The Pool Guy Podcast Show

“Salt pool, no chlorine” might be the most expensive misunderstanding in pool care. We walk through what a saltwater chlorine generator actually does, why it is literally making chlorine, and how that simple truth changes the way you test, dose, and explain water balance to customers. If you’re a pool service professional or a hands-on pool owner, you’ll leave with clearer language, better troubleshooting steps, and fewer surprises on Monday morning.We also get into the parts that sales sheets skip: salt splash-out that dries on decks and hardware, the corrosion that shows up when salt is over-added, and why bonding and grounding matter more once your pool becomes an ionic solution full of metals. Then we tackle the “flakes” problem and the myths that cling to it. We explain why flakes are usually calcium carbonate, how a hot cell after flow stops can trigger scale, and how a simple cool-down period plus a slightly negative LSI can reduce buildup. • saltwater systems generating chlorine through electrolysis, same sanitizer as liquid or dry chlorine• cell lifespan tied to total run hours, lowering output and run time when demand allows• manufacturer salt targets around 3,000 to 3,500 ppm and why over-salting creates new problems• salt splash-out leaving concentrated salt on decks and features, rinsing to prevent crust and damage• galvanic corrosion risks, black deposits near metals, bonding and grounding pool equipment• heater corrosion concerns and when a sacrificial zinc anode can help• dealing with a failed generator, draining and refilling to reduce salt and high TDS, removing the cell housing• verifying salt with an independent salt meter, not trusting onboard readings or a TDS meter alone• preventing flakes with a cool-down period before flow stops and managing LSI slightly negative• phosphate fears put in perspective, flakes usually calcium carbonate not calcium phosphate• fixed-output chlorine production, recovery time after bather load spikes, supplementing with liquid chlorine• “superchlorinate” misconceSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

“Liquid chlorine is weak” might be the most expensive pool myth on the internet. We dig into the real meaning of “available chlorine” and why the percentage on the label can mislead you when you compare liquid chlorine to trichlor tablets, dichlor, or cal hypo. With Bob Lowry guiding the chemistry, we translate confusing terms like weight percent and trade percent into something you can actually use: how much usable chlorine you’re putting in the water.We also talk about the hidden part of every chlorine choice: the byproducts. Liquid chlorine ultimately adds salt, cal hypo adds calcium, and dichlor and trichlor add cyanuric acid, and each of those can create problems if you don’t plan for buildup. If you’ve ever wondered why your pool chemistry “drifts” over time, this is the missing link between sanitizer choice and long-term water balance. Salt water chlorine generators get a full reality check too. A salt pool still uses chlorine because the cell makes chlorine gas that becomes hypochlorous acid in the water. We cover output limits, why incorrect voltage or current can keep a system from producing enough chlorine, why salt residue can be corrosive after evaporation, and why bonding matters more than most people realize. We also clear up a common mistake: boost mode doesn’t shock a pool, so we explain what to do when you need chlorine fast. • why chlorine percentages on labels don’t compare evenly across products• weight-to-weight vs trade percent vs volume-based strength terms• a simple rule of thumb for liquid chlorine strength per gallon• why chlorine gas is used as the comparison standard• how trichlor’s “available chlorine” number gets calculated• what each chlorine type adds to the water: salt, calcium, cyanuric acid• how salt water chlorine generators make chlorine gas in the cell• why low voltage or wrong current reduces chlorine production• salt level targets and why salt residue becomes corrosive after evaporation• bonding and grounding to reduce electrolysis risk• why pH rises in salt pools from sodium hSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Zero chlorine is one of those pool problems that feels impossible because you can do everything “right” and still watch your sanitizer disappear. We dig into the real reasons it happens, especially after adding stain removers and sequestering agents meant to solve metal stains and protect surfaces. From there, we get clear about metal chemistry and a common misconception in pool maintenance: a sequestering agent doesn’t remove metals from pool water. It temporarily binds them, then sunlight and oxidizers break that binder down and the metal can stain again. We explore why product selection matters, how overdosing makes the problem worse, and why some treatments can raise phosphate levels that algae love. If you’re trying to protect new plaster or avoid dropping metals out of solution, this is where water care becomes a careful balancing act.We also unpack a major source of “mystery” chlorine loss: sodium bromide based algae products. Add bromide and you can effectively turn a chlorine pool into a bromine pool, where every chlorine dose reactivates bromine instead of building a chlorine residual. That creates confusing test results, higher sanitizer targets, and fast sunlight burn-off because cyanuric acid doesn’t protect bromine the same way. We close with the non-negotiable safety message: a pool with zero sanitizer residual has no protection against waterborne infection risks, and “negative demand” can hide how much chlorine the water is actually consuming.