How to Make Your Pool Sparkle

Today while cleaning the pool after one of our storms I figured hey why not share my experience with others!
The Aquabot Pool Cleaners or aka Aquabot Pool Vacuums make the job so much easier. If yours is broken look for Aquabot parts at your local pool shop.

Things You'll Need

• Algaecide (if there is visible algae)
• Chlorine Tablets
• Shock
• Clarifier
• Skimmer
• Vacuum for pool-
• Pool Brush

Instructions

1. Assess pool needs. Is it time to fix your Aquabot Pool Vacuum. Does the Pool heatpump need replacing. How is the shape of the sand filter? Is the Solar swimming pool cover intact and ready to warm up your pool?

   Water assesment: have you had water checked recently. Most Swimming pool supply stores will do testing for free. Next look at your pool.

2. 

   Does your pool look like this?
   With the right swimming pool supplies and equipment, you can have a sparkling clean pool. Add a Solar swimming pool cover and you will your pool will be the favorite of the neighborhood.

   First skim off all debris from top of pool.
   I use the large net to pull large debris up from the bottom of pool.
   If there has been a storm, do this right away.

3. 

   Brush the sides and visible algae growth.
   Run pool pump for 1/2 hour to see how its doing, removing any debris missed before. Vacuum the pool with your pool vacuum.

   If you have robot cleaner aka aquabot pool cleaner, it makes life wonderful.You will have to run the pool vacuum longer than simply brushing and waiting.

4. 

   Next shock pool. If algae has visible growth, use 2x the amount of pool chemical you normally use. If no algae is present shock with normal amount of chemical. You should shock at least once a week during swim season and ideally once every 3-5 days.

   Make sure to distribute mostly in the deep end but you can also distribute around edges. If it settles into one place makes sure to brush it off and mix into pool water so it doesn't damage surface.

   wait 1/2 hour for things to settle and brush any areas that look bad. Keep the Filter running.

5. 

   If there is still visible algae; brush well, add a good algaecide and run the swimming pool pump for 12 hours. Read directions carefully. Run the aquabot pool vacuum again.

   If it is still cloudy; add clarifier and wait a couple of hours.
   (this adheres to small particles and flushes them out your filter)

   If it is still cloudy after 4 hours you will need to backwash
   the pool. Follow manufacturers instructions. Sometimes I backwash pool without using clarifier at all. It is personal choice there. Clarifier really makes pool shimmer.

6. 

   It isn't hard to have a sparkling pool. It may take a little elbow grease but is well worth it.

   Make sure to remove larger debris before you set the aquabot pool cleaners to work. Rotting debris cause cloudy water and increase algae growths.

7. 

   Don't forget to brush around pool fixtures and step edges. Hint vacumn pool steps first and any edges as that is where the dirt will accumulate the most

   At the end of season run a product through to increase filter efficiency. Check water balance at most pool stores for free.
   Don't feel dumb asking questions.

   We saved 80 bucks by not buying the special algae treatment for severe growth... persistence in repeating steps was necessary. Always double check instructions on label as they vary some between manufacturers.

   We also saved several hundred dollars in not replacing sand this
   year. We have sand filter. If yours is over 5 years old you may need to check into replacing the sand media... there is new stuff that is really efficient that goes with the sand. Check with your local pool store.

Tips & Warnings

• Take time to enjoy the pool after you have it in shape.

• Keep shock going 1-2x weekly if you have rain or storms.

• Check the filter for dead frogs etc.

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Resources

• How to REmove Gopher from Swimming Pool by me