Bestway Swimming Pool Pool Pump
Pool pumps are a vital addition to any swimming pool as they will filter and circulate your water to help keep the water clean and safe for swimming in.
While your pool is set up, you should circulate the entire volume of water for 6-8 hours every day that its in use.
The pool pump and filter will work together to help remove debris from the water and can even be used alongside heating systems if you wanted to use your above ground pool all year round.
Filters should be cleaned out once a week by removing and hosing down the cartridge. You should also replace your filter cartridge to keep your filter in top condition – check the manufacturer guidelines as this tends to vary.
While cleaning out your filter, you should clean your pump and ensure there is no debris in the pipe that could cause a blockage later on.
When cleaning your pool, always make sure you use pool cleaning products. Many household cleaners contain phosphates which are known to nurture algae growth or create foam.
Monthly Above Ground Pool Maintenance:
- Test calcium hardness level, should be between 200-400 ppm.
- Test cyanuric acid level, should be between 30-50 ppm.
- Shock the pool in the evening, using 2 lb. of pool shock per 10000 gallons.
- Check for hidden algae which can form behind steps and ladders.
- Clean the water line and inside skimmer walls with Tile & Vinyl Cleaner.
Calcium hardness is a measurement of the hardness of your pool water. Not as crucial for above ground pools, but water that is too soft can make it easier for vinyl liner stains to appear, can cause foaming, and can interfere with proper sanitation. Add Calcium Hardness Increaser if below 150 ppm.
Cyanuric acid is a chlorine stabilizer, protecting your chlorine from the sun. Chlorine tablets contain a small amount of cya, but to start, add stabilizer to reach an initial level of 30 ppm.
To shock an above ground pool, pour the pool shock into a 5 gallon bucket of water and stir for 1 minute to dissolve. Pour around the edge of the pool, and brush up any granules, to prevent vinyl liner bleaching.
Use a mild vinyl cleaner and a soft sponge to clean the water line area, removing oil, dirt and scale. Keeping the inside of the pool wall skimmer clean will reduce the amount of gunk that forms at the water line.
The Basic Components Of A Swimming Pool
Like most major home improvements, you can get as fancy as you like with your swimming pool. You can add advanced heating and lighting, install high-tech pool covers, and even enjoy music while you swim with underwater pool speakers. But whether you have a basic backyard pool or a massive inground oasis shaped like Elvis, every pool has four components that need regular care to keep the good times rollin.
These include:
- The pools interior wall or liner
- The pools filter system
- The pools system of skimmers and returns
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Test For Ph And Free Chlorine Levels
After becoming an above ground swimming pool owner, you will have a lot of responsibilities on your plate. To fulfill them, youve got to learn what is required, otherwise, youll be lost in the dark.
We recommend using a quality pool water test kit. Below, we include a general guideline that you should use. That way, you can quickly check the appropriate parameters.
Pool Maintenance For First Time Pool Owners
Welcome to the pool lifestyle! Along with the hours of fitness, fun and family togetherness, there comes the hours of pool maintenance.
Every single day of summer, your pool pump must circulate the water, your filter must clean the water and the feeder must dispense enough chlorine to kill the ever present bacteria and algae.
In addition to that, you may also have automatic cleaners or pool heaters that require monitoring and cleaning or adjustment.
And you or someone like you, will be called upon to empty skimmer baskets, brush and skim the pool, test the water and make sure all systems are operating as intended.
Pool maintenance cannot be ignored either, if tasks are skipped or delayed, it can cause more problems, like cloudy water or a green pool!
Heres how I like to explain pool maintenance to a first time pool owner, something I have done hundreds of times!
Understanding Circulation, Filtration and Sanitation
- Circulation: every pool has a looped plumbing system, designed to circulate all of the water in the pool every day. Swimming pool pumps pull water from the pool, and then return it to the pool after the water has been filtered, treated and heated.
- Sanitation: every pool must also have a chemical sanitizer to destroy algae, bacteria and other particles which can make swimmers sick and make pool water cloudy and green. Chlorine is the most popular pool sanitizer.
Maintaining Pool Circulation
Maintaining Pool Filtration
Maintaining Pool Sanitation
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Turn On The Pool Filter And Test The Water
Youre almost there! All you have to do now is get the filter up and running. Turn on the filter and run it for 12 to 24 hours to mix up the old and new water before testing or adding chemicals .
Dont feel comfortable testing the water yourself? You can always bring a water sample to a pool professional for proper analysis. Your pool professional will provide you with instructions for balancing your pool water. They can test the waters pH level, the alkalinity, the calcium hardness, and the chlorine content. In addition to shocking the pool, they may be able to also recommend that you add a stabilizer, conditioner or algaecide to your pool before its ready for the warm weather.
