http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-newsWeekly Newsletter For Swim University VisitorsThu, 10 May 2012 10:27:29 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/67SxU/h/5_Ways_To_Make_Your_Pool_More.htm 5 Ways To Make Your Pool More Eco-Friendly in 2012 For those of you earth-friendly folks out there with swimming pools, I have good news! Going green doesn't just stop inside your home. You can take it to the backyard, and even your pool. Just about everyone nowadays is trying to find alternative methods to make themselves, and their homes, more eco-friendly and energy efficient. Not only are you helping the planet, you are also helping your wallet - and who could complain about that? It's 2012, and it's time to start thinking about converting your pool into a more eco-friendly oasis. Here are 5 ways to ensure that your pool will help save the planet and save you money. 1. Go Digital As Bob Dylan once sang, times, they are a changin'. He's right! You can change those old analog timers on your swimming pool to digital ones. That way, you can program your pool to run at certain times of the day, month, or even year! Also, you can program your pump to run at different hours of the day. Tip: Running your pump at night will help you save on your electric bill. Electric companies usually charge lower rates between 9pm and 9am. 2. Upgrade Your Pump Replace your old 1-speed pump with a new variable-speed pump. These pumps lower speeds that you can use to circulate the water. They are a little costly upfront, but they can save you up to 70% on your pump's electric bill within the first month! When you need to clean your pool with your automatic cleaner, or your manual vacuum, you can switch the pump to a normal speed. 3. Invest In A Solar Cover Solar covers are the most cost-effective way to save you money and to make your pool more eco-friendly. Solar covers look like a giant sheet of blue, black or silver bubble wrap that you float on top of the pool water. Not only do they help attract heat from the sun, but they also keep the heat from escaping your pool. It's like putting a lid on your coffee. They also reduce the amount of chemicals you'll use because they help slow down chemical loss from evaporation. Tip: If you have a gas or electric swimming pool heater, using a solar cover will help greatly reduce the cost of running it. You can heat up your pool with your heater and keep that heat contained with your solar cover. Additional Tip: You can improve your heater's performance by angling your return jets toward the bottom of the pool. Another Additional Tip: Look to invest in an automatic solar cover. You'll cover your pool a lot more if all you have to do is push a button. 4.Switch to a cartridge filter If you have a sand or D.E. pool filter, then you should know what backwashing is. Backwashing is the process of cleaning out your filter media. Water from your pool is flushed into your filter and out a backwash or waste outlet. A typical backwash should last about a minute or two, which causes you to waste a lot of water over time. Wasting all this water causes chemical loss and heat loss. Cartridge filters do not need to be backwashed! To clean them, simply open of the filter, take out the cartridge, and rinse it for a little with your garden hose. You'll stop wasting so much pool water and you'll stop killing the grass (if you backwash your filter onto the lawn with chlorinated water). 5. Buy An Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner You might be thinking, but I already have an automatic cleaner. If it's not robotic, it's not energy efficient. Automatic cleaners that are pressure-side cleaners (i.e. Polaris 380 or 65) or are suction-side cleaners (i.e. Kreepy Krauly) require the use of your pool pump. Even if you have a variable-speed pump, as mentioned before, you would still have to run it at full speed. Robotic pool cleaners (i.e. Aquabots) do not use your filter system to clean the pool. They are self-contained cleaning machines that run off of electricity (and a small amount of it). You can drop the cleaner into the pool, plug it into an outlet, and watch it go. The unit will cover the surface area of the pool systematically and efficiently, sucking up all the dirt and debris into a fine mesh bag held inside. Those fine mesh bags also filter and circulate the water while they move, so you don't have to run your pool pump while you're cleaning. Go Green! I hope these 5 tips will help you to improve the carbon footprint you swimming pool leaves behind everyday it's open. If we all do our part, perhaps we can make a difference in the world, or heck, at least do it for your bank account. For more information about pool and hot tub care, visit Swim University. Like Us On Facebook Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Like us on Facebook! We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with you, even outside our website. To like us, click the big Facebook icon. Follow Us On Twitter We tweet all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the big Twitter icon to follow us. © Swim University 2012Thu, 10 May 2012 10:27:29 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/5UYpk/h/Cruising_Through_Pool_Care_The.htm "Crusing Through Pool Care The Wise Way" Book Get your copy of Merry Wise's pool care book now! Available in paperback or downloadable e-book. "Anyone who's ever tried to make his or her way through a typical instruction manual knows humor and