Swimming Pools
Jul 1st 2008, 1:04 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Chichester & Pago del Humo
Posts: 66
Swimming Pools
At present we have our pool looked after throughout the year, however, costs are quite high particularly as it is not used October - March.
The pool has a solar powered pump which will keep the water moving, the pool is not currently covered, if the pool was to be closed during the months October to March, with little or no attention, what would the consequences be?
Many thanks
The pool has a solar powered pump which will keep the water moving, the pool is not currently covered, if the pool was to be closed during the months October to March, with little or no attention, what would the consequences be?
Many thanks
Jul 1st 2008, 1:16 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 385
Re: Swimming Pools
it depends on how cold your winters are & any cut out device on your pool pump in case the pool springs a leak & your pump starts pumping air as it will blow.
Normally in winter unheated pools can be pretty much left alone (say Nov-Feb in mid coastal Spain) but a run of hot sunny winter days & it could turn green quickly.
Other option is to pay someone once a month in winter to keep an eye on the house & pool, topping up when required.
Pool cleaning monthly fees really translate into double work in summer & half in winter, so if you can find someone to look after it in summer at an annual contract monthly price you are lucky, & they aren¨t!
Hope it helps.
Normally in winter unheated pools can be pretty much left alone (say Nov-Feb in mid coastal Spain) but a run of hot sunny winter days & it could turn green quickly.
Other option is to pay someone once a month in winter to keep an eye on the house & pool, topping up when required.
Pool cleaning monthly fees really translate into double work in summer & half in winter, so if you can find someone to look after it in summer at an annual contract monthly price you are lucky, & they aren¨t!
Hope it helps.
Jul 1st 2008, 1:21 pm
#4
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Swimming Pools
At present we have our pool looked after throughout the year, however, costs are quite high particularly as it is not used October - March.
The pool has a solar powered pump which will keep the water moving, the pool is not currently covered, if the pool was to be closed during the months October to March, with little or no attention, what would the consequences be?
Many thanks
The pool has a solar powered pump which will keep the water moving, the pool is not currently covered, if the pool was to be closed during the months October to March, with little or no attention, what would the consequences be?
Many thanks
Jul 1st 2008, 2:52 pm
#5
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,901
Re: Swimming Pools
Our neighbours have a pool which I keep an eye on.
It has a good heavy duty cover and last winter the pool was closed down for 6 months. It had a good dose of powdered chlorine to get the chlorine levels really high. The pump was switched off. I checked it every month and the chlorine levels stayed well up.
In the Spring it was uncovered and although there was a good layer of dust on the bottom, it was crystal clear.
A good cover is the secret as it keeps all the rubbish out and the lack of sunlight helps keep the chlorine active.
Our pool is not covered and does require attention to keep get the leaves out. It doesn't use much chlorine over the winter and I only run the pump for an hour or two after I have topped up the chemicals.
It has a good heavy duty cover and last winter the pool was closed down for 6 months. It had a good dose of powdered chlorine to get the chlorine levels really high. The pump was switched off. I checked it every month and the chlorine levels stayed well up.
In the Spring it was uncovered and although there was a good layer of dust on the bottom, it was crystal clear.
A good cover is the secret as it keeps all the rubbish out and the lack of sunlight helps keep the chlorine active.
Our pool is not covered and does require attention to keep get the leaves out. It doesn't use much chlorine over the winter and I only run the pump for an hour or two after I have topped up the chemicals.
Jul 1st 2008, 8:28 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Puente Esuri
Posts: 6,903
Re: Swimming Pools
Hi All,
I can see that on this and the "Russian thread" i have got the collected Pool Brains Trust. My pool picture attached is 14m x 5m =70sq m in area and between 1.4 and 1.5 m deep so my water volume should be about 105 cu m. It has an infinity edge on the long side with a trough to collect the overspill and return it to the pump. I do not intend (read can't afford) to have any heating at this stage.
The pool will probably be the last thing to complete on the villa and I do not think it will get any use this year. So that I can hit the ground running next spring I thought you might be kind enough to look at a few questions for me.
1. I have looked at lots of info on filtration and I am leaning towards saltwater to provide the chlorine for the biocide since it is said to be "gentler" than dosing with powders or liquid chlorine albeit more expensive. What do you think.
2. The pool pump, how big should it be to keep the water quality high? I am thinking that I will have a white meter for cheap overnight electricity and run the washing machine, dishwasher and bedroom aircon on that. Can I also run the pump at night on that meter? For daytime running can I arrange it that there is a photo voltaic input to let the sun do the work when the pool is most in use and needs constant pumping.
