Monthly Archives: March 2021

Robotic Pool Cleaners

This type of equipment is independent of the main filter and the pump system and is powered by a separate electricity source, usually in the form of a transformer that must be kept at least 3.0 m from the pool water, many times on the pool deck.

Robotic Pool Cleaners come equipped with two internal motors: one to suck water through an independent filter and return the filtered water at high speed back to the pool water. The second is a drive motor that is connected to rubber belts like a tractor or to rubber or plastic brushes by means of a shaft. The brushes, similar to paint rollers, are located on the front and rear of the machine and help to remove contaminating particles from the pool floor, walls and in some cases even the steps of the pool, depending on the size and configuration. They also direct the particles into the inner filter bag.

An internal microchip is pre-programmed to switch on and off and reverse the direction of the drive motors. The chip will cause the robot to change direction when it hits a wall or the surface of the water after climbing the walls of the pool.

These vacuums can also be directed by sensors located on the impact bars which, in contact with objects such as a wall, cause an inverse in the direction, with a small displacement allowing it to move the width of a vacuole over each intersection of the pool . The delay timer is an important feature for many pools, as many turn off several circulation pumps during the night to allow suspended particles to settle to the bottom of the pool; after a few hours, the pool robot begins its cleaning cycle. This cleaning cycle is configured to be completed before the pumps are switched on again. While not necessary for proper pool cleaning, this feature saves energy and improves cleaning efficiency.

To move forward, backward, climb walls and steps, the automatic electric vacuum cleaners are based on three natural principles, traction and movement caused by the drive motor and brushes, buoyancy created by the large areas inside the machine that are filled with air and the force resulting from the high pressure of water being emitted from the top of the machine that pushes it against the floor and walls. Some electric robots use brushes made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl alcohol, which has a grip quality that allows the unit to almost stick to walls, steps and floors. They are also resistant to rubbish and oil, improving the service life of rubber or other synthetic materials.

The combination of these three natural principles, together with an internal mercury switch that informs the microchip that the unit has moved from horizontal to vertical while climbing a wall, allows it to change from upward to downward wall intervals at intervals pre-programmed in the average height of the walls of a swimming pool. Some robots have delayed timers that cause the robot to remain in the water line, where more garbage accumulates, resulting in a rubbing action, much like the wheels of a powerful car turning or peeling.

The main benefits of this equipment are the efficiency in terms of time, energy and cleaning capacity, as well as low costs and maintenance requirements. The main disadvantage is the purchase cost, which can vary from € 750 for floor cleaning machines to more than € 2,000 for more sophisticated residential units.

Swimming Pool Water Treatment with Salt

Swimming Pool Water Treatment with Salt: Easy and Effective Disinfection

In order to enjoy a clear and crystalline pool, it is very important to combine filtration and water treatment. If you are one of those bathers who feel uncomfortable or irritated by chlorine, saline electrolysis is an interesting alternative and, without a doubt, a lot more ecological. This technology also has the advantage that disinfection is done automatically. You just need to add salt, install it and get in the water!

 Smart Next electrolysis
Electrolysis Salt Astralpool Smart Next

IS SALT TREATMENT AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL CHLORINE?

The answer is yes, without any doubt.

Electrolysis transforms the salt present in water into chlorine and sodium, which guarantees natural disinfection.

The water in the pool is slightly salty (between 3 and 5 grams of salt per liter, that is, 9 times less than sea water). By electrolysis, through the cell, the salt is transformed into gaseous chlorine, a powerful disinfectant that dissolves instantly in water. Like chemical chlorine, natural chlorine is a powerful oxidizing disinfectant, very effective in eliminating microorganisms (bacteria, algae, etc.), which spreads in the pool through the pool’s injection nozzles for water treatment.

It turns to salt again when exposed to UV rays. The advantage of this system is that it is cyclical, so there is no need to add salt throughout the season (unless the water is renewed).

 Zodiac salt electrolysis
Electrolysis Salt Zodiac Ei2

Why choose a saline color (electrolysis equipment)?

The main advantage of salt electrolysis is, as you may have noticed, that it provides a much more ecological natural treatment. You will not have problems with dry skin, irritation in the eyes, allergies, unpleasant odors, discoloration of bathing suits … as usually happens with water treated with chemical chlorine.

In addition, the salt deposited in the pool disinfects the water indefinitely, without having to deal with chemicals. You won’t have to worry about handling and storing aggressive and dangerous chemicals.

In short, after installing a saline electrolysis system, you will not need to buy any more disinfectant products. You may have doubts about the initial investment, but there are significant immediate and long-term benefits. It is a very low cost treatment system that, at the same time, offers water quality and comfort far superior to conventional treatment.

Saline electrolysis is an easy-to-install device, compatible with all pools (even in existing pools) and is suitable for all types of coverings.

