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The clouds have cleared and the air smells fresh and clean after that terrific South African thunderstorm. Your swimming pool, however, looks like something best served up with a crusty bread roll.

Yes, establishing the right balance in your swimming pool can be a tricky one – whether you’ve been doing it for years, or you’ve just bought your first house.

It’s important to understand that a swimming pool can be home to a variety of bacteria and viruses, and it’s a wonderful home for algae if left unchecked. This means that balancing pool chemicals is not just about looking pretty – it’s also about the health of the people who use the pool.

First things first. In order to maintain a bright and clean swimming pool, you will need to test the water.

By that we mean, you will need a pool test kit of some sort.

What options do you have?

Without launching into a full chemistry lesson, you will need to know the ideal ranges for a healthy, balanced swimming pool:

• pH: 7.2 – 7.6
• Alkalinity: 80 – 120 ppm
• Calcium Hardness: 180 – 220 ppm
• Chlorine: 1-3 ppm
• Bromine: 3-5 ppm
• Cyanuric Acid: 30 – 50 ppm

This is what you are aiming for. Let’s see what’s out there to help you achieve it.

Pool Test Strips

Probably one of the cheapest options available, test strips are fast and reasonably accurate. You can purchase single strips to measure a particular chemical, or you can buy one that makes multiple tests at the same time.

They are a cinch to use: dip, swirl and read the results.

These test strips will come with a key chart which will indicate what your pool needs. Simple, right?

Liquid Test Kits

At a slightly higher price, liquid test kits offer more accuracy than their test strip counterparts. Also, you get to look like an advanced chemistry student as you drip and swirl your solutions in the little glass vials.

Liquid test kits are more reliable, and they come with a comparator which anyone will find easy enough to read. Dosage and treatment instructions are offered to solve your swimming pool woes.

Digital Pool Testers

We love techy stuff. Obviously a slightly more costly solution than the above, these clever little machines are the pinnacle of speed and accuracy. Simply dip the electrodes into the water and read the simple LCD results. Snap.

Of course, when the novelty of swishing little tubes of water around and adding a dash of this and a pinch of that becomes tedious, you can always call in the pros. Pool Spa have been doing swimming pools for decades. Visit us at www.poolspa.co.za and find out how we can help you to keep your swimming pool beautiful.

For most of us, that familiar “swimming pool smell” takes us right back to the happiest moments of our childhood. It reminds us of summer, holidays, and fun. That smell is chlorine.

Chlorine use has been the popular choice for decades. It is easy to use and handles the three main swimming pool issues: It sanitizes, oxidizes, and deters algae.

However, there are also distinct downsides to extensive chlorine use. Because it’s such a strong chemical, it reddens eyes, dries out skin and hair, and can cause allergic reactions in some swimmers.

The great news is that you do have other options. You can maintain your swimming pool using natural products - which will vastly reduce the amount of chlorine you need in your pool.

Copper Sulphate Algaecides

Copper sulphate algaecides can be used to control algae and improve water clarity. They will also vastly reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine-based products needed.

However, they do not control microorganisms and viruses, and you will still need to use a sanitizer. So you will still need some level of chlorine in the swimming pool water.

Ozone

An ozone-generating device can be used effectively to reduce organic matter in a swimming pool. It converts oxygen into ozone: a great way to combat bacteria and viruses. It also goes a long way towards controlling algae.

Again, as with copper sulphate, ozone does not check all the boxes. You will still require a level of sanitizer for cleaning and effective algae control.

Some people have been battling for years with their swimming pools, and have tried every system on the market … but all with limited (if any) success.

And then it rains. Once again, your pool is pea-soup green.

It can be a challenge to keep your swimming pool water sparkling and inviting. Maintenance is an ongoing chore, and it can make even the most avid swimmers think twice about installing a pool.

It doesn’t have to be hard, though. It can actually be fun! And it doesn’t need to cost the earth - or damage the environment. At Pool Spa we have decades of experience in maintaining swimming pools – both residential and commercial. If you need some advice on chemical-free maintenance, then give us a call and we can help.

