Alex - SanantonioPoolCleaner

What Happens If You Swim In A Shocked Pool ?

12 September 2023 by Alex

Many of my clients Ask me about “What Happens If You Swim In A Shocked Pool” so i though i must be share my knowledge with you guys.

The ideal sanctuary for a cool dip on the hottest day of the year is a dazzling, spotless pool. However, skimming leaves and other debris isn’t enough to keep a pool in perfect condition. The vital process of shocking the pool is a part of routine pool maintenance.

Pool shock, often referred to as super chlorination, entails giving a powerful chlorine dose to the water to remove impurities and keep water quality at its highest level. Even while pool shock is necessary for pool cleanliness, swimming in a shocked pool can be harmful to your health.

We will go over what pool shock is, why it’s important, how to get back in the water after it’s been shocked, and any possible negative effects of swimming in a shocked pool in this extensive tutorial.

What is pool Shock?

Pool shock is the technique of rapidly increasing the chlorine levels in the water by introducing a big dosage of chlorine or another pool sanitizer. By removing bacteria, algae, and other impurities that would make the pool water unfit for swimming.

This increased chlorine concentration helps to keep the pool clean. typically, pool shock involves the use of granular chlorine or chlorine shock solutions created especially for this use.

Why do we need to shock the pool?

For a number of reasons, shocking the pool is an essential part of pool care.

Pool shock effectively sanitizes water by destroying bacteria and algae that can grow in pools and provide a health risk.
Removal of Organic Waste: This stops water from becoming cloudy and foul-smelling by decomposing and getting rid of organic impurities like sweat, urine, and leaves that might have gotten into the pool.
Pool shock removes contaminants and prevents the development of hazy water, helping to preserve crystal-clear water.
Preventing Chloramine Buildup: Consistent shocking lessens the accumulation of chloramines, which can irritate the skin and eyes and emit a disagreeable chlorine odor.

What is the rule to Getting Back into the Pool after Shocking it?

The following guidelines must be followed after receiving pool shock treatment in order to protect swimmers:

Continue till the levels of chlorine have fallen into a safe range to allow for proper dissipation. Usually, this means watching for the free chlorine concentrations to rise to between 1-3 parts per million (ppm).
Use a pool testing kit to test the water frequently to keep track of the chlorine levels. Before authorizing swimming, make sure that the readings are inside the recommended range.
Maintain Proper Circulation: Turn on the pool’s filtration and circulation equipment to assist in evenly distributing the chlorine.

Why should we wait?

To make sure the water in the pool is safe for swimmers, you must wait. High amounts of chlorine in a pool can have negative consequences on both well-being and enjoyment, including:

High chlorine concentrations can dry out, itch, and irritate the skin.
Eye Issues: Swimming in overly chlorinated water can cause stinging and irritated eyes.
Discoloration of Clothes: Too much chlorine can bleach and discolor garments and swimwear.

What Happens If You Swim In A Shocked Pool

How Do I Know My Pool Is Safe to Swim In?

After shocking your pool, use the following procedures to verify whether it is safe to swim in:

Using a swimming-pool testing kit to check the water’s chlorine content on a regular basis. Make that the amounts of free chlorine are within the suggested range.

Verify Water Clarity: A clear pool indicates a balanced chemistry. Water that is muddy or cloudy could be problematic.

Check the swimming pool’s pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels to make sure they are within the ideal ranges for swimmer comfort.

Note:- the precautions are really important, as mentioned later, if the precautions aren’t followed they can lead to several different problems that will be discussed after this, such follow problems include:-

Skin irritation
Eye issues
Clothing discoloration.
Several different health issues such as chlorine poisoning and problems in breathing, some of which can be shown to be really problematic.

What Happens If You Swim In A Shocked Pool

High chlorine levels in swimming pools can cause a number of health problems, such as:

Skin irritation: Increased chlorine levels can irritate the skin, resulting in lack of moisture, itching, redness, and occasionally rashes. People with sensitive skin may feel particularly uncomfortable after being exposed to high chlorine levels for an extended period of time.
Eye issues: Chlorine eye irritation can result in stinging, burning, and redness of the eyes. In a pool that has just been shocked, swimmers could endure discomfort and blurred vision while opening their eyes underwater.
Clothing Discoloration: Swimwear and apparel can become discolored as a result of exposure to excessive chlorine concentrations. The aesthetic and durability of swimsuits may be compromised by fading or the development of white patches.

Ask About CELEBS

What Happens if You Swim in a Pool With Too Much Chlorine?

In addition to being uncomfortable, swimming in a swimming pool with an excessive amount of chlorine can be dangerous to your health.

Chlorine Poisoning: Taking in or breathing in excessive amounts of chlorine can cause chlorine poisoning, which is characterized by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness.
Digestive Issues: Consuming pool water with a lot of chlorine can make you feel sick to your stomach, give you cramps, and create other digestive problems.
Issues Breathing: Exposure to chlorine gas or chloramine fumes may inflame the respiratory system, causing coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. They can result from inhaling high concentrations of chlorine gas close to the pool’s surface or from dispersed water droplets. People who have asthma may be especially at risk.

If you swim in a shocked pool what should you do now?

