This Month's Advice
VISIT OUR STORES AT RUNAWAY BAY OR SOUTHPORT, OR CALL
5537 3341 FOR ON-SITE ASSISTANCE
SPECIAL OFFERS FROM 1 AUGUST TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2010
$100 Pool Cleaner Trade In. If your old pool cleaner is not keeping your pool clean, upgrade to the new BOLERO ND Pool Cleaner. Designed for the tough Australian environment the Bolero is made for long life and durability. Receive $100 trade in on your old pool cleaner if you purchase a new Bolero between 1 August and 30 September 2010. Normally $499.00. With trade-in $399.00. SAVE $100!!
Buy a new Filter and Upgrade from Sand to Crushed Glass for the same price. Your filter is the heart of a clean, healthy and sparkling pool. Typically sand is used to filter the water, however, a better, more environmentally friendly option is crushed glass. Glass will remove finer particles than sand and will use less water to backwash the filter. Buy a new HURLCON filter through to 30 September 2010 and you'll receive a FREE upgrade to VIRON GLASS MEDIA instead of sand.
Active Pool Supplies relocates Southport Shop to more accessible Location (17/5/10)
From 17 May 2010, we have relocated our Southport shop (which is also our Head Office and Warehouse). We have moved just around the corner to the Brickworks Annex on Warehouse Road. We found our previous location, whilst well exposed to vehicle traffic, was somewhat difficult to access due to the lack of a U turn lane at the Southport Park traffic lights. The new location is very convenient to The Brickworks on Ferry Road which includes Ferry Road Markets, Spendelove Bistro, Trade Secret and Freedom Furniture.
There is plenty of parking with direct access to the shopfront, whilst our large warehouse in the rear allows us to buy in bulk and pass on the savings to our customers. As always, friendly, genuine advice and speedy service is on hand from either Brett, Josh, Lorraine, Debbie or any of the other service technicians.
Breaking News (23/7/09)
The truck that broke down as it reversed into the Active Pool Supplies driveway at 153 Ferry Rd was not ours and it wasn't our fault! The truck belonged to the transport company (who shall remain nameless) that delivers the pallets of salt we use in customers' pools. We are very sorry about the traffic jam that resulted, however, rest assurred we did our best to move the truck and clear the busy road as soon as possible.
World Pool News
IT'S IN THE WATER! If the pool water feels a little warmer than normal then there could be good reason. A new national survey in the US found that 17% of American adults actually admit they pee in the pool. And nearly 8 in 10 adults are convinced that other swimmers are doing it, even if they don't own up to it themselves.
TEENS GOOGLE A POOL FOR A PARTY! Teenagers in Britain are using internet satellite images to locate outdoor swimming pools and meet up with buddies for late night dips and parties. The craze, known as dipping, involves people using pictures from Google Earth to identify homes that have large outdoor pools. Once a good pool is found, teenagers use facebook and Bebo to spread the word and meet up for impromptu swims and parties. Some homeowners have woken up to find youngsters using their pools.
MANDATORY SWIMMING LESSONS. Politicians in Charleston, US, are pushing for public schools to offer swimming lessons and force students to take those lessons in order to graduate from high school.
Previous Month's Advice -
Time to Start Thinking About Summer
Now that Spring is upon us it's time to ensure your pool's water chemistry is okay. If not, as soon as the weather heats up, it wont take long for algae to bloom in the warmer water. A little time and expense now could save you alot more money if the pool turns green and you need an algae treatment followed by a re-balance.
By the way, water restrictions are still suspended as at 4 September 2008 (see Last Month's Advice, below).
Previous Month's Advice -
Water Restrictions Suspended
The Queensland Water Commission has announced the temporary suspension of water restrictions on the Gold Coast commencing Saturday 9 February 2008. The suspension of water restrictions will occur until the Hinze Dam drops below 95%. Odd and even watering days do not apply. For the current level of the Hinze Dam, click here. As at 13 June 2008, restrictions remain suspended.
Residents are still encouraged to use water wisely by:
- Only watering between 4am and 8am, and 4pm and 8pm to reduce evaporation
- Keeping showers short
- Ensuring dishwashers and washing machines are full before use
- Installing water efficient devices and products
REMEMBER WATER IS A VALUABLE RESOURCE
With temporary suspension of water restrictions, residents will be able to:
- Wash vehicles and boats
- Wash homes and external surfaces such as drive ways and paved areas
- Water gardens and lawns
- Fill or partially fill new, existing and renovated swimming pools and spas
- Fill and top up rainwater tanks
- Fill children's play pools and water toys
Previous Month's Advice -
The Basics of a Healthy and Crystal Clear Pool
The secret to keeping your pool healthy and looking great is to ensure your water is effectively sanitised, balanced and filtered. What does this mean?
