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Having a fountain and pond can add to your garden. When you combine the two you can create a beautiful home for all different types of fishes. Some people believe that looking after fish is easy, this is not necessarily true. Which is why you need to know about fountain and pond accessories that can create the right living environment for your fish.

All creatures whether scaly or fluffy deserve to be treated with care and love, your fish are no exception. The problem is that many people believe that having a fish pond is hassle free. This can be the case if you know which fountain and pond accessories can assist in creating the right eco-system for your fish. However, if you think skimming the top for debris and throwing in some food once in a while, will be enough, you are sadly mistaken. Before delving into the fountain and pond accessories that you need, you first need to know how to correctly care for your pond.

Firstly, before you can begin treating the pond you will need to remove your fish. When moving fish out of your pond you will need to use water from the existing pond to fill the holding tank. The water will then be "fish ready" immediately. This is because they need to be kept in the same environment otherwise they could die of shock. Before moving the fish to the holding tank you will need to make sure that it has been aerated for a minimum of 24 hours. The same rule applies to your existing pond when you add in the new water.

Before adding in the new water you can start using some of the accessories to make sure that your pond and fountain are properly clean. One of the best ways to achieve this is to use a pond vacuum. It works in the same way as a normal in house vacuum and will suck up any debris, algae and general dirt that is in the pond. Once you are satisfied that the pond is completely clean you can begin to add in the new water. When adding new water to a fish pond, you have to treat the water first with Starter bacteria, Oxygen supplement and BioKick before introducing fish into it. If the new water is more than half the volume, you have to allow 24 hours for these products to work before adding fish. This process does not eliminate chlorine and thus if you are using municipal water, it should first be kept in a holding tank for at least a week to get rid of all chlorine before introduced into fish pond. You can accelerate this process by aerating the water and exposing it to direct sunlight. If done in this way, you can have all chlorine removed in 24 hours.

Other accessories that you might find helpful

To discover more fountain and pond accessories that you might find helpful, you need to come to us at Pool Spa & Filtration. Visit our website www.poolspa.co.za to find out more!

When it comes to creating the perfect home, many people focus on the interior. What you may not realise is that your outside areas need to be taken into consideration too. Understanding how water features can add to your home is the next step to creating your ideal living space.

The outside areas of your home deserved to be paid as much attention as your interiors. There are many features that you can add, that will not only make it more aesthetically pleasing but will also add value. One of these options is water features. Water features come in many different styles and designs. Which is why you can create your very own unique stamp on your home. They are popular additions because they add a level of sophistication to your home and can work in any space. It doesn’t matter whether you have a small or a large property, you can find a water feature that can work for your needs. You can even place a water feature in your existing pool, if you do not have the space for it anywhere else.

They are also known for creating relaxing environments. This is due to the fact that the sound of trickling water can be extremely calming. Your home should be a serene place that you look forward to going to after work. Unfortunately, due to circumstances you may not feel relaxed at all when you first get home. This can be fixed by simply adding a water feature. When you get home, you can listen to the sounds of the trickling water, while sipping on an ice cold drink on your deck chair.

Adding value to your home and your life, is as simple as that.

Now the only decision you need to make, is what type of feature you want to get. There are many popular designs, some work better in certain areas than others. Placing a water feature in your front yard, needs to be executed well. You do not want to have one that is too big, nor one that doesn’t fit in to the overall aesthetic. A great one to consider for this area, is ceramic pots. Ceramic posts have a natural beauty and can be placed at different angles. They will not take up too much space nor draw the eye away from the rest of the house. If you have a bigger space to work with consider looking at the waterfall options. These can be used on their own or in addition to a pond. Imagine a waterfall cascading into a pond filled with Koi fish? Sounds rather idyllic. No matter what your preference is, you can definitely find or design a water feature that will fit into your home. 

Maintaining the water feature 

In order to maintain the water feature properly you will need the appropriate accessories. Here at Pool Spa & Filtration we can provide you with these and so much more. Visit our website www.poolspa.co.za to find out more.

If you have invested money into a glorious pool than you will also need to invest money into a god quality pool pump. You need to understand the importance of swimming pool pumps and their functionality in your pool.