It’s critical to respond right away if you or somebody you know mistakenly swam in a swimming pool that had just been shocked with too much chlorine:

Leave the Pool: To limit future exposure, leave the pool right away.
Rinse Off: Take a shower or thoroughly rinse your hair and skin with clean water to get rid of any chlorine that may still be present.
Consult a Doctor Right Away: Consult a doctor right away if symptoms such as chlorine poisoning, acute skin or eye irritability, or breathing problems continue.
Rinse Mouth and Eyes: For at least 15 minutes, rinse the mouth and eyes with lots of fresh water if chlorine was introduced in contact with them.
Test the water in the pool: to make sure the levels of chlorine are inside the safe limit. Before you start swimming again, if required, change the water’s chemistry to get it back to a safe state.

Conclusion

Proper pool upkeep, which occasionally includes making use of pool shock treatments, is necessary to maintain a pleasant and secure swimming experience. The safety of swimmers depends on their knowledge of the value of pool shock, the regulations for properly returning to the pool following treatment, and the potential repercussions of swimming in a shocked pool. Pool owners may make arrangements to ensure their pool stays a cool haven for safety during the sweltering summer months by adhering to these rules.

Does Baking Soda Increase Calcium Hardness |Deeply Discuss

18 September 20239 September 2023 by Alex

If you are finding the answer of Does baking soda increase calcium hardness ? then yes you are in the right place here i discuss all about calcium hardness and Bust the myth about baking soda.

To maintain the water’s purity and a secure swimming environment, you must keep your swimming pool’s chemical balance in the ideal range. Calcium hardness and pH levels are two important considerations.

In this post, we’ll look at the appropriate pH range for calcium hardness, the reasons why baking soda won’t increase calcium hardness, how to utilize it effectively in pool chemistry, and its role in maintaining pH.

We’ll also discuss the reasons why some individuals advise using baking soda to reduce calcium hardness and offer some concluding remarks. pH level for calcium hardness that is ideal.

Does Baking Soda Increase Calcium Hardness?

Prior to discussing baking soda’s function, it is critical to comprehend the perfect pH range for calcium hardness. The amount of calcium ions present in the water of your pool is referred to as calcium hardness.

In general, a swimming pool’s calcium hardness should be between 200 and 400 parts per million (ppm). Your pool’s water won’t be either too soft or too harsh with this range. Pool water should have a pH between 7.2 and 7.8, which is the ideal range.

The efficiency of your pool’s chemicals, especially calcium hardness, can directly be impacted by maintaining the proper pH level. As pH level is important for water balance, this will maintain balance in the water which will prevent you from facing several different problems such as cloudy water etc.

Why baking soda is not effective for increasing Calcium hardness?

Sodium bicarbonate, sometimes known as baking soda, is frequently recommended as a treatment for lowering the calcium hardness of pool water. It’s important to make clear that baking soda serves largely as a pH buffer instead of a calcium hardness booster.

By infusing calcium chloride or calcium chloride dihydrate to the swimming pool water, you can raise the calcium hardness. On the other side, baking soda increases pH. This does not directly raise calcium hardness levels, but it may have an indirect effect by keeping the water from turning overly acidic, which can cause calcium to seep from pool surfaces. Consequently, it is ineffective to remedy poor calcium hardness by merely using baking soda.

Does baking soda help to maintain the pH level?

A constant pH level in your pool may be maintained with the help of baking soda, which is a great pH buffer. Baking soda works as a pH stabilizer by preventing sudden pH changes in the water of your swimming pool. This makes it a crucial tool for preventing pH changes that may happen as a result of many things, like rainwater, swimmers’ activity, and the usage of chlorine.

The effectiveness of chlorine treatment, the transparency of the water, and the general comfort of swimmers are all impacted by proper pH control. Baking soda aids in maintaining the pH within the safe and balanced range of 7.2 to 7.8 for swimming pools.

How to use Baking Soda in Pool Chemistry?

It’s really easy to include baking soda into the chemistry of your pool. Here is a detailed instruction:

Check the Water: Using a reputable pH test kit, start by determining the pH level of the water in your pool.
Establish the necessary sum: Calculate how much baking soda is required to change the pH. The size and pH level of your pool will determine this. For detailed dosing recommendations, check the product package or ask a pool expert for advice.
Baking Soda Addition: Gradually pour a sufficient quantity of baking soda into your pool. Before adding baking soda to the pool, it is preferable to first dissolve it in a pail of water. This helps to guarantee uniform dispersion and the avoidance of cloudiness.
Turn on the circulation system in your pool to help the baking soda be distributed evenly throughout the water.
Test again and make any necessary adjustments after waiting a couple of hours or an entire night. If necessary, carry out the procedure again until the pH reaches the acceptable level.

Why people recommend baking soda for calcium hardness

Due to baking soda’s capacity to maintain pH levels, it is a common myth that it can enhance calcium hardness in swimming pools. The rusting of pool surfaces and machinery, which could allow calcium into the water, is prevented when the pH is properly maintained within the advised range. Baking soda can thereby promote the stability of calcium hardness by indirectly preventing calcium loss.

Furthermore, baking soda is inexpensive, simple to use, and widely accessible, thus making it a popular option for pool owners seeking to regulate pH levels without the use of more specialized chemicals.

