| Owning a pool is a considerable expense, but knowing | | | | Algae can cause very unpleasant effects if you're |
| that you're running your pool for the best price you | | | | swimming in a pool with concentrations of them. |
| can will have you enjoying that water all the more. | | | | (Diarrhea is common, caused by plant toxins.) To give |
| Here are 5 ways to save money with your pool and | | | | you some idea of how tough these little plants are, |
| pool supplies. | | | | they've survived all major extinctions on Earth, |
| 1. Use a pool cover | | | | including the dinosaurs. They're very hard to |
| Pool covers prevent evaporation. That can save huge | | | | eradicate, and prevention is the only smart option. |
| amounts of water in summer, particularly in low | | | | Once significant colonies of algae are established, it |
| humidity, where the heat literally absorbs the pool | | | | can take a lot of work and expensive chemicals to |
| water. It also helps save on chemicals in the water | | | | clear up the pool. |
| by reducing the rate of loss of chlorine caused by its | | | | Be suspicious of green or brown stains around the |
| reversion to a gaseous state over time. | | | | pool area. These are small colonies of algae, and they |
| A further use for pool covers is preventing | | | | can mass produce themselves under the right |
| "donations" from trees, birds and other things landing | | | | conditions. Use algaecides if required, as well as the |
| in the water and contaminating it. The pool cover is a | | | | basic daily chlorine treatment. Should your salt |
| good thermal shield in winter, preventing rapid loss of | | | | chlorinator fail for any reason, switch to daily manual |
| heat from pools by creating a barrier to heat | | | | chlorine dosing while your system is being repaired. |
| transfer. That saves a lot of money in terms of | | | | 5. Don't get too carried away with pool shop water |
| power usage. | | | | testing - do your own testing |
| 2. Use a salt chlorinator with an automatic timer | | | | Pool owners regularly take a sample of their pool |
| A salt chlorinator breaks down salt by electrolysis, | | | | water to a local pool shop for computer analysis. The |
| releasing the chlorine as a pure gas to decontaminate | | | | service is fine, but also intended to sell you expensive |
| the pool and oxidize bacteria. The chlorinator can be | | | | chemicals, some which you may not need. Some of |
| set to release the chlorine at regular intervals. This is | | | | the basic tests are important (e.g. pH and Total |
| very good regular practice, and helps ensure the | | | | Alkalinity), but these things should be easy to test at |
| water contains no microorganisms. | | | | home with your own $30 test kit. |
| Important: If you're in any way unsure how to do | | | | Pool shop testing may alarm you with warnings like |
| this or are having problems, check with your supplier | | | | "High Calcium" or "Presence of Metals" in the pool |
| and explain any issues you're having with the | | | | water. Naturally, the pool shop will recommend you |
| chlorinator. It's important that this process is | | | | regularly spend $80 - $100+ on exotic chemicals to |
| conducted regularly to avoid risks from too much | | | | manage these problems. In reality slightly calcium rich |
| chlorine, as well as contamination. | | | | water or the presence of metals will generally lead to |
| 3. If possible, operate your pool sanitation routine at | | | | few if any problems. |
| night | | | | Note: If there is a visible problem, it should be |
| Chlorine breaks down in sunlight. Chlorine entering the | | | | checked. |
| pool at night will last longer and perform a better | | | | The biggest "scam" is where the pool owner is told |
| sanitation job. This means that a salt chlorinator | | | | "there is Zero" chlorine in their sample and they |
| needs to run longer during the day than it does at | | | | should immediately buy sachets of special booster |
| night. For example, running your chlorinator for 9 | | | | chlorine to correct the problem. Remember, most |
| hours during the day may be equivalent to 6 hours at | | | | pools have a near zero chlorine reading during the |
| night. Over a year, the saving in electrical costs will | | | | day. The special "booster" chlorine sold is normally |
| be significant. | | | | ordinary dry chlorine, just sold in small packets with |
| 4. Avoid algae - It's cheaper to prevent than cure | | | | special labels and at 10 times the price. |