Pools are wonderful, but require maintenance to keep the water clear and sanitary.More and more people are trying to find solutions that help them get away from the harsh odor and feel of chemical laden pool water.

Using a mineral system – like the Frog Fresh Mineral Water option, helps reduce both maintenance and chemicals.With natural water solutions for your pool, you will notice clearer, softer water with fewer odors.You will also find it easier to maintain water pH balance when using minerals – like the Frog - chlorine system.

The minerals kill bacteria in 2 ways, but must be used in combination with either chlorine or bromine.You will use much less of either sanitizer (up to 50% less) and you will find the water pH is easier to keep balanced.For instance, the minimum EPA recommended level of chlorine for a swimming pool is 1.0 ppm.

When used in conjunction with mineral systems – like the Frog pool system – you only need 0.5 ppm chlorine for swimming pool water.

Using minerals for your pool will turn the pool water into mineral water. Since there are fewer chemicals, the water is easier on skin, bathing suits and pool equipment. Your skin will feel softer after bathing.

You will also spend less time on water maintenance since the mineral cartridges come pre-made and measured.Most cartridges will last you the whole summer or longer.You will spend money on the natural water mineral systems, but will save money on chlorine, shock and pH balancing chemicals.

Salt water pools are becoming increasingly popular.However, salt water chlorinators, cells and generators are expensive and salt cells need frequent cleaning.Salt water systems convert the pool salt by electric means into chlorine.So the salt water pool is actually a chlorine pool.A mineral system is a good alternative to salt systems.

Frog Pool Products

One of the most popular natural water solutions go under the name brand Frog. The Frog Fresh Mineral Water systems help you keep your pool water cleaner, softer and use 50% less harsh chemicals.The cartridges are pre-measured, no-touch delivery systems so you don’t need to handle chemicals.The correct system will depend on the size of your pool.

Frog Mineral Water Pool Systems

For above ground pools up to 5,000 gallons, you would use the Flippin Frog.

For pools up to 10,00 gallons, order the Flippin Frog XL. The Flippin’ Frog XL creates fresh mineral water for up to six months. This can be used in above-ground or in-ground pools.

For pools up to 25,000 gallons, you have several options.The easiest is the Frog Mineral Purifier for Existing In-ground Pools.This unit works with your pool’s filtration system to kill bacteria and reduce chlorine use by up to 50%.If you have an in-line system, then you would use the inline Frog mineral purifier system (described below).

The Pool Frog inline mineral purifier systems are the top, hassle-free pool water care systems.You just need to insert the pre-measured mineral reservoir and chlorine pack into the cyclers.Pool Spa Outpost carries both the above-ground and in-ground cycler mineral purifiers that are intended for in-line use.

We also carry above-ground and in-ground mineral reservoirs and Frog test strips.We recommend you purchase the test strips so you can dial in the correct reduced amount of chlorine or bromine that you need with the Frog products.

We recommend natural water solutions for both pools and hot tubs. 

Pool Spa Outpost carries the Frog pool water systems at discounted prices.We also carry other mineral cartridges and enzymes. Orders over $95 ship for free.

Frog Pool Products for Above Ground and Inground Pools

Whenever you see pools in magazines, they always have crystal clear water.Reality, however, is another case.Wind blows leaves and debris into your pool, bathers leave things behind - including gravel, dirt, sand, and bugs or rodents may fall in your water.Obviously, no one wants to swim in a dirty pool.So here are some tips for finding the right pool cleaner for your needs.

There are several types of pool cleaners on the market.Some brands are quite similar, but will offer different features or price points.So let's look at the three different types of automatic pool cleaners on the market:

1) Robotic Pool Cleaners.

Robotic pool cleaners are intended for use with in-ground pools, are easy to install, energy efficient and work great.These automatic cleaners vacuum pool floors and walls and are generally recommended for residential pools up 40- 50 feet long made of gunite, vinyl or fiberglass. 

Most of these robotic pool cleaners will shut off after the cleaning period - usually around 2-3 hours. They will have a screen or chamber to catch debris.The beauty is they will clean your pool by vacuuming and filtering as they automatically drive around the bottom of your pool.The only downfall to the robotic models is they don't always respond well to larger debris or obstacles - like rocks - that may be on the bottom of the pool

Two robotic pool cleaners are made by Hayward, which is one of the most recognized pool equipment manufacturers. One is the Tiger Shark, which cleans pools up to 20'x40', has an energy efficient 24 volt motor and an on-board pump that provides the power for the vacuum.

The other is the Shark Vac, which cleans most pools in 90 minutes or less and is the easiest automatic pool cleaner to operate. 

There are also other popular automatic pool cleaner manufacturers and models - a few are the Dolphin Supreme M3 and M4, Kreepy Krauly, Polaris or the Baracuda pool cleaners.

For flat bottom above-ground pools, there are also robotic cleaners available, like the Aquabot APRVJR Pool Rover. This unit offers powerful suction, has a 24 volt pump motor and comes with an internal pump, filtration system and reusable filter bag.

2) Pressure Pool Cleaners

Pressure pool cleaners are another way to go and there are many makes on the market, like GOBY, Polaris and Aquabot.

Polaris makes the Vac-Sweep 280 automatic pool cleaner for in-ground pools.This unit generally has a cleaning cycle of 3 hours or less for the typical residential pool.It is powered by double jets and is ready to connect to a dedicated pressure line.It comes with a filter bag and 31 foot hose kit, and it vacuums, sweeps, scrubs and can catch large debris in its single chamber filter.

3)Suction Pool Cleaners

Many manufacturers also make suction pool cleaners for in-ground pools that provide maneuverability and climbing to capture debris.Barracuda makes the Zodiac model and Hayward makes the Poolvergnuegen pool cleaning suction model.

It comes in a 2 wheel version for residential pools up to 16' x 32' or the 4 wheel one for larger pools up to 20' x 40'. The tires have special threads that allow this pool cleaner to climb walls and go over obstacles. It has great suction even on uneven surfaces and enhanced climbing ability. Large dirt and debris can easily be trapped in its adjustable skirt .The suction models work well with solar, 2 speed or variable speed pumps.

Of course, the best pool cleaner may not be the same for everyone.Your choice will depend on the size of your pool, whether it is in-ground or above ground, and your budget.

See our highly rated automatic pool cleaners and robots.

For others in the north, the evenings are already starting to dip down into the teens and the pool may soon need the heater. 

Most pool heaters are gas or propane heaters.  Keeping the temperature at a comfortable level encourages bathers to use the pool, especially in the evenings and on weekends.

Southern pools stay open year round, although they are not used much in the winter months either, but northern pools will need to go through the process of a "pool closing".

This involves blowing out all the lines and extending a pool safety cover over the entire pool.  The water table is lowered, but the pool is not emptied. 

A local pool company can help with the closing to assure no components freeze over the winter.

But it is only the beginning of fall, so meanwhile get more mileage from your pool and enjoy swimming in the fall!

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