• stain removers and some sequestrants creating immediate chlorine demand• overdosing metal treatment chemicals making chlorine loss worse• phosphonate and phosphate breakdown raising algae risk• why sequestering agents do not remove metals from water• metal removal as an alternative to ongoing sequestration• sodium bromide products converting chlorine pools to bromine pools• test kit confusion when bromine reads like chlorine• sunlight destroying bromine faster without cyanuric acid protection• zero chlorine safety risks including infection transmission• negative chlorSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Your hot tub can look crystal clear and still be one soak away from smelling “off.” We dig into the real reasons spa water goes sideways and what to do about it, starting with the question everyone asks: bromine vs chlorine. We talk through what bromine is great at in hot water, why bromamines don’t stink the way chloramines do, and the big catch that trips up most owners and techs: bromine disinfects, but it doesn’t oxidize the gunk we bring in on our skin.From there we get specific about spa water chemistry and routines that actually work. We explain why sanitizer levels crash so fast in a 250 to 400 gallon hot tub, how bather load drives chlorine demand, and why “set it and forget it” usually fails unless you pair a steady feed with smart shocking. We also cover modern options like frog-style systems that add chlorine without cyanuric acid buildup, plus straight talk on liquid chlorine in spas and the industry myth that you can’t use it to shock a bromine tub.We also break down UV sanitizer and ozone generators with real-world expectations. UV only treats what passes near the bulb and can lose effectiveness when the sleeve gets dirty, and ozone is powerful but short-lived, often working only near the return. The takeaway is simple: UV and ozone can help, but they don’t replace a residual sanitizer needed for person-to-person protection. Finally, we make draining non-negotiable, including the classic 90-day guideline and an easy bather-load way to decide when old water needs to go.•Bromine strengths in hot water and higher pH•Why bromine needs a separate oxidizer•Post-soak shocking habits that prevent odor•How fast chlorine or bromine gets used in a spa•Frog-style systems as a low-CYA option•Liquid chlorine in spas and the pH myth•Why “don’t mix bromine and chlorine” is wrong•UV limits due to contact time and dirty sleeves•Ozone’s short lifespan and how to smell-check returns•Drain schedules based on 90 days or bather load mathSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Your pool can be perfectly chlorinated and still feel like it’s fighting you every week, especially when pH keeps climbing for no obvious reason. We dig into one of the most useful “stability tools” in pool chemistry: borates. Along with industry expert Bob Lowry, we explain what it really means to add borates, why many pros treat them as a one-time addition, and how they help slow pH rise in pools with saltwater chlorine generators, spillovers, waterfalls, and other sources of aeration.We also get practical about products and dosing. Boric acid tends to be the simplest path because it dissolves easily and causes minimal changes to pH and total alkalinity. We compare that with sodium tetraborate options like borax, which can spike pH and alkalinity and force a muriatic acid correction. You’ll hear why “once it’s in the water it acts the same,” but the setup work can be very different depending on what you buy. Safety and compliance questions come up a lot, so we address borate ppm targets head-on: 35 vs 50 ppm, why recommendations shifted, and how to think about toxicity using simple parts-per-million math. If you want steadier water, fewer pH surprises, and another layer of algae resistance to support good chlorine habits, this conversation will sharpen how you use borates on a service route. • our field test of borates with low chlorine and what happened over three weeks• borates as a one-time addition with infrequent testing• how borates buffer pH rise in aerated pools and saltwater chlorine generator pools• borates as an algostat and why they do not kill algae• choosing boric acid for easier dosing and fewer pH and alkalinity adjustments• what happens when you use borax style products and why muriatic acid is needed• whether 35 ppm or 50 ppm makes a meaningful difference and why some brands picked 35• the toxicity question, ppm math, and why borates do not bioaccumulate• residential vs commercial considerations and why rules vary by state and health code• why many distributors do not stock borate products and Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

