The Pool Guy Podcast Show

David Van Brunt
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Daily

In this podcast I cover everything swimming pool care-related from chemistry to automatic cleaners and equipment. I focus on the pool service side of things and also offer tips to homeowners. There are also some great interviews with guests from inside the industry. 

  1. 9h ago

    Bob Lowry on When Pool pH Crashes

    Low pH is one of the most expensive “quiet problems” in pool care, because it doesn’t just make water feel off, it can actively eat your pool. We sit down with legendary pool chemistry expert Bob Lowry and walk through what aggressive, corrosive water really means in the real world: plaster that starts to etch and turn rough, metal components that dissolve into the water, and the frustrating moment when invisible copper or iron finally hits a saturation point and shows up as stains. If you’ve ever wondered why damage seems to appear “all at once,” this explains the chain reaction.  We also dig into why vinyl liner pools and fiberglass pools can see pH drift lower more often than plaster pools, and why low pH can be harsher on vinyl than high chlorine levels. Then we pivot to spa and hot tub chemistry, where acidic sanitizers like trichlor or dichlor, bather load, and aeration all push pH and total alkalinity in different directions. We tie it back to swimmer comfort, eye and skin irritation, and why combined chlorine (chloramines) becomes noticeable and irritating at surprisingly low levels.  To close, we lay out practical correction strategies you can use immediately: when borax makes sense, why baking soda is mainly for total alkalinity (and not a true pH fix), when soda ash is the right call because it raises both pH and alkalinity, and how aeration can raise pH after you dial alkalinity in. We also revisit the pH versus chlorine effectiveness debate in the age of cyanuric acid, and why maintaining the right free chlorine level matters more than obsessing over tiny pH swings. Subscribe, share this with a pool owner or tech who’s fighting “mystery stains,” and leave a review with your biggest pH question. We break down what really happens when pool pH gets too low and why “aggressive” water quietly destroys surfaces, equipment, and even vinyl color. We also share simple, practical rules for testing and correcting pH and alkalinity without guessing. • low pH making water corrosive and etching plaster • dissolved metals reaching saturation then showing up as stains • copper and iron coming from equipment corrosion or fill water • why vinyl and fiberglass pools drift low without calcium and alkalinity sources • low pH damaging vinyl faster than many expect • spa and hot tub factors including acidic sanitizers and bather load • swimmer comfort range and why chloramines irritate at very low levels • when to use borax, soda ash, or baking soda based on pH and total alkalinity • using aeration to raise pH after alkalinity is set • why cyanuric acid changes the old “pH controls chlorine power” thinking If you're looking for more podcasts, you can find those by go to my website, swingprolearning.com on the banner. Click on the podcast icon. That'll take you to a drop down menu with over 2,000 podcasts. If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at PoolGuyCoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    Bob Lowry on When Pool pH Crashes