Final Thoughts

still if the question raising in your mind that “Does Baking Soda Increase Calcium Hardness” here is my last answer. baking soda is not a useful technique for boosting calcium hardness even though it is essential for balancing the pH levels in the water in your pool. The use of calcium chloride or calcium chloride dihydrate should be reserved for treating calcium hardness.

To maintain the strength of your pool’s surfaces, guarantee water purity, and provide a comfortable swimming experience, regular monitoring of the two calcium hardness and pH levels is necessary.

Keep in mind that pool chemistry may be tricky, so it’s best to test your water frequently and get help from experts when you need it. Understanding the many functions of chemicals like calcium chloride and baking soda will help you have a healthy and pleasurable swimming pool all season long.

FAQs

WHAT CHEMICALS CAUSE HARDNESS IN WATER?

The quantity of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water’s surface is a straightforward definition of water hardness. Calcium and magnesium make up a major portion of the dissolved minerals in hard water. When the last time you cleansed your hands, you might have actually experienced hard water’s effects.

WHAT IS CALCIUM CHLORIDE HARDNESS INCREASER?

The calcium hardness levels in public and private swimming pools and spas will be raised using calcium chloride (dry granules), also referred to as calcium hardness increase.

WHAT CHEMICAL REDUCES CALCIUM HARDNESS?

Insert a flocculant :
Swimming pools with water hardness that is much higher than 400 ppm may benefit from the use of a flocculant prior to draining and replenishing the water.

Stonescapes tropics blue vs Midnight blue (With Pictures & Videos)

29 September 20238 September 2023 by Alex

Are you currently in the middle of your new pool build and are having the good old problem everyone seems to have picking out the interior color.

Thinking to go with the Stonescapes Mini Pebble, but are having a hard time deciding between Tropics Blue or Midnight Blue. And you are certainly having a rough time finding any pics of the Tropics period?

So here I am Alex, working in this industry for 20 years, to help you out to find the difference between these two and make you choose for yourself to go with what..

The ideal addition to heighten the splendor of your retreat would be a Stonescapes Mini Pebble pool finish. They not only offer some of the smoothest surfaces attainable for an in-ground pool but are also rather durable.

What Makes Stonescapes Tropics Blue vs Midnight Blue Different?

A finish as durable as Stonescapes’ micro pebble is certain to spark interest and popularity among the general public. They are a simple choice for people when choosing between finishes. We only wish that choosing micro pebbles as the final product was the end of the story.

Instead, from the wide range of available alternatives, you must choose a particular tiny pebble finish with a certain texture and color. When the alternatives are as similar to one another as Midnight Blue and the Tropics Blue are, making this decision may become challenging.

Due to their striking similarity, these two colors are among the most popular and frequently the most perplexing. There are some significant distinctions, though, that might influence your choice. However, we think this will be a difficult game.

The Appearance of Water

It can be challenging to distinguish between Tropics Blue and Midnight Blue finishes because they both have a dark blue hue to them. But there is one.

In order to maintain its darker tone, midnight blue can also deviate away from a pure dark blue and lean more into a dark blue/green hue. The environment around the end point, lighting, and the pool’s depth are the main factors that influence this shift. The color of midnight blue may also appear “richer” and darker to you.

In contrast, the Tropics blue was perhaps a little paler. The majority of the time, the water color is what makes the decision. Rich bluish tone of Midnight Blue can be both a curse and a blessing for it.

If your pool has the aforementioned finish as opposed to the tropics blue, it is far more difficult for one to peer through the bottom. The primary reason why many individuals opted for tropical blue instead of its former, deeper-toned companion is that it improves vision.

Overall, both of these blue tones are considerably darker than each other. If you like a lighter shade, it would be best to choose either Aqua White or Aqua Blue. To learn more about these two colors, read our comparison of Aqua Blue Vs. Aqua White.

Looks and Aesthetics

Midnight Blue is generally the crowd favorite when it comes to pool aesthetics as a whole. Tropics Blue is a close competition, though we’d be lying to pretend it isn’t.

Both colors are adored virtually equally, with only minor differences. White Portland cement that has been dyed a dark blue pigment, along with white, gold, and pure quartz aggregates, are what give The Tropics Blue its stunning appearance. A strange assemblage of abalone shells and coloured quartz highlights can also be seen in it.

As its name suggests, Tropic Blue has a tropical atmosphere. It has the visual appeal to transport you back to the beaches of the Caribbean. Check it out for yourself!

Quartz pebble aggregates in shades of white, gold, and black make up the StoneScapes Midnight Blue pool finish. The most crucial component of the formula, midnight blue-tinted white Portland cement, is blended with a concentrated amount of coloured quartz highlights.

Natural materials provide an ethereal natural appeal to each of the finishes, and both of these tones have colors and tints that reflect those of those materials. You must choose what appeals to you more, although I choose the Midnight Blue color in its deeper, punchier hue.

Tropics Blue Video

DJ SkaDre

Midnight Blue Video

Sergio’s Pool Services Inc

Touch to Feel

Mini pebbles from StoneScapes are typically made to have a smoother feel. They can only enhance your experience, thus.

Even though this is a fairly generic remark, the Midnight Blue typically performs better in this area compared to the Tropics Blue. Just the smashed shells alone account for this potential superiority.