If you’ve been staring at the Bottom Feeder and the Shrimp Cleaner wondering which cordless pool vacuum actually belongs on your pool service route, I break it down in practical, technician-first terms. These are both pro-focused, battery-powered pool vacuums that skip cords and external pumps, so the real question isn’t “which is cooler” it’s which one makes you faster and more consistent across the kinds of pools you clean every week.We get into the details that change your workflow: size and weight, cleaning path width, and how each unit handles steps, spas, fountains, and tight spots. I also compare battery runtime and what that means in the real world, including why a shorter runtime can still be plenty when the vacuuming speed is high, and how truck charging with a basic power inverter can keep you moving. If you’ve been debating whether 1.5 hours or 2.5 hours matters more, you’ll like this perspective.Filtration gets a deep dive too. We talk debris bags and microns, aftermarket bag options, and the cartridge filter assembly upgrade that turns a cordless vacuum into a fine-dirt solution for silt, dead algae, and DE powder. I also cover the newer magnetic on-off switch and the design differences in the throat opening and thrust that affect suction and feel.If you want to stop guessing and buy the tool that matches your debris load and service style, hit play. Subscribe for more pool pro gear breakdowns, share this with a tech who’s shopping, and leave a review with what vacuum you’re running right now.• why the Bottom Feeder stays the pro benchmark for fast full-pool vacuuming• size, weight, and cleaning path differences that affect daily handling• battery runtime vs real-world productivity on a service route• charging speed plus how to charge in the truck with a power inverter• debris bag micron options, including aftermarket bags• cartridge filter assembly for fine dirt, dead algae, and DE powder• magnetic on-off switch upgrade and why it matters• throat size, thrust ring, and why the Shrimp can feel powerful• Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

If you’ve ever converted a chlorine pool to salt and immediately regretted it, the problem usually isn’t the salt system. It’s the startup. We break down a practical, step-by-step salt pool startup process that helps you avoid the two headaches that wreck new installs: runaway pH and scale on the surface or inside the salt cell.We start with timing, especially for new plaster, quartz, and pebble style finishes. Plaster keeps curing for months and creates heavy acid demand early on, so turning on a saltwater chlorine generator too soon can make pH control feel impossible. I share the real-world waiting window I prefer, what happens if a homeowner pushes for day-one salt, and how that decision can show up later as scaling and constant corrections.Then we get into the numbers that make a salt pool conversion smooth: getting total alkalinity near 80 ppm and pH around 7.4 to 7.6 before the generator ever comes online, and using LSI guidance with tools like the Orenda app. We also talk about borates at 50 ppm as a smart add-on for pH stability, plus the safest way to add salt: test first with a digital salt meter, use pool salt only, add less than the bag math suggests, and recheck after 24 hours so you don’t end up draining water to fix an overshoot.Finally, we tackle cyanuric acid (CYA) reality. If you’re coming from trichlor, CYA may be sky high, and your free chlorine target must match it using proven ratios like Bob Lowry’s guidance. • waiting to turn on a salt cell on new plaster to reduce pH battles and scaling risk• why saltwater chlorine generators raise pH through aeration and chemical reaction• starting conditions that set you up for success: clear water, clean filter, balanced alkalinity and pH• why high alkalinity buffers pH and makes acid less effective• using LSI and tools like the Orenda app to avoid scale or corrosion• adding borates to 50 ppm to stabilize pH and reduce drift• using pool salt only to avoid staining from impurities• testing salinity first with a digital salt meter and adding less salt than the caSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

A 3.8 rating can quietly kill your phone before you ever know why. When people search for a pool service, they do what we all do with restaurants and hotels: they sort by stars, skim a few reviews, and move on fast. That’s why your online reputation is not a vanity metric, it’s a lead generator or a lead blocker. We walk through the real-world choices customers make on Google and Yelp, and how a pool service business can earn trust before the first appointment. I share practical ways to get review momentum, including building a simple web presence, using Google Ads to create early visibility, and asking for reviews at the right moment after a win like a green to clean or a new weekly start. We also talk honestly about Yelp, how it can drive serious growth for some service companies, and why you should understand the paid options and the platform’s review flow before going all in. Then we get into what actually protects five-star reviews: returning calls quickly, preventing the “they never answered” one-star complaints, and showing up like a pro. Your uniform, your truck, and your attitude during a bid can shape the review you get later. I also explain a simple way to decline messy jobs without offending anyone, plus why staying neutral and avoiding criticism keeps you out of unnecessary review drama. If you want more calls and better clients, start treating reviews like part of your weekly route. Subscribe, share this with a pool pro who needs it, and leave a review letting me know what most improved your customer ratings.