Pool and Spa Supplies Frequently Asked Questions

Click on each question to link down to the answers.

1. What brands do you carry?
2. How do I know what chemicals need to be added?
3. How often do I need to test my water?
4. I already have hard water. Why do I have to add calcium hardness increaser?
5. Why should I worry about the pH and alkalinity? Isn't the sanitizer enough?
6. What kinds of maintainance equipment do you carry?
7. Do you offer chemical and maintainance services?
8. What is a bigaunide?

Answers

1. What brands do you carry?
We carry several sanitizing lines including Poolife, Pool Breeze, Baquacil, Brilliance, Baqua Spa, Nature 2, Spa Frog, Carefree Spa, and Leisure Time. If there's something you're used to using and don't see it in our store, just ask. We'd be happy to see if we can get it for you.
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2. How do I know what chemicals need to be added?
Let us test your water for you using our Pinpoint Water System. Just bring in a small water sample (about 8oz) in a clean container. We will need to know how many gallons of water your tub/pool holds and what you are using as a sanitizer (chlorine, bromine, biguanide, etc.). You will receive a customized printout that tells you exactly which chemicals and in what quantities need to be added. The test and the advice are always free.
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3. How often do I need to test my water?
General rule of thumb is once per week. If you are making changes to your sanitizer, frequency of use, or correcting an imbalance, you may need to test daily until the water has balanced.
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4. I already have hard water. Why do I have to add calcium hardness increaser?
Generally, even the hardest water still doesn't contain enough calcium for your pool or hot tub. Water with low calcium hardness becomes aggressive and tries to obtain more by dissolving it from plaster, concrete, grout, liners, plumbing, and other contact sources. On the other hand, water with high calcium hardness will be cloudy, and you may experience rough and scaly surfaces, clogged filters and piping, and inefficient heating. Checking your calcium hardness levels should be a regular part of your weekly testing schedule.
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5. Why should I worry about the pH and alkalinity? Isn't the sanitizer enough?
While there are many reasons to be concerned about the pH and alkalinity, there are few major ones. Low pH and alkalinity causes corrosion to your equipment, liners, and concrete, and can also cause major skin and eye irritation to bathers. If pH and alkalinity climb too high, crusty deposits may form on contact surfaces and your sanitizer will actually lose its ability to kill bacteria. You should test your pH and alkalinity at least once per week, adjusting as necessary.
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6. What kinds of maintainance equipment do you carry?
We carry all the basics, like skimmer nets, brushes, poles, and vacuum heads in stock. If you need something special, we'd be happy to order it for you.
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7. Do you offer chemical and maintainance services?
We do offer routine and technical service. Contact our office for rates and scheduling.
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8. What is a bigaunide?
Biguanides, pronounced BY-GWAN-EYEDS, are a non-chlorine sanitizer unaffected by heat or sunlight, so they don't burn off quickly in hot weather or hot water. The biguanide works by cutting off the nutrition supply for bacteria and other organic matter so that it dies. The residual is burned off by using a shock/oxidizer, a bleaching agent that you know as hydrogen peroxide. Bigaunides are a great alternative for people particularly sensitive to chlorine or bromine.
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