Pool School

Variable Speed Pool Pumps: What They Are & Why They Save

Variable Speed Pool Pumps: What They Are & Why You...


See how variable speed pool pumps work, why slower speeds can cut pump energy costs up to 75%, and what California's Title 20 rules mean for you.
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california title 20
How to Test Pool Water: Ideal Levels Chart — Taylor K-2006 test kit and AquaChek strips poolside

How to Test Pool Water: Levels & Ideal Ranges (2026)


Learn how to test pool water in 5 minutes using strips, drop kits, or digital testers, then check your readings against our chart of ideal chemical levels.
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calcium hardness
Pool Algae Treatment: Green, Mustard & Black — Swimtrine Plus algaecide and brush beside a green pool

Pool Algae Treatment & Prevention Guide | Discount Pool Mart


Get rid of pool algae fast. Identify the type, balance your water, shock at the right strength, and keep green, mustard, or black algae from coming back.
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pool algae prevention
Cloudy Pool Water: 6 Causes and Fixes — Poolife TurboBlu clarifier beside a cloudy pool

Cloudy Pool Water: Causes and Fixes | Discount Pool Mart


Milky pool water? Learn the 6 causes, from low chlorine to high pH and calcium, and the right order to fix them: test, balance, filter, then clarify.
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calcium hardness
How to Shock a Pool: Step-by-Step Guide — Poolife Turboshock bags and a dissolving bucket at dusk

How to Shock a Pool: Step-by-Step Guide (2026)


Learn how to shock a pool safely: test chlorine, calculate the right dose for your pool's gallons, add shock at dusk, and know when it's safe to swim.
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Pool Maintenance
Pool Care After Wildfire Ash: 7-Step Cleanup Guide

Pool Care After Wildfire Ash in Southern California


Ash in your pool? Follow these 7 steps in order: skim, vacuum to waste, clean the filter, fix pH and phosphates, then shock. Written for SoCal pool owners.
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pool filter cleaning