Polaris Premium Inground Robotic Swimming

Cloudy pool water is caused by galore factors. These components may be chemical (water balance, pH, improper methods), mechanical (pool filter system) or environmental (source water, exuberant rain, heavy use). Often times, pool owners try to treat the sensations or changes but not the cause of the cloudy water, so we have to look at all of the things that may bestow to the problem. Let’s look at the causes of cloudy swimming pool water, then we may look at treatments and cures.

Before we dive in let’s introductory put cloudy water to the test. Cloudy pool water is in the eyes of the beholder. Cloudy may mean: Dull – the pool water just doesn’t sparkle. Hazy – it just isn’t as clear as it normally is. Cloudy – you may make out the bottom of the pool if you look hard. Opaque – the term says it all!

Chemical Reasons

Many pool owners speedily blame “bad chemicals” so let’s get started there. Here are numerous of the elements and their contribution to the cloudy water problem. Water alchemy may bestow to cloudy or hazy water – if the pH is HIGH (over 7.8) and or the Total Alkalinity (TA) is HIGH (over 200 ppm) and or the Calcium Hardness (CH) is HIGH (over 400 ppm). With pH & TA being high the water will become dull or flat and the chlorine reacts more tardily loses it is capacity to kill and control bacteria and algae. Now you have early algae growth – another cause of cloudy pool water. High CH doesn’t become a problem until the water warms up to over 85 degrees F; then you have a “cloudy” condition that won’t go away. Maintain good pool water remainder with these parameters: pH – 7.2 – 7.6 (all pools); Total Alkalinity – 80 – 120 ppm (concrete) or 120 – 150 ppm (vinyl liner); Calcium Hardness 200 – 300 ppm (concrete) or 175 – 250 ppm (vinyl).

Other chemical or alchemy based reasons for cloudy pool water would be lack of regular shocking, periodic chemical cleaning of the filter, poorly maintained sanitizer levels, lack of a chemical maintenance routine. Regular weekly or biweekly shocking of the pool aids in oxidizing un-filterable swimmer waste such as body oils, lotions, urine, hair gel, perspiration, etc. We find that the single biggest fault clients make in their normal care is not shocking the pool ofttimes sufficient or insufficiently (not using the proper amount of pool shock). Proper shocking likewise helps to “rejuvenate” the chlorine level and knock out early algae growth. Whenever you have a pool party with lots of expected bathers, consider shocking the pool the day before (helps build up the chlorine level providing a buffer for an eventual chlorine demand) as well as without delay following the party (shocks & oxidizes everything that was brought into the pool for the duration of the party — if your guests weren’t using the bathroom, the beer & soda had to go somewhere). Using a calcium hypochlorite shock such as BioGuard Burn Out Extreme is preferent since the product will get in, do it is work, then get out. Potassium monopersulfate shocks like Oxysheen work well to support break up chloramines (combined chlorines), but shouldn’t be employed exclusively.

Mechanical Reasons

If the alchemy is good and the pool is being in the right manner shocked and algaecide added each 1 to 2 weeks, then it is necessary to look at the mechanical reasons. The mechanical elements contributing to cloudy pool water would be improper filter size (too small), improper pump and motor size (too little or too huge a horsepower pump), insufficient filtering time, poor circulation, improper maintenance (vacuuming & brushing). I may recount story after story when I’ve walked into a customer’s backyard to support them troubleshoot a problem pool only to find the filter shut off or improperly connected. When simple corrections are made, the pool water is clear in as little as 24 hours. Let’s consider in detail a great deal of basics.

Your swimming pool’s filtering system ought to be operating a minimum of 8 to 10 hours per day, each day from opening to closing. If the pool water becomes cloudy or other difficulties become evident, then neverending running of the filter until the problem is solved is required. If the filter was decently sized (even somewhat more spectacular is better) then 8 to 10 hours each and everyday is good. On the other hand, too big of a pump may be “harmful” to the filtration. If the horsepower is too great, you may be blowing dirt and everything else you want filtered right through the filter (especially sand filters). When it comes to 2 speed pumps, make sure the “high” speed run time is set for a minimum of 6 hours each day PLUS and further and added 12 to 18 hours at “low” speed).

