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Category: best pool filter

6 Ways to Clean a Murky Green Pool

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Is your swimming pool looking green and nasty? Swimming in a murky green pool isn’t fun, let alone looking at it. Worse, dirty water can cause swimming-related illnesses. Fortunately, you don’t have to drain all the water and start over again. Basic chemistry and filtration techniques can help you get your pool back in shape.

What Makes the Swimming Pool Turn Green?

Pool algae turn the pool green. Low chlorine levels in the pool create a conducive environment for algae to blossom. The pool turns light green when the algae begin to take hold and deep green when they bloom and take root. Besides chlorine, other chemicals are responsible for maintaining the optimum conditions of the water. An imbalance of such chemicals also leads to algae growth in the pool.

Adding chemicals and ensuring they are well-balanced can sometimes be frustrating and cost-intensive. The good news is you can get professional services from Ajax pool and Spa.

In this post, you will learn how to keep your pool clean, safe, and balanced all the time and save hundreds of money. The aim is to ascertain you spend a lot of time swimming, not cleaning or worrying about the algae condition of your pool!

  • Check the Condition of the Water in the Pool

Before clearing the algae from your pool, determine whether your water chemistry can be fixed. In severe cases where the pool is too green and almost turning black, the best measure is to:

  • Drain all the water
  • Acid wash the pool
  • Refill the pool

Generally, if you can look and see six to eight inches below the surface of the water, that water is redeemable; it can be treated chemically.

  • Brush the Pool Floor and Walls

Use a wide, heavy-duty pool brush to clean and scrub pool walls, floors, steps, and other surfaces where algae cling. To clean hard-to-reach surfaces, use heavy-duty 360-degree round brushes that reach every nook. Note that algae are stubborn and tough to remove. Use algae brush to make your work easier. In the end, ensure all the algae is gathered and suspended in the pool to make it easier for chlorine to kill and eliminate them.

  • Test Water Acidity and Alkaline Levels

With the help of a liquid test kit or a test strip, test the alkalinity and pH level of the pool. The standard pH level is between 7.4 to 7.6. If the pH is higher, use a gallon of muriatic acid. The acid will make the water a little acidic. The alkalinity level, on the other hand, should range between 100 to 150 parts per million (ppm).

If the alkalinity and pH level is too high, adjust them downwards to optimum levels. Test the water again after the adjustment to ensure you’re within the perfect range.

  • Shock Your Pool with Chlorine or a Suitable Sanitizer

Once you obtain an optimum pH and alkaline balance, shock the pool to kill algae. Shocking means using high levels of chlorine to clear pool algae. Eliminating algae and pool sanitation is the key activity in pool shocking. Calcium hypochlorite(granular chlorine) has a high chlorine concentration and will kill the algae pool very quickly. It’s economical to buy a 25-pound container because you can utilize the remainder for the future. Calcium hypochlorite is also advantageous since it dissolves quickly, kills bacteria, and controls contamination in the pool. Use a shock containing 70 to 80% chlorine for best results.

  • Run the Pool Filter/Pump

After you shock your pool, run your filter for eight to 24 hours to ensure the water is completely clear. The choice of a filter matters a lot. You can use; sand filters, cartridge filters, or diatomaceous earth (DE) filters. You can then use a pool clarifier to clear the algae more quickly or rerun the filter for a whole day to remove all the dead algae and ensure the shock has dispersed throughout. However, if the pull is still green, shock it again and repeat the filtration process.

  • Re-Test the Water Again and Adjust the Pool Chemicals

When your pool is cloudy blue, or clear, try re-testing the water again. The testing ensures the optimum pH, alkalinity, chlorine levels, and calcium hardness. When you have added all the required chemicals, test the pool again to ensure you have the right balance.

How to Keep Algae Off Your Pool

Now that you have a clear pool again, you must ensure it remains like that. The only sure way to do so is to maintain proper sanitizer levels. Test your pool frequently, once a week, or daily depending on how often you use it. Other tips to keep algae at bay include:

  • Use a water clarification solution.
  • Have a reliable chlorinating system; chlorine should always be in the water. Using a tablet of chlorine once a week has proven effective.
  • Clean your filters appropriately before using them.

How Often Should You Clean Your Pool Filters?

  • Backwash sand filters once every two weeks.
  • Clean cartridge filters after every three to four weeks
  • Backwash diatomaceous earth (DE) once a month.

How about Pool Phosphates?