Despite the fact that Tropics Blue shares the same feature as Midnight Blue, the smoothness it provides differs due to the greater amount of crushed heels utilized to produce the lighter shade.

Costs and Prices

In general, Mini Pebble finishes are a little more expensive than other finishes. Additionally, the cost of labour in the area as well as the size and location of the pool will all be factors in the price that is provided to you.

You may have to pay anything from $3,000 to $6,000, to give you an idea. Although it can also go up to $10,000, this price is only a rough estimate.

Durability

These two of StoneScapes’ most well-known finishes are nearly equally resilient and are among the company’s most popular. Additionally, these finishes are much more robust than the typical pool surface.

Both of them were made from top-notch materials, many of which were obtained from nature and had the strength to go along with them. Unlike other finishes, pebble finishes can endure for a very long period while still looking magnificent.

They may be likely to last you for 15 to 20 years while enduring the wear, etching, and staining caused by the pool. Tropics Blue has fragmented shells lined up inside, which is a positive. This enhancement highlights the pebble finish’s shine even more.

Midnight Blue, however, is an exception to the rule. As a result, they might not have the vibrant lustre that Tropics Blue does. You are probably more comfortable not worrying about the longevity side of things since both of these coatings have been created using an aesthetically pleasing yet sturdy and long-lasting blend of materials.

Which Is Better in the End?

One of the most common colors in Stonescapes’ rainbow of finishes is midnight, followed by tropical blue. Both of them are capable of giving your pool its distinctive smoothness and extending the time during which you won’t have to bother about the finishes.

As a result, the problem usually becomes a matter of taste and occasionally even “temperature”. For myself, I like bright colors in almost everything, therefore the Midnight Blue gloss is my favourite. The alternative is entirely up to you. Although, the most important thing in making a decision like this is knowing what you want,

you may want a certain type of look that might not be provided by the other one, so at the end of the day it all comes down to your own enthusiasm, and what you might want, the midnight blue might go deeply well with the entire brutalism design and tropical blue looks amazing in a different type of design of the pool, tropical blue would be absolutely amazing if you are trying to go for a Caribbean look,

many people deeply enjoy the visual please provided by the Caribbean look, while others might really feel the entire New York Penthouse look, midnight blue really looks blends in with simpler designs with minimal amount of colors, while the tropical blue on the other hand will really pop if there are other bright colors to go with it such as the greenery of plants or fake trees, or a maximalist design filled with different colors, which would really bring life into it,

but as I said, what you pick also depends on how you want your pool to look like, always make sure to know what kind of design you want before making any decision to prevent any kind of regrets in the future.

Contrary to what a lot of individuals have been persuaded to believe, there aren’t any significant variances in temperature. With midnight blue, it gets harder to discern the bottom the darker you choose the tone to be.

Tropics Blue almost never has this issue because the foot of the pool is perpetually visible through the transparent water. On the other hand, it is impossible to contest Midnight Blue’s ethereal sensations. I completely think that Midnight Blue has an intriguing aura about it, which is why so many people choose it.

What is the best things to put under above ground pool legs?

12 September 20238 September 2023 by Alex

If you are here then you might be facing a problem that your intex pool legs are sinking into the ground and you are looking for the right solution. Here I’m gonna share some best things to put under above ground pool legs.

Intex pools sometimes become stressful to set up because of not having a proper and solid surface to set up. But there are many solutions for this issue like putting some strong material under above ground pool legs.

In this article i am sharing some experience which i faced during the installation of intex pool. Also share some important tips that help you alot.

If you are confused where you can buy these materials and how many blocks you need to put under the pool legs ? i also cover this point.

So sit back, grab your coffee and let’s dive into it.

Why should we place them under the pool legs?

After some time in the new pool, due to the non-solidity of the ground and repeated water falling on it, the ground of the leg of the pool does not remain solid and the leg of the pool starts sinking into the ground, due to which the pool can be damaged in many ways. for deeply details you can visit our post which is about Intex Po ol Legs Not Straight

Best things to put under above ground pool legs.

In my opinion Thick pavers are the best thing to put under above ground pool legs. Pavers are made from a mixture of cements, sand and aggregates. That provides a hard surface helps to level out your pool and prevent sinking . it equally distributes the weight of the pool by providing extra support for the pool legs.

This can also help to protect the pool liner layer from rubbing. If your pool legs are not sinking too much you can also use pavers alternatives like wooden blocks, bricks or foam pads but remember that these alternatives come with some pros and cons.

Thick Pavers/Trailer Pads (Best & Effective)

Pavers are also known as Trailer pads . These Trailer pads are manufactured for the use under the trailer wheels. These pads easily handle tons of weight and can be handled any season.

These pavers are a little bit abrasive so I would prefer to add another layer on the top of the pavers. You can use a camping mat or Gorilla pad.

Keep in mind that the paver should always be used on level ground. If the area of your pool is not level, then first level it.

Wooden Blocks/Planks (Second Favorite)

Pressure treated wood blocks are the second best things to put under above ground pool legs. Pressure treated wood blocks were earlier used under the train tracks and they could easily handle the weight of the train. Similarly, it will easily bear the weight of the pool.

