Key 1 - Circulation
Good circulation in your pool means much more than filtering water - it's getting all of the water in the pool challenging & through the filter.
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Circulation is more than filter or pump turnover; its removing dead spots - you know those areas where algae always seems to grow or where dirt & debris always seems to accumulate. The best the water is circulating, the best the filtration, the cleaner the pool. In fact it typically takes more than Four turnovers to get all of the water completely filtered. The following chart shows how much of your pool water is typically filtered in a normal filter turnover. Turnovers are regularly thought about by "how much" water can go through the filter principles - not what is unmistakably filtered. One turnover can take in any place from 3 hours to 8 hours depending on the pool's size and the filter size & pump horsepower.
After 1 turnover - 42% is filtered, 52% is Un-filtered
After 2 turnovers - 84% is filtered, 16% in Un-filtered
After 3 turnovers - 95% is filtered, 5% is Un-filtered
After 4 turnovers - 98% is filtered, 2% is Un-filtered
Why does it take so much time & effort? Mainly, it's due to dead spots. Dead spots are those areas of the pool where the water may not completely move or circulate. Dead spots are the "birthing grounds" for algae & bio-films resulting in green or cloudy water. These are the most tasteless areas of would be dead spots:
* the lowest half of the pool especially in pools without main or lowest drains
* corners of rectangular pools
* the "exact" town of almost all round & most oval pools - especially aboveground pools
* behind ladders and / or stairs
* areas directly adjacent to pool skimmers & return fittings
* a combination of all of the above
Let's briefly look at each of these areas & contribute a cure to the dead spot.
The whole lowest half of the pool unmistakably is a neglected spot. Many pool-owners unfortunately like to see the water rippling across the top of the pool as the filter runs. They point the return jets or eyeballs "up" rather than down toward the bottom. When pointed up, only the top 1/3 or so of the pool is circulated. The lowest 2/3 remains relatively stagnant, especially the further down you go. The cure: readjust the returns down toward the lowest of the pool. This will help originate best top to lowest flow of water. Other way is to hook up your vacuum & naturally let it sit in the lowest of the pool for a full day, once each week.
Corners of rectangular pools are notorious for being dead spots. You can see where leaves & airborne debris are trapped. Go down along the pool walls from the corners & you'll see that's where algae gets its head start. The cure: be sure to completely brush down the angle areas on a quarterly basis. Once or twice each week should be a minimum.
Round or oval pools, doesn't mean you won't have dead spots. Over the years we've seen round & oval pools having cloudy centers! Really, we have. The reason, the "circulating" water goes round & round and the town remains stagnant. Overtime, especially in pools that don't get quarterly or minimal swimming, a column of water sets itself up - something very similar to a hurricane's eye. Lot's of activity around the eye, but the eye is peaceful & calm! The cure: be sure to direct the pool return fittings down toward the lowest & straight across. You'll get best full, circulation.
The areas behind ladders & especially drop-in style stairs get puny or no circulation. No bodies brushing against the pool surface. Algae & bacteria are allowed to grow without hindrance. The cure: Be sure to properly & completely brush & vacuum those areas. Transportable or removable stairs should be taken out of the pool periodically & the pool surfaces cleaned. This is where the weekly increasing of a good algicide is leading - more about that under the water chemistry heading. If you use a protective mat, take off & clean that as well. Perform this cleaning at least once in the middle of each swimming season.
The several inches around your pool's skimmer & return fittings are great big dead spots. There may be lots of water activity around or near them, but directly adjacent...no. The cure: pay extra concentration to brush & vacuum these areas. Even brush, vacuum & clean the faceplates of these fittings.
All of the above! Dead spots are always in combination. Here are the best cures to poor pool circulation & dead spots. And most of the ideas won't even cost you a penny!
* Use the pool. Swim, splash, play. Do laps. Invite some friends over to have some fun. quarterly use of your pool is the single best thing you can do to give it best circulation.
* Brush & vacuum. It's like brushing & flossing your teeth. You know you have to do it. Brushing the pool walls at least once a week (preferably twice) prevents algae & bio-films from setting roots and becoming a real headache in very puny time. For some "uber-brushing" reconsider a Wall Whale brush. You'll get up to 10 times the brushing force with the effort of one hand.
* Be sure to point those eyeballs & return jets Down. You don't want to see ripples on top of the water. You want circulation throughout the pool. reconsider installing a Circulator instead of the proper eyeball - can contribute up to 1500% best circulation in your pool. Awesome new product.
* Run the filter a minimum of 8 hours daily. Every day. To save money & electricity, use a timer to turn the pump on & off and use many settings to spread out the time to catch some of those "off-peak" electrical hours.
Circulation - First Key to Good Pool Care SHOCK YOU LIKE AN ELECTRIC EEL