user-friendliness are usually in rare supply.....Wise's folksy manner has a way of simplifying what can be a rather dense subject matter." Aqua Magazine Get Yours Today! Like Us On Facebook Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Like us on Facebook! We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with you, even outside our website. To like us, click the big Facebook icon. Follow Us On Twitter We tweet all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the big Twitter icon to follow us. (c) Swim University 2012 Wed, 02 May 2012 17:24:49 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/OQmsE/h/Spring_Start_Up_Sale_2012.htm Spring Start-Up Sale It's almost that time of year again, so why not stock up now and save for this year's official swimming pool season? Get $10 off your order of $50 or more when you shopRIGHT NOW! Why shop with Swim University and In The Swim? Everyday Low Prices! More Supplies than Any Store! Over 3,500 items in stock and ready to ship! Free Shipping! One Day Delivery! (Look for the rocket ship icon on our website for next-day items) 30-Day Money Back Guarantee! Largest Direct Marketer in the industry, with over 25 years in business! Ultimate Pool Chemical Start-Up Kit - Up to 35,000 Gal. 25 lbs. Pool Chlorine Sticks Ecosavr Solar Fish Liquid Pool Solar Blanket 3-Pack Super Pool Shock 6 x 1 lb. bags Aquabot Jr. Wall Scrubber Robotic Pool Cleaner Pool Algaecide 60 Plus 1 qt. Like Us On Facebook Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Like us on Facebook! We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with you, even outside our website. To like us, click the big Facebook icon. FaceBook.com/SwimUniversity Follow Us On Twitter We tweet all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the big Twitter icon to follow us.Twitter.com/SwimUniversity © Swim University 2012Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:49:55 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/MvGkA/h/February_Deals_10_off_any.htm $10 off any order of $50 or more, for the entire month of February! It's almost that time of year again, so why not stock up now and save for this year's official swimming pool season? Get $10 off your order of $50 or more when you shopRIGHT NOW! Why shop with Swim University and In The Swim? Everyday Low Prices! More Supplies than Any Store! Over 3,500 items in stock and ready to ship! Free Shipping! (Standard handling fee of $8.99 to $10.99 applies) One Day Delivery! (Look for the rocket ship icon on our website for next-day items) 30-Day Money Back Guarantee! Largest Direct Marketer in the industry, with over 25 years in business! 3 Inch Pool Chlorine Tablets 50 lbs. Chlorine Pool Shock 24 x 1 lb. bags 1 Inch Pool Bromine Tablets 50 lbs. Like Us On Facebook Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Like us on Facebook! We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with you, even outside our website. To like us, click the big Facebook icon. Follow Us On Twitter We tweet all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the big Twitter icon to follow us. © Swim University 2012Sat, 25 Feb 2012 17:32:13 -0500http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/O3sXM/h/Pool_Spa_Newsletter.htm Alice Cunningham of Olympic Hot Tubs [INTERVIEW] I had the chance to interview Alice Cunningham of Olympic Hot Tubs. Alice Cunningham, the founder and co-owner of Olympic Hot Tub, has built one of the most successful and award-winning hot tub retail operations in the United States. Read more... NEW! Swim University 3.0 Tour [VIDEO] In 2007, we officially launched Swim University with a goal of providing pool and hot tub care, maintenance, and tips that was easily digestible for the average owner. Whether they were newbies or veterans. Our original design was a static site. Each page was created from scratch and we had hundreds of pages to work with. It was primitive to say the least. In 2009 we did a major overhaul to the site and made...Read More Read more... Hot Tub Draining And Filling 101 Many hot tub and spa owners try to avoid draining their hot tub as much as possible, as this is the biggest maintenance item that you will need to do over and above the chemical maintenance of the water. This is especially true during the winter months, when the draining process is the most inconvenient. Change Your Spa Water Often It is recommended that you change the water in your spa every 3 months or...Read More Read more... Winter Swimming Is Good For You? [PHOTOS] Crazy or awesome? Some would go as far as saying this is down right dangerous!!! I remember when I was younger. My mom would flip out if I went outside in the cold air with a wet head after taking a shower. Not to mention what happened to George Bailey's kid brother in "It's a Wonderful Life." He had hearing problems ever since. But some would argue that swimming in the winter, in freezing cold...Read More Read more... The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Swimming Pool Maintenance Company More and more homeowners today with a swimming pool in their backyard are considering outsourcing the pool maintenance to a professional swimming pool service company. Here are some of the pros and cons in making this decision. The PROS of Hiring a Pool Maintenance Company Save Time What is your time worth? Having your pool maintained by a swimming pool service company can be a fairly sizable time saver. Let’s do the math. Pool Cleaning:...Read More Read more... Follow Us On