Installation Typical
Typical installation

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF IDEAL SALT

We found that, for the electrolysis process, it is only necessary to add salt when installing the system for the first time. However, the salt content of your pool should be periodically analyzed, especially if large amounts of water are added (heavy rain) or if the water

is drained by the filter washes and added necessary. Our salt chlorination equipment also facilitates this operation because they are equipped with an automatic “No salt” warning.

Maintaining the pool with salt also requires regular water pH control. The pool water should have a pH between 7 and 7.6, the ideal level being between 7.2 and 7.4. If you want to make the whole process a little easier, just install an automatic pH regulator.

All of our salt chlorinators are equipped with automatic polarity reversing cells.

Robotic Pool Cleaner ZODIAC ALPHA iQ

NEW Robotic Pool Cleaner ZODIAC ALPHA iQ

ULTRA PERFORMANCE AND COMBINED INTELLIGENCE

ZODIAC ALPHA iQ Swimming Pool Vacuum

3 models available – RA 6300 iQ, RA 6500 iQ, RA 6700 iQ


1 CUSTOM CLEANING
Equipped with the Sensor Nav System ™ , the Robotic Pool Cleaner ALPHA iQ ™ identifies the configuration of your pool to optimize your movements and cleaning time. Thanks to its pressure sensor, it is more effective in managing the climb up the walls and cleaning the water line depending on the depth of the pool.

2 SUCTION EFFECTIVENESS
Its patented cyclonic suction is extremely powerful and long lasting. Associated with its extra-large suction capacity and extremely fine filtration, ALPHA iQ ™ offers an ideal collection of all types of waste.

3 EASY TO USE
Its patented Lift System allows you to be lighter when leaving the water. Its easy access to the fi lter, as well as the visibility offered by its transparent window, make it easier to use.

4 INTUITIVE CONTROL
Monitor the cleaning process at any time via the iAquaLink ™ application’s intuitive interface. The ALPHA iQ ™ is constantly evolving, thanks to optimizations and updates, and its remote features

A electric cleaning robot that allows autonomous cleaning of your pool without having to connect to the filtration system. It connects to the mains and collects waste in its own filter box. Endowed with true artificial intelligence, accesses all corners of the pool, climbs walls and cleans the water line.

Features RA 6300 iQ, RA 6500 iQ and RA 6700 iQ:
Cycle start and monitoring;
Lift System;
Transparent filter view window;
For underground and above-ground pools with rigid walls;
All forms of pools;
All backgrounds and coverings;
Cleaning the bottom, walls and water line;
3 engines;
4-wheel drive;
Gear transmission;
Interval system, safety out of water, electronic engine protection.

Characteristics RA 6500 iQ and RA 6700 iQ:
Pressure sensor, management of the ascent through the walls and cleaning of the water line;
Remote control by smartphone application;
7 day schedule

Features RA 6700 iQ:
Temperature sensor;
Localized cleaning;
Waterline only cycles.

aspirador_zodiac_ra6500_iq_02_1
aspirador_zodiac_ra6500_iq_05
Comparison ZODIAC

Wintering your pool, an effective and long-lasting process.

We conclude the bathing season in the outdoor pools, it is time to start wintering that will keep the water in good condition for the next nine months.

The bathing season is over and winter is approaching. The pool needs a little care during the summer and a preparation at the end of the season that facilitates its start up near the spring. This preparation is carried out by means of a wintering. This process consists of carrying out various works to prepare the facilities for the winter inactivity season (removing stairs, protecting showers, etc.) and applying some chemicals for treatment and preserving the properties of the water correctly. In this way, maintenance and start-up costs are reduced next season. It is important to choose a good treatment of the pool depending on its size, the volume of water it contains, the installation, the location and the type of use that is given to it.

The start date varies depending on the climate and the geographical situation where the pool is located. Normally, the wintering process should not be started until the water temperature drops below 15 ºC . They have a duration of approximately nine months. Carrying out a winter at a time of year that is not adequate, treating the water with wintering chemicals and the consequent decrease in the filtration time, can result in the appearance of algae and the proliferation of organisms in the water.

THE TWO OPTIONS
We can act in two different ways. One is to discard the winter when the poor condition of the water does not allow it to act on it or recover it for a new use. The other is to carry out the wintering process.

