The Deep End

08/23/2026

Bad salt readings? Salt cell acting strange? Not producing the chlorine you expect?

Before replacing your Hayward AquaRite cell or blaming the control board, try turning the cell upside down.

See all videos, articles, and special offers at DeepEndFrank dot Com. Check out our YouTube channel

Sounds crazy—but variable-speed pumps changed normal pool operation.

At today’s lower, energy-saving flow rates, you can have enough flow to satisfy the AquaRite flow switch while still allowing air or electrolysis gas to collect at the high point of the TurboCell. That’s also where we want the electrode and sensing area properly flooded.

Simple idea: air and gas rise. Water stays down. Put the important part of the cell down in the water.

I also explain how to find your VS pump’s minimum flow-switch speed and why you should leave additional operating margin for dirty filters and full baskets.

I’ve trusted AquaRite since the 1900s 😂. This isn’t knocking Hayward—the system is a proven workhorse. The cell didn’t change nearly as much as the way we operate swimming pools did.

Pool owners AND pool pros running AquaRite/TurboCell systems with variable-speed pumps need to know this one.

More pool troubleshooting, videos, guides and articles: DeepEndFrank.com

08/23/2026

Should Your Salt Cell Be Upside Down? That May Solve Some Problems. Bad salt readings? Salt cell acting strange? Not producing the chlorine you expect? See all Videos, Articles, and Special Offers DeepEndFrank dot Com. Check out our YouTube channel Deep End Frank

Before replacing your Hayward AquaRite cell or blaming the control board, try turning the cell upside down.

Sounds crazy—but variable-speed pumps changed normal pool operation.

At today’s lower, energy-saving flow rates, you can have enough flow to satisfy the AquaRite flow switch while still allowing air or electrolysis gas to collect at the high point of the TurboCell. That’s also where we want the electrode and sensing area properly flooded.

Simple idea: air and gas rise. Water stays down. Put the important part of the cell down in the water.

I also explain how to find your VS pump’s minimum flow-switch speed and why you should leave additional operating margin for dirty filters and full baskets.

I’ve trusted AquaRite since the 1900s 😂. This isn’t knocking Hayward—the system is a proven workhorse. The cell didn’t change nearly as much as the way we operate swimming pools did.

Pool owners AND pool pros running AquaRite/TurboCell systems with variable-speed pumps need to know this one.

More pool troubleshooting, videos, guides and articles: DeepEndFrank.com

08/23/2026

Your Salt Cell May Be Installed the WRONG Way 👀

Bad salt readings? Salt cell acting strange? Not producing the chlorine you expect?

Before replacing your Hayward AquaRite cell or blaming the control board, try turning the cell upside down.

Sounds crazy—but variable-speed pumps changed normal pool operation.

*Go to deependfrank.com for all videos, articles, and special offers*

At today’s lower, energy-saving flow rates, you can have enough flow to satisfy the AquaRite flow switch while still allowing air or electrolysis gas to collect at the high point of the TurboCell. That’s also where we want the electrode and sensing area properly flooded.

Simple idea: air and gas rise. Water stays down. Put the important part of the cell down in the water.

I also explain how to find your VS pump’s minimum flow-switch speed and why you should leave additional operating margin for dirty filters and full baskets.

I’ve trusted AquaRite since the 1900s 😂. This isn’t knocking Hayward—the system is a proven workhorse. The cell didn’t change nearly as much as the way we operate swimming pools did.

Pool owners AND pool pros running AquaRite/TurboCell systems with variable-speed pumps need to know this one.

More pool troubleshooting, videos, guides and articles: DeepEndFrank.com



https://youtu.be/lbtuleYIKeM?si=b0EDeKPflNGETzT8

Getting wrong salt readings, low chlorine production, inconsistent ...

08/22/2026

The 5 Pillars of Pool Care.

Most swimming pool problems aren't caused by one missing miracle chemical. They're caused by getting one—or more—of the basics wrong.

Https://Facebook.com/deependfrank
For all videos, articles, and special offers, go to: https://deependfrank.com

part 1 Stop Pool Stains. https://youtu.be/wN9-ptMRsKs

In this episode of The Deep End Pool Podcast, Frank & Jac break down the 5 basics of swimming pool care that every DIY pool owner and pool professional should understand:

1. Brushing
2. Debris Removal
3. Circulation
4. Filtration
5. Water Chemistry

Get these five things working together and pool maintenance gets a whole lot easier. Ignore one of them, and you may find yourself compensating with more chlorine, more chemicals, more money and more frustration. That's the opposite of good pool management.

