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Jun
4

How to Maintain Hot Tubs

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Good Advice - (0 Comments)

Hot tubs are associated with recreation and relaxation—two things known to combat stress. The thought of submerging yourself in sparkling and pristine water is almost as relaxing as the action itself. Many people install their own hot tubs at home, not just for luxury but for health purposes.

To completely enjoy the benefits of your hot tub, a clean and healthy environment must be fostered since algae and bacteria grow quickly in warm water. Spa chemicals aid in the maintenance as they keep the water clean, sanitized, and all set to invigorate you.

Spa Chemicals

Spa chemicals are used to purify water and prevent unwanted formation of organics. The function of cleaners is to remove not just the harmful substances, but also the accumulation of dirt and oil. Some chemicals offer a long lasting cleansing effect while others are only used to clean the equipment after drainage. Bio-degradable spa chemicals are also available for an eco-friendly way of keeping hot tubs hygienic and dirt-free.

Start-up Kits

Suppliers offer chlorine or bromine spa start-up kits that provide owners with products they need. These kits often come with instructions for opening or refilling the spa. Most of them also include a surface cleaner, water clarifier, oxidizer, pH increaser and various other cleansers.

Bromine vs. Chlorine

The most common sanitizers are chlorine (typically used in swimming pools) and bromine, which prevent algae and bacterial growth, when kept at the right levels.

The chlorine sanitizing granules are not only easy to use but also very economical. They dissolve easily and completely so you can take advantage of its ability to sanitize your spa. But most spa owners say that chlorine should only be used occasionally (as a shocking agent) and not as the main spa sanitizer.

Meanwhile, brominating tablets offer the cleansing effects of chlorine minus the odor. Although more expensive, bromine is preferable for sanitizing warm water in spas because it’s more stable. Add a bromine booster if you want to establish a bromine reserve in your hot tub at once.

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Jun
1

Backyard Ocean’s Hot Savings Sale

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Top Deals - (0 Comments)


Summer is almost here and soon, you’ll be opening up your swimming pool again. Water makes summers more fun and Backyard Ocean is here to help you prepare for the coming season.

Here are some exciting items we offer at our Hot Savings Sale:

  • Save up to 30% on selections of above ground pools and pool equipment. Have them shipped for free if you order more than $100.
  • Get 30% discount on kiddie and family pools in various sizes and designs.
  • Shop for durable hard sided pools starting at $519.99 only and see them last for decades.
  • Get frame above ground pools starting at $289.99 for an easy-to-set up summer fun.
  • Shop for ring pools with prices beginning at $40.99.
  • Pay only 70% of the price of poolside furniture and accessories like outdoor umbrellas and home saunas.
  • Get irresistible discounts on pool toys and floats, steps and ladders, pool lights and fountains, pool slides and diving boards.
  • Get 30% off on portable spas, spa equipment, chemicals, and accessories.

Get ready for a fun-filled home during the sunny months and take advantage of these deals on swimming pools and pool supplies. Sale ends on June 5, 2012.

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Apr
30

How to Shock Your Pool

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Good Advice - (0 Comments)

Shocking, also known as “oxidization” or “super chlorinating,” is a chemical process that makes pool water clean and safe by breaking down wastes such as dead skin cells, cosmetics, body oil, sweat, and urine. In this process, the chlorine level is drastically raised for a short period to eliminate the bacteria and organic matter that could inhabit your pool.

Shocking is one of the most important routines that pool owners should know in maintaining their swimming pools. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  1. The pool shock should match your pool’s filter system. If you have a non-chlorinated pool, choose non-chlorinated shockers and if you have a chlorinated pool, go for chlorinated ones. Check out Backyard Ocean for a list of pool shock products you can try.
  2.  Read the specifications and instructions from the manufacturer. The amount of shocker you need depends on the size of the pool. When you have determined the amount you need to shock your swimming pool, pre-dissolve the grains of the chemical in a bucket of water. Remember to put the chemical into the water and not vice versa.
  3.  After mixing and agitating the water and shocker for one minute, pour the solution directly in front of a return line fitting while your filtration system is turned on. Pour slowly so that all the shock pool chemicals are distributed to the pool waters by the jet of water from the return line. This keeps the chemicals from reaching the pool floor. Keep your vinyl pool liner away from any un-dissolved pool shock because it may stain or bleach it.