You are probably aware of the fact that you do need to have swimming pool pumps in pools, but you may not know why exactly. The pump is in charge of circulating the water within the pool. It pulls the water from the skimmer and the main drain. It will then push it through the filter and return it to the pool through the main returns. This is essential for the upkeep of your pool. If you are stuck with an average pump it will be an extremely bad investment. In the case of swimming pool pumps it is always best to pay more to get a good quality pump. Keeping the circulation of the pool on point is why it is so important to have a good quality pool pump by your side. The question is how to find that pump? Here are a few tips to help you in your search:

• Construction: when you are out shopping for your pool pump you need to take into consideration how it has been made. The materials that have been used to make it will be a defining factor. The inside should be made out a strong metal and the outside should have thick plastic walls around it. This will guarantee the protection of the elements. A badly constructed pump will stop working and may get damaged.
• Power: the discussion of power has to be focused around the pool that you have. You need to get a pump that is suited to the size and depth of your pool. Having more power may not be a good idea if you have a small pool. Try to find a pump that uses energy efficient technology as this will help to keep your electricity prices down.
• Quiet operation: this may seem like a strange one, but you do not want to have to listen to a noisy pump while you are trying to relax. Noise does not necessarily mean power and you are better off finding a quiet pump. You will be able to relax by the pool while knowing that your pump is continuing to maintain your pool.
• Variable speed: getting a pump that can work at different speeds is essential. You will be able to find the right speed for your needs and not stress about using too much power.

There are many aspects to consider when buying your next pump, but the main point is to get one that will adhere to all of your needs.

Pool pumps and so much more

Here at Pool Spa and Filtration we can provide you with pool pumps and so much more. To create the perfect swimming pool visit our website www.poolspa.co.za to find out more about our services.

When it comes to swimming pool accessories you need to know which ones you need. There are ones that are fun and others that are practical and necessary. Some of them will be dependent on the size of pool that you have, so it is best to narrow down which swimming pool accessories are suitable for your needs.

Firstly, one of the most important and non-negotiable swimming pool accessories is of course the Kreepy Krauwly. Keeping your pool clean and crystal clear should be one of your main priorities. The last thing you want is to have a pool that resembles a swamp. The “Kreepy” will make sure that your pool is always clean by removing all of the debris from the bottom of the pool. It also helps to suck up any algae that may be growing on the walls of the pool. To make sure that the top of your pool isn’t covered in leaves you will need to get a pool sock. These are attached to one of the filter pumps in your pool. Then create a current which allows for the leaves to be moved around the pool until they enter the sock. The sock, once full, can be emptied of the debris and can then be cleaned out by simply spraying it with a hose pipe. Only once it cannot be cleaned will you need to replace the sock. Another must have, is of course a cleaning net. Any pieces of debris that do not get sucked up or in, can be lifted out by the net. These three accessories are essential to keep your pool clean and sparkling all year round.

Secondly, your pool is supposed to be an area where you and your family gather and have fun together. It is not a bad idea to look into getting some fun accessories to keep the good times rolling. Swimming pool “noodles” are a great choice if you have young children that are still getting to grips with the water. They can balance on them while figuring out which their best stroke is. If you are wanting some time for yourself in the pool, but don’t want to get your newly done locks wet then you need to invest in a Lillo. Some of them even come with a drinks holder so that you can sit back and enjoy an ice cold beverage. It is best to enjoy this time to yourself, when no one else is around. Otherwise you might find that the kids think it is a good idea to “bomb” you or push you in, destroying the serenity you were so enjoying as well as you luscious locks.

Find out more about which accessories you need

To find out more about which accessories you need, you should come to us at Pool Spa & Filtration. We have everything you could possible need that is related to pools, ponds and fountains. Visit our website www.poolspa.co.za today!

If you are a home owner, you probably have a pool of some sort. This is a great thing to have, as pools are fantastic things. You do, however, need to have a basic understanding of how the pool pumps that go with them work, as you will need to maintain this crucial system. At the heart of every pool is its pump. The pump is made up of a system of pipes and an electric motor that helps to pump water in and out of a filtration system. The motor does this by driving an electric impeller that is responsible for generating the water flow in and out of the filtration system.

Crucial to any pool pump system is, of course, its filter, as this is the part that keeps the water clean. Most people use sand filters and although there is nothing wrong with a sand filter, the latest and greatest filter is actually a cartridge filter. Cartridge filters filter down to 15 microns - which is far better than sand filters. It also doesn’t require backwashing which saves water and protects the environment. If your sand filter needs replacing, you should consider changing to a cartridge filter. It will save you money, time and effort.

Other aspects of pool pumps

Since there is not a lot that gets taught about pool pumps, especially to new home owners, there are several questions that you might have.