Continue to run the filter for a few days, vacuuming out any debris that has settled. When the water is clear and the chlorine levels have come down, your pool is ready for swimming! Enjoy your pool!
How To Clean A Green Above
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Your above-ground pool is green. You probably are getting ready to start enjoying it again after a break or just fell behind in caring for it. How do you get it back to the natural blue color that you are used to swimming in?
Lets examine it step by step and discuss how you can keep it from getting that way again. When all is considered, maintenance over the long term is the best way to prevent algae so we will help you discover whether you can do this on your own or if you need help from someone to care for your pool.
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How To Lower Ph In Pool Water
Lowering the pools pH can be done in a number of ways using a variety of pool water products. The first one we recommend is muriatic acid, also known as hydrochloric acid, which is especially useful for larger pools.
Make sure to purchase one that is meant for swimming pools or spas to get the correct concentration level.
Read the instructions carefully, as some muriatic acids are pre-diluted and can be added to the pool directly.
Others may need mixing in a bucket of water before putting it into the pool.
Remember, always mix chemicals into the water, not the other way around, as you want to avoid the concentrated acid getting splashed up if the water is added.
How much you need to add will depend on the size of your pool, as well as its current pH level.
As with all pool chemicals, be sure to wear protective clothing in case of spills.
Another product you can use to decrease the pH of the water is sodium bisulfate, also known as dry acid. This acid has the advantage of being easier to handle than muriatic acid. Follow the instructions carefully as different manufacturers have different instructions.
With both of these products, make sure to add them in front of the return jets and wait 4 hours before anyone gets in to ensure that the acid has circulated evenly throughout the water.
Create A Maintenance Schedule
As you learn more about your pool and how to care for it, your to-do list might start to seem a little intimidating. Creating a pool maintenance schedule makes it easy to stay organized and make sure important tasks dont slip through the cracks.
Not only will you be able to stay on top of basic upkeep, but youll be able to plan ahead for more advanced pool maintenance tasks like closing your pool, caring for it during the off season, or getting your swimming pool ready to roll when pool season returns.
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Is Iron In Well Water Harmful
Human anatomy needs iron to operate correctly, but metal, such as many materials, is poisonous in high doses. But you couldnt drink enough water to absorb toxic levels of iron.
The Environmental Protection Agency believes iron in water as a secondary contaminant, so it doesnt have an immediate effect on health. The Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level set out from the EPA is 0.3 mg per liter, but that is just a guideline rather than a national benchmark.
Ordinarily around 15 mg/L, Idahos well water will not include quite substantial quantities of iron. However, the amount is still inadequate to cause physical injury.
Is the iron in hot water dangerous? Truthfully, it wont make a difference to your wellbeing, but it is going to cause expensive damage and other difficulties.
What Chemicals Do I Need For My Intex Pool
Keeping your water clean and sanitized is not only good for its swimmers. Its also good for the pool.
Sure, there are lots of products out there that do the same thing and the quality is not always dependent on the brand. But our advice is to stick to trusted pool brands unless you are extremely confident you know what all the ingredients do.
*NOTE: When filling up your pool, you can save yourself some time and energy in balancing the chemistry by making sure the water is filtered as its going in. A simple gadget like a garden hose filter will remove any excess chlorine, calcium, metals, or pesticides that might be lurking in your water supply.
Heres what you need:
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Remove Debris From Your Pool
Whether its pool toys like floats or organic matter like leaves, debris will lower the effectiveness of your shock treatment.
Therefore, its important to remove all debris before application. You may need a net for smaller items or even a pool vacuum for anything stuck on the bottom.
Just be sure to clear it out as much dirty and debris as reasonably possible.
For Above Ground Pools Without A Filtration System
If you have an above ground pool without a filtration system, then that probably means that youre using an inflatable pool or something that isnt meant to be permanently filled. So once the water shows some sign that its dirty, these are just drained out and refilled.
This is actually fine for smaller above ground pools as theyre designed to be drained after a few uses. The important part to remember is that whenever youre going to drain these small above ground pools is to give them a thorough scrubbing before refilling them or stowing them away for extended periods of time. The reason? Simple. The surfaces of the pool will have dirt, algae, and other nasty stuff on them and it wont make sense to refill the pool with clean water when the container itself is filthy!
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Vacuuming And Brushing An Above Ground Pool
No matter how powerful your pump is, there will always be areas where the water circulates less freely. These are hot spots for algae growth. To keep your pool free of large and small debris, it is important to vacuum the walls and floor of the pool at least once a week. There are also automatic vacuums that can move around the floor of your pool and pick up stray garbage. However, even with an automatic cleaner, the pool walls and floor will need to be brushed one a week.