• why low star ratings get ignored in fast search decisions• how “anomaly” one-star reviews happen and how to prevent them• using a website and Google Ads to generate leads that become reviews• setting up Google and Yelp listings and understanding Yelp’s paid options• asking customers for a five-star review while inviting feedback early• calling back missed leads quickly to avoid “never answered” complaints• using uniforms and a clean truck to signal professionalism• bidding high to walk away without insuSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Manual vacuuming is one of those “just part of the job” tasks that quietly eats your day, especially when you’re chasing fine dust that keeps slipping through a vac bag. I’m revisiting a tool that’s been getting a lot of attention from pool service pros: the Bottom Feeder and Shrimp Cleaner cartridge filter adapter. After about three months of real use, I walk through what’s actually different this time, why the older cartridge-style attempts never became daily drivers, and what the new threaded halo design changes in the field.We get into the real-world problem with vacuum bags and micron ratings: fine bags can clog fast, lose flow, and tear more easily, while standard bags let a lot of fine dirt pass right back into the pool. The cartridge assembly flips that script by capturing dirt down to roughly 10 to 20 microns while keeping strong water flow through the pleats. I also cover practical limits like how much dirt it can hold, what happens with leaf debris, and how to clean it quickly between stops so it stays efficient on a route.Deciding between the Bottom Feeder and the Shrimp Cleaner, I share how the cartridge behaves on both, a simple battery positioning hack, and the option to expand filter area with the extension kit. I’ll also point you to where to buy the cartridge assembly and replacement cartridges. • why new pool products get skepticism and how the older cartridge adapter fell short• why vacuum bags struggle with fine dirt, low-micron wear, clogging, and suction drop-off• how the threaded halo lets us switch between bag and cartridge in about 10 seconds• how the cartridge performs on the Shrimp Cleaner versus the Bottom Feeder• battery positioning hack to prevent interference with the cartridge• realistic capacity for dirt and leaves plus when to switch back to a bag• fast rinse-out cleaning method and the value of carrying spare cartridges• compatible replacement cartridge models and the extension kit to expand filter area• how the dirt stays inside the cartridge and why flow stays strong• buying options anSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Your pool can look perfect and still be one bad day away from turning. We dig into the “normal vs not normal” moments that confuse pool owners and even trip up seasoned techs, starting with the big one: chlorine that disappears overnight. When free chlorine drops to zero in 24 hours, it’s rarely magic and usually chemistry. We talk through cyanuric acid (CYA) targets, intense UV exposure, early microalgae you can’t see yet, and why high phosphates can quietly increase chlorine demand so your pool can’t hold a residual.Next, we tackle the most misunderstood red flag in pool care: the strong “chlorine smell.” That odor is typically chloramines and combined chlorine, created when sanitizer binds to sweat, sunscreen, and other contaminants. We explain how to test free chlorine vs combined chlorine, what breakpoint chlorination means in real life, and how non-chlorine shock can help restore comfort and effectiveness, especially during summer bather load spikes.We also break down why pH rises every week in plaster, gunite, and Pebble Tec pools, why vinyl and fiberglass can drift down, and how alkalinity, borates, water features, and saltwater chlorine generators influence the trend. • chlorine disappearing in 24 hours due to high CYA targets, UV, microalgae, phosphates, and low starting free chlorine• why a pool should not smell like chlorine, plus what chloramines and combined chlorine mean for swimmer comfort and sanitation• practical ways to reduce combined chlorine, including testing free vs combined chlorine and using non-chlorine shock• why pH rises weekly in plaster, gunite, and Pebble Tec pools, plus why vinyl and fiberglass can drift the other direction• how to slow pH rise with lower alkalinity targets, borates, and understanding aeration from water features and salt systems• why salt levels change over a season, what counts as abnormal, and how rapid drops can hint at equipment issues or a leak• when cloudiness after shocking is expected, how calcium hardness and pH spikes play a role, and why cal hypo clouds more than liquSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Leaves