One of the most important components of your pool is the pool pump. The pool pump circulates the water through the filtration system of the pool and helps to keep the pool water clean and to remove dirt and debris from the water. When the water is clean and fresh with the right balance of chemicals it is safer and more inviting for those who want to have a swim.
 
How do pool pumps work?’
 
The pool pump contains a impeller which is spun by an electric motor and causes water to flow. The water escaping the pump creates a vacuum which pulls water from the pool and moves it through the system. The water moves through the skimmer, the pump and is then sent through the filter where it goes through a sanitiser ie chlorinator and is finally moved through the heater and returned to the pool.
 
Pool pumps for sale – what should you consider when buying one?
 
You will need to know what size pool pump to purchase. Bigger does not always mean better, it can actually equate to a waste of electricity and money. The capacity of the pool is the amount of water that the pool holds. You will need to know:
 

• Maximum flow rate – this is determined by the size of the pool’s pipes and is the amount of litres per minute of water that is being moved;

• Turnover – the amount of time it takes for all of the water to move through the filter. The average turnover is 6-8 hours.

• Resistance – the repelling of the water flow that is created by all pieces of equipment connected to the pool filtration system

• Flow rate. The number of litres that are moved every minute by the pump.

 
Is the speed of the pump important?
 
When it comes to pumps, the speed of the pump relates to how long it takes the pump to filter the pool. There are several speeds of pumps available.

1. Single Speed Pump – This is the lowest cost pump and is efficient but uses a lot of energy. These pumps should be turned off between uses to conserve energy.
2. Three Speed Pump – These pumps change their speed from low, medium to high when needed by manually changing the speed controller located on the pump. The speeds are preset by the pump manufacturers and are not variable
3. Variable Speed Pump – These allow the user to choose speed or flow rate needed. This can help to reduce the cost of electrical usage. They are similar to three speed pumps but you can manually adjust the speed of the pump to suit your pool requirements.

What are the various types of pool pumps available?
 
Self-priming pumps have strainers to catch hair and lint and these act as reservoirs that prime the pump. These types of pumps are used for in ground pools and it is very important to keep the lint and hair strainers clean.

Flooded Suction Pumps are pumps designed for above ground pools because they have to be located beneath the water level. They look similar to a self-priming pump but are slightly smaller. These pumps do not contain a diffuser which allows the pump to prime itself.
 
Booster Pumps are used along with self-priming pumps that can increase pressure or flow when it is needed. These pumps do not self-prime so they are not to be used without water supply coming from the primary pump.
 
What brands of pool pumps for sale can be found on our site?
 
Davey – we are a master dealer of Davey pumps and offer various sizes and types of pumps. Whether you are looking for Energystar* rated pumps, pumps ranging from 0.8 hp to 1.6 hp, you can find a suitable pump for sale here.
 
Waterco Pumps – the pool pumps for sale from this manufacturer range from large to small, spa pumps and solar pumps. Be sure to check out the entire selection under this category.
 
Zodiac – These energy efficient pumps are noiseless and provide quality performance with reduced energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions. Sizes range from 0.5 to 2 hp with many good options.
 
Onga pumps for various pool conditions and types. The high performance pool pumps are designed for high quality pool installations with lower noise levels and reduced energy costs. These pumps are designed to last a very long time while provided top performance. Ideal for all types of pools, these pumps are available in solar and 0.75 to 2 hp sizes.
 
Hayward pool pumps are available in pool booster pumps or waterfall pumps and are designed for efficiency, dependability and performance.
 
Polaris booster pumps are a separate pump that allows your cleaner to operate separate from the remainder of the pool system. This allows the cleaner pump to operate at 100% efficiency and reduce cleaning time and increase vacuum power.
 
Astral Pool/Hurlcon Pool Pumps offer a variety of pool pumps that are designed for every type of swimming pool. They offer a large range of pumps that offer increased performance with pumps from 0.5 to 3 hp.
 
Maintenance of your pool pump
 
When you are trying to determine which pool pumps you should purchase, you should consider the maintenance factor. It is crucial that the pump receives proper and adequate ventilation and protection from the weather. You should ensure that your pump is covered with a housing or stored inside of a building. The pump needs to run cool and be protected from the elements, which will ensure that it lasts a long time.
 