Sanitising your water means treating it with sanitising chemicals (most commonly chlorine) to prevent the growth of bacteria which can make swimmers sick. These bacteria can cause infections (ears, nose and throat) and other diseases. The primary source of bacteria are the swimmers' themselves. Other contributing factors are top up water, leaves, grass, dust, etc. Animals also contribute significantly to bacteria levels. But don’t worry! It is generally accepted that most harmful bacteria will be killed when exposed to the appropriate amount of “free chlorine residual”.
Most pools have a salt water chlorinator, which produces chlorine as the salt dissolved in the water passes across the chlorinator cell (it must be turned on, of course).
For the chlorine to work effectively, and for the pool and equipment to be maintained, the pool water needs to be balanced. In simple terms, the elements to be balanced are pH level, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness. These variables are interdependent, and changes to one will have an impact on the others. The pH level needs to be maintained in the correct range, so that the sanitiser (chlorine) can work effectively. If Total Alkalinity is not maintained correctly, the surface of the pool will erode and the pH level will be subject to large variations. Calcium Hardness is the amount of calcium dissolved in the water - too much will lead to scale formation on the pool and equipment, not enough will lead to corrosion.
Filtering the water is simply the process of sucking the water from the pool (the pool pump does this), which draws it through the skimmer basket, pump basket and then the filter (normally sand or cartridge) to remove debris, small particles, and dead bacteria. The filtered water is then returned to the pool via the eyeballs. To ensure effective filtering, the skimmer and pump baskets need to be periodically cleared of debris, and the filter needs to be cleaned.
Previous Month's Advice -
Here Comes The Rain Again!
It’s been great to see the rain lately, filling the dam and the swimming pools to overflowing. The rain, whilst overdue, brings with it its own set of headaches for pool owners. A top up is great, but when the pool overflows, or you have to keep emptying the water out, your chemicals are diluted and the water balance is lost. Although the heat is late coming this year, we are still in the middle of summer, and when the temperature hits the high thirties, water that isn’t balanced will go very green very quickly.
The other nasty that the rain brings is phosphate. Phosphate is basically organic matter in the water and this is what algae feeds on. Next time you fertilize the lawn, check the back of the bag and you will find that phosphate is a main ingredient used to make your lawn green. Unfortunately, it does the same for your pool. Phosphate comes from many sources; lawn and garden runoff into the pool, detergents used for cleaning, even ducks (or kids) who aren’t polite enough to get out of the pool to relieve themselves.
The other main source of phosphate we see is from runoff from house roofs into pools via downpipe diverters. The more responsible pool owners will know how much quicker the pool fills after a shower of rain with a downpipe diverter fitted, but there are some tips for making the most of your rain harvesting device. The better diverters, such as the “Lennie”, have a large outlet to take your 38mm pool vacuum hose, rather than a 12mm garden hose. This means you get more water into the pool quicker when we do get rain. The other important feature on the Lennie is the ability to be able to turn the diversion on and off. In dry weather, your roof collects dust, dirt and bird droppings, amongst other delightful things, so being able to leave the diverter switched to drain for the first ten minutes of rain allows the roof to wash itself clean before you start filling your pool.
Bring a water sample into one of Active Pool Supplies two convenient locations at Runaway Bay or Southport to have a free analysis, including a check for phosphate. Prevention is better (and cheaper) than any cure. Get in before the hot days arrive.
Previous Month's Advice -
Can I still top up my pool with town water?
“Yes, this has not changed under Level 6. Pool owners are still required to install a rainwater tank or downpipe diverter, as well as install 3 of the 4 water efficiency measures within the house”. I have cut this directly from the QLD Water Commission website. Nonetheless, the new Level 6 restrictions (effective 23 Nov) relating to excess water use will have an impact. Visit www.qwc.qld.gov.au for greater detail, and be aware we can supply and install downpipe diverters if needed.
Also, as detailed in the last issue, Active Pool Supplies and Zodiac have an offer whereby if you buy an automatic Baracuda (G2 or G4) Pool Cleaner, Zodiac will send you a free 400 micron pool blanket – 4.8m wide by up to 10m long. The only cost to you for the blanket is $29.95 postage and handling. A pool blanket is one of the 4 water efficiency measures, but be quick, this offer expires on 31 December.
Finally, the team here at Active Pool Supplies would like to wish all our customers a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. As a growing Gold Coast company, it’s important to say thankyou - To all our old customers, thanks for your continued patronage, and to all our new customers, thanks for coming on board.
Previous Month's Advice -
Buy a Pool Cleaner and Save Water with a Free Pool Blanket
This summer, Active Pool Supplies and Zodiac have an offer whereby if you buy an automatic Baracuda (G2 or G4) or Polaris Pool Cleaner, Zodiac will send you a free 400 micron pool blanket – 4.8m wide by up to 10m long. The only cost to you for the blanket is $29.95 postage and handling. So, keep the pool clean and save water at the same time.