Phosphates are food for algae. Therefore, some pool owners argue that you should remove them to control algae growth. However, removing phosphates from any environment is like clearing dust particles from the air. It’s impossible to clear phosphates from the pool. Forget about eliminating pool phosphates and concentrate on sanitation, regular maintenance checks, and testing.

Consult Pool Cleaning Experts

Maintaining your swimming pool creates more time to enjoy swimming and reduces anxiety. At Ajax Pool and Spa, we offer you maintenance and chemical services as often as needed. Text us today at 239 225 8626, call us at 970 279 5253, or reach us online. We will gladly solve your pool issues and ensure you enjoy swimming in crystal clear and safe water.

What is the Best Swimming Pool Filter System?

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Now that summer is upon us and everyone is looking to get outside to take a dip, it is time to take a closer look at the best swimming pool filter systems. This choice may seem complicated to Aspen homeowners, but this cheat sheet is here to help.

After all, this is not a decision that can or should be taken lightly. Think of a pool filter in the same manner that you would a kidney. Without this helpful filtration device, the pool would be chock-full of algae and all sorts of other forms of debris.

When it comes time to make a choice, don’t make the all-too-common mistake of selecting the option that is the least expensive. Easy cleaning, simple maintenance and the ability to trap all contaminants are the main factors that need to be considered. In order to make the right choice, Aspen homeowners must first have a firm grasp on all of their options.

Be sure to consult with the professionals at Ajax Pool and Spa if you have any additional questions or concerns. Their team of experts is more than happy to help!

Pool Filter Types

Before we can get into specific filters, you must first learn more about each type. There are three different types for each homeowner to select from: sand, cartridge, and diatomaceous earth. In most instances, those who are looking to keep costs lower will rely on sand filters. It’s great for larger pools because it does not require much maintenance and will not clog as easily as other options.

Homeowners who use sand filters have to be more cognizant of potential concerns, though. Sand particles are rough around the edges, causing long-term damage. The filter becomes less efficient, as the particles that are trapped within the sand start to build up inside of it. Adding a pressure gauge to the side of the filter wall and remaining on top of the pool chemistry is of the utmost importance.

Cartridge filters, on the other hand, are a bit pricier than sand filters but they are considered to be very low maintenance. As long as you do not own a huge pool, they tend to be rather effective. They are energy-efficient, inexpensive and very easy to maintain. Instead of dealing with the same backwashing process that takes place with sand filters, the cartridge is removed from the tank and sprayed down with a hose.

Last but not least, the diatomaceous earth option is the most expensive and time-consuming from a maintenance standpoint. This is because they are able to filter out the smallest particles of all. The specialized powder that is used for the D.E. option can easily be added through the pool skimmer and there is no need for harmful chemicals during the cleaning process.

Now, let’s have a closer look at the specific filters that are best for each client…..

Above Ground Pools

Carvin Laser Sand Filter

These filters rely on sand that is naturally abrasive as a means of keeping the pool sparkling clean. Water is drawn evenly across the surface, which allows for a much higher flow rate and better filtering. Backwashing is also handled in a more efficient manner. The sand will need to be replaced every five years, but this is a small price to pay. These filters can handle the needs of pools up to 21,000 gallons in size.

Easy Maintenance

Hayward StarClear Plus

This cartridge pool filter does not require a sizable amount of maintenance and will have your pool looking its best all summer long. All you need to do is provide occasional rinses when the filter is being replaced. The lid is bolt-free as well, allowing homeowners to successfully maintain their filters without the usual struggles. In-ground pools with a capacity of up to 30,000 gallons can benefit from the Hayward StarClear Plus.

Best DE Filter

Hayward EC40AC Perflex

DE filtration offers homeowners exceptionally fine filtration and the Hayward EC40AC Perflex is no different in this regard. Maintenance and cleaning are very convenient, giving pool owners the chance to enjoy superior filtration without all of the usual hassles. Residual dirt and debris are not given the opportunity to accumulate, and it is easy to purge the tubes as necessary. Strong return jets, less friction and less frequent attention…. what’s not to like?

Small Pools

Intex 1000 GPH Krystal Clear

Smaller pools need filters, too. That’s why these filters are the best choice for homeowners who are looking to care for a pool that has 6,000 gallons or less. 1,000 gallons are circulated each hour and Intex Type A filter cartridges are used. It is easy to install and works very well, especially for those who own above-ground pools.