supplies, we have all the experience needed to create a comprehensive design package for your pool. We provide sound advice, detailed design and drawings, as well as a Bill of Quantities to give you peace of mind that what you agree on will be what you get. Talk to us today about how we can help you build the perfect pool.