3. What are the best pool covers a) to retain heat b) to keep the pool clean and c) to keep small children or animals out!
Come on chaps do your best, any other points are welcome
John.
I can see that on this and the "Russian thread" i have got the collected Pool Brains Trust. My pool picture attached is 14m x 5m =70sq m in area and between 1.4 and 1.5 m deep so my water volume should be about 105 cu m. It has an infinity edge on the long side with a trough to collect the overspill and return it to the pump. I do not intend (read can't afford) to have any heating at this stage.
The pool will probably be the last thing to complete on the villa and I do not think it will get any use this year. So that I can hit the ground running next spring I thought you might be kind enough to look at a few questions for me.
1. I have looked at lots of info on filtration and I am leaning towards saltwater to provide the chlorine for the biocide since it is said to be "gentler" than dosing with powders or liquid chlorine albeit more expensive. What do you think.
2. The pool pump, how big should it be to keep the water quality high? I am thinking that I will have a white meter for cheap overnight electricity and run the washing machine, dishwasher and bedroom aircon on that. Can I also run the pump at night on that meter? For daytime running can I arrange it that there is a photo voltaic input to let the sun do the work when the pool is most in use and needs constant pumping.
3. What are the best pool covers a) to retain heat b) to keep the pool clean and c) to keep small children or animals out!
Come on chaps do your best, any other points are welcome
John.
Jul 1st 2008, 9:48 pm
#7
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,901
Re: Swimming Pools
Hi John
Point 1. Yes exactly right - more expensive but some prefer the "feel" of the water. Personally I use Chlorine tablets and am more than happy. I use about 50 euros worth a year with a 100m3 pool. A salt system is expensive in the first place and parts need replacing eventually. There are various views on how long you need to run your pump but with a salt system you must use it to generate enough chlorine.
Point 2. For 100m3 then a 1.5hp pump should be OK. The night meter is no longer available as such - there is a new tarif which gives you cheap electricity (47% less) between 9pm and 11am. The peak rate carries a surcharge of 35%. It still works out much cheaper than a normal supply.
Point 3a. A floating "bubble" cover.
Point 3b. A heavy duty cover that is kept in place by fixings around the pool and tensioned with elastic. Very inconvenient to remove and replace but the best option for winter. There are thinner mesh covers but they are no more convenient.
Point 3c. You can walk on the heavy duty covers - it's a bit like a trampoline!
Point 1. Yes exactly right - more expensive but some prefer the "feel" of the water. Personally I use Chlorine tablets and am more than happy. I use about 50 euros worth a year with a 100m3 pool. A salt system is expensive in the first place and parts need replacing eventually. There are various views on how long you need to run your pump but with a salt system you must use it to generate enough chlorine.
Point 2. For 100m3 then a 1.5hp pump should be OK. The night meter is no longer available as such - there is a new tarif which gives you cheap electricity (47% less) between 9pm and 11am. The peak rate carries a surcharge of 35%. It still works out much cheaper than a normal supply.
Point 3a. A floating "bubble" cover.
Point 3b. A heavy duty cover that is kept in place by fixings around the pool and tensioned with elastic. Very inconvenient to remove and replace but the best option for winter. There are thinner mesh covers but they are no more convenient.
Point 3c. You can walk on the heavy duty covers - it's a bit like a trampoline!
Jul 2nd 2008, 5:28 am
#8
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Swimming Pools
Hi John
Point 1. Yes exactly right - more expensive but some prefer the "feel" of the water. Personally I use Chlorine tablets and am more than happy. I use about 50 euros worth a year with a 100m3 pool. A salt system is expensive in the first place and parts need replacing eventually. There are various views on how long you need to run your pump but with a salt system you must use it to generate enough chlorine.
Point 2. For 100m3 then a 1.5hp pump should be OK. The night meter is no longer available as such - there is a new tarif which gives you cheap electricity (47% less) between 9pm and 11am. The peak rate carries a surcharge of 35%. It still works out much cheaper than a normal supply.
Point 3a. A floating "bubble" cover.
Point 3b. A heavy duty cover that is kept in place by fixings around the pool and tensioned with elastic. Very inconvenient to remove and replace but the best option for winter. There are thinner mesh covers but they are no more convenient.
