Your Place for Pools, Pool Toys and Pool Accessories.
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Jun
21

Happy Summer! According to weather centers across the US, La Niña has been the source behind the extreme weather we’ve experienced since winter. It’s almost over, experts say, but there are certainly lingering effects:

West Coast - The Pacific Coastline will be having cooler than average temperatures with “June Gloom” persistent well into the summer. Ocean water will also be chillier.

Rockies / Southwestern Plains / Interior Southwest -While wild fires rage in Arizona, other parts of the Southwest are to remain dry all summer as well, increasing chances of wild fires in those areas. Experts predict the drought in the southwestern deserts to spread northwards into the central Rockies. Despite this dryness, the monsoon season is predicted to be back in full force after a hiatus in 2010.

Southern Plains / Southeast - The Southern Plains are going to be hot and dry in summer 2011, while Florida and surrounding states will be on high-alert for tropical storms and intense t-storms midseason. Temperatures won’t be as high as last year, experts say, but still within a few degrees.

Northeast - Despite the cloudy, damp weather the Northeastern states have had this spring, summer will prove to be quite comfortable. With a warm, dry start, summer 2011 will end with high humidity and showers for the North Atlantic. With the increased rainfall and pressure during the spring, experts say there is a chance that a tropical storm or two could sneak up the shore.

Great Lakes / Midwest - The lingering effect of La Niña will threaten the Great Lakes region with “no summer”. Being caught between cool air coming from Canada and warm, drought-condition air punching up from the Southwest, the Midwest will experience stronger than normal thunderstorms more frequently. As we saw with the Mississippi, flooding is the main concern for this area during summer 2011.

All in all, it’s gonna be a hot one! While not as intense as summer 2010 for some parts of our fair nation, other regions like the Southwest and Midwest are going through some extreme weather patterns this summer!

Backyard Ocean wants to remind you to stay cool and safe, wear sun block and exercise common sense while spending time outdoor this summer.

(For up-to-the-minute weather forecasting for your area visit weather.com or accuweather.com)

Jun
18

Rated 5 stars by Backyard Ocean customers, the Blue Splash Ride-on Whale is a hit with kids, turning your backyard into the ultimate summer playground! Cutie from Malibu says, “My daughters love it…all my kids love it!

Your children will have a blast splashing around with this great blue whale, and at under $20 you can get two for them and their friends! Paired with other Backyard Ocean pool toys like our ride-on alligator, shark or swan, the Blue Ride-on Whale provides hours of fun in the pool.

Don’t have a swimming pool of your own? Well this little guy is great in public pools, grandma’s pool or a sprinkler! Made of 10-gauge vinyl, our inflatable ride-on whale is portable, dries quickly, and is easy to to clean. The vinyl is also mold-resistant and durable.

The Blue Splash Ride-on Whale is recommended for all children 3 and up. And yes, you can play too…

Jun
17

Saltwater pools are all the rage, but how do they work?

Saltwater pools, whether above ground or in-ground, work differently than freshwater pools because instead of chlorine, pool owners add salt. A standard size pool needs about 250kg of salt total. Much like other pool water treatments, the salt needs to be replenished fairly often if your swimming pool is heavily used.

The pool water itself is cleaned through the interaction of electrodes and dissolved salt particles. This cleaning process is unique to saltwater pools and requires the installation of special plates on the filter. The cleaning process begins just as any other pool’s – the water is sucked in through the filter and it passes through a series of sieves, etc. With saltwater swimming pools, the water is additionally guided past electrode plates that split the salt particles in two, creating sodium and chloride molecules.

As you can see, there are many aspects of saltwater pools that mirror freshwater pools. Despite the similarities, however, saltwater pools are more eco-friendly and potentially safer due to the lack of chemicals. They are also slightly more expensive to upkeep depending on use.

But whether you’re considering an upgrade or an install of a saltwater pool, knowing how it works when compared to a freshwater pool is an important part of the decision making process.

Jun
15

For this Father’s Day, Backyard Ocean is celebrating with a HUGE sale. And when we say HUGE, we mean MONUMENTAL! With almost 2000 products at 30% off you can purchase a new swimming pool or completely update or redesign the one you already have. From pumps to hard-sided pools to ring pools and swimming pool liners, Backyard Oceans offers homeowners the one-stop shop for an incredible Father’s Day gift.

Here’s a few of our favorite products on sale:

  1. 18′ x 10′ x 45″ Rectangular Frame Pool SetGiven a 4 star rating by customers, this large above ground pool is suitable for pool parties, large families and all sorts of summertime activities. Not deep enough to dive but large enough to swim comfortably, this pool is being offered at $300 off.
  2. Fun JumperThis cute, inflatable toy castle makes any little girl feel like a princess as she’s bouncing around. Pair it with a sprinkler and you’ve got an afternoon of fun in the sun for your tykes, whether prince or princess. And best yet, the Fun Jumper is only $53!
  3. Aquabot Pool RoverThe Aquabot Pool Rover is a pretty nifty gadget. Built with 4 wheels and a waterproof casing, the Rover traverses the bottom of any above ground pool, cleaning and filtering the water.Offered at $390, the Pool Rover is a steal!

These are only 3 of the best deals in the Backyard Ocean Father’s Day sale, and with over 2000 products to choose from, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect gift for Dad in 2011!

Jun
14

Keeping your above-ground pool in tip-top shape ensures longer life and better performance.  Swimming pool sanitizing and maintenance issues such as having too low or too high pH level, algae buildup and poor filtering can all damage and affect the performance of your pool. To keep your above-ground pool in excellent condition, follow these steps and you’ll have a swimming pool that will always look brand new.

  1. Examine your pool regularly. Check the pump and above-ground pool cartridge filters to make sure they are working properly. If there’s poor circulation and filtering within your pool system, you’ll need to add chemicals to the water to balance everything out. Pool chemicals are also added on a regular basis to keep pools healthy and clean.
  2. Make sure there’s proper water pressure in your pool. You need just the right amount of water pressure to keep your pool working well. Check it weekly when your pool is in good condition, and more frequently if you are experiencing trouble.
  3. Keep your pool free from debris. You don’t have to clean your pool daily. But do your best to scoop out leaves and debris and scrape grit and algae off your pool on a regular basis. Not only will this make your pool sanitary but attractive as well.
  4. Put the right amount of chlorine in your pool. A safe level of chlorine will ward off bacteria from taking over your pool. There are floating chlorine canisters which you can easily puncture and throw in the pool water to make sure the chlorine level is just the right amount.

There is absolutely no need to hire a professional pool cleaner to do the cleaning for you. Maintenance is always the key to making sure your pool remains optimal condition.