Strainer baskets should be cleaned on a regular basis and the pump should be constantly examined for water leaks in the area of the pump housing and motor. During the off season when your pool is not in use, you should consider reducing running times to save electrical costs. You may be able to slow the speed of the pump to allow more efficient operation of the filters.

Determine what type of pump you need for your pool and then start to match your needs with what is available. Please do not hesitate to ask us if you nee any advice about Pool Pumps.

Please ask us if we can assist you.

Chlorine is the main chemical that is used to sanitise the water in your swimming pool. There are several types of systems available; including tablets that are placed in the skimmer, liquid that is added directly to the water and automatic swimming pool chlorinators. Automatic swimming pool chlorinators are extremely convenient and are commonly used throughout Australia because they offer the latest automated technology to dispense chemicals to keep the water clean.
 
Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
 
These units operate by converting saltwater into chlorine gas which is then used to sanitise the water in your pool. They are mini chlorine manufacturing plants which utilise similar technology as the full scale operations. These devices electrolytically convert salt in the pool water into chlorine by passing it over special titanium coated electrode plates. Salt is added to the pool when the water is initially added and needs to be added occasionally to replace the salt that is lost from water being pumped out, splashed out or backwashed. Salt water pool chlorinators generate free chlorine, destroying irritating chloramines while the water is passed through the cell.
 
The production of chlorine is controlled by the setting of the equipment and the overall operation is controlled with a timer. You will still need to maintain the other pool chemicals to normal levels as with any other pool that is chlorinated.
 
Some popular brands include:
 
Davey Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
 
These are user-friendly and come complete with digital timers that are easy to set. These units are also available with a self-cleaning electrode cell or a non-self-cleaning electrode. These pool chlorinators are easy to operate, are economical and compact, and can safely sanitise your pool water. Choose a unit based on the size of your pool – Installation is easy and these chlorinators also come with a guarantee – 2 years on power supply, three years on electrolytic cell guarantee.

View our range >

 
Autochlor Self Cleaning Cell Chlorinators
 
These swimming pool chlorinators are available in self-cleaning and non-self-cleaning models. When you look through the various models available, those that have “QT” after the model number indicates that it has a battery backup with timer installed. “T” means that there is a timer installed.

View our range >

 
Zodiac Salt Water Pool Chlorinators

These chlorinators are simple to operate, easy to install and maintain. There are three different models available, which is dependent upon the size of the pool they will be operating in – compact, mid or large.

View our range >

 
Onga Pentair Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
 
These pool chlorinators feature an extremely compact design that has a sophisticated switch mode which is designed to use up to 60% less electricity. There is a self-cleaning cell with a quartz timer and battery backup. The warranty is two years on the power pack and five on the cell.

View our range >

 
Astral Pool Salt Water Pool Chlorinators
 
These chlorinators are reliable and feature a touch pad control and a self-cleaning cell. There is a timed backwash function and the controls are easy to use. The five year warranty covers the cell, the power pack has a 5 year pro rata warranty. The Astral chlorine and bromine feeder by Hurlcon doses 3.5 tablets.

View our range >

 
Which one is best?
 
There are a wide variety of pool chlorinators on offer, because each pool is different and every person has their favourite or preferred brand. What you need to decide is what type of chlorinator will work best for you based upon how often you use your pool, how large your pool is and what kind of a set up you have for your pool.
 
If your time is limited, you should consider chlorinators that have timers and have a self-cleaning feature. These will operate according to how you set them up, although you will still need to balance the remaining pool chemicals and ensure that the water is tested on a regular basis to check pH levels.
 
Why should you use Salt Water Pool Chlorinators?
 
Salt does not generally need to be added to the water on a regular basis, but this will largely depend upon the use of the pool. If a large volume of water is added (eg with rain or top up by hose) or removed, salt will need to be topped up. Salt systems product chlorine from the salt that is contained in the water and they eliminate the need to add chlorine by hand, which also eliminates the need to store and handle chlorine.
 