As most Gold Coast pool owners know by now, the QLD Government recommends the use of a pool blanket to reduce water loss due to evaporation. Under the Government’s Watersaver Scheme, the use of a pool blanket is one of the three water efficiency measures that pool owners must adopt before they are permitted to use town water to top up a pool. A pool blanket will reduce water loss due to evaporation by up to 97%.
The use of a pool blanket as well as a downpipe water diverter (diverts rain water from the roof directly into the pool) in many cases will negate the need to use town water for the pool at all. It’s got to be the way to go.
To help get your pool ready for summer, drop in to either of our stores at Runaway Bay or Southport, or call Active Pool Supplies on 5537 3341.
Previous Month's Advice -
Looking After Your Pool
The trick with a pool is to maintain a healthy water balance, and to ensure the filtration equipment is functioning efficiently. This issue, we thought we'd simply run through the services we provide to help you look after the pool. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure (especially with water restrictions and the cost of water).
Onsite Pool & Spa Servicing - If you want to remove the hassle of looking after the pool yourself, then join our Regular Service Program and we'll visit on a regular basis and do it all for you. Alternatively, we can visit to help with one-off problems, or to explain how it all works and what you need to do to look after the pool yourself.
All Equipment, Chemicals and Accessories - A lot of customers bring in a water sample and we will perform a free chemical analysis and make recommendations accordingly. We routinely test the sanitiser level, pH, alkalinity, calcium, and phosphates. The results are kept on record for future reference. We stock a large range of pool chemicals and any accessories you might need.
If the filtration equipment is a problem, we stock a quality range of pumps, chlorinators, filters, cleaners, etc, and can perform installations at short notice (normally the next day).
Pool Renovations & Equipment Repairs - If the pool needs a facelift, we can organise new coping or installation of water features, lights, heaters, etc. If your filtration equipment is a problem, we can test it in our workshop and, where possible, carry out repairs to extend the life of the equipment.
In summary, anything to do with your pool, either visit or call Active Pool Supplies and we'll help out.
Previous Month's Advice -
Heating Your Pool for Winter
The cold weather has arrived and all but the Victorian tourists have finished swimming for the year. With a fair amount of money invested in your pool, it's a shame it remains unused during the colder months - unless you've installed Pool Heating to give you all round swimming.
Pool Heating comes in various forms, depending on the specifics of your pool, how much you want to spend, and what you are trying to achieve. For instance, the installation of Solar Heating is an energy efficient option that will keep running costs down, but is obviously dependent on the sun's heat. In general, Solar Heating will warm your pool and extend the swimming season by about six weeks at either end.
For those who would like warm water all year round, the installation of a heating system with a powered heat source, such as gas or electricity, will be required. Gas Heating is suitable when you want the pool heated quickly, great for spas, or when you only want to heat occasionally.
Electric heating comes in two different forms: Immersion Heaters - an element heats the water as it passes through the heater; or Heat Pumps - similar to a reverse cycle air conditioner. Heat pumps are the most efficient form of heater to run, being significantly cheaper on costs than Immersion or Gas Heaters, however they do take longer to heat the water.
Keep in mind that a pool blanket will heat the pool by up to 7 degrees C by itself, and will dramatically reduce running costs and increase the efficiency of any heater fitted. It will also reduce evaporation and the $200 Government Watersaver rebate applies.
As with all products, there are varying qualities and ranges available, so call in and see us at for the right advice for your pool or spa. Drop into our Runaway Bay store, or visit our new store at 153 Ferry Rd, Southport
Previous Month's Advice -
THE IMPACT ON POOL OWNERS OF LEVEL 5 WATER RESTRICTIONS
Level 5 Water Restrictions take effect on 10 April 2007.
Restriction No. 3.2 covers existing residential pools:
Prior to 1 July, pools are only able to be topped up using the town water supply between 4pm and 7pm on 3 days of the week (determined by your street number).**
After 1 July 2007, the same timing restrictions apply, however the following obligations apply:
-
A rainwater tank, or downpipe rainwater diverter (on sale at Active Pool Supplies for $49.50) is installed and used to top up the pool before using town water.
-
The premises must comply with 3 of 4 water efficiency measures:
- A swimming pool cover is used to cover the pool when the pool is not in use (call us for a quote)
- All showerheads and taps are water efficient
- All toilets are water efficient
- Only water efficient washing machines are used
Follow the link to view the detailed Level 5 Water Restrictions on the Gold Coast City Council Water Future website.
The Lenny Rainwater Downpipe Diverter
 
**Note: 2 April 2007 - Previously promulgated Draft Restrictions have been superceded. Top up times were amended from 2 days per week 4am-8am.
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