Visit www.poolspa.co.za today.

To feel the cool mist on your face as the wind carries the tiny droplets of water in the air; to hear the gentle rush of water as it spurts, gurgles, and murmurs its way over stones and around boulders; to breathe the fresh, moist air – is to enjoy a water fountain.

While some property owners will install a fountain in a garden for its simple beauty, there are others who love the symbolism of water itself.

But, what do fountains symbolise?

There are probably as many answers to this question as there people on this planet. Our personal favourite, though, comes from Japanese lore.

Japan, as a country, gets a lot of rain. Therefore, it’s no surprise to see how heavily water features as a key element in Japanese gardening.

A Japanese garden is all about balance. It is about creating what one would find in nature - and no more. Fountains, streams, and waterfalls all play a key role in a Japanese garden.

Water is used to represent the passage of time or as a means of either spiritual or physical cleansing before entering a home or a temple. Japanese gardens almost always have water and stone – the yin and yang or complementary opposites.

In a traditional Japanese garden, the water features are carefully positioned to attract good fortune. According to the rules of placement of water from the 11^th century, water should enter the garden from the east or southeast, and flow towards the west. The east, according to Japanese culture, is the home of the Green Dragon. The west is the home of the White Tiger. This means that water flowing from east to west will carry away evil, granting the owner of the garden a long and healthy life.

A cascade, or waterfall, in a Japanese garden is usually representative of the Japanese mountain streams. If possible, the waterfall or fountain should face toward the moon in order to capture the moon’s reflection in the water. In fact, the moon carries much symbolic weight on its own in Japanese culture.

Whether you love the mystic symbolism of a fountain, or you simply appreciate the tranquillity of the gurgle of water on a warm summer evening, a fountain can satisfy your soul.

Why not call in the experts to create magic in your garden? Visit www.poolspa.co.za and discover what we can do for you.

A garden, no matter its size, can be enhanced with a water feature. Be it a simple pond with delicate plants dipping their heads into its reflective surface, or a lavish and contemporary piece spewing jets of water into the air.

However, there are many factors to consider before deciding on what sort of water feature would enhance your outdoor space.

The very first thing to note is that all water features can be dangerous for small children. This should be your primary concern if you have a young family. Of course, a pond or any other water feature which attracts wildlife will be enthralling for little eyes, and a constant source of delight for adults too. Even so, care should be taken to ensure that your watery masterpiece does not pose a danger to children.

The next obvious question to consider is whether your choice fits in with the overall theme of the garden. For example, a formal pond with a regal fountain would fit in beautifully with a modern home, but less so in a country cottage. Likewise, considering a waterfall in an otherwise flat space would look unnatural. Look online for options for your garden (hello Pinterest! and weigh up what you think would work in the space you have available.

Speaking of space…

A water feature very often incorporates borders, planting, and benches. Be sure to allocate sufficient space to allow your new addition to be adorned. After all, it is all about aesthetics – and surrounding your feature with natural beauty. If you are creating something which is designed to be enjoyed, then be sure that the allocated space can be viewed and appreciated from multiple angles.

While you want your water feature to look as natural as possible, it is important to consider trees, plants, and sunlight when positioning it. Some trees drop leaves that may be toxic to the fish in your water feature, and which may contribute to blocking your pumps and filters. A fairly open and sunny spot is ideal.

If you’re running a pump, then you will also need to think about your electrical connection. If it’s too far from the house, then you’ll have to dig up the garden and run additional wiring – at additional expense.

These are just a few of the considerations of adding a water feature to your garden. At PoolSpa we take the logistics away and simplify the process. Whether you want to enjoy the gentle gurgle of a small pond or you want to impress the neighbours with a stunning showstopper, we can help. Visit our website on www.poolspa.co.za and we’ll get it done.

In the blazing summer sun, nothing beats cooling off in a sparkling blue pool. Depending where you live in sunny South Africa, you’ll likely make good use of your pool between the months of October to February.