  2. 1d ago

    Bob Lowry on Which Pool Chlorine Is Actually Strongest

    “Trichlor is 90% available chlorine, so it must be the strongest” sounds logical until you follow the math all the way through. We sit down with Bob Lowry to untangle the biggest chlorine strength myth in pool care, breaking down what “available chlorine” actually means, why the industry compares everything to chlorine gas, and how a percentage on a bucket can mislead even experienced pool owners and pool service pros. We talk through the practical way to think about dosing: pounds of chlorine delivered to the water. That’s where liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) often surprises people, because a gallon of 12.5% can deliver about a pound of available chlorine even though the label number looks “small.” We also unpack why trichlor’s label ends up doubled when compared to the chlorine gas standard, and how competing terms like weight percent, trade percent, and liquid concentration keep the marketplace confusing. From there, we zoom out to the real-world tradeoffs that matter more than bragging rights: every chlorine type adds something to the pool. Liquid chlorine adds salt over time, cal hypo adds calcium, and stabilized chlorines like dichlor and trichlor add cyanuric acid. We also get blunt about saltwater chlorine generators: they do make chlorine, along with sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, which ties directly to rising pH, corrosion risk when water evaporates and leaves salt behind, and the need for proper bonding to avoid electrolysis problems. If you’ve ever relied on “boost” mode to shock, we explain why that’s not the same as rapid superchlorination. Subscribe for more pool water chemistry clarity, share this with a pool owner who argues about tablet vs liquid, and leave a review with the chlorine question you want us to tackle next. We clear up the myth that a higher percentage on the label automatically means a stronger pool sanitizer. We walk through how “available chlorine” is calculated, why chlorine gas is the comparison standard, and what salt systems really produce in your water. • why liquid chlorine can deliver about a pound of chlorine per gallon • how trichlor’s “available chlorine” number is based on a comparison standard • weight percent vs trade percent and why labels confuse buyers • what chlorine gas actually does in water and why the standard persists • the hidden add-ons from each chlorine type: salt, calcium, cyanuric acid • why saltwater generators are chlorine generators and what else they create • output limits, voltage/current issues, and salt level problems that reduce chlorine production • corrosion, evaporation salt residue, and why proper bonding matters • why SWGs raise pH and why boost mode is not a true shock Are you a pool service pro looking to take your business to the next level? Join the Pool Guy Coaching Program. Get expert advice, business tips, exclusive content, and get direct support from me. Learn more at Swimming Poollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com. If you're looking for more podcasts, you can find those by going to my website, swingpoollearning.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    Bob Lowry on Which Pool Chlorine Is Actually Strongest

  3. 4d ago

    My Favorite Underrated Pool Products of 2026

    Your route does not get easier because you “work harder” it gets easier when the small friction points disappear. We walk through a hand-picked list of underrated pool service products for 2026 that do exactly that, from quick mechanical fixes to cleanup tools that keep your day moving. I’m bringing a field-tested perspective from decades in the pool industry, with a focus on what actually saves time at the equipment pad and in the deep end, not what looks good on a shelf.  First up is a deceptively simple repair hero: split quick couplers that let you solve a failed union on common pool equipment without cutting and rebuilding plumbing. If you have ever lost an hour to a cracked salt cell union or a stubborn bulkhead fitting, you’ll understand why this kind of “minutes not hours” solution changes your schedule fast. From there we get into high-impact cleanup gear, including a vacuum-to-waste approach that helps you pull out dead algae, dirt, and floc efficiently, plus a newer cartridge add-on that can trap fine debris so it does not drift right back to the floor later.  We also shift to business protection, because the best pool tools in the world will not matter if one claim wipes out your profits. We talk liability insurance for pool service pros, why being covered helps you sleep at night, and how to think about risk when you’re working on other people’s property. We wrap with reliable “old but gold” equipment picks and route-efficiency upgrades like multi-torque sockets that speed up filter cleanings with less strain.  If you got value from these pool pro recommendations, subscribe for more, share the episode with a tech on your team, and leave a quick review so more pool service businesses can find it. Your route does not get easier because you “work harder” it gets easier when the small friction points disappear. We walk through a hand-picked list of underrated pool service products for 2026 that do exactly that, from quick mechanical fixes to cleanup tools that keep your day moving. I’m bringing a field-tested perspective from decades in the pool industry, with a focus on what actually saves time at the equipment pad and in the deep end, not what looks good on a shelf.   First up is a deceptively simple repair hero: split quick couplers that let you solve a failed union on common pool equipment without cutting and rebuilding plumbing. If you have ever lost an hour to a cracked salt cell union or a stubborn bulkhead fitting, you’ll understand why this kind of “minutes not hours” solution changes your schedule fast. From there we get into high-impact cleanup gear, including a vacuum-to-waste approach that helps you pull out dead algae, dirt, and floc efficiently, plus a newer cartridge add-on that can trap fine debris so it does not drift right back to the floor later.   We also shift to business protection, because the best pool tools in the world will not matter if one claim wipes out your profits. We talk liability insurance for pool service pros, why being covered helps you sleep at night, and how to think about risk when you’re working on other people’s property. We wrap with reliable “old but gold” equipment picks and route-efficiency upgrades like multi-torque sockets that speed up filter cleanings with less strain.   If you got value from these pool pro recommendations, subscribe for more, share the episode with a tech on your team, and leave a quick review so more pool service businesses can find it. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    My Favorite Underrated Pool Products of 2026

  4. 5d ago

    Pools to Avoid for Sure!

