Welcome to the pool & spa hotline membership program
Description and registration
Keep your pool or spa clear with the least effort and expense. Whether you are a home pool owner or make a living in aquatics, The Pool and Spa Hotline is your educational and operational resource.
Owning and operating a pool/spa is not supposed to be a daily challenge; it is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. Yet there are always new and changing situations in which you rely on pool experts for solutions.
Total Aquatic Programming
Total Aquatic Programming (TAP) is a full-service consultant (and advocates) for financially successful aquatic facilities. Having unparalleled experience in the design of new, renovated, and expanded facilities, creation, and implementation of modern – financially sustainable – aquatic programming. TAP helps people in the public and private sector operate their pools and spas with the least effort and expense.
Pool & Spa Hotline is a new offering by TAP giving members direct access to staff with over 150 years of combined experience in the pool industry. We have owned a successful pool supply (brick and mortar) store for 35 years and advised thousands of customers with home pools and spas. This includes home in the ground pools, on the ground pools, pop-up pools, spas & hot tubs, as well as commercial therapy, Learn-2-Swim pools, and large commercial aquatic centers. Home Pool & Spa Hotline members save an average of over $200 per summer ($500 per year) on pool operational cost while maintaining a clear pool.
TESTIMONIALS
Every time it rains, or we have a higher-than-normal number of swimmers in our home pool, the water turns green. We joined the Pool & Spot Hot Line and within a few hours the issue was identified, and problem solved. Total cost for solution $0. We changed the way we chemically treated the water and saved over $100 the next few months. We did not have to change our pool store we just told them what we wanted rather than have them tell us what they wanted to sell us. We are now planning to change the filter and pump for next summer’s outdoor Midwest pool season. Thanks Pool & Spa Hot Line. We are members as long as we have a pool. Fred Dean – Illinois
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When my husband would play golf with his friends, he would come home with a new “magic-chemical” for our pool that his friend recommended. It would take me most of the following week to get the pool back to an acceptable condition. We (he) wasted over $200 buying gimmick-chemicals during the summer. This does not include the cost for filter cleaning and water replacement to fix his magic. Pool & Spa Hot Line supplied me with the information to educate my husband, although I still have to occasionally check store sacks he brings home after golf. I need an alarm that tells me when he gets near “my” pool. Pool & Spa Hot Line helped with everything except my golfer’s poor decisions. Thanks - R.S. Green Bay WI
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We know we bought one of the cheapest above-ground pool kits available. We did however expect the pump and filter to keep the water reasonably clean. No such luck. Pool & Spa hot line helped us find a properly sized pump and cartridge filter and now we have clear safe water. The cost for the new system was more than the pool itself but in the long run it has been wonderful. Jill L. – Temple TX.
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18 months ago our therapy pool had a problem with yellow algae. Advice from multiple local pool stores did nothing to solve the problem. I called Mick Nelson and his solution allowed us to be up and running the next business day with no recurrence since. - Jason Grush, pool operator at Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center
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Our goal is to help you have clear safe water with the least effort and expense.
We are independent professionals with no manufacture, distributor, dealer, or specific product allegiances. In other words, we do not sell or promote brand names. In fact, we purposely don’t sell any products or accept advertising dollars from anyone. We help solve your pool/spa problem or offer advice on pool equipment and
products based off what is best for your situation. There is no such thing as a GENERIC FIX.
We have professionals on call to help you.
· 95% of our customer calls are answered same day and over 50% within an hour
· We are on-call Monday – Friday 8AM to 5PM (Mountain time) and Saturday-Sunday 9AM to noon.
· When you need immediate answers, we have an emergency contact number that can be accessed after standard business hours.
Why you should join Pool and Spa Hotline:
Pool stores mainly sell products not solutions. The more problems you have, the more money they make. Since we do not sell products, our job is to make you an educated pool owner, so you know what you need to purchase when you walk in your pool stores door. Many times, what you need is not want they want to sell you. It’s the same with on-line purchasing.
Are you ready to relax and enjoy your pool and spa?
Join NOW and get ready for the upcoming summer
Pool & Spa Hot Line Membership
6-month Membership = $49.95
12-Month Membership = $79.95
How It Works:
1. Fill out the pool information form and submit to be approved.
2. You will receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours.
3. Your membership application will be reviewed and any further necessary questions asked.
4. Once approved you will receive an online payable invoice through our STRIPE payment gateway.
Check out the FAQ section for more information.
Learn More
It is all about EDUCATION !
The Pool Builder and Pool Supply Stores usually are the first contact with the home pool owner. They have the opportunity to educate the pool owner about pool safety & the top 10 most important things to recognize.
THE SAFETY COMMUNICATIN CHAIN
Everyone has questions and we have answers
Background
IMPORTANT facts about owning, operating, or using a pool/spa: Each area’s water quality is different. If you try to treat water in the Midwest like a person treats a pool in Arizona or Florida, you will be in for an unpleasant surprise: IT WON’T work. Be aware of what brand of chemicals are being used. The wrong brand in the wrong area can create a whole set of problems that is both time consuming and expensive to correct. There are 2 components to having CLEAR WATER. (1) Proper circulation (2) Proper chemicals
If the pump is not properly sized or the filter is not the proper size or type, green water or cloudy “murky” water may result. Many pools are designed (through “value engineering”) with too small a pump and filter; some are up to 3 times too small for the pool.
faq - Why do I have to test more than Chlorine in my pool?