Here you need to pay attention to the size and thickness of the pressure wood block. The work should be 4 inches thick and 1 foot long and wide.

The most important is the quality of the wood, if you use such types of wood that become softer after some time, such as cedar and pine wood, all these types of wood will not support your pool. Instead, you should use harder wood such as mahogany and teak, all of which are very strong and long-lasting.

Bricks

You must have seen many videos on youtube where you will find videos using bricks. This method is suitable for temporary use but if you want to live without any problem for a long time then use pavers only because the bricks start breaking after some time due to the weight of the pool.

If you use sealed bricks then it will be better as they are strong and weatherproof and can last even in summer without any issue.

Sand

If you have kids in your home who tend to spill water while taking a dip in the pool, then the sand pad is not for you as it absorbs moisture which can cause fungal, bacterial and algae to grow on the bottom of your pool legs and make your pool leg base weaker.

If you live in a rainy area, you should avoid using sand at all as there is a chance that the sand will slowly wash away from the bottom of the pool leg with the flow of water. Some people use gravel too, but that can put a hole in your pool.

I don’t advise anyone to use sand under the pool leg, yes you can definitely use it on top of the pavers as an extra layer to get additional cushions.

Foam Pads (If You’re on Concrete)

If your pool is already on a concrete surface you don’t need any kind of pavers, wood blocks and sand, but you want to make sure for stability you can use foam pads underneath your pool legs.

These pads are made for providing extra cushioning to your pool and prevent your pool from any scratches.

How to Place Concrete Pavers or Wood Under Your Pool Legs ?

If you want to install pavers or any wood under pool legs i would suggest you should contact your know professional guy who is expert in installing pavers under pool legs.

However I’m gonna share with you some important Methods that help you to install easily and at the end you will feel like a pro. Just remember that you have to make sure that your pool is level. I also share some steps that help you to level the pool.

If the Pool is Level

If your pool is in level you have an advantage that you don’t need to dig into ground. Just place the pavers underneath pool legs.

Method 1

This method is only for those people who have not yet installed their pool. The first thing they have to do is guess where the leg of their pool will be and slightly dig down. If you find any hole fill it with some concrete or gravel then place Pavers or Wooden blocks in the groove.

Just make sure that both are level and sturdy because if they aren’t, it will damage the pool lining. After completing the whole process you can use sand for extra cushioning .

Method 2

This method is for those who have had issues with pool legs sinking after pool installation. The safest way in this situation is to completely empty the pool so that there is no chance of any kind of accident.

After this, you have to use the floor jack to lift the legs of the pool, taking care that before lifting the floor jack, it is in a solid place.

You have to use some wood plank to lift the pool which will be fixed to the floor jack and the other end will be in the T section of the leg of the pool.

Then you have to lift slowly, until you can place the paver under the legs. After applying the paver, release the pressure of the floor jack.

If the Pool not is Level

For leveling the pool you have to do more work before installing pool legs. Here I am embedding a video that helps you alot for leveling the pool ground.

Try This DIY

After completing this process, follow method 1 .

What size of Pavers should we use?

There are lots of options available in the market but 1 ft x1 ft with 4 to 5 inch thickness is the ideal size you can use under your pool legs.

It also depends on your pool leg size. So before ordering pavers make sure to measure the leg size.

What are the Benefits of Placing Blocks/Pavers Under Your Pool Legs?

There are many benefits of pavers some of the benefits are:
It protects your Pool Liner from being damaged by the pool legs.
Pavers provide extra support for the pool legs and keep them from sinking.
It helps to prevent the pool legs bending.
Provide more stability and help to level out the pool.

Where Can You Buy it?

This totally depends on two things. The first one is what kind of pool you want to use under your pool legs and the second one your locality .

As I already suggest, pavers are best for the long term. You must go with it because it’s available in almost every supermarket like Walmart , hardware shop . You can also contact landscaping companies for quotes . but some people who live in rural areas can also order via amazon.

How Much Does it Cost?

It depends on what kind of brand and material you want to use under above ground pool legs.

For the pavers it costs you around 1$ to 15$ per square foot .

How Many Blocks Do You Need?

It depends on your pool size, if the bigger the pool size, the more leg support it will have, so accordingly you will need more blocks.

If your pool is already installed, then you can order blocks according to the legs that are sinking.

Related Interior Pool Finish Resources

Mustard Algae or Sand – Here’s How To Know ( With Picture)

Aqua blue vs aqua white mini pebble (Compare with Images and video)

12 September 20237 September 2023 by Alex

Are you getting confused between Stonescapes Aqua Blue and Aqua White Mini Pebble because both almost give similar appearance in the pool.

According to me, selecting a pool finish is one of the difficult task for the owner of a pool but don’t worry I am here to help you.

In this article we are going to dive into the depth of these two pool finishes in terms of details, providing images and comparing aqua blue vs aqua white mini pebbles.

My name is Alex. I have been working in the pool industry for the last 26 years. Here I am gonna share my experience that helps you to choose the right between stonescapes aqua blue vs aqua white mini pebble. but remember that you must consult your pool builder first.

We should always choose such pool finishes which not only look good but also good in terms of durability, Great on Chemicals and Pocket Friendly.

so sit back, have a cup of coffee and let’s get started.

