4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Hello all. I wasn't sure where a good spot for this post was but since my water stays crystal clear I thought I'd place it here. Here are a couple of little secrets that I've used for the past couple of years and will use forever.
1. Spray Down - After mowing the lawn my pool would always tend to have a small film of "dust" on the water. I like to get my garden hose with the spray nozzle and set it for "SHOWER" or "FULL" (although any setting will work) and spray the water down. Sounds crazy? Well, after just a few seconds of this, the water surface is back sparkling clean again.
2. Diminishing Return - I have 24' AG and honestly think that the direction of the return vent is very important given different situations. Debris tends to collect in the center when you adjust the vent anywhere near 90 degrees (close to the water level). Pointing it more downward seems to work better for me. Pointing up does a little better than out to the sides but the violent waves seem to deter debri from going into the skimmer. I've also heard that when you have splashes you lose chlorine faster. Downward, and a maximum of 45 degrees in any direction seems to work best. Also, when I have floats/toys that keep winding up in the skimmer mouth I just turn the vent toward the skimmer mouth. That keeps em at bay.
3. Water Level - My skimmer works best when there's only an inch and a half or so of water pouring over and into it. Much more than that and items will just swirl around in the water funnel and when you turn your pump off they float right back out into the pool. One downside to doing this though is that if you let the water level get dow too too low (about 3 quarters of an inch for me) your pump starts to strain (not getting enough water) and cough and choke. You'll have to be on top of how your pump is performing if you want to run that water low into your skimmer. I add a little water every week or so because I like running mine kind of low.
4. Aqua Bug Hideout - I'm real big in vacuuming my pool. I think it's the single most important ingredient (next to good chemical balance of course) to a crystal clear pool. It's not uncommon for me to run my AquaBug overnight several times a week. To make a long stroy short, when I'm not expecting a pool party and I'm finished with the bug, I break the hose down into three two-piece sections. I fill these sections with water and connect them to theirselves (picture three big individual circles now). I then simply hang them over the side of the pool near the return (too far from the return and bugs and debris likes to collect on them at water level). That's right, part of the hose is in the water and part hanging over the outside of the pool. I then place the Aquqbug itself under the water and underneath the pool ladder inside the pool. This way, I'm not hauling all that stuff back and forth across my yard every few days and it's pretty much out of the way.
Whew. Sorry I've been away for so long. Going into my 3rd pool season, these are the biggest individual tricks that I've learned myself. Any pros or cons? What are some of your little tricks?
Pics coming soon.
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Notice the hoses draped over the side in next to the last picture.
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Nice post, DS! I really enjoyed it.
The post-mowing spray is a new one to me, but it does make some sense.
The rest of your steps are all sound and logical and work for you. I don't see any cons to them. You seem to have a really good handle on your pool.
To lay out ALL the tips/tricks would take a while, but if you check each topic here at PoolForum.com you'll see threads stickied at the top. The bulk of what many of us do is there. I don't know how you handle your chemicals and testing, but our suggestions will be there.
Generally, pics like yours (great family and friends shots--I really like the dog with his/her tennis ball!) go in the Above Ground Pool Gallery stickied thread in the "Off Topic..." forum. They are GREAT pictures and everyone will enjoy seeing them wherever they are!
Dog hair can be hard on filters, so be careful about that--I would STRONGLY suggest you use skimmer socks to protect your filter. They are cheap, go under various brand names, and go in your skimmer like a Mr. Coffee filter.
Most importantly: Do NOT let the horse in the pool! :eek:
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Thanks Carl. I didn't know about the dog hair. That's some great advice. We don't let her in the water often but it's good knowing that her hair can cause problems.
Thanks again.
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Quote:
Originally Posted by dirtysouth
Thanks Carl. I didn't know about the dog hair. That's some great advice. We don't let her in the water often but it's good knowing that her hair can cause problems.
Thanks again.
You are welcome! The skimmer socks are great to use all the time. I JUST finally tossed the first one this morning. The elastic was getting too stretched to hold it to the skimmer basket. They are something like 3 for $5 or 5 fo $5 and I've gotten over a month out of one.
Dog hair can clog the pump since it gets past both filter baskets, especially if she's shedding. (My dog when she blows her coat, about every 6 months, there is fur EVERYWHERE, indoors and out---that's a Belgian Tervuren for you!)
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
DS,
Great pics! Your water looks great. The pictures of the kids having fun is what a pool is all about. Looks like you enjoy your pool, along with family/friends/neighbors. Keep up the good work!
The pic of the little guy passed out in the chair was too cute!
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
I also enjoyed your pictures. :D
Question: How do you get the dog in and out of the pool? Does he/she use a ladder? I have a lab with bad hips and I'm sure she would love to go for a swim, but I'm not sure how I'd get her in and out...
Hints?
(I don't have stairs, only a ladder...)
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
For IG pools and AGs with decks, there's a pet ramp that lets them walk in and out of the pool. If you have an AG like DS does, I wouldn't do it--how do you get her out if she gets in trouble and panics?
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Great looking site and family, ds. Looks like a perfect place to relax floating on a floatable, drinking a drinkable, on a hot afternoon (with the kids inside glued to the tv!). We've got a little one also who takes great 'passed out' pics.
The only comment I have on your tips is to be aware that when you point your outlet jet toward your skimmer (to keep the floaties away), you're pointing clean water directly back into the filtering system.
C.
(Whose pool is at his vacation house and who misses it very much)
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Thanks folks. Hey, I never thought about the jets going right back into the skimmer. That's something to think about. Straight up in the air does a pretty good job too though.
As far as the dog in the pool goes, I just do it manually. Wifey gets her up as far as she can from outside the pool then I take her from inside and put her in the water. On rare occasions I've just tossed her right over into the pool. She never gets the chance to panic because we just let her make it to the side and take her out. Believe it or not though, she loves the water so much that recently she's been able to climb to the last rung (that's two whole steps that she covers). We like to act like we don't see her because she's more apt to hop down if we give her attention. She hasn't made that final step onto the platform yet but I don't think it'll be that long before she does. A dog climbing a ladder is a site to see.
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
DS:
I just dragged my wife (aka "The Saint") over to see your pics. Not only is the dog a cutie, but it was "What a beautiful family!" followed by a chuckle at your little guy sound asleep. Is there ANYTHING more beautiful than a sleeping child? Our guys are wonderful but we wish they'd sleep more!
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Thanks Carl. I'm glad you two enjoyed them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlD
DS:
Is there ANYTHING more beautiful than a sleeping child?
Nothing beats it. Wait'll you guys see THIS one:http://d1rtysouth.com/Jacobi_Jordan/100_0183.JPG
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
DS
OH MY GOSH! I CAN'T STOP LAUGHING!!!! I have seven kids and I know that picture well. Hands above the covers please !
Oh man, That pic is going to keep me laughing all day.
Cute family DS.
~hoffmans
Re: 4 Little Tricks I've Learned
Thanks Hoffman. I had to grab the camera for that one. :)
Thanks again.
