Wow, I didn’t realize they increase the Ph. I’m constantly battling the Ph of our pool. We have a spillover from our spa, and there is more scale buildup there.
Increases pH without increasing alkalinity, which is rare. Most things that affect one affect the other as well. This if you ever need to increase your pH a bit but your alkalinity is already high enough, this is the best way to do it.
All of your points make sense. Unfortunately they already started building our pool, here in SoCal. I wish I would have found you earlier. I hope we don't have the stagnant water problem.
All waterfalls work the same way. But a sheer does have laminar flow and that does reduce the effects of high pH from aerating the water like more turbulent falling water.
I’m taking care of a pool with a waterfall that runs 12 hours a day 7 days a week and have to add acid all the time because of the Aeration even with the TA 60-80 and the use of acidic trichlor tabs.
Thanks for this information, didn't realise that waterfalls could course so much problems. We are in the middle of finalizing our pool plans and while they seem really attactive and agonizing (it is killing me since the pool company is not giving a lot designer input) over designing it where the pool builder doesn't have a lot of input, you may be talking me out of something that costs a lot and may case a lot of headaches, eventhough we are in the low country of SC.
@@KDavis-rk8bh hey there! Yes, we did. Listening to this again, not sure why I still pushed for this. Well, we aren't in a cold climate, and our pool was just completed about a month ago and so far no problems. We had a fiberglass pool installed by Camp Pools, but many other vendors on your side of the GA line. I hear Aqua Blue is good (not sure if you are doing gunite or fiberglass).
Some very useful information that changed my mind. Definitely do not want to add extra work or expense when both can be allocated to something more enjoyable that will be utilized more often.
Love your channel 😄 great info, ty! Im wondering though...you mention about stagnant, bacteria laden water in unused fountain lines. Wouldn't this apply to any water line if shut down for hours on end? What about people who only run their pumps 12 or less hours a day? Wouldnt that be the same?
Definitely the same, which is one of the main reasons why turning off your pump for 12 hours per day was never a good idea. But a waterfall can get left off for a month or more, and that is a whole different level of problems!
@@Swimmingpoolsteve Ty for the reply 👍 i shut off my pool for 8 hours through out the night now im wondering if that is bad? Also - why have a fountain if youre not going to use it? 😆....seems like a waste? Im also looking into alternative heat sources like solar and using an AC to heat the pool. Maybe you could do a vid on heating a pool (i haven't been thru all your vids yet, so disregard if you have done this already lol!) Ty again 👍
Great vid. In the process of designing our first pool. This was really helpful. If bubblers were used that overflowed into the pool (not in a sun shelf), would that also create higher ph and increase the bacteria levels?
The bubbler alone would increase the pH. I do not understand exactly what you mean with the bubbler overflowing into the pool, since bubblers are usually within the pool itself. Either way if you add turbulence and oxygen to the water the pH is going to be affected for sure. But you really don't run bubblers or water features all the time anyway.
So, what if you live in a warmer climate and always have the waterfall on? Is it really an issue at that point? Where do you suggest putting that money you were gonna use for the waterfall? A lot of questions not really answered here.
Your pH will be sky high if you run a waterfall 24/7. As for what else you should spend your money on instead I would nor presume to know what you should do with your money. This is a technical question with a technical answer.
Hey Now another informative VID , by Steve when we had our pool installed we had the plumbing lined in for eventually to have a water fall feature installed 3yrs now never found anything that we liked so my next question would be Steve any suggestions on what we can do with the dormant plumbing line not be used ???? Thanks.