One of the 2 most important water tests you can do on a daily basis is pH, the RED indicator. If your pH is not between 7.3 and 7.6 none of the chemicals you put in the water, including chlorine, will work properly. Test kit indicators (the clear liquid with the yellow lid for chlorine and the red liquid with the red lid for pH) are not good for more than 12 months. Test strips do not work well or read accurately, so stay with the liquid 5-part test kit. In addition to the daily chlorine and pH test, test regularly for available chlorine, total alkalinity, and cyanuric acid level. The goal of pool water testing is to maintain a healthy, clean pool environment.
faq - My water test ok so why is my pool water cloudy or has a green tint.
Filtration: The water chemistry can be perfect but if the filtration or circulation is inadequate, there can still be problems. Proper filtration is 50% of the water clarity equation. There are 3 main types of filters:
1. Sand Filters will not remove suspended particles smaller than 30 to 40 microns.
2. Cartridge Filters will remove suspended particles down to 15-20 microns if the filter cartridge is made from the right material.
3. DE Filters (Diatomaceous Earth) will remove suspended particles down to 3 to 4 microns
The smaller the size-number of microns the better the filtration. Filters must be cleaned on a maintenance schedule and media changed. Proper monitoring and maintenance is imperative.
faq - There are so many pool chemicals to choose from, how do I know what I actually need?
Liquid chlorine has become a preferred method to treat pool water. All chlorine’s/bromines are not the same, in fact, seldom are any 2 identical. Some use calcium, potassium, or lithium for a base. Others use industrial or technical grade sodium. It is not the chlorine that makes one brand superior to another, but the base, the inert ingredients, and the processing methods. Some of the chlorines on the market today are not suitable for pool use. So why are they sold? Possibly because people buy them and then buy the “corrective” chemicals to solve the problems they create. A large amount of the advertising for pool chemicals is false and the pool owner/manager is the one who suffers.
faq - My pool has algae and it was recommended that I start using an algaecide and shocking. I can’t
The same advice holds true about algaecides, except there are even more products to choose from. Polymer based algaecides seem to work best and have no undue side effects. Again, watch out for the inert ingredients. Many times, green water is not caused by algae. It is usually caused by a chemical reaction that knocks the metals out of the water. Sometimes this can be the fault of the type/brand of chemicals used, other times the fault of the filter, then sometimes the problem can be more complex. Regardless of the cause, the problem cannot be solved by adding chlorine, bleach, muriatic acid, clarifiers, algaecides, shock or metal-out. These compound the problem and make it harder to correct.
faq - I’ve heard that I can “sun screen” my pool so the chemicals last longer. Is this true?
Stabilizing or sun screening the water can save some money over the summer season. Stabilizer is not necessary, but it can make sodium-based chlorines burn more effectively in the hot sunlight. Stabilizing is something not just automatically done every season because the chemical in stabilizer lasts for years in the water. If too much stabilizer is in the water nothing will take it out; the pool will have to be drained. Test the water for cyanuric acid content to see how much stabilizer is needed. Do not stabilize indoor pools.
faq - Is there such a thing as a chlorine free pool?
Not really. Chlorine (Bromine) kills the bacteria and viruses that form in the water. They are a necessity for a safe pool. Even saline pools that are advertised as “chlorine free” are NOT. They create chlorine and can cause a whole separate set of issues. Learn what is safe and keeps your pool clear.
faq - My pool accessories are constantly breaking. Are they just cheaply made?
To make pool accessories (hoses, vacuum heads, nets, games) last as long as possible, store them out of the direct sunlight when not in use. The ultra-violet rays of the sun cause deterioration of anything made from plastic-type material. Protect filter hoses and filter housing from as much sun as possible. Most commercial accessories and pool covers/liners are made with ultra-violet inhibitors in the material. They cost only slightly more than the standard pool accessory but will last noticeably longer.
faq - Now that I’m a pool owner, everyone seems to have advice for me. How do I make sense of all o
When the pool pump/filter is on a timer to save electricity by turning off at night, the pool will experience a higher chemical usage. After the water has been setting un-filtered for 3 hours the chemical life has been cut in half. More than 3 hours it has been cut by 2/3. Saving $2 in electricity may cost $5 in pool chemicals. Lack of proper circulation is the main cause of improper oxidation of chemicals. In addition, pool pumps will last longer if allowed to run continuously. Spas are designed differently.
faq - Does my pool pump/filter need to run all the time? can I put it on a timer and turn off at nig
Many times, pool owners are their own worst enemies. They talk to friends who own pools and they say someone else tried this or uses that and it works great; they try it. Don’t do it! Very seldom will a person admit to trying something that failed. Many of the “miracle treatments” are urban legends from the manufacturers or re-sellers. Keep track of what is spent; at the end of the season you know how much it cost to operate the pool. This is the only way you can prove to yourself that not only is a specific brand of chemicals better and easier to use, but it actually saves money when looking at the entire pool season.
NOTE! Many gimmick chemicals are introduced to the pool market each year. Most of these chemicals or treatment systems will damage pool equipment, cost more to use, and will not kill all types of dangerous bacteria. If you feel uncomfortable about asking people in your area you can contact the HOT LINE. Most of the gimmick chemicals or equipment have already been banned for commercial use in pools and spas.
There are literally a hundred things that can make you wish you had never bought a pool. The HOT LINE has over 100 solutions. CONTACT: Mick at: mick@totalaquatic.llc