What makes Aqua blue vs aqua white mini pebble different?

These Two pool finishes are very popular and both create a medium blue color effect in your pool. that makes someone confused to identify the difference. However aqua blue appears slightly darker because of white portland cement colored with aqua blue pigments and adding natural black, gold and white quartz pebble aggregates.

On the other hand Aqua white is made up of aqua blue pigmented white portland cement and added some natural white quartz pebble aggregates.

Looks comparison of Aqua Blue Vs Aqua White

S No.	Aqua Blue	Aqua White
1	Aqua Blue is slightly darker and produces a less neutral tone.	Aqua white gives a more neutral tone compared to aqua blue.
2.	The dark blue color of Aqua Blue pebble appears striking and vivid in the presence of sunlight.	Aqua white pebbles are less dark compared to aqua blue and look like ocean water.
3	Due to Dark blue color, Aqua blue appears much darker at night.	Less Dark color helps aqua white pebbles to appear bright at night.

Looks in the presence of sunlight

Video of Aqua Blue Pebble Finish

Video of Aqua White Pebble Finish

Jimmy Epolito

Appearance with the depth of water

Aqua blue or Aqua White can appear different with depth of the water so I am sharing some images that help you to decide.

How Do Different Blends Change Appearance?

You get get various blend option with Aqua blue and Aqua white pebble like:

Abalone shells
Puerto Rico blends
Touch of Glass

With the help of these blends you can enhance the appearance of the pool but it also pumps up your budget so you must consult with a contractor before mixing any complex material.

So I’m gonna share some details with pictures one by one that help you to decide.

Abalone Shells

Abalone blend made up of abalone shells . These shells come from tropical regions and with the help of crushers are crushed into tiny particles and polished to a high standard so that sharp edges become smooth. After polished it’s ready to add in your pool finish.

It gives your pool a unique sparkle effect on sunny days which look great and gives a feel of tropical regions. but after a few weeks shells start to decay and give a brown appearance so remember that before applying this blend.

Puerto Rico blends

Puerto Rico blends come with three types of size: micro,small and large. These sizes can change the appearance of your pool.

Puerto rico blend is a mixture of glass beads and it gives you a similar appearance like glass touch. The only difference in Puerto rico blend is beads can change their color depending on how the sun reflects to them.

If your pool is in such a place where the sun rays fall directly, then you will love this blend very much.

Touch of Glass

If you are looking for a shine when the sunlight hits the pool then you must go with a touch of glass blends. It is a mixture of small glass beads.

Just remember that a high amount of glass bread can increase the roughness of the pool surface.

Durability

Both Pebble Finish are durable with low maintenance. Both finishes are more resistant to chemical, staining and mustard algae growth compared to plaster finish.

But if you are looking for adding any extra material to enhance the look, like an abalone shell might be a bad decision for you because after some time the abalone shell starts to degrade and turn brown and leave stains in your pool.

Abalone shells not just spoil the appearance of the pool but also affect the durability of pebble finish.

Reliability

Aqua blue or Aqua white both pebble finishes are more reliable compared to plaster. With proper maintenance the company claims this finish can last between 15 to 20 years.

In terms of maintenance you just make sure to brush the pool once a week and make proper circulation of water. I don’t think it is a heavy task for you.

Great on chemicals

Both are Great on Chemicals but Aqua blue finish has slightly more advantage because Aqua blue is made up of two types of natural pebble aggregates black and gold .These aggregates are highly chemical resistant and can easily handle harsh chemical effects.

On the other hand Aqua white made up of only natural white pebble aggregates that make low quantities of aggregates leads to damage to the pool finish. But always contact a professional pool builder because it can fix via increasing the quantity on white pebble aggregates.

Slip resistant texture

In terms of texture and slip resistance both finishes are the best. Both are made up Stone gives similar texture. However, Aqua white pebbles are slightly smooth compared to Aqua blue but both do not harm your feet if you stand for a long time in the pool.

You feel a more rough surface if you add different blends and other things like abalone shells. They can change the roughness of the surface.

Choice of colors

Images for mini pebbles colors – Pinterest

Pricing

Stonescapes and pebble tec are the leading brands for the aqua blue and aqua white pebble finishes. However, the price depends on brand to brand but generally 4$ to 5$ for 1 foot . The main point is it depends on your pool size, your location and your contractor.

Just know that you are paying for the best Quality. I also compared Stonescapes tropics blue vs Midnight blue finishes you must check it out.

Installation Video of Mini Pebble

FAQs

What is the difference between quartz and mini pebble pool finish?

Mini pebbles are more durable and reliable than Quartz. On the other hand, quartz base products are expensive compared to mini pebbles.

How long does StoneScapes mini pebble last?

It can last 15 to 20 years if you are doing proper maintenance.

Is Mini Pebble rough on feet?

It feels a little bit rough because of the small size of pebbles but it does not harm your feet.

Mustard Algae or Sand – Here’s How To Know ( With Picture)

12 September 20237 September 2023 by Alex

Do you have a swimming pool in your backyard, if yes, then at some point of time you will be confused whether this sticky substance is mustard algae or sand? . But let me tell you that this is mustard algae.