Hi I'm not Steve I'm Kathy but I can tell you that I bought a rock waterfall at Lowe's for around $200 and it was just the thing I was looking for for that nice soothing waterfall sound. It's about a little over 2 feet high and maybe a foot and a half wide with about five"falls" It's well-made and you plug it in and the water just keeps going and going and it has a very nice sound to it
@@themorfeeis where I'm at we have slightly acidic rain. Gunite pools will stay balanced but the pH and alkalinity bottom out in fiberglass and liner pools. It's not a big issue, but simply running a waterfall a few times a week will raise the pH. Turbulent water cause CO2 outgassing and raises the pH.
thanks on letting people know why they cant have the pool of their dreams, I have one with a waterfall ( 5 years now) and everything is ok about it, I get it, maybe you needed material for a vídeo and you did this and is ok, and no Im not liking and subscribing, have a blessed day@
Excuse me for using 30 years of experience to help people to understand what to expect from these features, which have very specific drawbacks that pool owners should be aware of. It's not an attack on people with waterfalls. I'm trying to be helpful. Glad to hear you have a waterfall for 5 years. Not sure how my information here invalidates your decision to have one on your pool to the extent you are feeling attacked.
Don’t know why I’m watching this. Don’t have a pool and live in an apartment. Thanks UA-cam!
Do you have a pool now? 2 years later
🤣🤣 any update if you have a pool yet??
@@tsingh6382 actually, I do!! No waterfall though 😂
@@FreeDom-lz4yg I sure do!!
Pool now????
Waterfalls are still worth installing
Very informative. And here I am getting one installed anyway. 🤔. Happy wife happy life lol.
Wow, I didn’t realize they increase the Ph. I’m constantly battling the Ph of our pool. We have a spillover from our spa, and there is more scale buildup there.
Increases pH without increasing alkalinity, which is rare. Most things that affect one affect the other as well. This if you ever need to increase your pH a bit but your alkalinity is already high enough, this is the best way to do it.
All of your points make sense. Unfortunately they already started building our pool, here in SoCal. I wish I would have found you earlier. I hope we don't have the stagnant water problem.
Love the sound and look for my waterfalls off the spa overfill.
Is there the same problem with sheer descents? Water coming direct from pvc to acrylic sheer descent.
All waterfalls work the same way. But a sheer does have laminar flow and that does reduce the effects of high pH from aerating the water like more turbulent falling water.
I’m taking care of a pool with a waterfall that runs 12 hours a day 7 days a week and have to add acid all the time because of the Aeration even with the TA 60-80 and the use of acidic trichlor tabs.
Thanks for this information, didn't realise that waterfalls could course so much problems.
We are in the middle of finalizing our pool plans and while they seem really attactive and agonizing (it is killing me since the pool company is not giving a lot designer input) over designing it where the pool builder doesn't have a lot of input, you may be talking me out of something that costs a lot and may case a lot of headaches, eventhough we are in the low country of SC.
Did you get the waterfall? we're at the beginning stages. Also, who did you use. We're in coastal Georgia.
@@KDavis-rk8bh hey there! Yes, we did. Listening to this again, not sure why I still pushed for this. Well, we aren't in a cold climate, and our pool was just completed about a month ago and so far no problems. We had a fiberglass pool installed by Camp Pools, but many other vendors on your side of the GA line. I hear Aqua Blue is good (not sure if you are doing gunite or fiberglass).
Bless up! how to install fire water bowl feature to new pool, what size pipe i need?
Thanks for this information, didn't realise that waterfalls could course so much problems.
Have not had issues with a spa overflow waterfall. That way its part of the pool system, and less issues. Love the sound and look
Some very useful information that changed my mind. Definitely do not want to add extra work or expense when both can be allocated to something more enjoyable that will be utilized more often.
I am happy you find this content helpful. Thanks for commenting. Cheer.
Love your channel 😄 great info, ty! Im wondering though...you mention about stagnant, bacteria laden water in unused fountain lines. Wouldn't this apply to any water line if shut down for hours on end? What about people who only run their pumps 12 or less hours a day? Wouldnt that be the same?
Definitely the same, which is one of the main reasons why turning off your pump for 12 hours per day was never a good idea. But a waterfall can get left off for a month or more, and that is a whole different level of problems!
@@Swimmingpoolsteve Ty for the reply 👍 i shut off my pool for 8 hours through out the night now im wondering if that is bad? Also - why have a fountain if youre not going to use it? 😆....seems like a waste?