Consider using an automatic pool cleaner. You’ll end up with better circulation, cleaner pool surfaces and less work.

The other mechanical reasons are likewise important. Regular vacuuming and brushing support with the overall circulation by moving water around. Keep directional “eyeballs” pointed DOWN to strength filtered water down to the bottom of the pool and consequently support in water motion by breaking up dead spots. Too general backwashing of the filter doesn’t give the filter media sufficient time to do it is best cleaning — a dirty filter filters a finer particle. One final mechanical reason for cloudy pool water, lack of use. Actively used pools are always better circulated and filtered. So even if the water is cloudy (as long as the water is in good chemical balance), use the pool!

Environmental Reasons

Remember that whatsoever is out in the world, will at long last get in the pool and detract from water clarity. Pollen, dust, dirt, leaves, make-up water, bird droppings (forgot regarding those, right?), rain, local construction sites, etc. may all affect your swimming pool. Each of these culprits needs to treated differently. Pollen, dust and other fine particulate may be treated using a water clarifier like BioGuard Polysheen Blue. Flocculants work well in severe situations by resolving the corpuscles to pool bottom and vacuuming it all out on Waste. Use a skimmer sock inside of the skimmer to remove fine pollen or dust that may be too fine for your sand filter.

Leaves, swimmers, makeup water, droppings will develop a chlorine demand. Shocking the pool is necessary. Make-up water may change the water alchemy affecting the pH, TA and CH not to mention the possible addition of heavy metals, all of which may cause or add to water cloudiness.

Final Notes

As you may see there’s no 1 or 2 reasons for cloudy pool water. It’s commonly a combining of factors. Some of them not even coming from the pool itself. The best solution to cloudy pool water is preventative action utilizing a good, regular chemical and cleaning maintenance program. About 30 to 60 minutes per week is all that it takes. If or when your pool water turns cloudy, don’t commence adding clarifiers or flocs. Get down to the real cause. Look at all of the contributing factors.

Polaris Premium Inground Robotic Swimming Pic

Polaris Premium Inground Robotic Swimming Photo

Polaris Premium Inground Robotic Swimming Photo

Polaris Premium Inground Robotic Swimming Image

Most helpful client reviews

23 of 25 persons found the following review helpful.
Works as advertised. Easy to maintain
By Bill Nicholas
I’ve had this for 3 months now and have employed it at least once a week. It works as advertised and is easy to use and maintain. One reviewer said it was “horrendous” but provided no details. Maybe they got a bad copy? If so, they will have to contact Polaris when it comes to it. I talked with them (on the phone, a US based rep, without waiting long) when it comes to their guarantee, which is for 2 years, better than most, and they told me they normally send a technician out to look at it. He likewise said that since this is an indispensable product for Polaris, their primary robotic cleaner in the US, (which, by the way, has been sold in other parts of the world for assorted years before they brought it to the US market) they want to make sure they are conscious of any issues and repair them right away. I have never owned a robotic or other form of automatic pool cleaner, so I have not one thing to compare it to. Assembling this product comprises mainly of the portable storage rack that comes with it. The only issue I have with the design is that the long robot cord has to be manually unwound from the rack; I wish they had a vacuum cleaner type mechanism with one hook that twists to open up the loop so you may slide the whole wound up cord off at once. To use it I unwind the long robot cord, walk the robot to the furthermost end of the pool so that the robot’s drifting cord stretchings out over the water, put it in the pool, letting water fill it up so it sinks, plug in the robot’s long cord to the control box (built in to the rack), plug in the power cord, set the program and let it work. There is a 1.5 and 2.5 hour program. The only divergence is that in the 1.5 hour program the robot does not climb up the pool wall to clean along the water line. Typical conduct is, it climbs up the wall, cleans a bit, shuts off and floats to the bottom, then the front flappers push it backwards 3 or 4 feet, then the flappers rotate in opposite direction to turn it 45 degrees, then it starts forward again, with the vacuum working. If it is set to clean along the water line, it goes up, partially out of the water, and then commonly tilts to the side and starts pulling itself along the waterline, cleaning when it comes to 3 feet before it stops and floats to the bottom to start out over again. It at times flips over, but in the long run rights itself. The exhaust fan points upwards more or less but may point to the bottom and blow debris around, but I guess what it is cleaning is stuff that in the long run floats back down. It does efficaciously pick up silt and fine particles. No cleaner may get into each nook and crevice in a pool, but this one does a gorgeous good job, even on steps. I chose this product because of it is design simplicity: less parts, less the chance of failure. Cleaning and storing takes 5 minutes. I pull the robot out of the pool. The debris basket lifts right out and all I have to do is spray it down with a hose. I put the basket back, put the robot in the rack, then I walk the long cord out until it is straight, in order to keep it kink free, and wind it back onto the rack. It may occasionally miss a leaf or two, but ordinarily the pool looks spotless after it is done. I finelooking happy with it, peculiarly since it isn’t *me* cleaning the pool anymore!

