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How did we get here? From what I have read it is not a partisan political thing. The Democrats and Republicans booth have to take the blame for this one. But only part of the blame, the political system as it currently exists is another big huge problem. I think we would all like to think that the American voters are what drive our Representatives in congress, but the reality is the lobbyist have much more influence on what bills get created and what gets voted for in congress than the American public. This combined with Senators and House members who have been in congress since Kennedy was president does not exactly make for an environment that favors what is right vs. what is best for the businesses the lobbyist represent. Which brings me to one of my points. In order to avoid the problems we have now we need to fix congress. We need first to eliminate all lobbyists from congress. No more special financial deals for our Representatives that could influence how they vote. Second we need to have term limits on all of congress. No more lifetime deals where these guys get a little to comfy with the power they wield. It is time to swing the government back to the people. And while I am on my soapbox let me just say that I feel that we need to reset the massive income tax system that congress has “fixed” over the years. You know how your closets begin to fill up over time and over flow, then every once in a while you take everything out and sort things out and reorganize. That is what we need to do with the IRS and the crazy tax code. My feeling is let’s simplify the system. We can lower the over all tax rate and then tax everything, make it a flat tax. You eliminate the need for yearly tax filing, you eliminate the need for the tax filing companies and so on. The money we would save on the IRS alone would be mind blowing. And everyone would be paying the same percentage. Yes if you make more money you will pay more taxes, but that is only fair. What isn’t fair is all the people who have so many write off’s they pay zero taxes. We all need to pay our fair share flat and simple.

What does all these economic woes mean? Bottom-line it means prices are going up. The increase in the cost of fuel, that is required in every facet of manufacture and distribution, is effected by fuel prices. As if that were not enough we need to factor in the Olympics. What did I just say? The Olympics. Who in this world or the next would think the Olympics would have any effect on how much we pay for pool stuff. If you remember just before the Olympics the talk was about how you could cut the air with a knife because the pollution was so bad. So the Chinese, in order to save face, forced the factories around the area to shut down. The area where the Olympics were held is a huge manufacturing center. A lot of the items manufactured are exported around the world. No production equals no inventory, no inventory with high demand causes price to increase. Don’t believe me check the price marquee at your local gas station. Demand for fuel in China has caused world prices to surge. So we are going to be facing a shortage of isocyunarates this coming year. Isocyunarates are stabilizer, 3 inch chlorine tables and just about any form of stabilized chlorine. The up swing is you are going to see a huge increase in the price of chlorine tablets, as much as 18%. We are also expecting more increase on everything through 2009. So brace yourself and your bank account because it is going to be a rough year ahead.

Let us hope that whoever gets elected to the office of the president (insert you favorite person here) they have the leadership necessary to direct us out of this financial nightmare we are living today! Go to polls and vote, write your congressman and tell them what you want, press them for reforms (if they won’t vote for reforms vote them out of office!) and maybe we voters can turn this thing around. It’s you and me that will change the world! One vote at a time.
The Guru of Pools
Jim Garrison
www.discountpoolwarehouse.com]]> http://discountpoolwarehouse.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry080924-061541
Now that the pool is not getting much use don't be fooled into the concept that just because you aren't using the pool you really don't need to take care of it. This will get you into a little trouble and a lot of algae. You still need to give your pool some attention or it will grow green with envy and algae. So maintain your routine of checking the pool and keeping the chemistry adjusted and clear blue water will be yours to enjoy until you are ready to close the pool.

Now when should you close the pool? That really depends on what type of cover you have and how fast your pool gets cool. The biggest mistake that mesh cover owners make is closing the pool too early. A mesh cover creates an environment that algae loves; shaded sunlight. If you close your pool before the water is cool enough no matter what you do to treat for algae I will guarantee the pool will have algae in short order. Don't forget that once you see algae more cannot be far behind. So if you are using a mesh cover make sure the water temperature is consistently below 60° Fahrenheit before winterizing the pool. This will give you a better chance of success. When is that you ask? That will vary with where you live, if you live in the frozen north you will be below 60 by the end of September, but if you live in the sunny south it may be November or December before you see those temperatures consistently below 60°. Just make sure you don't winterize too early. Once you are winterized you are done until Super Bowl, during Super Bowl half time you will want to treat your pool with a gallon of winterizing algaecide. That is unless it is frozen and snowing outside then you will want to wait until things warm up a bit. Then you are done until things warm up in the spring. You will want to get the cover off before the water temperature goes above 60°. If you don't the green monster (algae) will get you with out fail!

If you are using a solid winter cover you can close it whenever you are ready and open it whenever you are ready. There are some limits it is best to have the water temperature below 70° before you winterize and it would be wise, depending on where you live to have the pool open by June.

Next month I will get into the advantages and disadvantages of not winterizing your pool. Until then, enjoy this fall while the weather is still nice.