The water in the pool will not taste salty because the concentration of the salt is much lower than that of seawater. The salt water chlorinator operates on a low concentration of salt that can’t be tasted. The real advantage overall is that the water is softer and less harsh than regular pools that do not utilize a salt water chlorination system.
 
Some people think that a salt water chlorinator can damage their pool equipment, but even though salt water can be corrosive, the concentration of the salt is too low to have any effect on the equipment. The imbalance or improper pH level of a pool can actually cause more damage to the equipment in a pool than the salt water chlorinator.
 
The main reason for using one of these units is the cost savings. You no longer need to purchase chlorine tablets or liquids. There are some larger expenses associated with the pool chlorinator which include the initial cost and the replacement of the salt cell if it stops working. The life of the average cell is anywhere from 3 – 6 years and can cost several hundred dollars. When you look at the cost of chlorine tabs, the salt water pool chlorinator can definitely save money over time.
 
The pool maintenance that needs to be done is simplified because the pool is automatically dosed with chlorine regularly. The chlorinator will need to be adjusted to ensure that the chlorine level is within the appropriate or desired range and the salt cell will need to be cleaned regularly.

Installing a swimming pool can provide you with a great way to stay in shape, an excellent place to cool off and a place where your family can spend countless hours of enjoyment. Once a pool has been installed, one of the next things that you will need to think about is heating your swimming pool. There are several things that you will need to consider before you look at ways to heat your pool.
 
One of the best reasons for having your pool heated is that it will extend your swimming season. Instead of just being able to use your pool for the two or three hottest months of the year, you will be able to draw out your season. Some pool owners find that pool heaters can double and even triple their swimming season and give them a much better return on their investment.
 
Swimming pool heaters make the water much more comfortable. Water that is between 24 to 26 degrees C is ideal and makes the swimming pool more comfortable for swimming. Water temperature fluctuates naturally and using pool heaters helps to set and maintain the most comfortable temperatures that are idea for swimming.
 
Types of Swimming Pool Heaters
 
You have the option of installing a gas heater, a heat pump or solar pool heaters. Each system has its pros and cons, so you will need to consider the system carefully before you decide to purchase it and have it installed (or install it yourself).
 
Gas heaters are among the most popular option for pool owners. The newer models of these heaters are a lot more efficient that their counterparts of even just a few years ago. These heaters run on propane or natural gas and they work to heat the pool water extremely quickly, which makes them a great choice if you do not use your pool often and don’t keep it heated constantly.


 
Heat Pumps one of the most energy efficient, yes even compared to solar! A heat pump uses the same principle as reverse cycle air conditioners. They extract heat from the air (even down to sub zero temperatures) and through a series of compression and transference technology it then heats the pool water. These work in almost any temperature with some models available to cater for sub zero temperatures as well as indoor installations.

 

Solar heating systems consist of a series of solar panels on a nearby rooftop or they can also be comprised of a series of black pipes that are run along the ground in tight coils. The water is circulated through these pipes which obtain their heat from the sun.


 
Things you need to know when Choosing Swimming Pool Heaters
 

• The size of heater that is required for your pool volume and surface area

• The swimming pool temperature you want to maintain

• The average temperature of the pool during the coldest month you will be using the pool

• The surface of the pool area

• The efficiency of the heater

• Costs of running the heater

When your pool is heated, you can use a solar pool cover or blanket to help retain the heat that is in the pool. This can help to keep your pool heating costs down. You can run the pool heater on a timer, depending upon the times that you will be using the pool. If you only use your pool on weekends, for example, you can leave the heater off through the week and turn it on Friday evening to heat the pool up for Saturday and Sunday.

Please ask us for advice if you are considering purchasing a heating system for your pool.
 

What is pool water testing?
 
This is an important process that needs to be undertaken on a weekly basis. Using a water testing kit, you need to check the pH levels, the alkalinity of the water and chlorine levels. Ensuring that all chemicals are balanced helps to preserve your pool surfaces, equipment in the pool and reduce skin and eye irritation.  You can also bring a sample in to our store for a free analysis and to check your current salt levels
 
What is ppm?
 