Update 5/17/11: I have been using this regularly since I got it and it is still doing a outstanding job, with no issues. I am probably using it more ofttimes than most people, but the instructions merely say, Use as needed. I drop it in the pool at least once per week and ofttimes 2 times, now and again 2 cycles in a row. Keeps the pool clean. It has got scratches on the plastic, but that’s to be expected. The only thing I in all probability need to start out thinking regarding is replacing numerous elements that get the most wear, like the tires and brush. I believe they may be purchased easy sufficient and the instructions show how to replace them.

8 of 8 persons found the following review helpful.
Worked great for 4 months then died…
By R. Ernst
Purchased at the beginning of the summer season. Unit work substantially well all year. Ran it each other day to keep pool clean. Not once had to break out the manual vacuum until the end of Aug. when it stopped working. Returned it the the local pool dealer that I purchased it from. They had it for over a month waiting on parts. They had a half a dozen of these (9300′s) waiting to be fixed. I ended up calling the manufacturer (Zodiac)and told them with regards to the long wait and they contacted the merchant and they gave me a brand new one in the box. Put it in the pool and it cleaned up a months worth of leaves and acorns in a couple of hours. I’m worried it’s going to break down again next season. Too costly to have to replace it each year. I’m hoping the new one lasts longer. This thing must cost less than $500 for what comes in box. Really not much to it. Bag is easy to remove and clean, wish it had a cable roller built in. Hope others have better luck with it. This is our basi automatic vacuum.

5 of 5 persons found the following review helpful.
Polaris 9300xi sport
By ddeem303
I agree with the two people that said this unit is horrendous! Put it together and ran the 2.5 hr. cycle. I have a 16×31 ft. kidney shape pool with steps in the shoal end. After 2.5 hrs. regarding 20 to 25% of the bottom of the pool had not even been touched. There was a fine layer of sand on the bottom so I could tell where the machine had tracked. When I talked with Tech Help at Polaris they said two things, the initial was that it in all likelihood necessitated a dissimilar filter that would pick up sand better. I explained that it wasn’t that it didn’t pick up the dirt but there was areas of 20 to 25 sq. feet that the unit did not even track through. The second thing they told me was that you have to vacuum the pool and then the unit is designed to “maintain” the pool. I live in area with blowing dust, I guess I am supposed to vacuum the pool when dirty and then use their machine to give myself the untrue impression that the machine is doing all the work. If I have to commence with a clean pool why do I need their $1200 machine? It also did not climb the walls but once or twice and the steps only once and only the original step. I would not commend this machine to anyone. Now it will cost me various hundred dollars to return and pay the restocking fee where I purchased it from. If you want one try and find an individual who has one and borrow it to see how it works in your pool.

See all 11 client reviews…