don’t just clutter the surface; they choke flow, stall cleaners, and push water chemistry off a cliff. We tackle the leaf problem at the source, sharing the exact tools and tweaks that keep debris moving into capture zones before it ever sinks. From a return-mounted secondary skimmer that threads into a 1.5-inch return to modern solar-powered surface bots that roam all day, we break down what actually works, how to install it, and the small details that make the big difference.We start with the PoolSkim approach: how to bias flow with restrictor eyeballs or a plugged return, set the weir height at the waterline, and turn a leaf magnet into a quiet surface vacuum that protects circulation. Then we go hands-on with solar skimmers—what’s changed since the early Solar-Breeze units, why durability and motor design matter, and simple setup hacks like foam bumpers in the skimmer throat and hose weights on suction lines so the bots don’t get trapped. We even cover cord protection on robot cleaners and how to keep intakes clear.Finally, we dial in the “free” gains: aim return jets to build a steady surface current into the skimmer, confirm the weir gate moves freely and seals when the pump shuts off, and explore aftermarket skimmer accelerators that sharpen intake velocity. Stack these steps and you’ll cut vac time, prevent clogged baskets, stabilize chlorine demand, and deliver the crisp, glassy surface clients notice first.If you’re ready to turn a leaf-heavy headache into a low-maintenance system, hit play, take notes, and put these upgrades to work on your toughest pools. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share it with a fellow pool pro, and leave a quick review so more techs can find it.Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Stuck with a pool that reads sky-high stabilizer and can’t be drained? We break down a step-by-step plan to bring control back fast: how to verify overrange CYA with simple dilution tests, when to abandon trichlor, and the exact chlorine targets that keep algae at bay while CYA slowly falls. You’ll hear the practical math behind Bob Lowry’s 7.5 percent rule and a weekly dosing rhythm that works for a typical 15,000-gallon pool without expensive gimmicks.We also tackle metal management with a clear take on copper testing. Need a quick yes/no? Strips are fine. Need precision to avoid stains or diagnose issues? Photometers like PoolLab 2.0 and LaMotte ColorQ 2X Pro 9 are worth the investment. We call out a common pitfall with chelated minerals in PoolRx that make readings swing and explain what to watch instead so you don’t chase phantom numbers.On the gear side, we solve the frustrations that waste your time. If a Polaris 280 tail is soaking your deck, the TailSweep Pro is the simple diffusion fix that ends the spray. Cracked unions on salt cells or filters? Split quick couplers snap over existing plumbing so you avoid cutting and long repairs. Wrestling with a Hayward Navigator that keeps eating parts? We lay out how to seat the A-frame correctly, tighten pods, and when to finally retire a parts hog that’s beyond saving. And for those dreaded seized wall fittings with broken tabs, we share a counterintuitive trick: insert the quick disconnect to fill the hollow, then twist with channel locks—clean removal without cracking the body, followed by fresh Teflon for a future-proof reinstall.• Verifying high cyanuric acid with dilution tests• Stopping trichlor and shifting to cal hypo plus liquid chlorine• Holding 15 ppm free chlorine with high CYA using Lowry’s ratio• Slow dilution via equipment spigot and autofill• Copper testing: when strips suffice and when to use photometers• PoolRx chelated copper and fluctuating readings• Polaris tail spray fix with TailSweep Pro• Split quick couplers to avoid cutting and replumbing• When to retSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Bad days on the route don’t send a calendar invite; they just show up. We’re pulling back the curtain on the moments that derail a service day and the practical systems that stop them from turning into disasters. From a pool left in spa mode for a week to a heater cranked to 95 after a party, we break down why these problems hit so hard and how to build an insurance plan that keeps water clear and clients happy.We walk through a party-proof prep plan that actually works: how to raise free chlorine without irritating swimmers, when to use non-chlorine shock, and why borates, enzymes, phosphate control, and PoolRX-style solutions buy you precious time when circulation lapses. You’ll hear how utility gas alerts help catch a forgotten heater before it nukes the bill, and the one-minute tutorial every client needs so a quiet variable speed pump doesn’t stay off all week. We also get honest about the mistakes we make when routines break, and the simple habit shifts—like using timeout mode instead of service mode and running a final pad check—that prevent callbacks and keep the day on schedule.Out on the road, the truck matters as much as your test kit. We share hard-won lessons on dead starters, weak batteries, and why a AAA membership with on-the-spot replacements protects your route margins. And yes, we tackle the spike of panic when a client’s dog slips the gate, with calm, humane tactics and a pocket treat strategy that turns chaos into control. If you run pools for a living, this is the field guide to staying ahead of algae, automation surprises, and backyard curveballs—without losing time, money, or your cool.