Guide to Pool Controllers

Taking care of commercial bodies of water is no easy task. Especially if we operate more than one facility. There are so many things we need to be concerned about. We obviously have water safety as our number one priority. We also want clean, clear and inviting pools. We have to worry about safety equipment such as ADA lifts, drain compliance, signage, secure handrails, and ladders. We have to remove dirt and debris from the water. We need our equipment such as pumps and filters to be in good, working order. We have to test the water regularly and log the results. If we skimp on any of these things someone could get very sick. Or, our body of water could be shut down by the health department. Any of these things are all bad dot com.

Luckily, there have been major advances in technology that can help not only to keep our water safe, but make our jobs easier. The Pool Shark H2O App is an innovative app that does a litany of things. When you pair this App with the LaMotte Spin Lab, you can get instantaneous results sent directly to your chosen devices. You, or your staff, take a very small sample of water and insert it into a spin disc. The disc is then put into the spin lab and in 60 seconds, the results are displayed on your trusted devices. Not ready to take the leap to the spin lab? No problemo! You can test by drop or powder reagents and manually input the results into the App.

The Pool Shark H2O App uses what is known as the Langelier Saturation Index. You see, water can either be neutral, corrosive, or scale-forming. The goal is to be 0.15 in either direction of zero. This app gives precise dosing instructions to help ensure balanced, healthy water. It can even be paired with some pool chemical controllers such as the ProMinent DCM5 series, which utilizes your existing WiFi.

What are Pool Controllers?

First off, having a pool controller can be a huge asset to your properties, Some of these controllers dispense chlorine. Some dispense acid. Your best bet is to find one that does both. Depending on your region, they may even be required by law. This modern technology and commercial standard can be an integral part of proper water management. In order to have a beautiful-looking pool, we have to have our water chemistry on point at all times. Two major players in proper water chemistry are sanitizer and pH. The pH determines how effective the sanitizer will be. Proper ranges for pH and alkalinity can also help protect our pool’s surface, plumbing and equipment. It also makes the water more comfortable for your bathers. Again, most importantly, it helps keep everyone safe.

The smaller the body of water, the quicker the water chemistry can change. This is affected by heat, direct sunlight, and bather load. I tell all of my spa operators to be extra diligent as one can get very sick in a spa due to the warmer temperatures. Did you know that one person in a spa is the equivalent of 25 people in a swimming pool?

To keep things simple, pool controllers, aka chemical controllers, monitor and regulate the water at any given moment. Should either the sanitizer or pH get out of range, these “sense and dispense” machines add small amounts of chemicals to correct the imbalance and get the water back into range. Think of it similarly to how a thermostat determines when to blow out heat or air to keep the temperature of the air comfortable.

Benefits of Pool Controllers

A main benefit would be the reduction in chemical waste. Since they only add the precise needed amount, you aren’t adding unnecessary amounts of chemicals. This makes our Mother Nature's footprint smaller. This also saves time and money. Another benefit is that the results are kept in “real-time” so you always know where your water’s levels are. This helps avoid any unwanted surprises as they correct the water prior to there being any issues.

Pool controllers are also equipped to give out warnings. Some warnings can include other issues such as not having enough water circulation. Not having enough water circulation could mean one of your pool pumps is down. This is on top of chemical notifications.

I like to think of pool controllers being equal to having you on-site 24/7. When pairing a pool controller with the Pool Shark H2O App you are in the modern world of swimming pool care and record keeping. This reduces your daily workload while ensuring your water is safe and you are compliant at all times. They create an inviting swimming environment which makes our clients, and our bosses, happy pappy. See you poolside!