Twitter Swim University tweets all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the Twitter button below to follow us Become of Fan of Swim U Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Become a fan of Swim University on Facebook. We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with our visitors even outside our website. To become a fan, click the Facebook button below: Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool Care and Hot Tub Care Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:17:54 -0500http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/69hcM/h/Pool_Spa_Newsletter.htm Hot Tub in Hot Weather to Stay Cool! Hot tub in hot weather to stay cool? Sounds like wacky advice found on the internet, doesn’t it? If your inclination is to stay out of the hot tub in hot, hot weather, read on. Read more... All About Replacing Above Ground Pool Liners We love do-it-yourself guides when it comes to swimming pools. Check out Dave Mispilkin's ultimate guide to installing and caring for your own above ground pool liner. Read more... Pool Pillows: Purpose, Process and Placement The purpose of a pool pillow, or the technical name of “ice compensator”, is to compensate for the accumulation of rain, snow and ice over the winter months which will inevitably build up over time. Read more... HTH® Pool Care Makes Quite a Splash in Social Media One of the reasons people love their pools is they provide natural places to socialize and connect with family and friends. Read more... 5 Ways to Ensure Success with your Next Pool Party When planning a pool party for friends and neighbors, spending a bit of time prior to the event will increase the overall enjoyment all guests experience while at your home. Read more... Follow Us On Twitter Swim University tweets all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the Twitter button below to follow us Become of Fan of Swim U Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Become a fan of Swim University on Facebook. We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with our visitors even outside our website. To become a fan, click the Facebook button below: Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool Care and Hot Tub Care Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:32:46 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/OAxdY/h/Closing_Time_10_off_any_order.htm September Pool Closing Specials! The weather is getting cooler and that means it's time to close up your swimming pool. I know it's sad to say, but we gotta do it. The good news is we have some really awesome deals to help you whisk away your summer blues and prepare for the colder weather. Remember that Swim University is here to help! Why shop with Swim University and In The Swim? Everyday Low Prices! More Supplies than Any Store! Over 3,500 items in stock and ready to ship! Free Shipping! (Standard handling fee of $8.99 to $10.99 applies) One Day Delivery! (Look for the rocket ship icon on our website for next-day items) 30-Day Money Back Guarantee! Largest Direct Marketer in the industry, with over 25 years in business! 10-Year 12 x 20 Rectangle Pool Winter Cover 12-Year 12 x 20 Rectangle Pool Winter Cover 16-Year 12 x 20 Rectangle Pool Winter Cover $41.99 $59.99 $82.99 10-Year 12 ft Round Pool Winter Cover 12-Year 12 ft Round Pool Winter Cover 16-Year 12 ft Round Pool Winter Cover $29.99 $34.99 $49.99 Swimming Pool Closing Chemicals - Up to 7500 Gal. Winterizing Kit Winter Pool Cover Air Pillows - 4 ft. x 8 ft. 8-ft. Double Water Tubes Weights for IG Pool Covers $19.99 $14.49 $5.29 Follow Us On Twitter Swim University tweets all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the Twitter button below to follow us Become of Fan of Swim U Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Become a fan of Swim University on Facebook. We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with our visitors even outside our website. To become a fan, click the Facebook button below: Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool Care and Hot Tub CareThu, 22 Sep 2011 10:03:02 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/JrOEE/h/Pool_Spa_Newsletter.htm Weekend Outlook: The Temperature is Too Damn High! You know what's great about the summer time? Swimming Pools! You know what sucks about the summer time? It's too damn hot! Most of our [...] Read more... What Is Your Favorite Jump Into A Swimming Pool [POLL] We all love jumping into a refreshing swimming pool on a hot summer day. What is your favorite way to jump into a swimming pool? Take our poll and add your own! Read more... What Is Cyanuric Acid or Chlorine Stabilizer? Most pool owners add this to their swimming pool every year, but do you REALLY know what it is and what it does? Read more... How To Get Rid Of Water Bugs In Your Swimming Pool I hope this helps you get rid of those nasty pests that can ruin any pool time experience. As for in-laws, I don't have a solution yet. Read more... The Difference Between Clarifier and Flocculant We explain the difference between pool clarifiers and flocculants and let you know when to use and how to use each one. Read more... Follow Us On Twitter Swim University tweets all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the Twitter button below to follow us Become of Fan of Swim U Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Become a fan of Swim University on Facebook. We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with our visitors even