• traffic delays and planning buffers• pools left in spa mode and algae risk• chlorine enhancers as insurance• party prep with shock and dosing kits• heaters left on and utility alerts• variable speed pumps stopped by clients• avoiding service mode and using timeout• route vehicle failures and AAA strategy• routines to prevent chemical misses• gate discipline and handling escaping dogsSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Ever been told, “You’re only here 15 minutes—why so much?” We pull back the curtain on what it truly costs to run a professional pool service and why a short visit doesn’t equal a small bill. From insurance layers to payroll math, this conversation gives you the numbers, the logic, and the language to price with confidence.We start with the backbone of a mobile service business: commercial auto insurance and general liability. If you’re hauling chemicals or branded on the road, personal policies can fail you when it matters most. We dig into realistic premium ranges, how vetted groups can reduce liability costs, and why one uncovered incident can wipe out years of profit. Health insurance gets the spotlight it deserves. For self‑employed pros, it’s not optional and not “personal.” It’s a monthly cost of staying able to work in a risky, physical trade. Add city licensing, accounting, chemicals, parts, tires, brakes, and fuel, and you have the true base cost of a “simple” stop. We walk through a clean calculation: total fixed overhead divided by active accounts to find the per‑pool surcharge you must recover before any profit. With a sample $2,000 monthly overhead and 100 pools, that’s a $20 baseline per account—before chemicals, labor, and wear.You’ll leave with a clear script to explain rates to homeowners without sounding defensive: we carry commercial auto, liability, workers’ comp, payroll taxes, and health coverage so your pool stays safe and your property protected. We charge what we charge to stay in business. Whether you’re pricing your first route or recalibrating a mature book, this guide helps you set sustainable rates, avoid silent losses, and communicate value with calm authority.• commercial auto insurance requirements and risks• general liability coverage and vetted group savings• workers’ comp needs and category strategies• payroll services, employer taxes and true labor cost• health insurance as a core operating expense• licensing, accounting, chemicals and vehicle wear• converting monthly overhead into per‑poolSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

The hardest pool problems aren’t always in the manual—they show up on the pad when the water won’t move, the lid won’t budge, and the cleaner sits still like a lawn ornament. We dig into the field fixes that save your day and your lungs, starting with the offline chlorinator that refuses to dissolve tablets. Learn how to open it safely, diagnose the clogged check valve elbow with the “little BB,” and stop hidden leaks by replacing brittle black tubing before it drains a pool dry. If you’ve ever fought a stuck lid, we explain why trichlor swells o-rings and how a fresh gasket turns a two-man wrestle into a one-minute job.High PSI and poor prime can stall an entire route, so we share the quick backwash that drops pressure in 25 to 30 seconds and brings the system back to life. When your backwash runs oddly clear, we show you the toggle trick that shakes compacted DE loose. Then we tackle the age-old question of how much DE to add back, cutting through wet versus dry confusion with practical recharge amounts that protect grid life and maintain strong flow without overloading the filter.Finally, we turn service into strategy with a cleaner plan that works. Drop in bulletproof demo cleaners like the Hayward Aquanaut or Polaris Max, set variable-speed pump RPMs correctly, and let spotless water sell itself. For budget holdouts, deploy refurbished spares—Navigators, Aquanauts, MX6s and MX8s—to prove the value over time. You’ll cut manual vacuuming, keep pools cleaner all week, and win more satisfied clients with less effort. Subscribe, share with a fellow tech, and leave a review telling us the one tip you’re trying on your next stop.