    Some pool accounts pay you twice: once with money, and again by giving you your time back. Others look fine on a bid, then slowly chew up your schedule with extra debris cleanup, finicky equipment, and constant “can you adjust the valves?” texts. We break down how we think about fine-tuning a pool route so your pool service business gets simpler, faster, and more profitable as you grow.  We start with what an “ideal” service pool looks like for route efficiency and consistent pool maintenance: smaller gallons, clean decks, minimal landscaping, and newer equipment. From there we get blunt about the accounts that often lead to regret, starting with heavy debris pools where trees, shade, and wind turn every visit into leaf raking, skimmer basket dumping, and long vacuum sessions. We also share a clear warning sign from real life: when another pool guy tries to hand you a pool for free while hauling out bags of leaves.  Then we get into the headache factor pools: infinity edge pools with basins that need extra brushing and chlorination, overbuilt systems packed with pumps, filters, water features, and confusing plumbing, and large pools where every storm or algae issue multiplies the labor. We close with a practical bidding mindset for aging pool equipment, especially when a homeowner refuses to modernize, and we explain when it makes sense to accept these accounts if you are still building your route.  If you want more route-building and pricing strategy for pool service pros, subscribe, share this with another tech, and leave a review with your biggest “never again” pool account red flag. We talk about how to fine-tune a pool route by getting honest about which pool accounts cost too much time and stress. We also share the specific pool types that look doable on a bid but often turn into ongoing headaches once you own them. • defining an ideal pool account and why it matters for route efficiency • spotting heavy debris pools and the real weekly time cost • using tools like a PoolSkim while accepting the limits • avoiding infinity edge pools because of basin upkeep and system quirks • recognizing overbuilt “project pools” with too many pumps and valves • understanding why large pools magnify wind, debris, and algae problems • watching for very old equipment and owners who refuse upgrades • choosing differently when starting out versus when established Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. And if you're interested in the coaching program that I offer you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    Pools to Avoid for Sure!

  5. 6d ago

    The Fastest Way to Vacuum a Spa

    Your pool can look perfect while the spa tells a different story: cloudy water, gritty steps, and that fine “dust” that shows up again an hour after you leave. We walk through how we vacuum a spa the smart way, whether it’s an attached spa that gets neglected by automatic cleaners or a standalone fiberglass spa where every speck of sand is instantly noticeable. We start with the basics of spa cleaning for pool service pros: why spas collect more debris than pools (shade, weak circulation, tight spaces) and how to use a standard vacuum head and 50-foot hose efficiently when you’re already manual vacuuming. Then we get practical about speed on a route, comparing dedicated battery-operated spa vacuums and what actually matters most: real suction power and filtration that can capture fine dirt, algae dust, DE, and ash. We also share our field-tested tool picks and why they work, including WaterTech options like the Catfish, Pool Blaster Max, and the premium Volt FX8, plus where Kokido and the BWT PK Giant fit in for debris removal. If you rely on larger vacuum systems, we break down maneuverability in spas and why compact units like the Bottom Feeder Shrimp can be a better match. We dig into micron ratings so you understand why some bags leave the spa cloudy, and we finish with a high-leverage “spa suction with pool return” trick for extreme dirt loads, followed by a final polish pass that leaves the spa truly spotless. If you got value from this, subscribe, share the episode with a pool tech friend, and leave a review so more service pros can find it. We break down why spas often look worse than pools and how we keep them spotless without wasting time on route. We share practical methods, the best spa vacuum tools, and a last-resort suction trick for spas packed with fine dirt, ash, or sand. • reasons attached spas collect more debris than pools, including shade and weaker circulation • quick manual method using a pool vacuum head and 50-foot hose, plus reprime timing • battery spa vac recommendations, including WaterTech Catfish, Pool Blaster Max, and Volt FX8 • why sand silt bags matter for fine dirt, algae dust, DE, and ash • Kokido and BWT PK Giant strengths for debris pickup, plus durability tradeoffs • vacuum system guidance for spas, including why Riptide is awkward and why Bottom Feeder Shrimp shines • micron ratings explained and why 100-micron bags can leave spas cloudy • fiberglass spa reality check and why clients feel grit immediately • heavy-dirt shortcut using spa suction with pool return, plus the reminder to switch back to pool mode Join the pool guy coaching program. Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're looking for other podcasts, you can find us by going to my website, swingingpoolearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    The Fastest Way to Vacuum a Spa