Im also looking into alternative heat sources like solar and using an AC to heat the pool. Maybe you could do a vid on heating a pool (i haven't been thru all your vids yet, so disregard if you have done this already lol!)
Ty again 👍
Great video, Steve. Agree with everything you said
Nice tip about the pH imbalance it causes! I always say unique systems have unique problems. I can explain more about waterfalls now. Thanks Steve!
Great vid. In the process of designing our first pool. This was really helpful. If bubblers were used that overflowed into the pool (not in a sun shelf), would that also create higher ph and increase the bacteria levels?
The bubbler alone would increase the pH. I do not understand exactly what you mean with the bubbler overflowing into the pool, since bubblers are usually within the pool itself. Either way if you add turbulence and oxygen to the water the pH is going to be affected for sure. But you really don't run bubblers or water features all the time anyway.
@@Swimmingpoolsteve I was thinking of a bubbler used as a fountain. I'm good. Thanks.
Have it, used it one time, great fill the pool with a bunch of dirt. Don't use it anymore, actually moved the waterfall pump when my main pump broke
This is the typical story for waterfall owners unfortunately.
So, what if you live in a warmer climate and always have the waterfall on? Is it really an issue at that point? Where do you suggest putting that money you were gonna use for the waterfall? A lot of questions not really answered here.
Your pH will be sky high if you run a waterfall 24/7. As for what else you should spend your money on instead I would nor presume to know what you should do with your money. This is a technical question with a technical answer.
Hey Now another informative VID , by Steve when we had our pool installed we had the plumbing lined in for eventually to have a water fall feature installed 3yrs now never found anything that we liked so my next question would be Steve any suggestions on what we can do with the dormant plumbing line not be used ???? Thanks.
what do think about water jets ?
Im thinking a picture of a waterfall may be the better option
Are shear descent better?
No, same
Thanks dude👍
Steve, if not a waterfall then what would you recommend for the bubbling water sound or falling water sound?
Hi I'm not Steve I'm Kathy but I can tell you that I bought a rock waterfall at Lowe's for around $200 and it was just the thing I was looking for for that nice soothing waterfall sound. It's about a little over 2 feet high and maybe a foot and a half wide with about five"falls" It's well-made and you plug it in and the water just keeps going and going and it has a very nice sound to it
@@kpackard1 Do you use any chemicals to keep that running smooth? TIA
They aerate the water
I rather have them moveable
Your volume needs to be louder.
Pools are not practical so why talk practical. I have 3 waterfalls in my inground. 0 problems
Do you winterize your pool?
You just saved me from a temptation
I try to talk people into getting a water feature on fiberglass pools because it raises the pH
Why would you want to raise the pH in a fiberglass pool specifically?
@@themorfeeis where I'm at we have slightly acidic rain. Gunite pools will stay balanced but the pH and alkalinity bottom out in fiberglass and liner pools. It's not a big issue, but simply running a waterfall a few times a week will raise the pH. Turbulent water cause CO2 outgassing and raises the pH.
Is this you Scott McKay!
I like my waterfalls at the resort pools where they belong.
Just More that WILL BREAK and spend money on.
thanks on letting people know why they cant have the pool of their dreams, I have one with a waterfall ( 5 years now) and everything is ok about it, I get it, maybe you needed material for a vídeo and you did this and is ok, and no Im not liking and subscribing, have a blessed day@
Excuse me for using 30 years of experience to help people to understand what to expect from these features, which have very specific drawbacks that pool owners should be aware of. It's not an attack on people with waterfalls. I'm trying to be helpful. Glad to hear you have a waterfall for 5 years. Not sure how my information here invalidates your decision to have one on your pool to the extent you are feeling attacked.
What a drag
Waterfalls and lights. Urgh...
Well… crap…. Mine is almost finished.😏
Love it. Enjoy it. Don't run it 24/7
@@Swimmingpoolsteve Good advice! Thx!
u missed the point of watefalls