• why offline chlorinator tablets stop dissolving• how to open chlorinators safely and replace the check valve elbow• spotting brittle black tubing before it drains a pool• freeing stuck lids by replacing swollen o-rings• using a quick backwash to drop PSI and restore flow• what to do when backwash water runs clear• practical DE recharge amounts after backwashing• demo strategies that sell cleaners without selSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Prices are rising, but your margins don’t have to suffer. We share a straightforward playbook for pool service pros to raise rates with confidence, keep client trust, and improve the health of your route. It starts with two paths: a respectful, optional price increase letter that invites customers to accept a set monthly bump, and a universal increase that risks a little churn but often delivers a bigger annual lift. From there, we dive into national pricing data and what it does—and doesn’t—mean for your local decisions. Using a state-by-state service rate index, we talk about anchoring your monthly fee in the middle of your market, where perceived value is strongest and bids land more reliably. We also explore how to diagnose the tipping point in your area, avoid the race to the bottom, and justify your price with tangible outcomes: consistent clarity, reliable visits, and clean equipment that runs right through peak season.Raising rates isn’t the only lever. We cover practical adjustments that protect margins without shocking clients: moving specialty chemicals like phosphate removers and algaecide to seasonal packages, billing fairly for heavy-use pools by placing chlorine on-site, and trimming accounts that drain time and inventory. • framing an optional increase to boost acceptance• universal vs opt-in raises and revenue math• reading the national service rate index by state• finding the local sweet spot for bids• moving specialty chemicals to itemized or seasonal fees• billing fairly for heavy-use pools and extra chlorine• increasing filter cleanings for revenue and water quality• trimming high-drain accounts and adding smart ones• balancing profit, retention, and technician workloadSkimmer list of pool service rates by area and price increase template:https://www.getskimmer.com/priceincreasetoolkit?Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

White crust tracing your waterline or caking your spa spillway isn’t a mystery—it’s chemistry meeting heat and evaporation. We unpack what’s actually sticking to your tile, how to tell calcium carbonate from calcium silicate with a quick acid test, and why that difference changes everything for removal time, cost, and results. If you’ve ever cleaned for hours only to see the ring return, this is your field guide to fixing the source and not just the symptom.We start with the real drivers: LSI balance, high pH and alkalinity, rising water temperature, and hard fill water. Then we map a decision tree for action. Light carbonate haze? Use topical tile cleaners like Biodex 300 or Hasa Geyser, brush often, and protect coping and plaster. Moderate buildup? Add chelation and sequestration with Orenda SC-1000 to bind calcium and metals, and consider EasyCare Buildup and Scale Tec on surfaces to lift deposits for easier brushing. Heavy crust or zero reaction to acid? It’s likely silicate—skip the endless scrubbing and plan for professional bead blasting or soda media blasting to restore the tile fast and clean.We also get tactical about manual methods that actually work when used right. Pumice is slow but safe on porcelain. Sharp razor blades, kept wet, can peel thick spillway scale quickly. Fine 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper can level stubborn ridges, with a careful hand. Prevention ties it all together: keep LSI in a non-scaling range, dose SC-1000 for maintenance, and brush the waterline weekly. If chronic scale still wins in hard-water regions, a device like AquaRex can reduce adhesion by changing crystal formation, especially on hot, wet spillways.• causes of scale from high pH, alkalinity, calcium and heat• acid test to distinguish carbonate vs silicate• light, moderate, heavy carbonate levels and fixes• topical cleaners and safe handling cautions• sequestrants and chelants for ongoing control• manual removal with pumice, razors, wet sanding• when to hire glass bead blasting• balancing LSI for prevention• tile material choices that rSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

A clean pool should never cost a pair of lungs or a blown-up skimmer. We take you straight into the chemistry that turns everyday products into hazards—how waterlogged trichlor creates choking fumes, why a puck in the skimmer sends an acid slug through your heater, and the exact mixes that can explode with shocking force. With clear examples from the field and a sobering real-world fatality, we unpack what causes these reactions and show you how small changes in habit prevent big emergencies.We break down the most dangerous pairings—trichlor with cal hypo, trichlor with liquid chlorine—and explain safer dosing strategies that rely on circulation and dilution in the full pool, not the skimmer or a five-gallon bucket. You’ll learn why calcium chloride must stand alone or it will cloud and crust your surfaces, plus how clarifiers and metal sequestering agents clash to make water milkier, not clearer. We also cover phosphate removers, overdosing pitfalls that flatten chlorine levels, and the foaming mess that follows heavy-handed enzyme or certain algaecide use—along with fast fixes and better habits.Safety extends beyond the waterline. We outline storage and transport rules that keep acid and liquid chlorine apart in your truck and shed, reduce spill risk, and meet local compliance requirements. From opening unknown trichlor buckets without taking a lungful, to spacing chemical additions and ventilating work zones, these are practical steps any homeowner or pool pro can follow to avoid injuries, fines, and costly repairs.• trichlor fume risks in wet buckets, feeders, and floaters• why tablets in the skimmer damage heaters and stain surfaces• explosive reactions between trichlor and cal hypo or liquid chlorine• safe handling of calcium chloride as a standalone addition• clarifier and metal sequestering agent conflicts that cause cloudiness• phosphate remover timing and avoiding overdosing• enzyme and some algaecide foaming and how to fix it• storage and transport protocols to separate acid and chlorine• city compliance, pSend us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