  6. Oct 13

    The Gig Economy vs. the Pool Business

    DoorDash, Uber, and Instacart aren’t just side hustles anymore, they’re a direct competitor for pool industry hiring. I’m breaking down how the gig economy pulls from the same talent pool pool service businesses need: dependable people in their 20s and 30s who want steady work but also want control over their time. When millions of drivers can tap an app and work whenever they want, a traditional pool route can look “too structured” at first glance, even if it pays well. We dig into the real tradeoff: gig work can bring quick cash and flexible hours, but it often doesn’t build marketable skills that grow into a career. Pool service can. If someone learns water chemistry, cleaning systems, equipment basics, and then moves into repairs, installs, and route management, they’re building a future they can take anywhere, including starting their own pool service business. I also touch on why rideshare may face pressure over time from automation and self-driving tech, and why that makes skill-building even more important. Then we get practical. I share ways to compete for great employees without pretending gig work doesn’t pay: provide a truck when possible, explain vehicle wear-and-tear costs, shorten the hiring timeline to 24 to 48 hours, and consider weekly pay to better match what app workers are used to. We also talk flexibility that doesn’t break your schedule, hybrid arrangements, and onboarding tips so new hires can adjust to weather, customer interaction, and the pace of a service route. If you got value from this, subscribe, share it with a pool pro who’s hiring, and leave a review with your best recruiting tip. Gig work is pulling millions of potential hires away from pool service, and we explain why the “set your own hours” mindset makes recruiting harder than it used to be. We lay out practical ways to compete by offering real career skills, faster hiring, smarter pay, and a clearer path to stability. • Gig economy scale and why it overlaps with pool industry hiring • Flexibility as the main draw and how it reshapes worker expectations • The long-term downside of gig work and the lack of marketable skills • Why ghosting and pay demands are becoming more common • Competing with a company truck and reframing true take-home income • Building a recruiting pitch around training, advancement, and a real career path • Creating limited flexibility with start times while keeping routes consistent • Speeding up hiring decisions and considering weekly pay • Allowing a hybrid model where workers keep gig apps on the side • Helping new hires adjust to weather, customers, and physical demands Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're looking for my coaching program, you can learn more at pullguidecoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    The Gig Economy vs. the Pool Business

  7. Oct 12

    Which Pool Test Kit Should You Buy?

    Bad pool chemistry rarely starts with “bad chemicals.” It usually starts with bad testing, rushed testing, or the wrong tool for the job. We break down the most common pool water testing options and explain how to choose a pool test kit that fits your reality, whether you’re a homeowner checking water once a week or a pool service pro trying to move fast on a packed route. We compare reagent test kits as the daily driver for pool maintenance and explain what you should be measuring every time: free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, and cyanuric acid. Then we get specific about the industry standards, including the Taylor K-2005 and the Taylor FAS-DPD K-2006, and why the difference between dye and powder testing can matter more for speed than most people think. We also talk about the popular Poolmaster 5-way kit, the temptation of “flash testing,” and why quick shortcuts can produce wildly unreliable readings. From there, we move into digital pool photometers and what you gain with tablets, longer shelf life, and a clear digital readout. We cover options like the LaMotte ColorQ 2X Pro line, why metals testing like copper and iron can be a game changer, and what to know about alternatives such as the PoolLab 2.0 and ITS style strip based photometers. Finally, we zoom out to the full spectrum, from affordable pool test strips for fast ballpark checks to the high end LaMotte Spin Touch system when you want maximum accuracy and don’t mind the cost. If this helped you think differently about pool water testing, subscribe for more practical pool care advice, share the episode with a pool owner or tech who still guesses at colors, and leave a review so more people can find the show. We walk through the real world choices for pool water testing, from budget test strips to pro grade reagent kits and high accuracy digital photometers. We share what we use for speed on a pool route, what we recommend for homeowners, and where accuracy is worth paying for. • The core chemistry targets to test: free chlorine, pH, total alkalinity, calcium hardness, cyanuric acid • Why reagent test kits stay the fastest, most affordable daily option • Taylor K-2005 vs Taylor FAS-DPD K-2006, including speed and chlorine range differences • Poolmaster 5-way kit strengths and what you give up versus Taylor • Why flash testing looks easy but fails in accuracy • OTO safety concerns and why gloves matter • Photometers explained: tablets, shelf life, digital readout, accuracy versus time • LaMotte ColorQ 2X Pro 7 vs Pro 9 and why metals testing can matter • Other photometer options, including PoolLab 2.0 and ITS strip based digital readers • LaMotte Spin Touch as a premium testing system and the ongoing disc cost • When pool test strips are “good enough” and where they fall short Learn more at swimmingpoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguidecoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    Which Pool Test Kit Should You Buy?