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at www.discountpoolwarehouse.com
]]> http://discountpoolwarehouse.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry080826-070311 http://www.discountpoolwarehouse.com/html/how_to.html

On to a new subject, Clormatic, I have been asked a lot of questions about Clormatic in the past few months and I will try to reproduce some of the more common questions.

Do you have the old style cells?

I am sorry to report we are out of the old style cells. We sold our last model 601 cells in June and our last model 301 cells went out the door in July. The only thing we have available are the new style cells.

Can I get an old style cell?

Maybe, however I have to caution you in your search make sure you contact the seller before you purchase the cell to make sure it is an old style cell. The problem is that images of the new cell and new format of the Clormatic are not available from the manufacture. Webmasters may not have updated their images and even though they picture the old style cell what may arrive at your door may be a new style cell. Better safe than sorry. Look before you leap!!!!

What do I have to do to put in a new style cell?

The new style cell will retrofit into the same space as the old style cell however you will have to make some modifications to the pipe. The union connections on the cell are reversed from the old style and are completely different. The new cell is a 3 port cell, one of the ports can be used to house the flow sensor for the Clormatic 3, however on the Clormatic 2 you will need to keep your old flow sensor because Jandy is currently not making a flow sensor that will fit in the third port of the new cell. The cell comes with a plug to fill the third port.

I hope this helps with some of the more common questions. If you have more questions you can contact me at guruofpools@discountpoolwarehouse.com I would like to take a moment to address Internet fencing. This problem is becoming more common in the pool industry and just about every industry for that matter. I am talking about people who steal things only to sell them on various auction web sites. Most of the bigger sites are trying to find ways to prevent this, but it is very difficult. I think the best way to keep from getting caught up in this type of fraud situation is, as a buyer, you should be conscious of what kind of deal you are making. To this point I am saying, “If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is!” If you are buying a product below wholesale pricing then more than likely it is HOT. Stop and think about this for just a moment. Let’s say you purchased a salt generator and you paid $700 for it, unless you are a complete idiot you are not going to sell it for $200. You are going to loose $500! You are going to try to get as close to $700 as you possibly can. So the point is if the deal seems too good to be true then you may want to move on and buy from an established site that offers a wide selection of products, because you don’t want the cops knocking on the door confiscating that item you just purchased.

Take some time and enjoy your pool!

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at
www.discountpoolwarehouse.com
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Now onto the most recent events. There have been changes in how manufactures are handling their warranties. The days of being easy are over. They are all tightening their belts and being very stingy with what the will and will not warranty. Some manufacture were very casual with when their warranties expired. An example has been Clormatic (who was purchased by Jandy, who recently merged with Zodiac Pool Care) in the past if you purchased your unit on May 4th of what ever year and you had a warranty problem on May 20th 2 years later then they would not look at the day you purchased the unit they would consider the month you purchased the unit. So in other words in this case they would have allowed for a full warranty replacement of the item. Since their merger they now look at the exact date, there is no lee way there. So in the case I just stated your part would have been in the prorated period and you would have to pay a percentage for the part. Hayward has been reducing the warranty on their salt generators, they have dropped from a 5 year warranty to a 3 year warranty. All in a effort to cut expenses because all their costs are going up daily.

The cost of everything has gone up so much in the last year it is mind boggling! This is all driven by oil prices. Think about it everything you buy is connected to oil, everything. Now it is time for me to climb on my soap box so excuse me for a moment while I rant! If you have not read a news report lately about the obscene oil companies profits please take a moment and search the internet to get the information. The big oil companies are all taking us for a ride. What recourse do we have? We are at their mercy, and don't expect the government to intervene when the oil companies all have their excess cash filling the coffers of our elected government officials. The only solution I see is to send a message to the oil companies. We need to have a national oil boycott day. Where we shut everything down for 1 day. Turn it all off the air conditioner the T.V the lights park the car, turn the pool filer off, shut it all down. One day of no consumption has got to translate into billions for the oil companies, what a strong message that would be! So I am not sure how to make that happen but there is the germ of the idea. If you have an idea of how to make that work get going I am all for it.

Now if I can just remember what happened in May I might be able to stop my head from spinning.

Take some time out from your busy life and spend some quality time with your family around the pool, hey that is why you got it in the first place.

Enjoy your pool!

