The short answer is yes. But don’t stop there.

There is an almost hysterical run toward using UV (ultra violet) light to “better” treat and disinfect swimming pools against bather and environmental waste. And you can’t stop at the answer above. You have to understand what UV treatment is actually doing. Like everything, there are pros and cons. There are also myths that must be dispelled and put to rest.

First the facts. There are 3 types of UV. UV-A: causes wrinkles in our skin and “burning”. UV-B aids in the production of Vitamin D. Both of these are able to penetrate the earth’s atmosphere. UV-C is used commercially and personally to disinfect food and objects. UV-C cannot penetrate the atmosphere and must be artificially created.

UV-C is excellent in sanitizing against bacteria, viruses, cysts & certain protozoa (including cryptosporidia and giardia – usually introduced from bather or environmental fecal matter – of which both are chlorine and halogen resistant). It does not allow algae to grow and multiply. It is non-irritating to mucous membranes, eyes and ears. It does not affect your pool’s water balance. It aids in reducing (not eliminating) chloramines and chlorine demand.

How does UV-C actually work? UV-C works works by disrupting the bacteria cells DNA and RNA. When the DNA and RNA are disrupted, the bacteria and viruses can not reproduce and multiply. Please note: UV-C DOES NOT KILL ANYTHING!

That’s the first myth or bit of information debunked. UV-C does not kill anything. Furthermore UV-C will NOT remove any micro-organisms. The other things that UV-C will not do are:

• Protect against re-contamination. As swimmers enter the water with “new” bacteria and micro-organisms, those must be treated.
  
• Work well in cloudy water. Cloudy water will effectively block the absorption of UV-C to do its job.
  
• Work well in the presence of heavy metals (dissolved iron, copper and manganese). Iron effectively blocks UV-C absorption.
  
• Work well in areas of high Calcium Hardness (over about 300 ppm). Areas of hard water will tend to be scale forming. Scale WILL form on UV-C tubing preventing its effectiveness.
  
• Work as a stand alone sanitizing system. UV-C is meant to work as a supplement with chlorine, salt, bromine. Ionizers (Nature2, Frog, etc), biguanides (Soft Swim, Baquacil, etc) are not compatible.
  
• Oxidize anything. Shock treatments (using either chlorine or non-chlorine shock products) must be done regularly to oxidize contaminants and certain other unfiltered matter.

Keep in mind that the way that UV systems are constructed, they must be properly maintained all of the time in order to be effective. I mentioned above that UV is rendered ineffective when the pool water is cloudy. The UV light cannot penetrate the turbidity of the water. The water must be clear. The same holds true of the UV generator.

The bulb of the UV generator is typically surrounded and protected by a quartz tube. The problem is that the quart tube will get cloudy; and it will get cloudy quickly. How quick? The “occlusion rate” (how cloudy it gets) is, on average, about 5% per week. What does that mean to you? It means that after about 7 to 8 weeks, almost 50% occlusion will have occurred. Or in other words, only about 50% of the UV light is able to work.

In areas of high calcium hardness or high scaling or hard water or high metals (iron, copper, etc), the UV generator tubing will scale and cloud even faster. Proper, weekly chemical cleaning of the tube is essential to remove and eliminate scale and naturally occurring bio-film build up. Using a bio-film remover such as AquaFinesse Pool Water Care tablets will aid in the cleaning. Otherwise, clean with a mild acid cleaner.

Is a UV-C system right for you? You will have to answer that question. The price range for a good UV system for the average swimming pool is anywhere from about $1300.00 to $2500.00. That’s a lot of money and can purchase of lot traditional good, hard working chemicals and products.

Do your research. Anyone claiming bacteria kill is completely misrepresenting the product. Remember, if it sounds too good, it probably is.

http://www.parpools.com/poolcare
http://www.parpools.com/Page/Help/Pool/Giardia-Cryptosporidium.html

Your thinking of putting a pool in your backyard and creating a fun and entertaining environment can be exciting and costly so you need to think about what you really want or do not want is a time consuming and thoughtful process.

Starting from a basic swimming pool and adding to it we will first talk about choices for the pool itself. First you have a choice of plaster or pebble tec finishing. Pebble tec will last many more years than plain plaster and may well be worth the little extra cost. It also makes the pool look more elegant. Size and shape are of course a consideration. you can choose from many different curved or kidney shaped type pools as well as fantastic straight lined rectangular pools.