Besides running the impeller, what else does my pool pump need to do? Well, along with making sure that water reaches the filtration system, the pump also helps during the all-important backwash phase. The backwash phase is necessary when the build-up of debris in the filtration system has reached a critical point. It is then that the main pipe toward the pool will be closed and the drainage pipe opened. This is a pipe that takes all of the water away from the main pool. The valves get readjusted and the pump must now pump water out in a different direction. If this step is not performed every once in a while, the pump and filtration systems will get too blocked up to clean your pool properly.

How can I care for my pool pump properly? The first thing that you should do is look at it like a car. A car runs pretty well on its own, but it needs a tune up every once in a while, as does the electric motor that controls your pool pump. Make sure that you get a qualified technician to service the pool pump regularly. Depending on your situation, you could need a service once a year or once in three years. The best indication is the sound of the pump. When the pump’s sound changes, you need to have someone look at it. The different sound is usually caused by worn-out bearings. If replaced in time, it is not too expensive. However, if you wait too long, the motor could burn out and you would have to fork out a whole lot more in order to repair/replace the pump. Another clear indication that the pump could be faulty is the working of it. If you recognise a decrease in flow/suction, it could be time for a service. If you are uncertain, please give us a call or bring the pump to us. We do not charge our customers for quotations.

Will the chemicals in my pool affect my pool pump? Absolutely! Although the concentration of chlorine etc. is far too little to affect your system, the presence of calcium and copper will inevitably damage your pool shell, pipes, filter and pump in the long run. We strongly recommend that you use calcium-free chlorine and that you do not use any products containing copper (even copper sulphate) as both calcium and copper will negatively impact your pool.

Want more advice from the experts? Then you should get in touch with Pool Spa and Filtration. We are the specialists when it comes to providing you with everything that you need in order to achieve a healthy pool. For more info, visit www.poolspa.co.za

We all love the way our swimming pools look when they are clear and blue. The pool pumps work to keep them that way. It is therefore imperative that we have an understating of them and how they work, because you never know when you may have to do some maintenance on your pool system. Knowing about how your pool pumps work is also key if you are hiring a contractor and you suspect that they are not doing the correct thing for your pump system. There is of course a lot more to pool care than just making sure that your pump is in working order, but one of the most important elements is making sure that it is well maintained. If you need a clear blue pool that will be the envy of all of your neighbours, you need to make sure that you keep the water at a certain level of acidity. You can do this by putting chlorine in the pool once a day and putting hydrochloric acid in the pool at least once a week. This will ensure that you will not have to deal with algae or any other types of creatures who will contaminate your pool. But, of course, the one thing that will keep that clean water circulating through your pool is the pump and filtration system.

How does a pump system work?

At the heart of the pool system is the pump. Typically it consists of an electric motor that spins and impeller inside the pump housing. The impeller drives the water from the various drains through the filter and back out to the water inlets. Just before it flows into the pump, the water passes through a metal strainer basket that catches leaves and other large debris that might clog up the pump. It is imperative that you check your strainer basket every three days during the autumn season, because this is when there is more natural debris in your pool. After this, the water flows straight into the filter, as it is now debris free. The filters are generally sand filters that conduct the filtration process. When the water is filtered it is sent through the water distribution head and pulled downward into the sand and filtered back into the pool as clean, new water. This process is imperative, because this helps the chlorinated water to flow through all the systems, meaning that they all get cleaned as well, by the chemicals in the water. This system is also generally connected to a municipal water source, just so that if need be, fresh water can be added. This is always necessary since there is a lot of extra splash out that happens while people are swimming and somehow this water needs to be replenished without you doing it yourself every day.

The entire filtration and pump system is made out of PVC piping, because this type of piping is one of the types that never rots, experiences mould, and is completely impermeable to the outside world, meaning that no oxygen can get into the pipe system and enable mould to grow there. PVC is also the most durable piping around, meaning that it can withstand super high pressure, which is of course very necessary in the case of pumping a lot of water at a very high velocity.

When you are looking for a good pump system, you should be aware that you have to make sure that everything is working all the time. This is why you need top quality PVC piping in your pool system.

So, if all of this has left you looking for a pool specialist, you should come to us here at Pool Spa and Filtration. We are the leaders when it comes to everything pool and fountain related. If your water feature is looking a bit outdated, or you need a new piping system, we are the people to call. We specialise in installing, fixing and maintaining pool and spa systems. Our service is top notch, so give us a call today.