But what about those cooler months with short bright days, when you can see your breath in the morning and there is a distinct nip in the air? Given the annual maintenance costs of your swimming pool (and the incredible amount of fun you have in it), it makes sense to get more use out of it throughout the year, even in the slightly chillier months.

This is why many of our customers are considering a heating pump for their swimming pools.

Bringing the temperature of your swimming pool up to a comfy 25°C – and keeping it there – can be achieved with relative ease and a little planning.

Consider these factors while making your decision on your swimming pool heating pump:

If you are one of the lucky few who enjoy an indoor swimming pool, then you will know that bringing it up to temperature is easier and quicker than it is for an outdoor swimming pool. The simple equation of ambient temperature versus pool temperature will always remain true. If you live in a colder part of the country, then you will spend more time (and money) getting your water temperature up to a comfortable temperature.

Obviously, a larger pool will take longer and cost more to heat than its smaller counterpart. For example, a 20 m² pool will cost around R500 per month to heat (based on 2015 electricity tariffs, running at 9 hours per day to 25°C), as opposed to a 65 m² pool which would cost around R1300 per month. So your power costs will definitely be impacted.

To mitigate these costs, you would want to invest in a pool cover. These covers go a long way towards locking the heat in. In particularly cold areas, the heat can be lost to the atmosphere as fast as the heating pump can warm it.

Some have considered different heating options, which may take a little more effort to install but enjoy lower running costs. Pumping your pool water through a series of pipes which sit on the roof of your home, or even under the tar of your driveway, allows the water to soak up the warmth of the sun during its journey through the pipes. It’s a slower process, but a cheaper one overall if that is your concern. Solar panels can be added to your home (if that is an option) which would also contribute to warmer water when taking the plunge.

Whatever your concerns, and whatever your needs, our dedicated team at Pool Spa have the answers. Chat to us on +27 11 793 1381 or visit us at www.poolspa.co.za.

So many of our clients want the raw beauty of a natural pond. Something simple, beautiful, and self-sustaining - without the need for regular scrubbing! Cost and maintenance are a big factor for people considering a pond.

Very often we are asked the question, “Does my water feature need a pond pump and filter?”

There is no simple answer to this, because it depends largely on what sort of pond you choose. The size and position, the number of plants you plan to have, and whether or not you will have fish - to name a but few factors.

When you come across a natural pond, there is no obvious filtration or water aeration system. Indeed, these ponds work with organic matter to clean and maintain a healthy balance and stop them from stagnating and smelling.

The trick to keeping a healthy natural pond is balance.

In its natural state, a pond will contain a variety of plants, fish, and insects. During their life cycle, they will emit waste, eat organisms within the pond, and die. This combination of waste and decomposing bodies adds nutrients to the water. The combination of light and high nutrient levels in a pond provides the perfect environment for algae. But why does algae not choke out everything in a natural pond?

Simply put, the higher order plants get to the nutrients before the algae does. This competition for food prevents algae from getting a firm foothold, and provides a great balance within the pond. So one of the secrets to a healthy, natural pond is to have space to include a lot of living plants.

Microorganisms are also present in abundance in a natural pond. These help to break down organic matter, and add nutrients to the water. In a man-made pond, however, rocks and plastic liners replace soil, stones and wood – which offers no place for these microorganisms to grow. The decomposing materials break down more slowly, removing oxygen from the water as they do so. This provides the perfect breeding ground for anaerobic bacteria which digests this rotting mess - but produces that awful stagnant pond smell that nobody loves.

How do you get rid of anaerobic bacteria? By aerating the water – which is why you would need a pump and filter for your pond in this scenario.

If you want the simplicity of a natural pond – without a pond pump and filter - then you need to create one with the size and depth that allows a healthy abundance of plant life. That is the first step to maintaining a healthy balance and encouraging the beautiful local wildlife to visit.

If you need a little help, then chat to one of our seasoned professionals at Pool Spa. We know ponds, and we will help you to create your own little piece of paradise. Call us on +27 11 793 1381 or visit us at www.poolspa.co.za.