Next you have so many choices of water features like rock water falls, wet pots with water spouts, negative edge, pillars with spill outs or other water features.  The water features are almost endless and can create a gorgeous setting or your pool.

You can build a table into your pool with benches around it to sit and enjoy a beverage or snack. A full step down Gazebo with a swim up bar with stools is very creative and creates a fantastic entertaining area. Whether you build a Gazebo or not you can still build a great barbeque area near the pool. 

There are so many different types of decking to choose from for around the actual swimming area.  You can choose from pavers, cool decking, flagstone, painted cement to look like flagstone or other types of decking. 

Putting bricking inside a raised area of the pool or choosing a beautiful tile are also a few choices you will be making. 

Deciding whether you will create a play pool or a diving pool possibly with a diving board or a curved slide for the kids  are also things to think about.

Positioning the pool for maximum usage of your yard or visibility from the inside of your home so you can enjoy the water feature and refreshing water is also important for many people. 

Knowing whether or not you want a typical chlorine pool or a popular salt water pool is another item that you will likely be asked from your pool builder.

Whether you choose to hire a pool company or a contractor to build your own pool without the middleman of a true pool company is completely up to you. You can save thousands of dollars doing it yourself and it does not mean you are doing any of the work, it is very simple, you just pay the contractors individually and save money.

Enjoy your pool all year if you decide to get a solar or gas heated pool or jacuzzi.

Nancy Niblett is a highly successful Real Estate Agent specializing in the Chandler area. She credits her success to hard work, integrity and honesty. Clients continue to refer her over and over again. Nancy is one of the most successful award-winning agents and currently with West USA Revelation. She was awarded the top 50 Individual Agents by Phoenix Business Journal for the past several years.

Find a top realtor or a affordable home in Tempe, AZ at Affordable Tempe Homes or in Chandler, Arizona at Cheap Chandler Homes

Solar water heating has reached a high level of popularity in a lot of residential homes in the past years. It is not an uncommon sight anymore to have an in ground pool solar heater. This way of heating is very efficient and cheap, since you are using a free and renewable energy, your electric bills would be reduced up to 50%. Because of the high demand, several manufacturers produce and retail different models and makes to the consumers.

There are two basic kinds of solar heating sytems: passive and active. An active solar eating system uses electric pumps and controllers to be able to circulate water through the collectors. These systems are usually more expensive than passive ones. Passive heating systems basically rely on physics and transfer and collect power more naturally, making it more reliable and easier to maintain. The setback though is water flow is slower so it can be less efficient. AmeriMerc is one of the online websites that offer different in ground pool solar heater. One of their products is the SunGrabber Deluxe Solar Pool Heater item NS715, which includes the system kit and 4 – 2 X 10 solar panels, priced at $534.75. The system kit consists of a ball valve, check valve, couplers, tie-downs and a vacuum relief alve. The packages they sell are basic and include only 4 panels but for optimal coverage it is advisable that the panels be 50% of the area of the pool.

Another in ground pool solar heater made by the same manufacturer is the SunGrabber Economy Solar Heater Item NS700, which costs $699.75 at AmeriMerc’s website. This base package includes 4 – 2 X 20 solar panels and related hardware. These solar panels are horizontally mounted on the roof and have large headers which maximize solar efficiency and also make for better circulation. You can also purchase additional accessories and parts to go with the base package. You can buy add-on solar panels for about $150 each to be able to achieve optimal heating. The website also offers a sizing chart to help you better understand how many panels are needed for a certain pool size. Both of these SunGrabber products manufactured by Fafco come with a 10 year warranty on the solar collector.

AmeriMerc also sells the Sunheater in ground pool solar heater which has an over molded fiberglass header pipes and can up the temperature of the pool by 10 degrees. This product can be easily installed on the house’s roof or just placed on the ground on a mounted rack. The price would depend on the kind of package you want to purchase but the lowest priced one is Item S601 which includes 2 – 2 x 20 solar panels which is able to gather up to 80,000 BTUs every day. Freight shipping is free and the product costs $229.95 on their website. Other packages can include up to 8 solar panels with a system kit included and costs $949.95. All of these come with a 5 year limited warranty. The initial installation of an in ground pool solar heater may not be that cheap but you will be able to reap its benefits in the long run. These systems are more efficient and reliable than other heating systems that are electric or gas fueled.

Aside from pools, solar heating can also be used for spa systems and residential household needs.

