Automatic pool cleaners are perfect for maintaining a healthy, clean pool without a bunch of fuss. The automatic cleaners can efficiently and thoroughly clean the bottom of the pool where debris and algae tend to gather. An average cleaning time is around two to four hours. Some designs can clean the walls of the pool which are prone to algae build up as well.

Robotic pool cleaners are great for those who just want to push a button and go. Some of the systems are programmable, meaning a user can program a specific cleaning time without turning on the machine. The machines work just like the automatic systems and can save a pool owner a lot of time and energy. For those who want a little more control, remote controls are available that will allow a user to control the direction of the unit.

The cleaners generally have a filtering system within the unit along with a bag to catch the debris sucked off the pool floor. A self contained filtering system will save your pool’s filter from doing any extra work and potentially damaging the system. These systems save money on pool cleaning bills and can be done as often as necessary. Simply put the automatic pool cleaner in the pool and let it do its job. Some systems can be built in and easily turned on with a remote. A clean pool is always a huge hit at any party.

To make your pool clean and bacteria free, here are few things that you must keep in mind to make an effective swimming pool water maintenance.

• Make sure you have enough chlorine to kill bacteria and microorganisms in the pool but make sure also you don’t exceed the recommended levels that it may end up irritating your eyes or corroding the pipes of the swimming pool. It is also important to know how to add chlorine in your pool as directly dumping them into the waters may not also be effective. Use automatic chlorine feeders to add chlorine gradually to your pool.
• Clean your filters regularly and make sure you replace the filter’s sand after two to three years. Do not backwash the sand too often, you may not allow the filter to reach its cleaning potential. It also advisable to do manual cleaning with a pool vacuum in those areas and corners that may be hard to reach by your filters. In this age of new technology, you can also get yourself an above ground electric swimming pool cleaner that will help you in maintaining the cleanliness of the pool.
• To prevent algae from thriving in your pool and turning its color to green, add an algae inhibitor in your pool. Keep in mind that there different kinds of algae that can thrive in your pool and some of them may become chlorine resistant. Aside from the green algae, the yellow and the blue-green algae can also be present in your pool if you don’t pay attention to cleaning it often. These algae do not only make your pool waters turn green, it can also make it slippery and may make the bottom of the pool hardly visible. Keeping a pH of the pool water at the right level and having an algae inhibitor will help you avoid algae from growing in your pool.
• Regular checking of the pH level or the acidity or alkalinity level of your pool is one important task you have to keep in mind in swimming pool water maintenance. By maintaining the right pH of the pool, you will prevent the growth of microorganisms and bacteria in the pool.
• Shock your pool regularly if the pool is used heavily. There may be days when swimming parties seem unending, thus it is important to shock your pool to eliminate waste and dirt from constant use. You can actually get pool shockers that are readily available in stores.

Indeed, swimming pool water maintenance is a must to avoid irritating your eyes, or getting bacteria from the water. Indeed, the fun of having a swimming pool also involves a responsibility of making it clean and safe always.

The next requirement is that swimming pools need to have proper circulation and filtration system in place to replace the stale water with fresh water. The pool pump helps in the circulation of the water.

Swimming pool vacuums are also needed to clean out dirt that enters the pool. These are available in manual and automatic models. Manual vacuums are much cheaper than automatic ones.

Your pool vacuum should be used to clean the bottom and sides of the pool. Some pool cleaners do an excellent job in general in cleaning your pool, however many of these devices will not pick up fine dust or sand that sinks to the bottom. However, a pool vacuum has to be used no matter what the location may be.

The pool filter pump (or more than one for large pools) will need to be serviced regularly.

Here is a tip for you. A pool suction hose can be turned into a backwash hose by using a hose clamp. A pool vacuum system consists of a number of parts that fit together to make the system fully functional. The vacuum head is that part of the pool vacuum system that is similar to a vacuum cleaner.

Some pool packages come complete with a maintenance kit that includes a pool vacuum, others do not. If you are buying you will need to carefully establish exactly what is included in the price, before you pay out your money.

As we have said already, filters can’t remove silt from the bottom. However, once the swimmers move the water they raise the silt, and it can then be be filtered out and the problem will slowly get better.

Good quality filters will have a pressure gauge to tell you when they’ve absorbed too much particulate. For instance, the new Hayward 4800 DE filter, has a system that is affected when the pressure rises to 10 PSI more than the pressure when the filter powder was changed. When that happens the water flow is being unduly restricted and it’s time to change your powder again.

When pool filling, add a water purifying chemical to the water to get rid of the remaining cloudiness in the pool. Follow the manufacturers recommendations.

Chlorine kills any bacteria that may be in your pool water and that is why it is so important. Shock your pool once a week in the summer. Chlorine is typically prepared in liquid, powder or tablet form (though some professionals use gaseous chlorine), and it can be added to the water anywhere in the cycle. Pool experts generally recommend adding it just after the filtering process, using a chemical feeder.

Article Source: EzineArticles, Expert: Steve Evans