Blog

Posts by:

Eric Knight

Eric Knight is a former competitive swimmer and American Record Holder. He is devoted to fixing indoor air quality (IAQ) problems in natatoriums and is currently the Director of Sales and Marketing for Orenda.

does chlorine affect pH in a pool? pH for pool, pH and chlorine

Does chlorine affect pH?

Chlorine products have different pH values when dissolved in water, but their impact on the pH of a swimming pool is not always significant. This article discusses how each chlorine type impacts pH and why.

Read More
chlorine %, trichlor tablet showing 55% cyanuric acid and 45% chlorine, pool chlorine

Understanding Labeled Chlorine %

In our last article, we introduced the concept of the Mole, a unit of measurement that allows us to weigh atoms, ions, and more complex molecules. This article expands on that lesson to demonstrate how to read product percentages listed on chemical labels. In particular, we're focused on Chlorine %.

Read More

Six Bad Habits in Pool Service

This article will outline six bad habits that you can change immediately–for free–that will give you an immediate return on investment (ROI).

Read More
high LSI tap water-2

Scale-Forming Tap Water

We recently had to adapt the Orenda Startup for a unique tap water situation.

Most tap water we test is low on the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI). On the Orenda app, it shows up with a red LSI number at the bottom. And by "most tap water", we mean almost all tap water in the country. That is, until the water we tested recently in the Bay Area of Northern California. It had a purple LSI.

Read More

What is the ideal pH for swimming pools?

Traditional pool industry teachings tell us that maintaining the pH within the ideal range of 7.4 to 7.6 is crucial for swimming pools. But why? And is there actually an ideal pH in the first place? Let's find out.

Read More

What is a Hot Start?

A "hot start" is a method for starting up a new or resurfaced pool using a lot of acid. It is extremely aggressive–by design–so it etches calcium off the surface, hopefully evenly. The objective of a hot start is to "burn up" plaster dust and any imperfections left behind by the plaster application process, so that the customer is left with a beautiful looking pool. A hot start may also be called a "zero alkalinity startup" or an "acid startup". This article will discuss what hot starts are, why they are used, how they are done, and the chemistry behind the process.

Read More

NSF/ANSI Standard 50 and the MAHC

Commercial Pool Chemicals must be NSF Certified or EPA Registered

"New: Specifies that numerous pool chemicals (stabilizers, pool-grade salt, clarifiers, flocculants,...

Read More

Leave It Better Than You Found It

My grandfather has a few rules that go unquestioned and are universally obeyed. One of them is "leave it better than you found it." It could mean the bedroom I'm staying in at their home...or the kitchen after I eat lunch. It also applies to borrowing tools, the car, the tractor, or anything else that does not belong to me. Leave (or return) it better than you found it. A profoundly simple rule to remind us to respect others and their property.

Read More

Avoid Instant Gratification

We live in a world of instant gratification

Delayed gratification doesn't sell. In an effort to get ahead, tech companies (social media platforms, in particular) are in a race to feed our instant gratification appetites. Want that item? Get online and order it, it will arrive in just a few days. Wait, no, order it directly from the app.  Wait, even better, tell Siri, Alexa or "Ok Google" to order it for you! Ahh, yes, progress.

Read More

An Overloaded Warm-Up Pool

The following is a true story, exactly the way I remember it. Not that I could ever forget my time in that tiny warmup pool...

Read More