Mustard algae or sand is the enemy of your swimming pool, it is mostly found on the floor of your swimming pool where sunlight does not come directly. The biggest damage caused by mustard algae is the low chlorine level in your swimming pool, which can drop by 1 ppm in one night.

When the pool is covered for a long time, due to poor circulation of water and lack of sunlight, mustard algae flourish, many times people get confused and consider it as sand, pollen or dust.

In this article, I will tell you the difference between mustard algae and sand, how it looks with some example pictures of mustard algae in the pool, how to test for mustard algae and how you can save your pool from mustard algae and sand, so definitely read this article till the end.

What is Mustard Algae ?

Mustard algae is one of the members of the Algae kingdom. in a scientific term known as “Pseudomonas aeruginosa” or “Yellow Algae”. It is a type of algae that commonly grows in swimming pools and other water systems. It gets its name from its yellow or mustard-like color. Mustard algae can be a nuisance in pools as it can create slimy and slippery surfaces, making the pool less enjoyable and potentially unsafe for swimmers.

Mustard algae is rare but it happens and it doesn’t really look like algae. Sometimes it can look like pollen or it can look like sand. It likes to stick to things, not just on the pool floor . it might be stick on your pool floats or your pool equipment. Most of the people think it grows in the but but its not fully true sometimes it comes from outside the pool. The biggest problem it’s that it is chlorine resistant .

types of algae — types of Algae in pool – www.apartmentpools.com

Characteristics of Sand and Pollen

Sand is the largest particle of soil approx 0.6 – 2.0 mm. It feels like a rough surface in your pool. So the question is “why is there sand in your pool?” well might be the culprit is your pool sand filter. Yes it happens when pool filters aren’t able to filter you must check once a week that sand filters work or not.

Where algae clings to the walls of the pool, the pollen floats on top of the pool and is sometimes cleared by the pool filter system. It mostly comes from trees and plants in your backyard. People sometimes get confused by algae and pollen.

sand in pool — Picture of sand in a pool – www.mrpoolman.com.au

pollen in pool — Picture of sand in a pool – www.mrpoolman.com.au

How to Differentiate Between Mustard Algae and Sand?

Quick disclaimer everyone has a different way to test for mustard algae in the pool and how to get rid of yellow mustard algae. I am sharing my own way of doing based on all of the years in the pool industry and the research that I have done.

Here is the few step that help you to differentiate Between Algae and Sand:

The brush test

This is the most simplest test you can perform to identify between mustard algae or sand. But it takes time to show results. In some cases it took 6 hours but most of the time 12 to 24 hours is enough to get the result. You just need to clean the entire pool, especially plaster or Pebble finish surface with a brush.

You can use this brush to give the best cleaning result. I highly recommend my team members a dedicated work boot like this boot that helps to protect your food from algae infection.

After cleaning the pool wait for 12 to 24 hours if the patches reappear it means you do have mustard algae.

You should notice that while cleaning the pool you feel trouble in brushing off the dirt. It happens when your pool has sand . sand doesn’t come off easily with brush; it usually requires an agent like detergent. On the other hand mustard algae can be brushed off easily.

Check Condition Of swimming Pool

With a year of experience we observed that mustard algae never accumulate in the bottom of the pool .it always sticks with the pool wall. If we talk about sand it is always found in the form of a layer at the bottom and pool wall.

Texture Test

This method is one of the easiest methods you can do by yourself . Always remember that mustard algae have a slimy and smooth texture that can easily stick with any surface. On the other hand, sand has a rough texture and can’t stick with any surface.

Always observe your Poll wall

Mustard algae initially take some time to grow, but once it completely grows it can escalate rapidly. In the beginning I mentioned that mustard algae belongs to the algae family. Algae are living organisms that use oxygen & sunlight for their growth. It can easily climb the pool wall whereas dirt and calcium scales don’t.

Jar Or Bucket Test

Even after this whole test, if you are unable to differentiate between mustard algae and sand, then you should try the jar and bucket test. For this, you have to take a transparent jar or bucket, in that you take some samples of your pool and keep it in a shady place, and leave it for about 2-3 days. If you see more patches than before in the jar or bucket, then it is mustard algae only.

Check Chlorine Level

The chlorine test is a sure and reliable way to check if you have mustard algae in your pool. Overnight Chlorine Loss Test (OCLT) This chlorine test is done overnight after the sun has gone down.

How does OCLT work?

OCLT works because chlorine can be removed from the pool in only two ways: through sunlight or through living organic matter such as mustard algae. This is the main reason for doing the OCLT after sunset.

To prepare for the exam, you must ensure that you have the right test kit with you. If I am allowed, I will give you the Fas-DPD test done. This is a simple test where you get the result of both chlorine free and combined chlorine by Titration and drop count test.
Take the first reading after the sun sets and write it in a notebook, and take the reading before the sun rises in the morning. If there is a drop of 1 ppm in the chlorine test reading, then you have mustard algae in your pool.
Before vaulting you need to take care of some things.
Do not add chlorine to the pool before or during the test. If you already have a chlorine tablet inserted, remove it and wait 30 minutes.
Do a chlorine test in the morning before sunrise.

How To Get Rid of Mustard Algae?