Ppm or Parts Per Million is a way to express very dilute concentrations of substances. This is the usual description used for the concentration of something that is contained in water. One ppm is the equivalent of 1 milligram of a product per one litre of water.
 
What is pH Increaser?
 
pH Increaser is a granular product (usually) that corrects acidic pool water and slows the rapid dissipation of chlorine that acidic water causes. Acidic water can cause eye irritation, corrode pool equipment and etch the walls of your pool. The initial recommended dosage of most pH is dependent upon the volume of water in your pool and the current pH level.

Our recommended pH stabiliser is Bioguard Balance Pack 200

 
What is pH Decreaser?
 
pH Decreaser or Reducer is comprised of sodium bisulfate and is generally added to your pool when the pH level rises above 7.6 ppm. It helps to correct water conditions so that your other pool chemicals are able to work more effectively. By correcting the water condition, you can prevent skin irritation and damage to your pool and equipment.
 
Our recommended pH decreaser is Either Liquid Pool Acid or a granular Acid  like Bioguard Lo ‘n’ slo
 
What is Total Alkalinity?
 
Total alkalinity or TA is the measure of the total of the alkaline substances that the water contains. In a pool, the main concern is bicarbonate alkalinity which needs to be anywhere between 80ppm and 120ppm. TA in this range prevents any rapid changes to pH levels and helps to stabilise those levels.
 
Low TA causes plaster to become etched, the corrosion of metals, staining of the pool floor and walls and a green tint in the water. It can also burn eyes and cause pH to bounce up and down at random. High TA makes pH levels hard to adjust and they can cause the water to become cloudy. High TA makes your pool constantly require acid and chlorine is no longer an efficient disinfectant.

Our recommended Alkalinity Increaser is Bioguard Balance Pack 100

What is Chlorine?
 
Chlorine is a disinfectant (or sanitiser) used to kill bacteria and control algae in your pool water to make it safe for swimming. Chlorine can be added by either using a salt water chlorinator or by using liquid or granular chlorine
What is chlorine stabiliser?
 
About 90% of chlorine can be destroyed by direct sun in about two hours. Chlorine stabiliser is added to the pool water to extend the life of the chlorine 8 – 10 times longer by protecting it from UV loss. It is a sunscreen for your chlorine

When do I add chlorine stabiliser?
 
The initial dose of chlorine stabilizer should be added to reach 60 ppm. If Cyanuric Acid levels drop below 30 ppm it should be added.

What type of chlorine sanitiser do you recommend with the use of chlorine stabiliser?
 
Many pool owners prefer convenience and like to use a sanitiser product that contains a stabiliser and a chlorinating product in one product (such as Bioguard Swim Clear or Bioguard Smart Sticks.  It is best to choose products containing a strong chlorine formula and which dissolve slowly and completely.
 
How do I add chlorine stabiliser to my pool?
 
An initial dose of 60 ppm of chlorine stabiliser should be added to the water in the pool. To reach 60 ppm add the recommended dose as prescribed by your local pool store normally between 1-2kg depending on the size of your pool. The granules should be mixed with a bucket of pool water and left in the bucket for a few minutes then should be added through the skimmer basket. The filter and pump should run for 24 hours without any backwash from the filter for at least 48 hours after the product is added. Stabiliser is very slow to dissolve and if there is too much backwash action, the product will simply be washed out before it has a chance to dissolve.
 
How much is too much stabiliser?
 
Contrary to popular belief, too much stabiliser does not “lock up” chlorine residual. The acceptable level of stabiliser is between 30 – 60ppm for a residential pool set up.

Salt Water Chlorinators

If you have a salt water chlorinator pool salt has to be added directly into the pool for effective chlorine production. Most chlorinators need a salt content between 3,500ppm to 6,000ppm depending upon make and model

View our range of pool chemicals.

Please do not hesitate to ask us if you need assistance with the chemicals for your pool.