outside our website. To become a fan, click the Facebook button below: Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool Care and Hot Tub Care Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:31:24 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/DbFBU/h/How_To_Get_Rid_Of_Water_Bugs_In.htm How To Get Rid Of Water Bugs In Your Swimming Pool First, we must start off by asking... What Are Water Bugs? There are two types of water bugs: Water Boatmen: these are oval looking bugs. They eat algae, other water micro organisms and mosquito larvae. They are gross, but they do not bite. They breath air, so they can be drowned. They can also fly and tend to lay eggs in pool algae. Backswimmers: these are a little more common in my experience. They are thin and they breath air, so they surface at lot and skim across the water. They eat other bugs like water boatmen and beetles. These bugs BITE, so be careful... oh, and they're gross too. They all are! They also fly and lay eggs in pool algae just like water boatmen. (When I was a kid we use to call one of these bugs: skimmer bugs, but I'm not sure which) So... How Do You Get Rid Of These Water Bugs? In order to kill these aquatic pests, you must take away their food supply. We know that water boatmen eat algae and backswimmers eat water boatmen. So, we need to start by getting rid of the pool algae, and in order to do that, we must shock! For this purpose, I would recommend double shocking your pool. That means for every 10,000 gallons of water your pool holds, you'll be adding 2 (1 lb.) bags of chlorine shock (calcium hypochlorite). Shock must always be added at dusk or night time to prevent the sun from burning it off too quickly. After you successfully shock your pool, take your pool brush and scrub down the walls and floor of your pool. This will loosen up any algae that has been growing and release it into the water so that the chlorine shock has a better chance of killing it. Note: Even if you don't think you have algae, do this anyway just to be sure. Sometimes you might have growth spurts so small that you don't even see them. The goal here is to get rid of the food supply for the water boatmen. Without the water boatmen, the backswimmers will have nothing to eat and will start finding other places to feed. After you have shocked the pool, got your chlorine up and have been running your pool, make sure you get rid of all the bugs remaining. Since the bugs need air to survive you can use this trick to kill them once they are out of your pool... How Do You KILL These Bugs? Get a bucket (with a lid preferably) of pool water and pour oil in it. You can use standard cooking oil. Since oil and water don't mix (duh), the oil will float to the surface. Skim out the bugs from your pool, using your pool skimmer, and put them in the oil bucket. Close it up and wait for them to die. Sounds like torture I know, but it will get rid of them. The less bugs, the less chances more bugs will come. In conclusion To be honest with you, I had a really hard time writing this post because bugs are gross (I think I mentioned that before). They make my skin tingle and it's been tingling the whole time. I hope this helps you get rid of those nasty pests that can ruin any pool time experience. As for in-laws, I don't have a solution yet. For more information like this, visit our blog at Swim University Blog! Follow Us On Twitter Swim University tweets all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the Twitter button below to follow us Become of Fan of Swim U Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Become a fan of Swim University on Facebook. We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with our visitors even outside our website. To become a fan, click the Facebook button below: Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool Care and Hot Tub CareFri, 22 Jul 2011 16:54:14 -0400http://archive.aweber.com/swimu-news/1tTdA/h/Pool_Spa_Newsletter.htm Protect Your Solar Heat All Season As swimming pools begin to open for the season, there is one thought on everyone's mind: what is the best way to heat up a pool's water for the least amount of time and money. Read more... Cool Product: Pool Advisor App Last summer we were having a pool put in, and as it was nearing completion, I was thinking of how I should keep track of [...] Read more... The Perfect Pool Temperature The perfect pool temperature is really up to you, but if you want a scientific answer, check out this post about swimming pool temps. Read more... Today Is Earth Day: Let’s Do Something! Let's make the earth a better place to live by each doing our part. If we all work together, we can make it safe. Read more... Martha Stewart Radio Interview – May 2011 This morning I had the honor, once again, to be interview on Martha Stewart Radio's Morning Living Show. Read more... Follow Us On Twitter Swim University tweets all the time! We constantly provide our followers with pool care tips and hot tub care information. If you have a Twitter account, just click the Twitter button below to follow us Become of Fan of Swim U Do you have a Facebook account (let's face it, who doesn't)? Become a fan of Swim University on Facebook. We are constantly updating our page with new articles, videos, blog posts and we would love to interact with our visitors even outside our website. To become a fan, click the Facebook button below: Swim University | The Ultimate Guide to Pool Care and Hot Tub Care Wed, 18 May 2011 20:32:10 -0400