Blog entries tagged with above ground pool

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Patented Stainless Steel Panel - Lifetime Guarantee

Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 9:55 pm

The Great Escape manufactures an exclusive stainless steel panel. See why this is critical to your pool structure.

Closing Your Above Ground Pool

Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 9:10 pm

Closing your pool properly is extremely important.
Not following these guidelines could result in damage to your pool?s structure and damage to the pool liner.

Step One: Make sure water in pool is crystal clear, free of debris and the PH, Alkalinity and Hardness is properly balanced.

Step Two: Purchase a Natures Way Closing Kit for your pool size. Stop chlorination 24 hours prior to winterization.

Step Three: Add the contents of the Natures Way closing kit by pouring the entire bottle of Winterizing Algaecide and Winterizing Stain N Scale directly into pool. Broadcast contents of bags or bag of Non Chlorine Shock treatment.

Step Four: Allow filter to run for at least one hour to properly circulate and distribute the closing kit chemicals and then shut filtration system down.

Step Five: Remove water from the pool to a level below the water inlet fitting in the pool wall and then insert a winterizing plug into the pool inlet wall fitting and skimmer bottom opening. Follow your particular pools manufacturer's instructions.

Step Six: Follow the manufacturer's directions for properly winterizing your pool equipment. If you choose you may remove the filter connecting hoses from the pool and pool equipment and bring equipment inside for storage.

Step Seven: Punch out all eights holes as indicated on the white winterizer chemical cartridge and place in pool oblong side up.

Step Eight: Cover the pool with a solid winter cover of your choice making sure that there are no wholes or tears in the material to possibly allow rain water to contaminate the pool's water. Failure to cover the pool properly could result in sever structural and liner damage.

SHOCKING or SUPERCHLORINATION

Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 9:07 pm

When you shock your pool you use the process of oxidation to chemically remove (burn up) organic debris, such as body waste, particulate matter and perspiration, from the water. All pools require a shock treatment on a regular basis to maintain optimum water quality. If you are using chlorine only to maintain your pool, routine shocking the water every 1 to 2 weeks will greatly increase the water quality of your pool. In addition to oxidizing undesired wastes – shocking will help rid the pool of algae and bacteria that might be hiding in filters and hard-to-sanitize areas. Pools using a Nature² system do not need to routinely shock, but should shock as needed; at the first signs of cloudy water or when the pool is heavily used.

Contrary to what most people think, a strong chlorine smell is not an indication of too much chlorine in the pool but actually a red flag that a super dose may be required to correct the problem. In chlorine treated pools shocking can be achieved by superchlorination (adding a much higher chlorine amount than normal). Hypochlorous acid is the form of chlorine that provides sanitation. Hypochlorous acid is very active and will react with ammonia and other nitrogen-containing organic compounds (i.e., perspiration, urine, etc.) and form chloramines. This "combined chlorine" is 40 to 60 times less effective than free available chlorine. Combined chlorine, in addition to reduced effectiveness against bacteria can cause eye irritation and so called "chlorine odor." This may also result in a dull or flat look to your pool. A properly balanced and chlorinated pool will have no discernible odor.

WHEN TO SHOCK

Pools using a Nature² sanitizer on their pool do not need to routinely shock weekly, but should shock as needed; at the first signs of cloudy water or when the pool is heavily used.

Every 2 Weeks:	When the temperatures are 80° F or below
Weekly:	When the temperatures are above 80° F Heavy bather load (after the pool party!)
As Needed:	At the first signs of visible algae (slippery walls or floor) Cloudy water (check water balance as well) Heavy rains or storms (increase organic debris in water)

It is most effective to shock in the evening as chlorine shock dissipates very rapidly in sunlight. When using Nature's Way Super Shock you may experience a very high chlorine reading (10 ppm or higher). You must allow the Free Chlorine level to drop back down to a safe range of 3 ppm or lower before re-entering the pool. This could take up to 24 hours, so plan according when superchlorinating or use Nature's Way Oxy Shock if the pool will need to be in use sooner.

WHAT TO USE

Nature's Way Super Shock our concentrated formula allows you to add 1 lb per 16,500 gallons of pool water. DO NOT store partial bags, round up if needed when dosing and use a full bag. Nature's Way Oxy Shock doses at a rate of 1 lb per 10,000 gallons of water. Oxy Shock is a non-chlorine shock that can be added directly to the pool without pre-dissolving and allows you to resume swimming in 15 minutes. This is a very convenient method of shocking and is an excellent choice for water clarity issues. It is NOT, however, the best choice for algae treatment as will oxidize but not sanitize (kill disease) in the water.

Quick Start Guide For Your Pool

Posted by Mike Cortina on Monday Apr 04, 2011 8:42 pm

Quick Start Guide For Your New Pool

1. Fill pool to proper level. Stop adding water when the level in the pool reaches approximately 1/2 -2/3 up on the skimmer opening.

2. Our pump strainer housing is the section of the pump that houses a basket with a clear lid. The hose that carries water from the skimmer to the pump connects to this housing, as shown in the illustrations. The strainer housing should be primed (filled with water no air) simply by gravity, if the equipment sits lower than the water level. Be sure to remove any plugs that might have been installed in the skimmer or return inlet and to OPEN any valves (optional) at the suction side and discharge to allow the water to fill the strainer housing. When you remove the pump lid, the housing should be filled with water. See Pump and Motor section for more details.

3. Prior to filter start-up you should first be sure the filter drain plug is CLOSED, the air relief is OPEN, the locking ring on your filter is secure and the pump is primed.