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at
www.discountpoolwarehouse.com]]> http://discountpoolwarehouse.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry080409-161931
So then comes this deal with Zodiac Pool Care and all of a sudden the two companies are trying to find ways to merge and cut costs. The decision is then made to close the Clormatic operation in Florida and consolidate the company to the HQ in California. This, my dear readers is the beginning of the nightmare! Since October when this move took place we have been trying to understand what is going on with the Clormatic name, will it continue or will it go away and will the salt generators carry the name of Jandy units called Aqua Pure? What will happen depends on whom you talk to, some say Clormatic is going to disappear and some say Clormatic will continue but with some changes. I can honestly say I have no idea what is going to happen to the Clormatic name but I can say changes have already been happening. We got a Clormatic 601 complete unit in from Jandy the other day and we opened it up to revel a Frankenstein unit. The owner’s manual said Clormatic; the Cell said Clormatic and the control box said Aqua Pure. The rep tells me that they going to change to from Clormatic to Aqua Pure, but then I get a bulletin in the mail from Jandy. The bulletin tells me that things are changing and it shows me an old Clormatic unit then an arrow pointing at the new Clormatic unit, which appears to look like an Aqua Pure but the labels, all say Clormatic. WHAT?

So from all the information I have at my hand as I type this, this is what I think is going to happen. The Clormatic name will go on. Jandy will produce both the Clormatic and the Aqua Pure Salt Generators. Jandy will be changing the cell, so if you have a cell made prior to 2008 it will not retro fit where the old Clormatic cells fit. If you have to replace your cell you will have to cut and glue the new cell in place. The new cell will have an upgraded feature of a third port. This third port will allow you to make the cell make a 90-degree turn if you want and one of the ports will be used to connect the flow sensor so you don't have to have it on the pipe somewhere else. This reduces the length of space you need to install the unit. Great idea but it makes the change of the old cell more difficult. We still have some old style cells in stock, however when they are gone they will be no more and you will be forced to change the cell or they whole system.

So how does all this relate to April Fools? I am sorry to say that everything I have written is no joke, it just seems like a cruel joke.

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at
Discount Pool Warehouse.com
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Depending on where you live you may; have your pool open already, you may be getting ready to open your pool or still have your pool in cold storage. If you live blow the famous Mason/Dixon line you will want to open you pool up in most cases by the end of the month. If you are using a mesh cover or no cover on the pool and you want to avoid algae in the pool getting the pool started is key algae stopper. If you love algae in the pool or love a challenge of cleaning algae up, then just leave the pool winterized and you will be blessed with great volumes of green goo! In the frozen north April or May, depending on when the ground thaws in your neck of the woods, is when you want to consider opening the pool. Your goal is to beat the algae development. If you have maintained your pool during the off-season (adding the extra algaecide) you should be in good shape. When the water temperature in the pool is in the upper 50° range then the alga will start to wake up and once the water hits the 60's it is all over but the brushing and vacuuming!

So now may be the time to either get going on starting up the pool or start thinking about working the start up into your schedule. So you can enjoy your pool, which is why you bought it in the first place, right?

Enjoy your pool!

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at
Discount Pool Warehouse.com
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But don't get so depressed that Phil saw his shadow or the Pats choked (it was a great game) that you sit inside moping; you need to get out and send a little quality time with your pool, that should cheer you up! Well I say you need to spend some time with your pool I guess it really depends on where you live. If you are in the great white north you probably cannot see your pool for all the snow, however if you are lucky enough to live in middle of the country, or perhaps south, then getting outside with you pool is not impossible. For instance today were I am the temperatures are going to hit 70! No I don't live in Florida I am in Virginia and loving it.

So what does your pool have in common with Valentine’s Day? You need to spend a little quality time with your sweetheart(s) and your pool. You want to check on your cover, how is it doing? Does it need to have water pumped off of it? Does it need to be adjusted? How are the water tubes doing? Just kind of walk around the pool and check things out. Breath in that fresh air! If you have a mesh cover now is the time to purchase some non-metallic algaecide to inhibit the growth of algae before the real warm weather rolls in.

Now is also the time to start thinking about renovating the pool for the summer. This is the time to line up your service company to get things started before the season starts. They are slow and have time to really focus on your pools needs. Then when spring rolls around your pool is ready to go! So don't delay call them now!

After you have checked the cover, added algaecide, called your service company to schedule that renovation it is time to kick back and enjoy the beverage of your choice and chill with a good book or DVD by the fireplace.

Enjoy the rest of the winter; summer fun will be here before you know it.
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Here it is the dead of winter why would anyone possible want to even think about their pool? We there are things that go on with your pool year around, just because you are not using the pool does not mean it does not need to be considered. Don't neglect your pool because it will punish you. If you think I am kidding ask anyone who uses chlorine tablets as a sanitizer and they go on vacation for over 7 days only to return to a pool that has turned green with algae (envy that you got to go on vacation and it had to stay at home), Revenge!

So off-season think about what you want to do for your pool this summer. Maybe have it resurfaced, perhaps a new component for the filter system or maybe just planning when you want to open the pool up for the season. Keep in mind if you are thinking about when to open the pool if you have a mesh cover early is better! You will see more about when to open you pool in next month’s blog.

For now put another log on the fire and sip that favorite hot drink and contemplate what you want to do with your pool this spring!

Enjoy your off-season!

Jim Garrison
The Guru of Pools at
Discount Pool Warehouse.com]]>