When fuel prices climb and headlines turn gloomy, every pallet of chemicals, o-rings, and test kits you buy gets more expensive—and that cost lands squarely on your route. We peel back the layers of how inflation really moves through suppliers, distributors, and delivery trucks to your invoice, then lay out a calm, practical plan to protect your margins without torching hard-won client trust.We start by mapping the signals: oil spikes push freight costs up, distributors pass those increases on, and chemical prices rarely fall once they rise. Pulling from the hard lessons of 2008 and the unique distortions of COVID-era stimulus, we explain why waiting for prices to drop is a risky bet. Instead, we outline a measured approach: calculate your true per-stop costs, choose a single, modest rate increase that covers summer volatility, and communicate it in plain English with clear dates and a steady hand.From there, we talk through what changes on the ground. Elective installs and remodels slow first, tightening the future service pipeline and making new customer acquisition tougher. Some clients try DIY, meet sticker shock at the pool store, and realize the time and skill it takes to keep water clear through heat and bather load. Your edge is reliability. We share efficiency plays—tighter routing, fewer emergency runs, digital billing, smart stocking of fast-moving essentials—so you cut waste, not service quality. You’ll also hear when to cull unprofitable accounts, how to negotiate with suppliers, and the simple metrics to watch weekly so you act early rather than react late.If you’ve been wondering whether to raise rates, how much, and how to say it without losing good customers, this guide gives you a script and a strategy. Subscribe, share with a fellow pool pro, and leave a review telling us: are you implementing one increase now or waiting to see where fuel lands next month?Send us Fan MailSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

Ever wonder why your pool still looks hazy even after a long vacuum session? We unpack the tiny measurements that control big results: microns, which decide what your filter or cleaner can actually catch, and parts per million, which reveals how little chemical is truly in the water. With clear examples and real‑world comparisons, we connect the dots between filtration performance and precise dosing, so you can stop guessing and start dialing in clarity.We break down filtration by what it really removes. Sand typically captures 25–30 microns, cartridge around 10–20, and DE as fine as 1–3. That matters because the human eye only sees down to roughly 35 microns, so much of what irritates owners is invisible unless your equipment can trap it. You’ll hear practical guidance on vacuum system bags (60 vs 200 microns), why pollen and algae dust pass through the wrong bag, and how robotic canisters vary—from Polaris “ultra fine” ranges to Dolphin fine filters reaching about 20 microns. We also spotlight a cartridge‑equipped vacuum solution that filters to 10–20 microns, a real upgrade for routes with silt, DE dust, and heavy pollen.Then we translate PPM into plain language. One PPM is like one minute in two years: tiny. We show why five PPM of chlorine is not a chemical bath in 15,000 gallons, and how low pH—not chlorine—often causes irritation. You’ll learn why the industry anchors dosing to 10,000 gallons, how 8.34 pounds per gallon of water drives the math, and how this standard turns messy calculations into simple rules of thumb. We share easy dosing examples for alkalinity and stabilizer, and point you to calculators that tailor doses to any pool size without mental gymnastics.• what a micron is and why it matters• human eye limits vs filter capture• sand, cartridge, and DE micron ranges• vacuum bags for leaves vs fine debris• robot canisters compared for fine capture• when to use suction, pressure, or robots• bottom feeder cartridge option for dust• what PPM means in real pool doses• why 10,000 gallons standardizes Send a textSupport the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! HASA https://bit.ly/HASAThe Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:https://getskimmer.com/poolguy Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6ySupport the showThanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.comWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPLPodcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBAPool Guy Coaching GroupJoin an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoachingLimits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-roadAcid Wash Coverage - Full Limits