Option 1 – Empty the pool and replace the water
This occurs when due to saturation reasons we are unable to recover the water and the only solution is to empty the pool water and refill it. This is usually the case where the value of total dissolved solids (TDS) has exceeded 2,000 ppm, or when the levels of cyanuric acid (the stabilizer used in stabilized chlorines) reach 100-150 ppm. Both situations may coincide or we may encounter other combinations of chemical saturation. In this case, the water cannot be used.
To act, we must wait for the water temperature to reach less than 15 ºC. Then, we will dose it with copper sulfate which will work for algaecide effectively and very economically and a little chlorine. As it is necessary to empty the pool, we should not worry about health problems caused by the application of copper sulfate in excessive doses, since the pool will be filled again. As soon as the pool is empty, a thorough cleaning of all the elements that are part of the installation must be carried out. If during cleaning you notice that the material in the tank has cracks or cracks, take the opportunity to carry out the necessary repairs. Then fill the pool. Then the disinfectant is applied, then add an algaecide product and a flocculant.

Option 2 -Wintering Process
Wintering has two important advantages:
conditioning the plant to protect it from the rigors of winter and inactivity; and the use of water as a scarce resource. It involves the conditioning of a swimming pool by applying certain chemicals to the water that result in preserving its properties and reducing maintenance costs, as well as the future commissioning in the next bathing season. The process also includes certain work to prepare the installation, such as removing the stairs, protecting the showers, etc. It is a simple process but varies according to the water treatment system used in the pool (chlorine, ozone, ionization, bromine, oxygenation, electrolysis, etc.). When it comes to chlorine-treated pools, the wintering process requires the following guidelines:
– check that the water temperature is below 15 ºC.
– clean the entire bottom and walls of the pool.
– perform the filter wash (approx. 5 min.).
– analyze the water and adjust the pH level .
– perform a shock chlorination that will eliminate any microorganisms that may remain in water.
To avoid discoloration of the coating, it is advisable to use a float that will keep the water always moving or introduce chlorodirectly into the skimmers. It is advisable to let the chlorine act for at least 6 hours before proceeding to the next step.
– With the pool filter in operation, add invernator in the indicated dose and evenly.
– Then we stop the water circulation in the pool, closing the injectors, skimmers and bottom drains.
– Re-measure pH levels . Remember that the winterer must be applied twice, the first when starting the wintering process and the second half of the winter season (January / February).

SWIMMING POOLS WITH SALINE CHLORATION
If the water temperature is above 15 ° C, keep the equipment running long enough (the lower the temperature, the shorter the filtration time) to maintain the residual chlorine level between 0, 5 and 1.0 ppm, adjusting the pH between 7.2-7.4, manually or automatically. If the water temperature is below 15 ° C, electrically disconnect the electrolysis equipment, remove the chlorine generating cell, clean it with electrolytic cell descaler and eliminate any encrustation that may be attached to the plates. Then, store the chlorine generating cell in a dry place, protected from the weather. If you have pH or pH / Rx control and regulation equipment, we must remove the electrodes and protect properly. Finally, we will follow the classic wintering treatment.

WHICH PRODUCT TO USE?
Winters are easy to apply products and work very efficiently. They are usually of universal use for any type of swimming pool with or without cover and do not require more maintenance during the winter. Generally, the formula is varied, but it is a compound formulated with agents disinfectants (chlorine, benzalkonium chloride, etc.), algicides (copper sulfate, quaternary ammonium, etc.), a metal remover (to prevent calcification, for example), in addition to other products.

Salt Electrolysis – Water Pool Salt Treatment

Salt Electrolysis Private Pool – Versatile salt treatment

NEW ZODIAC model – eXPERT

Salt Electrolysis – Water Pool Salt Treatment

EASY TO USE
With its large touchscreen, the eXPERT from ZODIAC can be put into operation and adjusted simple and quick way. You will be able to control the state of your pool in a flash thanks to the ergonomic information screen.

MAXIMUM ADAPTABILITY
The eXPERT by ZODIAC can be used in swimming pools with volumes up to 180m³ with a long-lasting water treatment thanks to its ultra-resistant cell.

WATER QUALITY GUARANTEED AUTONOMOUSLY
eXPERT provides complete water treatment through water balance management (pH regulation) and control automatic chlorination (Redox regulation) *
* depending on the model.

1 RANGE, 3 SOLUTIONS

Salt electrolysis for swimming pools with water volume up to 180 m 3 with a long-lasting water treatment thanks to its ultra-resistant cell. EXPERT provides complete water treatment through water balance management (pH regulation) and automatic chlorination control (Redox regulation), depending on the models.

• It has a large touchscreen with large characters.

• Semi-automatic calibration at 2 points pH 4 and pH 7 & amp; Redox 470 mV (buffer solutions included)

• Polarity inversion: Yes: 2, 3, 4 and 7 h (Factory setting = 2 h)

• Recommended salt rate – min: 5 g / L – 4 g / L minimum

• Reference value: Factory setting: pH = 7.2 / Redox = 700 mV

• Safety:
«Flow» indicator: automatic stop of the equipment in case of lack of water flow in the cell.
«g / L» indicator: reduces the salt protection to protect the electrode
«PH» indicator: pH level alarm
• Cell position: vertical or horizontal