Point 3c. You can walk on the heavy duty covers - it's a bit like a trampoline!
Point 1. Yes exactly right - more expensive but some prefer the "feel" of the water. Personally I use Chlorine tablets and am more than happy. I use about 50 euros worth a year with a 100m3 pool. A salt system is expensive in the first place and parts need replacing eventually. There are various views on how long you need to run your pump but with a salt system you must use it to generate enough chlorine.
Point 2. For 100m3 then a 1.5hp pump should be OK. The night meter is no longer available as such - there is a new tarif which gives you cheap electricity (47% less) between 9pm and 11am. The peak rate carries a surcharge of 35%. It still works out much cheaper than a normal supply.
Point 3a. A floating "bubble" cover.
Point 3b. A heavy duty cover that is kept in place by fixings around the pool and tensioned with elastic. Very inconvenient to remove and replace but the best option for winter. There are thinner mesh covers but they are no more convenient.
Point 3c. You can walk on the heavy duty covers - it's a bit like a trampoline!
My friend from Kosava had a salt system in his pool and we could never get it settled.
He doesn`t use it anymore and just uses chemicals, cheaper and far more efficient, sparkling clear water and you can see the sharks eyes clear as a bell.
Jul 3rd 2008, 8:47 am
#9
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2005
Location: Chichester & Pago del Humo
Posts: 66
Re: Swimming Pools
Thank you folks,
that is all very helpful.
flamingo
that is all very helpful.
flamingo
Feb 18th 2009, 9:37 pm
#10
Poolman
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Mazarron, Murcia
Posts: 48
Re: Swimming Pools
I am a specialist in swimming pool systems and happy to help with any queries.
The advantage of a saltwater chlorination system is that it manufactures natural chlorine without any additives.
The worst additive in tablets is Cyanuric Acid - Stabilizer.
Once this gets above 100ppm generally at 6 months the chlorine starts to respond slower to sanitise the water, in the USA it is banned in some pools and when it gets to 100ppm you have to drain half and refill the pool.
A saltwater system allows you to make informed judgement on what chemicals you really need.
There is no chlorine smell with a saltwater system because the chloromines produced using tablets are supper chlorinated away when the water passes through the system (the cell produces high levels of chlorine)
The main thing when choosing a saltwater system is to buy a big enough one, systems can come in all different sizes some manufacturers only make one size to suit all.
Running at night is the best option anyway, Algae sleep at night and are then killed by the chlorine generated by the system, if the unit is powerful enough it will easily produce enough chlorine for your pool.
You need to aim for a chlorine level between .8~2ppm and a pH of 7.2~7.4
Hope this helps
The advantage of a saltwater chlorination system is that it manufactures natural chlorine without any additives.
The worst additive in tablets is Cyanuric Acid - Stabilizer.
Once this gets above 100ppm generally at 6 months the chlorine starts to respond slower to sanitise the water, in the USA it is banned in some pools and when it gets to 100ppm you have to drain half and refill the pool.
A saltwater system allows you to make informed judgement on what chemicals you really need.
There is no chlorine smell with a saltwater system because the chloromines produced using tablets are supper chlorinated away when the water passes through the system (the cell produces high levels of chlorine)
The main thing when choosing a saltwater system is to buy a big enough one, systems can come in all different sizes some manufacturers only make one size to suit all.
Running at night is the best option anyway, Algae sleep at night and are then killed by the chlorine generated by the system, if the unit is powerful enough it will easily produce enough chlorine for your pool.
You need to aim for a chlorine level between .8~2ppm and a pH of 7.2~7.4
Hope this helps
Feb 18th 2009, 9:52 pm
#11
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2004
Location: Guadalhorce Valley, Málaga
Posts: 1,059
Re: Swimming Pools
I use unstabilised granular chlorine in my pool. I get no chlorine smell and the cyanuric level is about 80 ppm. Running the pump at night is fine if you use the pool at night otherwise you need to run it in the daytime.
I don't know of anyone with a salt water system who is satisfied with it and I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
I don't know of anyone with a salt water system who is satisfied with it and I wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
Feb 18th 2009, 10:22 pm
#12
Poolman
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Mazarron, Murcia
Posts: 48
Re: Swimming Pools
Hi Beachcomber,
You are one of the very few people who get it right, and if everyone had your dedication it would be easy but they don't.
A saltwater system does exactly what you do manufactures unstabilised chlorine, depending on it's size it will produce a considerable amount over a filtaration cycle.
