Author: Trey Collier

About Trey Collier

Grew up as a Military Brat. (Thanks Dad. Hats off to my Mom too as it took a special person to be married to someone in the military) Was a competitive swimmer in high school and in college. 11 years a Red Cross Volunteer, teaching kids & adults how to swim. ARC Water Safety Instructor and WSI Trainer, CPR Instructor/Trainer and Advance First Aid Instructor. Proud Dad of two beautiful girls.

Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Balance Your Pool With Our Chemicals Chart

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Make sure that you maintain the ideal chemical levels for your pool. Swimming in a clean, balanced pool will ensure that you have the most enjoyable time. Follow the chart below to make sure that you have the right pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, and stabilizer levels or the right pool chemicals to get them there!

 

CHEMICAL IDEAL LEVEL TO RAISE TO LOWER
Chlorine

 

 2.0 Shock the pool Turn chlorinator down
pH

 

 7.4   Summer

7.8   Winter

 Add soda ash *Add muriatic acid (diluted)
Total Alkalinity

 

 80-100 ppm Add baking soda

(Sodium Bicarbonate)

 **Add muriatic acid
Calcium hardness

 

 250-500 ppm Add calcium chloride Drain pool and refill
Stabilizer

 

 20-50 ppm Add Cyanuric Acid Drain pool and refill

* Add acid by spreading around pool or pour into pool in front of return jet. Pool should be running when doing this so the acid spreads throughout the pool as rapidly as possible.

** Pour acid into a three to five foot circle in the deepest part of the pool while the pump is off.  Allow to set for at least 20 minutes before turning pump on.

Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool and Spa Maintenance

Alternative Media Helps Your Pool Filter Perfrom Better

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Swimming Pool Filter
If you have a sand or DE pool filter, it might be time to change your media. If it has been used for several years and your pool water quality seems to be decreasing, it might be time for new media. Using an alternative filter media is a great way to decrease the amount used and make sure that you are getting the best clean possible

For sand filter users, we offer two varieties of alternative media: Zeolite and VitroClean. Unlike traditional filter grade sand, which filters down to 40 microns, these alternatives each filter down to 3-10 microns. This will give you much more sanitized water. Zebobest brand Zeolite Filter Media offers 10 times great filtration that sand and lasts just as long. It is also a great option because it takes only 50 lbs. of Zeobest for every 100 lbs. of traditional sand that you would need. You can go longer between backwashes and the media is safe and effective. VitroClean is made of recycled, crushed glass. You only have to use 20% of the amount of sand needed for your filter. It lowers the consumption of chlorine and other chemicals and requires less frequent backwashing.

For DE filter users, Zeofiber is your best choice. Three pounds of Zeofiber replaces 25 pounds of DE powder and offers fabulous results, giving you the same level of clean as traditional DE. Also, DE has been shown to be hazardous to the environment, but Zeofiber is a safe and hazard free choice, which is 100% biodegradable.

If you need more info about why alternative filter media is a great option or what would be best for your pool, visit or call BackyardCityPools.com!

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Innovative Solutions, Pool and Spa Chemicals, Pool and Spa Equipment

Let Us Help You Choose The Perfect Salt Chlorine Generator for You!

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Salt Chlorine Generator
Salt water chlorinated pools offer many benefits over traditional chemicals. You will notice less irritation to hair, skin, eyes, and lungs with the gentle water of salt chlorine systems. BYCP currently offer two models. The guide below will help you determine which salt chlorine generator is right for you!

  • Aqua Rite Generator – The Aqua Rite system is fully automatic. It will work on plastic, vinyl, or fiberglass pools up to 40,000 gallons. It offers dual voltage. The LCD screen will track your chlorine output at the push of a button. You can increase or decrease your chlorine levels easily and there is even a button to automatically “shock” your pool with no added effort. The unit is easily installed on your pool’s return line, after the filter and heater. This generator offer a limited 3 year warranty.
  • Zodiac LM3 Generator – The Zodiac LM3 keeps your pool at a constant chlorine level. It offer self cleaning unit which frequently reverses polarity, practically eliminating calcium buildup on the cell. It has clear housing for super easy inspection. The touch panel controls have a memory feature that make setting it easy and a super chlorination feature for “shocking” the pool. The Zodiac is available for pools up to 40,000 gallons. It comes with a 3 year warranty on the cell and 1 year on parts and labor
Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool and Spa Maintenance

Pool Cleaners for Every Pool Type

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Ploaris Pool Cleaner
If you are looking for a new pool cleaner, Backyardcity Pools has a great collection. We carry the top brands at competitive prices. We have suction side cleaner which use the pool’s own suction, usually from the skimmer, to suck dirt and debris off the bottom of the pool. We also have pressure side cleaners, which use one of the water returns or a secondary booster pump’s return pressure to push the dirt and debris into a bag on the cleaner. These cleaners leave your pool’s skimmer free. Robotic cleaners are another option. These are “smart” cleaners that you program and put in the pool They are virtually maintenance free. We carry cleaners for above ground and in ground pools. We can help you find the exact cleaner that you need.

Environmentally Friendly Ideas, Pool and Spa Equipment, Pool and Spa Maintenance, Pool Opening

Heat Your Pool Quickly and Efficiently With Solar Covers

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Solar Pool Cover
Solar swimming pool covers are an inexpensive addition to your in or above ground pool that can make a large impact. Using a solar cover will warm your pool up to 15 degrees when used during the day and retain that heat (and stop chemical evaporation) when used at night. They float freely on the water’s surface with no tie downs, etc so they are easy to put on and take off. If you do need extra assistance to get the blanket on or off, solar cover reels are available. Swim earlier, swim longer, and swim more comfortably with a solar cover.