For the mustard algae treatment Pool shocking is the most and easiest way to clean mustard algae, but with this you can follow some other steps as well, which will increase the chance of mustard algae not coming again.

Step 1: Wash your Swimwear and Pool Equipment’s and accessories

The first thing you should do is clean your swimming suits and equipment. Mustard algae can enter your pool from outside sources, such as swimwear, so you need to clean it thoroughly.

It would be better to use color safe bleach for clothes, this will give you more disinfection and the colors of swimwear will also be safe.

After this, you have to clean your swimming equipment and accessories properly, for this you can use bleach based disinfectant like Clorix, this is a better spray to clean your equipment. If you can’t find Clorex, you can use household bleach. You can mix 10 parts of water to one part of Bleach and spray all your equipment with it.

Step 2: Brush and vacuum your pool

Now you have to clean the algae sticking to the walls of your pool, this will make the next step of pool shocking very effective.

You must pay attention to which type of brush you want to use in the pool. If your pool is made of concrete, then you have to use a metal brush so that the algae can be cleaned properly.

If the pool is vinyl or fiberglass, a thick bristle plastic brush should be used.

Try to clean as much mustard algae as possible with a brush, for the rest you can use vacuum, but make sure that your vacuum is manual and set it to filter to waste mode. This will ensure that all the algae is removed from your pool if you vacuum in the circulate mode, the algae will not be removed from the pool.

Step 3: Test and balance the pH Level of Water

After this step, we are going to add too much chemical in the pool, so before that we have to make sure that the pH level of our pool is 7.4 to 7.6 or alkalinity is 100-150 ppm, so that the pool shocking step is very effective. yes. If the pH level of your pool is not correct then you can use ph level increaser or decreaser just keep in mind that the pH level of the pool is balanced before the pool shocking step.

Step 4: Triple Shock the pool with Calcium Hypochlorite

We Gonna use Calcium Hypochlorite for this process,this is one of the best mustard algae killer. remember that this will increase the calcium hardness of your pool. If you do not want to increase calcium hardness, you can also use dichlor or trichlor. When your pool’s pH level is balanced, add 3lbs Calcium Hypochlorite Shock per 10,000 gallons of pool water and turn on the pool pump for 24 hours to allow the shock to dissolve completely. Do this step after the sun has set so that the chlorine is as strong as possible at that time.

Step 5: Keep Chlorine high and brush your pool Again

After 24 hours of being shocked, you will have to brush the pool again and clean it properly so that the algae are completely removed.

Along with this, you have to keep the pH level balance of the pool so that the chlorine remains as effective as possible.

After all these steps, if you want to be completely sure, then you can give one more shock and leave it at night, so that mustard algae can be completely gone.

I wrote a detailed article about how long it takes to clean . i think you must check this out after this article.

How To Get Rid of Mustard Algae without Any Chemical?

I found this method on youtube and where a person shared his experience cleaning algae . He uses t-shirts as a brush and cleans the whole pool like a brush method . I embedded his youtube video in this article. You can try this. The reason why I am sharing his video is because people tried this method and they got positive results. Most of the comments are positive. So you must watch the video.

But remember the only effective way to get rid of mustard algae is chlorine shock. If you don’t want to waste your time, just go with a shocking method.

How to Prevent Mustard Algae from Coming Back?

There are many ways to keep your pool free from mustard algae or sand but I am sharing with you my personal method that I use everyday.

Keeping pH Level Balanced: always make sure to maintain a balanced pH level and monitor Chlorine level.
Water circulation: Water Circulation makes the pool environment clean and resist to grow mustard algae or any kind of algae. Make sure that all pool filters and pump run 8-10 hours a day.
Shock on a Weekly base: We understand that not everyone has much time to spend on cleaning the pool, so you can prevent algae from coming to the pool by giving a small shock once a week, using 1 lbs of shock in 10000 gallons of water.
Wash Your Pool accessories regularly: Always make sure that your swimwear or pool equipment is thoroughly cleaned, for this you can use bleach or disinfectant.
Add phosphate remover: Mustard algae food is phosphate. Add some Onance Phosphate Remover to your pool to eliminate the source of food for the algae.

FAQs

Is it mustard algae or sand in my pool?

If the chlorine level of your pool is low and there is a distinct slimy slimy feel in the shady area of the pool, then there is a high chance that it is mustard algae. There are different types of methods to find out the difference between mustard algae and sand.

How can you tell the difference between sand and mustard algae?

You can find out by doing some types of tests in your pool such as:
The brush test , texture test and Jar Test

Will the shocking pool get rid of mustard algae?

Yes, you can kill mustard algae in a few days with proper steps and a solution of triple calcium hypochlorite shock.

How long does it take to clear up mustard algae in the pool?

It takes a maximum of 2 days after Completing the shock method.

Can I swim in a pool with mustard algae?

We don’t recommend it because red algae can make you sick and mustard algae belongs to the algae family.

Does rain cause mustard algae in pool?

Mustard algae always come in your pool from outside, so rain and wind can also introduce mustard algae into your pool.

Does mustard algae eat chlorine?

Mustard algae is a chlorine resist . they used to eat phosphate in your pool.

Does Clorox algaecide work on mustard algae?

Yes, With the help of Clorox algaecide you can disinfect your pool equipment.