Using and maintaining a pool is not possible without certain pool accessories. However, not every tool is absolutely necessary. You can find out here what you really need as basic equipment and for care.
What could be nicer than coming home after a hard day's work and hot temperatures and being able to cool off in the pool? Hardly anything is as relaxing and at the same time refreshing as jumping into cool water. Especially when the temperatures climb well above the 30 degree mark.
Anyone who decides to buy a pool must be aware that the water can only last in the long term with good care and the right tools. Whether quick-up pools, pools with a steel wall or pools embedded in the ground - a lot of water fits in everywhere. And it would be annoying if the water turned brown or green due to missing accessories and you had to start all over again. This not only means a considerable amount of additional work, but the costs for water should not be underestimated for larger pools.
This pool accessory is part of the basic equipment:
Filter system
The most important pool accessory is a proper filter system. If you don't have them, no matter how well you fill the pool with chemicals, it just doesn't help. It doesn't take long for the pool to tip over and turn green. I was able to experience this myself a few years ago. The supplied pump is simply not designed for larger pools because it simply has too little power. It wasn't two weeks before the water was green and the children were unhappy.
» A little tip from me: If you order a cheap pool set, then put the supplied pump aside and rather invest a little more in a better one.
So-called sand filter systems (see picture above) are highly recommended. Here the water is filtered using quartz sand, cleaned and then returned clean to the pool. Such sand filter systems are available in different versions, so that you can get the right system for every pool size.
Ladder
Depending on what pool you have or want to buy, you may need a ladder to safely get in and out of the pool.
Depending on the type of pool, either built-in ladders that are hung in the pool (in the case of sunken pools) or raised pool ladders that are placed over the edge and have steps on both sides are suitable.
It is important when buying that you make sure that the steps are stable and firmly anchored. They should also be made of a rustproof material and have special anti-slip protection.
skimmer
Leaves, beetles and other dirt are often unavoidable. However, they ensure that the water is enriched with too many nutrients from the outside. Under certain circumstances it can then happen that the water becomes green or cloudy.
To counteract this, skimmers are necessary. These small devices attract the dirt and are passed on to the pump through a suction line. There the water is filtered, cleaned and finally released back into the pool.
Depending on the type of pool, there are different installation and construction options. The simple quick-up pools have hanging skimmer, while the skimmer is built directly into the system for larger pools.
Pool thermometer
Another essential accessory is a thermometer, which shows the exact water temperature. At the same time, it also supports the care of the pool. Because the higher the water temperature rises, the more chemicals you have to add to the water. Because when temperatures rise, algae and bacteria multiply much faster.
And by the way, many children are always very keen to know what the current temperature of the water is. Friends often even have a little competition about which pool is warmer.
Poolchemistry
Bacteria, viruses and other pathogens reside in every pool. Due to the rising temperatures of the water, not only does the number of these grow, but algae also develop. You can counteract this with appropriate pool chemicals and destroy the pathogens.
The main ingredient is of course chlorine. This is available in the form of tablets or granules. However, chlorine should not be added to the pool indiscriminately. It is essential that you always observe the information on the respective packaging. In particularly hot temperatures, however, it is advisable to carry out shock chlorination. To do this, theAmount of chlorine temporarily overdosed. This process is particularly useful when algae have already formed.
You can easily determine when to add chlorine by doing a water check. You not only check the chlorine content, but also the pH value. This is very important to add the right amount of chlorine to the water. Test strips for the determination are available in packs of 50 for less than 10 euros.
The experts from Pool-Magazine recommend carrying out a regular water check, at least once a week it should be part of the pool maintenance.
Dosing float
A dosing float is also essential for pool maintenance. It is used to periodically dispense chemicals into the pool for water treatment.
The large, round floats, often in blue and white, are filled with chlorine tablets and then placed in the water. There they gradually release the agent and are distributed by water movements.
Depending on the size of the pool, however, you need a different amount. This can be adjusted using the dosing ring on the float. Here you can specify how quickly the tablet should dissolve and accordingly how much chlorine needs to be released.
floor vacuum cleaner
It's actually frightening how much time and work you have to put into maintaining a pool. But bathing and romping is only really fun when the water is really clear. A pool canister vacuum cleaner saves some time. So you don't have to drain the water first to clean the floor, you simply vacuum it up like a carpet. This is not only easier on the back, but also takes a lot less time.
There are different models of pool vacuum cleaners. Explaining how each one works here is beyond the scope of this article. If you want to learn more about it, I can recommend the article "Pool floor vacuum - How does the vacuum work" from Poolexperte.com. It not only explains exactly how the different cleaners work, you also get important buying tips.
Landing Net
Last but not least, a landing net should not be missing from your collection. You can use this to remove larger dirt such as leaves and beetles from time to time. This relieves the pump and prevents the water from becoming cloudy.
Admittedly, at first glance, there are quite a few utensils that youneed to maintain a pool. A tip from me: Don't save at the wrong end! It is better to spend a little more for some things like pump, vacuum cleaner and pool chemicals. The saying "whoever buys cheap, buys twice" often applies here and that doesn't have to be the case.
In addition to the important basic equipment, there are also really useful tools for a pool. Here is just a small overview:
- Pool Heater
- Pool Alarm
- Lighting
- Solar Cover