Pool maintenance is an important part of ensuring safe swimming, and protecting your investment. At times, pool maintenance can seem like a chore and can take away fun of having a swimming pool. Lately, homeowners are spoilt for choice when it comes to cleaning their swimming pools. They can hire a professional, can clean manually by themselves or use an in-floor automatic cleaning system. Manually cleaning the pool can be laborious and time consuming thus, investing in an automatic pool cleaner is a good idea. Invest in automatic swimming pool cleaners that filter away dirty water and steadily clean and remove debris from the pool throughout the day.

Various automatic pool cleaners are designed with pool filters, vacuum pumps and other features to remove leaves, insects, dirt and debris in the water. Though these cleaners have been around for decades, the recent technological advancements make them very efficient cleaners by helping pool owners spend more time enjoying their pool and less time cleaning.

Types Of Swimming Pool Cleaners, And How They Are Different

There are three types of automatic pool cleaners:
• Robotic pool cleaners;
• Pressure pool cleaners; and
• Suction cleaners

Automatic Pressure – Side Cleaners

This type is powered by water pressure coming from a pump that drives the cleaner around the pool, at the same time forcing the debris into the bag. You can use your main pool circulation pump or you can use a dedicated (booster) pump. Unlike robotic pool cleaners, Pressure Pool Cleaners use water pressure to pick up dirt and debris.

This cleaner is connected through a hose to the pool’s return line; it creates a circulation effect by pressurizing the water to flush dirt upwards into the cleaner, where debris is filtered. The most beneficial thing about this type of cleaner is that it doesn't suck debris and other stuff into your pools’ pump basket or filter thus allowing more cleaning time. These pressure cleaners have random cleaning patterns and have better ground cover than suction side cleaners – so potential obstacles such as slightly inclined areas and steps are easily cleaned.

Advantages:

• Has its own filtration bag, thus there is less stress on your filter
• Booster pump facilitates more powerful cleaning
• Suitable for pools where cleaning large debris is needed
• Facilitates more filtration because the cleaner tail stirs up fine debris

Disadvantages:

• Increased overall costs when you use a separate booster pump system
• Some cleaners cannot filter tiny debris in the built in bag
• Not very effective in cleaning the walls of the pool

If your pool is situated in an area where a lot of debris gets into your swimming pool, then a pressure-side pool cleaner is a good option.

Automatic Suction Cleaners

They are the most reliable and the “least work” types of cleaners. These cleaners rely on suction to move around and vacuum the floor of the pool. This has several advantages; when the cleaner is underwater sucking debris it is also draining the pool’s water through your filtration system allowing more water to be turned over in a short time. This type of swimming pool cleaner mainly cleans the bottom of your pool, however some suction cleaners can "scrub" or clean your pool walls by agitating themselves as they move around the pool. This can significantly reduce the number of times you need to brush your pool. Moreover, it can remove much finer particles than a Pressure Pool Cleaner (with a bag) since it sucks debris right into your filter. It is also a lot cheaper to install since you do not need to install any extra pumps or plumbing.

Advantages:

• Facilitates more circulation of water in the pool
• They act as scrubbers as they move around the pool walls and floor
• Easy to install: this cleaner doesn’t require extra parts to connect to your existing system, thus saving you cash
• The unit is generally lower cost

Disadvantages:

• All debris is passed directly to the filter, thus the pool pump needs to perform optimally well.
• You will need to clean the filter  (ie backwash it)
• It is not as suitable an option if your filter or pump is not very efficient.

Robotic Pool Cleaners

These pool cleaners run under their own power i.e. independent of your pool's filtration or pumping system. They are compact and self-contained robots that move around the pool sucking up debris and dirt at the same time also rotating rollers or brushes to scrub surfaces. They require electricity because they have an internal motor to power the suction and locomotion. Robotic swimming pool cleaners use a water-safe electrical cord which is plugged into to a transformer that converts the electricity to low voltage. Others operate on a rechargeable battery.

A unique feature about these swimming pool cleaners is that they have the ability to learn the pool shape and clean or cover the entire interior pool surface. Some even have can be remotely controlled. This gives you a chance to manoeuvre the cleaner to a specific spot for more detailed cleaning.

These pool cleaners are most suitable for cleaning small debris and silt or sand. It’s the only type of pool cleaner that not only scrubs the tile line but also the walls. It also plays a supplemental role water circulation in your pool because it has a powerful in-built pump. Though it is the most expensive type of swimming pool cleaner currently available on the market, it can be a great investment in the right circumstances.