To brush the pool, use a brush attached to the end of a swimming pool extension pole. You can get an extension pole at any swimming pool store and many home improvement stores. Its a great tool to have. It can be fitted with a brush, a skimmer, or a vacuum and extends your reach so you can get at the whole pool easily. Almost all above ground pools require a brush with nylon bristles. This is what you should use unless the pool manufacturers instructions specifically say otherwise.
Make sure to brush the whole surface of the pools walls and floor. Even a small missed spot can harbor algae, which will quickly regrow if not knocked loose. Brush first, before vacuuming. Brushing loosens up all of the algae or dirt that is stuck to the walls and floor of your pool so that the vacuum can suck them up and remove them from the water.
Get A Good Filter And Pump
Your filter and pump are critical parts of pool cleanliness. Without a filter and pump, you will be left with debris and possibly unsafe swimming conditions because of the chemicals that can be introduced to your water. A pump will circulate the water and will push the water through a filter that cleans your water before it enters back into your pool.
Your pool filter and pump should ideally be running 24 hours a day to maintain proper water flow and circulation. However, if you cant leave on your pump all night, consider keeping it on for at least 12 hours each day to maintain proper flow.
Tip: When installing your output jets, adjust them to help move the water in a circular motion around your pool. This adjustment further helps with pool water circulation.
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Chlorinating An Intex Pool
The best option is to purchase the Intex saltwater pool system. This pool system effectively removes all bacteria and algae from the water, without the high levels of chemical required with a traditional chlorine chemical system. The saltwater system does not create an ocean-like saltwater environment: the level of salt in the water is only 1/10 of that in the sea. The only negative to the saltwater pool system is the cost: at almost $200, it is nearly as expensive as the pool itself!
The more traditional method to chlorinate an Intex pool is to purchase Shock: this is a heavy level of chemical chlorine, which will kill bacteria quickly. The downside of this method is that the pool is unusable for a couple of days until the chemicals dissipate. A floating chlorine dispenser is not enough to keep bacteria levels down: occasional shocks are required to keep the water clean.
A pool water monitoring kit is necessary to adjust the chlorine and pH levels of the pool. Chlorine, alkaline pH adjusters, and acid are available at any local hardware or pool store.
A properly cared-for Intex pool will create a fun swimming environment for years!
Leah Lefler, 2021
The following pool accessories are necessary for maintaining an Intex pool:
- An above-ground pool vacuum
- A skimmer
- Floating chlorine tablet dispenser
- Pool maintenance kit
- Pool cover to keep the pool clean/prevent evaporation of water
- Shock chemicals or a saltwater system
- Solar blanket to heat the water
Daily Above Ground Pool Maintenance:
- Run the pool filter everyday, for 12-18 hours daily.
- Water level should be around mid-skimmer not too high, not too low.
- Test pH level, should be between 7.4-7.6.
- Test chlorine level, should be between 2.0-4.0 ppm.
- Empty skimmer and pump baskets, as needed.
- Inspect filter pressure and pump operation.
- Observe pool cleaner operation, if you have one.
On a daily basis, your pool pump needs to operate, for at least 12 hours , to push the water through the filter, and prevent stagnation.
From the moment you open the pool, your pool needs to have a constant chlorine level. A complete test kit like the Taylor K2005, or 7-way test strips is recommended, to do full pool water analysis. Another option is to use the Taylor Troubleshooter test kit for pH, Chlorine and Alkalinity, and AquaChek test strips for your calcium and cyanuric tests.
Chlorine is very pH dependent, and as pH levels rise, the killing power of chlorine is reduced dramatically. Add pH increaser or pH decreaser, as needed, to maintain pH levels in the range of 7.2-7.6.
Using a permanent marker, write your clean, starting filter pressure on the filter tank, or directly on the pressure gauge lens, so you know the clean pressure reading. Then you will also know when to backwash, or clean the filter when pressure rises 7-9 psi above clean.
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Simple Steps To Care For An Above
Caring for an above-ground pool is as important as caring for an in-ground pool. Here are simple steps to take when caring for your above-ground pool so you can keep your water clean, sparkling and healthy all season long.
1. Run the pump for at least 8 hours a day
- Ensures your water is circulating properly.
- Makes it more difficult for bacteria and algae to form.
2. Keep your filter clean
- Keeps your pool clean by catching and removing debris and other particles.
3. Brush and vacuum pool once a week
- This helps reduce the potential of algae growth.
4. Test & balance water regularly
- Keeping your pool water balanced ensures swimmer comfort.
- Maintain pH levels between 7.2-7.6.
5. Maintain a constant level of chlorine in the pool
- Use chlorine tabs to maintain chlorine levels.
- Shock pool water weekly for clean, clear water, especially after use or heavy rain.
- Maintain chlorine levels of 1-4 ppm.
- Never swim if Free Chlorine exceeds 4 ppm.