These are just a few of the options in solar water heaters.

Next, discover how the different types of water heaters at www.waterheaterreport.com can really save cut your utility bills.

Many people who look for spas will do so by looking for ones in specific colors. This can work for a variety of reasons. Some people will want to have a spa that is pleasing on the eyes. Others will ask for spas that have colors that match other things in an area. It will help to take a look at spa colors no matter what one is looking for in a spa.

The exterior of the spa can work with a unique finish. It can feature a wood or stone type of finish. This is used to help with getting it to blend in with other materials around an area. The colors that work for these materials can vary though. Woods can come in natural or painted colors. Stones, meanwhile, can vary from dark colors to light ones.

The inside shell of the spa will feature a greater variety of spa colors. The most common spa colors for the inside shell are sold colors. These are ones that will not have any alterations in them. White is generally the most popular of these colors. Sand, silver and blue colors can work as well.

Marble and mineral colors can work as well. These are colors that feature patterns that can vary along the build of the spa. These are patterns that are natural and will work according to the materials that the shell was cut out of. Minerals like sandstone and quartz are some of the most popular items that can work to create natural colors.

The spa colors that are going to be considered for one’s spa should be considered with comfort in mind. The person in the spa should be able to have an easier time with relaxing when the color of the spa is pleasing to the eyes.

For more information, visit Masterspaparts.com. They offer over 2,500 official Master Spa parts, Down East parts and Twilight parts. Your Spa replacement parts are in stock and ready to be shipped within 48 hours.

Inflatable pool slides are a very popular addition to family swimming pools and have several advantages over rigid ones. One of the more obvious ones is that you can easily deflate and store the slide when you’ve finished using it, and it will not take up much room. Static slides are more time consuming to disassemble and harder to store; if they are designed as a permanent fixture, then they may deteriorate in poor weather. Inflatable slides are also ideal for younger children, since by their nature they are soft and provide cushioning against possible injuries.

The vast majority of inflatable slides are extremely easy to set up. You simply inflate them with the supplied foot pump (or use an electric pump to make it even easier), and connect your garden hose to supply the water which sprays down the slide’s surface.

A few slides are designed specifically for in-ground pools and others for above-ground ones; although several work with both — just make sure to check before you buy. Also check the recommended minimum pool depth for the slide you’re considering purchasing; 5 feet is the norm. If very young children will be using the slide, then choose a model which has steps that can accommodate small strides. A model with a wide sliding surface will allow two people to slide down together.

Some of the cheaper models available may be made from sub-standard materials which will tear quite easily, especially in areas subject to high wear and tear, such as the steps. It’s worth paying a bit extra for a model made from heavy duty PVC or vinyl, very cheap models are a false economy. At the pricier end of the market, you can find what amount to mini waterparks, featuring multiple slides, tunnels, etc. You will need a fairly large area to accommodate this type. So long as you choose a good quality slide, your family should get many days’ fun from it, making it a very worthwhile investment.

The author has a website with more information about buying an inflatable pool slide, visit http://www.inflatablepoolslide.org to learn more.

Soaking in a steamy hot tub on a clear, star studded evening with a glass of wine and some soft music is a dreamy way to end a long, difficult day whether it’s at home chasing children all about the house or at the office trying to meet deadlines. Just think about how de-stressed you are (or could be!) after relaxing in your spa.

Nothing will disrupt that hope of such splendor, though, like a filthy tub. So, if you want to always be sure you’ll have your tub sparkling clean to use it whenever you like, you will need to keep it well maintained.

To keep your spa in tiptop shape, you merely need to change the water and buy hot tub filters on a regular basis. And, one of the easiest ways to remember when to change the filter is to do so when you change the water (read your spa’s instruction manual for how often this should be as it will vary according to size).

If you buy two filters, you will always have an extra on hand when you need it. You must keep it clean and replace it regularly so it will operate at its best and keep your tub free of dirt and debris that could cause expensive problems such as the pump breaking. Replacing filters is a much more cost effective way of maintaining your wonderful hot tub, and, when you know your tub is filth free, you will be able to enjoy it worry free whenever you like.

Another way to maintain your hot tub spa filters is to keep them clean between replacements; simply remove it and spray it thoroughly with your garden hose to remove the scum that has undoubtedly built up.