The recommended frequency for shocking your pool is at least once a week. The heavier you use the pool and the more frequently it is exposed to rain and sunny weather, the more often you should shock it to keep your family protected from unsafe water.

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Apr
27

Pool Games for Kids: Alligators and Seals

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Summer Fun - (0 Comments)

Kiddie pools especially those coupled with pool slides are very enjoyable to children. Multiply the fun and learning they can get from this activity by getting them to play “Alligators and Seals.” This game not only brings excitement, but also develops their strategic thinking skills and physical well-being.

Rules of the Game

In Alligators and Seals, one child gets to be the Alligator while the rest are Seals. The “it” is the Alligator, who has to catch all the Seals that he can turn into Alligators. Each new Alligator will now help the original Alligator catch other Seals.

Now, while the Alligator simply lurks around the waters, the Seals have their own starting point. The goal of the Seals is to reach a designated safe place where no Alligator can catch them. If he can manage to cross the kiddie pool to the other side where the Seal base is located, then the Seal is safe. The child that has not been caught by an Alligator gets to win the game.

This game may sound easy at first until you try the Alligator or Seal walk. To do this, the kids lie on their bellies with their hands pressed on the bottom of the pool to support their body. The hard part about this walk is that the legs are not supposed to move. But if there is adequate water that can reach up to the elbow of the player, then his legs could be kept afloat while crawling, making the Alligator or Seal walk a lot easier.

Benefits of the Game

  • - The Alligator or Seal walk improves the upper body stamina of the child. If the child is still learning how to swim, a stronger upper body can be a great starting point.
  • - Alligators and Seals can stimulate the child’s brain as he starts to develop strategies such as where to pass in order to avoid the Alligator.
  • - This game elicits lots of laughter from the kids and laughter is believed to be very therapeutic.
  • - The game adds an interesting twist to an otherwise monotonous swimming activity for the children.
  • - The children get to be more comfortable with water and swimming, which is essential in learning how to swim.

Toddlers are extremely curious about their surroundings and as they experience new things, they begin to know the world better. Allowing them to play in the water, especially in a kiddie pool, will help stimulate their brain to make them discover and learn new things about their environment.

 

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Apr
23

Making your Swimming Pool Slide Safe and Fun

Posted by Backyard Ocean in Good Advice - (0 Comments)

Children love the water especially during hot weather, and pool slides never fail to add more fun to their day. Because they are the ones who enjoy slides the most, safety should always be your primary concern. Make sure to follow the mounting instruction from your supplier and have an expert help you install it.

Here are some more fun and safety tips in installing and using your swimming pool slide.

  • Have the slide painted with colorful designs to make it inviting for your kids. Remember that painting the slide on low humidity days will let the paint dry quickly.
  • If you don’t have a fixed swimming pool at home, you can still provide a slide for your kids’ portable swimming pool. Go for an inflatable pool slide that goes down to a portable landing pool. Inflatable pools and pool slides can be built with the help of an electric blower.
  • Determine how high you want the slide to be—a shallow pool needs a shorter slide.
  • Alternatives for above-ground pool slides may be limited but they can be moved around and attached to the pool deck. Moreover, these slides are often much smaller than the slides for in-ground swimming pools.
  • No matter how safe a slide is, children 6 years old and below should not be allowed to use the slide without the guidance of an adult.
  • Keep your kids from sliding with toys in their hands as this could harm them when they slide down the pool. Keep their swimming experience safe by educating them on how to properly use the pool slide and constantly reminding them to be careful.

There is a wide variety of slides you can choose from, depending on the size and design of your pool. You can even have them customized so that they perfectly match your home and pool design. Just remember that the safety of your slide is equally important as its aesthetic charm.

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