4. Plug the pump and motor into a GFCI protected electrical outlet. See Electrical Safety section for more information.

5. If your pump and motor does not have a timer, simply plugging the motor in will turn it “ON”. If your pump and motor is equipped with a built-in timer, you can follow the directions on the motor to set the run times. Initially, we recommend the 24 hour, Setting 1, to allow the water to circulate and establish the proper chemical levels in your pool. Once set, turn switch from Off to the RUN position. After the first 4 days of operation you may reprogram the pump to Setting 3, for a 12 hour run time.

6. As the water begins to circulate through the pump and filter any air trapped in the system will automatically vent to the pool and out the open air relief valve. Close air relief valve as soon as you see a steady stream of water. Make a note of the reading on the filter's pressure gauge. This will be referred to as the “normal starting pressure”. This will be referred to as the “normal starting pressure”. When the reading increases 8 psi-10 psi above the normal reading you should backwash or clean the filter. Refer to the Filter Section of the Pool Manual for detailed information. If your pool is equipped with a Diatomaceous Earth or D.E. filter, you need to charge the filter with D.E. , see the D.E. Filter Section for more information.

7. Once water is circulating, inspect the hose fittings, clamps and connections for leaks. A minor drip here and there is normal and can usually be stopped by simply hand tightening.

8. If you suspect excess minerals or any metals may be present from the source water used to fill your pool, we suggest using an initial dosage of Nature's Way Scale & Iron Control. Treat PRIOR to adding any chlorine to the water.

9. Add Nature's Way Stabilizer from your Start-Up Kit by broadcasting over the surface of the pool. DO NOT backwash for 3 days. Un-dissolved granules will NOT damage the liner.

10. Test pH and Total Alkalinity of the water using your Test Strips. Following the directions on the bottle, test for the pH and Total Alkalinity readings. Proper ranges for pH are 7.2 to 7.6 and Total Alkalinity 80-120 ppm. If either test yields a low or high result- you should adjust by adding a Nature's Way Increaser or Decreaser as needed. You can refer to the Water Balance section of the Pool Manual for more information and also receive detailed chemical recommendations from the water analysis- go to Main Menu, Test Water. The pH and Total Alkalinity must be within the proper ranges before proceeding.

11. If your pool is equipped with a Nature² Mineral Sanitizer System, A Vessel or Pro-A Plus, follow the instructions below. Otherwise, proceed to Step 12.

A-Vessel Instructions:

Shut off your pool's pump and filter.
Close any valves between the filter and pool or plug skimmer and return, so water does not drain out.
Unscrew the housing cap (A) by twisting the cap counterclockwise until the cap is free of the housing base. If the cap is hard to twist, use a long-shafted screwdriver as a twist handle, placing it in the slot at the top of the housing cap.
Insert your Nature² Mineral cartridge.
Set cap in place and screw clockwise until it is snug. Do not over tighten.
Open any valves that you closed, or unplug skimmer and return and turn pump on.

To activate your Nature² Cartridge you MUST maintain a Free Chlorine reading of 1-2 ppm with the filter circulating continuously for 24 hours for the first four days of operation. Shock the pool, as described in Step 12 and fill your floating dispenser or automatic chlorinator with the Nature's Way chlorine tablets provided in your Start-Up Kit. At the end of the four days, you can reduce the chlorine output, by adjusting the output on your dispenser or chlorinator, to maintain a 0.5 to 1.0 ppm Free Chlorine reading. See the Nature² section for more information.

Pro-A-Plus Instructions:

Shut off your pool's pump and filter.
Close any valves between the filter and pool or plug skimmer and return, so water does not drain out.
Unlock locking ring C.
Remove the Nature² Vessel Cap A
Install the install the Nature² Mineral Cartridge into the Nature² cartridge chamber D.
Re-install cap A and locking ring C.
Set the Monthly indicator ring B as a reminder to replace the Nature² cartridge with a new A30 cartridge atThe Great Escape in 6 months.
Install your Nature's Way Z-Pack Chlorine Cartridge by removing the Chlorine Locking Ring G.and the Chlorine Dispenser cap F.
Insert the Z-Pack cartridge into Chlorine Dispenser I.
Reinstall cap F and locking ring G.
Open any valves that you closed, or unplug skimmer and return and turn pump on.

In order to activate your Nature² Mineral Cartridge you MUST maintain a Free Chlorine reading of 1-2 ppm with the filter circulating continuously for 24 hours, for the first four days of operation. Shock the pool, as described in Step 12 and turn the chlorine output setting to HIGH. After the 4 day start-up you can adjust the chlorine dial to a lower output setting and allow the Free Chlorine level to drop to a 0.5 to 1.0 ppm reading. See the Nature² section for more information.

12. Shock the water using the Nature's Way Super Shock included in your Nature's Way Start- Up Kit, to kill bacteria, viruses and algae. Broadcast the contents of the bag(s) over the surface of the pool, with the pump and motor on and water circulating.

13. You are now ready to begin routine chlorination, using Nature's Way Small Chlorinating or Blue Jumbo Tabs, Nature's Way Granular Powder or, if your pool is equipped with a Nature² Pro-A-Plus unit, a Nature's Way Z-Pack. Pools not using Nature² need to maintain a Free Chlorine reading of 1-3 ppm. If your pool is equipped with a Nature² Mineral Sanitizer- you need only maintain a 0.5-1.0 ppm reading. See the Sanitizing Your Pool section for more detailed information.

Now your filter is running, water is balanced and sanitized; you can relax and enjoy your pool. Thank you for entrusting the Great Escape for your family's fun. Please visit us online often at www.shopthegreatescape.com for current specials and the most exciting new products for your pool!

May Is Water Safety Month

Posted by Mike Cortina on Friday Apr 01, 2011 5:59 pm

Pools are a great asset to any home or community, however, rules must be set and enforced, manuals must be read and re-read, and knowledge of proper water safety is key to avoiding preventable accidents... More »