Spring Inspection and Shape Up Issue

Large body of water? Shape it up for spring!

Believe it or not, pools and spas get out of shape, too.  Older equipment, even though it works, can lead to fat energy bills, unhealthy water and environmental discomfort. Read on - we'll tell you how to shape-up not only your equipment, but the enjoyment you get from the same old pool and spa. Work it, baby!

Start lifting old pool equipment... into the trash

We know what you're thinking... Why toss pool equipment that's working? Answer: Because Hayward products are so efficient they actually pay for themselves in a very short period of time.

14 exercises you should do during Spring pool inspection

The first step toward getting a pool back in great shape is spring inspection. If you're doing it yourself, our handy check list can make it routine.

Maximize hydration for you and your pool

Humans and pools both lose too much water too easily. When you're working out, losing as little as 1% in hydration begins to diminish your performance. Many pools lose an astounding 2,500 gallons of water every year — unnecessarily!

Yes, salt can lower your blood pressure!

A weekend by the pool without having to deal with chlorine any more...ahhh how wonderful. No chlorine odor, red eyes or itchy skin. You don't even need to manually clean your pool anymore. No kidding!

Discover the health benefits of sleeping by the pool

Studies show Americans work more and sleep less. But together, Hayward and pool owners can fight this menacing trend.

Did you know?

Protecting Your Chlorine From Sunlight:  At the start of each season it may be necessary to add Stabilizer. Sunlight will rapidly destroy chlorine residual in outdoor pools unless the pool water is "stabilized". Stabilizer, which is sometimes referred to as "conditioner", will shield your chlorine from rapid destruction by sunlight. Stabilizer, in effect it will make the chlorine you buy last longer, saving you lots of money in the long run!  Swim 'N Save USA sells liquid and solid form stabilizer at lower prices than anyone!  Visit our store now at:  www.swimnsaveusa.com

Phosphates and nitrates; How they relate to Algae problems!

We've all had it, they're sometimes unavoidable and despite how much we love plants, they just don't look very pretty in our pool!

Algal outbreaks whether green, yellow, black, pink or whatever other form they come, are very harmful to your pools surface.  In this topic, we are going to touch up on some tips that, if followed, will keep your pool looking sparkling blue and the pool's surface lasting much, much longer.

A properly maintained pool, with the correct amount of sanitizer, whether chlorine, salt, bromine, mineral or bleach which is brushed religiously, vacuumed and checked daily can still be prone to an algal outbreak!  There are many factors that cause this problem and we will discuss this below.

1:  Nitrates:  Commonly found in fertilizers, these are ultimately going to end up in your pool, especially if you have plants, grass, or even jumping into your pool from another source where these are found.  A high enough content of nitrates can actually lead to your sanitizer level readings to falsely read "0" even though they may actually be at the normal levels (or higher if you keep adding).  There is only one way to actually get these nitrate levels out of your pool.  Dilution, you need to drain a portion of your pool water, and replace with fresh, then sanitize to the proper level.  This is extremely costly and would be less costly if you can catch it before too big of a problem.  You can purchase nitrate test strips at Swim 'N Save USA.  Call for details.

2.  Phosphates:  (algae food) Commonly found also in fertilizers, however, in the state of Florida, we actually mine over 95% of the WORLDS consumption of phosphates.  This means that they will always be a problem in our swimming pools.  These are brought into our pools by rain, swimmers, grass/greenery clippings and other sources.  The best way to clear phosphates (and only way) is to add a phosphate remover to your swimming pool which will require the system to be run overnight, and a clarifier added to it to make sure it all returns into the filter, which will be backwashed after the treatment.  Test strips and phosphate removers can also be purchased at Swim 'N Save USA.

Phosphates and Nitrates are the two biggest causes of algae.  With these two extremely simple tests done along with your regular testing, which by the way can be done as frequently as 6-8 weeks if maintained properly will keep your swimming pool and spa completely algae free assuming you also maintain free chlorine and circulation.  Should you have ANY questions, need any additional help or tips for your common pool problems that just dont seem to go away, please feel free to contact one of our highly knowledgeable swimming pool technicians.  As always, visit our store on the web 24/7 and browse through our extensive product listings as we carry over 27,000 Swimming pool supplies, parts, chemicals patio furniture, outdoor equipment and more!

www.swimnsaveusa.com

Algae Algae and more Algae!!!

We have received an enormous volume of customers requesting information on how to remove the algae that has been growing in their pool/spa over the winter.  The BEST way to treat algae breakouts is to prevent them all together.  It is always easier to prevent a problem than to fix it (less expensive too).  Hopefully we can answer most of your questions or problems regarding this issue as it appears many of you may be having this problem.

There are many different types of algae, yellow, black, mustard, green, pink just to name a few.  The most common we will see are yellow, mustard, green and black algae.  A product we carry that will help prevent an algal breakout is our "problem free".  This algaecide/clarifier combination is the best on the market.  Treats, prevents and clarifies the water all at the same time!

Mustard and yellow algae can be treated with "yellow eliminator", "problem free", or "algaecide 60" combined with a chlorine or cal-hypo shock, brushing & circulation of the pool pump.  Use a good algae preventative such as "maintenance algaecide" to keep the algae out of your pool.

Green Algae can be treated with "problem free" or "algaecide 60" also along with a chlorine or cal-hypo shock, brushing & circulation of the pool pump.  Use a good algae preventative such as "maintenance algaecide" to keep the algae out of your pool.

Black algae, one of the harder to treat as the chlorine kills the top layer only causing this "dead layer" to protect the layers actually clinging to the pool surface.  To treat this type of algae, you brush the algae spots FIRST rigorously with a metal bristle brush with the pool pump OFF.  After, the pool must be shocked with a chlorine or cal-hypo shock, then the spots directly treated with "blackout 90".  The pool pump must be left OFF overnight.  the next day, turn the pool pump on & brush the dead algae to the drains.  Use a good algae preventative such as "maintenance algaecide" to keep the algae out of your pool.

Finally, the record breaking Florida winter is letting up!

We can all safely agree that this winter is one of the worst for Florida (and the U.S.).  Seeing snow in some parts of Florida and bringing the cold weather well into the month of March!  It appears next week we will finally start seeing the tropical 80 degree weather we all live in Florida for!  Swim 'N Save USA will be continuing our special offer into the spring season regarding salt chlorine systems which not only allow your swim seasons to continue virtually maintenance free, however, it also brings the water chemistry closer to a skin comfort level much better than traditional chlorine.  We have complete salt systems starting under $700 and if you purchase now, we will include 2 bags of salt, free!  That's enough salt to last through your whole swim season.  At less than $10 a 40lb. bag, you will also be saving money, year, after year!  If you have any questions regarding any pool patio or outdoor products, please, feel free to call our customer service department at any time as we are here to help & serve you!  Also, as always, if you take your water sample into ANY of our competitors stores, then purchase the same chemicals from us, saving you money (and not transporting the damaging chemicals yourself with our FREE delivery), we will give you a free bag of shock!