Advantages:

• Extremely efficient at cleaning small debris and leaves
• Can clean the waterline tile
• Comes with a self contained filter
• Relieves your current filter system from extra stress

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than both suction and pressure-side cleaners
• You need to remove and insert the cleaner in/out of the pool

Choosing the right pool cleaner for your pool and requirements can be a bit daunting.  Please ask us if you need any assistance at all.

With the warmer weather now here, you’ll be turning your thoughts to enjoying long relaxing days of summer around the pool. Unfortunately, you must also turn your mind to the various steps required to getting your pool ready, including checking the water quality, cleaning the pool and ensuring everything is operational.  Even if the water is still clear, you’ll need to ensure that the chemical balance is correct to prevent any illness from the water.
 
The proper preparation of your pool is probably not your favourite thing to do, and it can take a lot of time to get the job done. Hiring a professional pool service is a great idea, however, if you would rather save that money and get the job done yourself, it is something that you can do and here are some pointers.
 
Before you get to the swimming pool itself, inspect the area that surrounds your pool. Prune any plants, rake up leaves, clean up the debris surrounding the pool and on the deck or patio – there is no point cleaning the pool out only to have this debris blow in with the next gust of wind. Once this has been completed, you can start to look at the pool itself. The work for an in ground pool and an above ground pool are similar in nature, so follow the steps below with either type of pool.

Survey and clean the Pool

Walk all the way around the pool and visually survey the condition of the pool. You are looking for any cracks (cement or fiberglass pool) or tears in the lining (pool with liner).  If you see any, then get a damage inspection done by a professional; you don’t want to make this damage worse by using the pool.
 
Obviously clear out the skimmer baskets removing any debris or leaves that have collected inside. The skimmer basket should be examined and replaced if damaged. Use a brush to remove sediment and dirt from the sides and the bottom of the pool. If you see any stains or calcium scale on the pool, tiles or equipment then you can remove calcium by using Lo Chlor Stain Eraser for Calcium on the pool tiles or cell cleaner for calcium build up on the chlorinator cell.
 
Clean out the large debris that has collected at the bottom of your pool using a leaf scoop. Top up the water; your pool needs to be filled to the middle of the skimmer opening. Then either manually vacuum the pool surface or you can use a automatic pool cleaner.

 
Check the Filter and Start the Pump
 
Before you engage the filter system, you should check the key parts of the pool pump. Importantly, if you haven’t operated the pump for a while, examine the O-ring that is contained inside of the pump lid to check its condition. It should not contain any cracks, you can check for those by bending it between your fingers. If the O-ring looks okay, then apply a lubricant to the ring and replace it. Check the pump basket for damage this is very important to prevent debris getting into the internal parts of your pump.
 
Once you are satisfied that everything is in place, start your filtration system up. The pump may need priming if water is not moving through it. If you need to prime the pump, you simply remove the lid and then fill the housing with water using a bucket of water scooped from the pool. Put the pump lid back on and the pump should be primed and ready to start.

Check your chemicals and add what is needed
 
Examine all of the pool chemicals for expiry dates. If any of them are expired dispose of them in the correct manner. Test the water by taking a sample of water from the pool and bring it in for testing. The test shows the amount of chlorine contained in the water, the ph level, the alkalinity and the hardness of the water (amount of calcium it contains). Your ideal ph range should be in the range of 7.4 to 7.6. We’ll let you know what you need and if you need to apply a shock treatment using chlorine or salt to the pool to kill any algae or micro organisms. Once you have added all of the necessary chemicals wait a week and then re-test the water.
 
Check your pool equipment
 
If you removed any items for storage over the winter, now is the time to check them for damage and to do some maintenance. Check you have the current CRP sign (resuscitation sign) and it is fitted in the correct location also check the correct operation of your pool gate – it should swing freely and lock itself.
 
Your pool should now be ready for use. Remember to check the chlorine level daily and test the chemical levels every week during the warmer weather.

Do you have any questions about how to prepare your swimming pool for summer”?