  8. Oct 9

    AquaStar Pipeline Filter—Game Changer or Just Hype?

    A pool filter can look “small” and still be the reason a system runs smoother, cleaner, and with less hassle on the equipment pad. I’m sharing my real-world take on the Aquastar Pipeline cartridge filter, including where it shines, where it takes a little mindset shift, and why it keeps getting compared to the wrong products online.  I break down how the Pipeline PLF 35,000 stacks up against a common benchmark, the Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 520. We get into the numbers that matter to pool owners and pool service pros: price, design flow rate, and what “NSF certified” filtration and clarity mean in day-to-day operation. The big surprise is how a compact cartridge filter can be rated up to 200 gallons per minute, and why that can translate into strong circulation even as the cartridge loads with dirt.  We also talk maintenance reality. One large cartridge can be faster to clean than a quad cartridge setup, often about five minutes versus a much longer teardown and rinse. I cover debris capacity, how often you might actually clean it in different environments, and why the Pipeline should not be lumped in with cheap single cartridge filters that lose flow fast as PSI climbs. I finish with practical notes on safety, the robust collar ring, depressurizing steps, and what to expect when retrofitting plumbing since the ports are not stacked like many standard tanks.  If you’re deciding between a large cartridge filter and a compact high-flow option, listen through and then tell me what you value most: longer intervals or faster cleanings. Subscribe, share the episode with a pool pro friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. I share my real-world experience with the Aquastar Pipeline cartridge filter and why it performs nothing like the typical single cartridge tanks people compare it to. I stack it up against the Pentair Clean and Clear Plus 520 on price, flow rate, cleaning time, safety, and which pools actually benefit most. • why the Aquastar Pipeline filter gets misjudged by size alone • price comparison against premium large cartridge filters • what deeper pleats and a larger core change in real use • design flow rate differences and why flow drives performance • cleaning time reality: one cartridge versus four • how debris load affects cleaning frequency and service planning • why it should not be compared to cheap off-brand 200 sq ft filters • safety features like the robust collar ring and depressurization steps • retrofit considerations: small footprint but offset plumbing ports • when bigger filters still make more sense for convenience Learn more at Summipoollearning.com. If you're interested in the coaching program that I offer, you can learn more at poolguycoaching.com. Send us Fan Mail Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!  HASA  REWARDS App https://hasa.com/hasa-app The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100 https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/ Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days: https://getskimmer.com/poolguy  Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Support the show Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you: Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/ UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA Pool Guy Coaching Group Join 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/poolguycoaching Limits 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-road Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

    AquaStar Pipeline Filter—Game Changer or Just Hype?
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About

In this podcast I cover everything swimming pool care-related from chemistry to automatic cleaners and equipment. I focus on the pool service side of things and also offer tips to homeowners. There are also some great interviews with guests from inside the industry. 

Information

  • Creator
    David Van Brunt
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Pool Guy Podcast Show
  • Show Website
    The Pool Guy Podcast Show

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