If you utilize your tub more frequently than most, it is recommended that you soak it in a solution for 24 hours that is made specifically for more heavily used spas. You might also enjoy the convenience of an accessory that will clean your filter automatically. Just hook up the automatic cleaning device to your garden hose and in no time whatsoever, your tub’s filter will be clean and fully functioning once more.

Remember, neglecting to buy a filter replacement may result in costly repairs that will keep you from the luxury of a long soak at the end of your day.

Stacey Boothe Snelling is a professional blogger, proofreader, and editor who has written numerous articles for http://www.hottubs2buy.co.uk/filters.php.

After a strenuous day of work many people unwind by putting their feet up and kicking back in front of the television, which while being entertaining does little to relieve their sore muscles and the aches that have mounted during the day. Tension that builds in the shoulders, back, and neck usually stays with a person, but through the relaxing waters that gently melt away stress people that own hot tubs are finding that they are more rested and ready to tackle the challenges of their daily work. For a growing number of Arizonans the ability to soak in their own hot tubs gives Phoenix residents a new lease on life as the emotional strains of the workday decompress with the soothing bubbles and massaging heat that release physical pressure on the joints and tendons allowing homeowners to enjoy their own private spa treatment.

With the climate of the desert allowing for use of pools and Jacuzzis throughout the year some people are finding that their outdoor relaxation oasis provides them not only with a proven method for easing tension, but also allows for the added bonus of watching the beautiful sunsets that paint the sky with color as the sit back and enjoy the invigorating massage of the jetted water that is warmed to a comfortable 102 degrees. By adding some soft music and a glass of their favorite wine to the spectacular views of the evening sky, some couples find that their backyard spa can be the opening of a romantic entanglement that massages away the worries of the day and provides a seductive escape from the chores of the office and home.

Spas of Arizona (http://www.acrylicspasaz.com/) we have been helping thousands of people find the Phoenix hot tubs and Phoenix Jacuzzis that are just right for them.

Solar heat for pools is an excellent option to reduce toxic gas discharge and at the same time saves pool users a lot of money. The current state of the environment and global economy has generated so much interest in alternative options that are efficient, earth-friendly, safe and inexpensive. Solar heat for pools is a clear choice to address all these concerns.

This type of heater utilizes sunlight to generate electricity and heat to keep pool water warm and comfortable. Solar heat for pools cost-efficient as it does away with other pool heating costs. Installation cost for such heaters is almost equal to heat pump applications. First cost may be a little expensive but there is almost zero operating cost in using solar heat for pools. In fact energy comes from the sun and is for free. A pool heater powered by the Sun can last between 10 and 15 years if installed and maintained properly.

One might ask how a solar heat for pools works. It is rather simple. The Sun’s heat serves as fuel to heat pool water. This type of energy is collected using panels that absorb sunlight. These panels are installed to collect heat from the sun. Cold water that is pumped from the pool through the panels is kept warm by collected heat coming from the sun. As water is heated, it is pumped back to the pool.

Just like any gas fired pool heater, using solar heat for pools have fully automatic features making operation easy for the homeowners and other end users.

Solar heat for pools is environmentally friendly because it does not use fossil fuels that release pollutants to the environment. While gas-fired heaters and heat pumps can worsen air pollution, pool heaters using the Sun as the main source of energy do not contribute to any kind of pollution. Global warming is inevitable with our continued global population growth. We can only slow down the global warming process. Little things like using renewable energy such as solar heat for pools can help us achieve that goal.

To make the most out of the panels, most installers would suggest that these sunlight collectors be installed facing south. The truth is that these panels do not need to face south as long as these are exposed to the sun for the most part of the day. Properly sized panels can yield the same results regardless of where these panels are facing.

These panels are typically installed on rooftops. These can also be mounted anywhere on the ground or using racks as long as these panels are exposed to the sun.

Solar heat for pools can be optimized by proper selection and sizing. The size of your swimming pool is a major consideration. Another factor is the position, inclination and direction of the solar panels. You may want to consider how long you intend to use your swimming pool in a year and if using a pool cover makes sense.

Solar heat for pools has been widely used for over 30 years now because it is an environment-friendly and cost efficient option.

Being in the Swimming Pool Industry for 40 years, Steve Merillat was one of the first people that designed and installed free-form vinyl inground pools and pioneered many of the techniques used to this day with regards to their installation. For all of your Swimming Pool Supplies needs, any purchase or information on your Solar Heat for Pools, visit 1800Pools.