The other trick the majority miss is maintaining pH.
pH is the most important key to getting Chlorine working with a pH of 7 you will get 70% use fron any chlorine in the pool, if it's a ph of 8 you'll get just under 20% use from the chlorine, it will still be in the pool but not working same with too much stabiliser above 30ppm it does not provide any greater stabilisation of the chlorine and above 100ppm is slows it down.
I have tested pools with stabiliser levels in excess of 500ppm.
Next consideration - how often do you need to replace the sand in your filter?
Well it is reccommended to replace sand every 5~6 years.
Best regards, Dave
You are one of the very few people who get it right, and if everyone had your dedication it would be easy but they don't.
A saltwater system does exactly what you do manufactures unstabilised chlorine, depending on it's size it will produce a considerable amount over a filtaration cycle.
The other trick the majority miss is maintaining pH.
pH is the most important key to getting Chlorine working with a pH of 7 you will get 70% use fron any chlorine in the pool, if it's a ph of 8 you'll get just under 20% use from the chlorine, it will still be in the pool but not working same with too much stabiliser above 30ppm it does not provide any greater stabilisation of the chlorine and above 100ppm is slows it down.
I have tested pools with stabiliser levels in excess of 500ppm.
Next consideration - how often do you need to replace the sand in your filter?
Well it is reccommended to replace sand every 5~6 years.
Best regards, Dave
Feb 19th 2009, 12:44 pm
#13
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,433
Re: Swimming Pools
Hi Beachcomber,
You are one of the very few people who get it right, and if everyone had your dedication it would be easy but they don't.
A saltwater system does exactly what you do manufactures unstabilised chlorine, depending on it's size it will produce a considerable amount over a filtaration cycle.
The other trick the majority miss is maintaining pH.
pH is the most important key to getting Chlorine working with a pH of 7 you will get 70% use fron any chlorine in the pool, if it's a ph of 8 you'll get just under 20% use from the chlorine, it will still be in the pool but not working same with too much stabiliser above 30ppm it does not provide any greater stabilisation of the chlorine and above 100ppm is slows it down.
I have tested pools with stabiliser levels in excess of 500ppm.
Next consideration - how often do you need to replace the sand in your filter?
Well it is reccommended to replace sand every 5~6 years.
Best regards, Dave
You are one of the very few people who get it right, and if everyone had your dedication it would be easy but they don't.
A saltwater system does exactly what you do manufactures unstabilised chlorine, depending on it's size it will produce a considerable amount over a filtaration cycle.
The other trick the majority miss is maintaining pH.
pH is the most important key to getting Chlorine working with a pH of 7 you will get 70% use fron any chlorine in the pool, if it's a ph of 8 you'll get just under 20% use from the chlorine, it will still be in the pool but not working same with too much stabiliser above 30ppm it does not provide any greater stabilisation of the chlorine and above 100ppm is slows it down.
I have tested pools with stabiliser levels in excess of 500ppm.
Next consideration - how often do you need to replace the sand in your filter?
Well it is reccommended to replace sand every 5~6 years.
Best regards, Dave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notonecta_glauca
Last edited by poshnbucks; Feb 19th 2009 at 1:06 pm.
Feb 19th 2009, 12:56 pm
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2004
Location: Guadalhorce Valley, Málaga
Posts: 1,059
Re: Swimming Pools
Do you mean 'waterboatmen'?
Feb 19th 2009, 2:32 pm
#15
Poolman
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Mazarron, Murcia
Posts: 48
Re: Swimming Pools
It says 'waterboat men' in the WiKi link,
These are normally associated with ponds and can only imagine that your pool must have some kind of attraction for them.
Regarding tablets you would need to check the labels and compare contents some cheap brands have a 'filler' of calcium which we can all do without.
If you are going to use chemicals I would take Beachcombers advice, the tablets are very costly in the long term, research shows that Cyanuric Acid - "Chlorine stabiliser" will affect your tile grout and then potentially the pool shell if used in high concentrations.
Regards Dave
These are normally associated with ponds and can only imagine that your pool must have some kind of attraction for them.
Regarding tablets you would need to check the labels and compare contents some cheap brands have a 'filler' of calcium which we can all do without.
If you are going to use chemicals I would take Beachcombers advice, the tablets are very costly in the long term, research shows that Cyanuric Acid - "Chlorine stabiliser" will affect your tile grout and then potentially the pool shell if used in high concentrations.
Regards Dave