👉 Visit deependfrank.com for all Deep End Frank articles, videos, pool-care tips and tricks, product information, and special offers from pool-industry manufacturers.

THE 5 BASICS OF POOL CARE

BRUSHING:
Yes, you still need to brush your pool. Algae can attach itself to walls, tile, grout, steps and other surfaces where it becomes more difficult for chlorine to attack it. Regular brushing helps knock that material loose and get it back into circulation where your sanitizer and filtration system can do their jobs.

REMOVE THE DEBRIS:
That pile of leaves sitting in the cleaner isn't just ugly. Organic debris begins breaking down and releasing nutrients into the water. Don't give algae a freaking buffet and then wonder why keeping the pool clean takes so much chlorine.
CIRCULATION:
Moving some water isn't the same thing as circulating the entire pool. Dead spots around steps, corners, tanning ledges and spa footwells can have very different water chemistry from the middle of the pool. Algae doesn't care that the water next to your return jet is perfect—it will find the places where it can survive.

Good circulation means getting the entire body of water moving and exchanging, not simply watching ripples on the surface.

FILTRATION:
Your filter can't remove contaminants if you aren't moving enough water through it—or if the filter hasn't been properly maintained. A dirty filter can restrict flow, reduce turnover and eventually contribute to damaged filter internals and poorer filtration.

WATER CHEMISTRY:
Chemistry becomes much easier when the other four basics are being handled correctly.

We break pool chemistry into two major jobs:

SANITIZATION — maintaining enough sanitizer to keep the water safe and kill algae faster than it can multiply.

WATER BALANCE — managing factors including pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, CYA, dissolved solids, salt when applicable, and water temperature.

We also discuss LSI — the Langelier Saturation Index—and why understanding water balance helps protect your plaster and pool equipment.

STOP CHASING POOL PROBLEMS

Whether you're maintaining your own backyard swimming pool or servicing pools professionally, the principle is the same:

Don't try to solve poor pool maintenance with a bigger chemical bill.

Brush the pool.
Remove the debris.
Circulate ALL the water.
Filter it properly.
Then manage the chemistry.

When those five work together, your chemistry doesn't have to overcome everything you're failing to do mechanically—it can simply maintain the pool.

If you're a DIY pool owner, understanding these basics can save you frustration, chemicals and unnecessary trips to the pool store.

If you're a pool service professional, these same fundamentals can help make pools more predictable and easier to manage.

👉 More pool education at deependfrank.com

Find the complete catalog of Deep End Frank pool-care videos, articles, tips and tricks, product information and manufacturer offers.

The Deep End Pool Podcast with Frank & Jac — Episode 181



https://youtu.be/wN9-ptMRsKs?si=CnRA4VysMBOWJfz5

Most swimming pool problems aren't caused by one missing miracle ch...

08/20/2026

Pool returns UP or DOWN? My original video created a huge debate between pool owners and pool professionals—and I’m standing firmly behind the principles and physics I explained.

But I also want to be very clear:

Point your returns wherever you want. It’s your pool.

My goal isn’t to convince everyone that they have to do it my way. My goal is to make sure you understand what you’re actually accomplishing—and the consequences that come with it.

Watch original video. https://youtu.be/WVL5UV9OwWM?si=_MKgztfpJUBTszAE

👉 Visit DeepEndFrank.com for swimming pool articles, videos, downloadable guides, DIY pool help, product recommendations, savings, and more.

A huge number of comments defended pointing pool returns toward the surface for one primary reason:

“It pushes the debris toward my skimmer.”

Okay.

But here’s the question I want you to consider:

IS IT REALLY?

Watch your pool.

Does that surface current actually deliver leaves and debris into the skimmer?

Or does the return sometimes push that debris right past the skimmer opening?

Because that’s something I see regularly.

A properly operating skimmer shouldn’t require a return jet to fire debris directly into its mouth.

The returns should help establish circulation throughout the pool. Floating debris travels with that circulation around the perimeter, and when it passes the skimmer, the skimmer should draw it in.

If debris continually passes your skimmer, I’d also look at:

• Skimmer flow
• Water level
• Skimmer basket condition
• Plumbing restrictions
• Pump flow
• And especially the skimmer weir door

That little weir door has a job. Make sure it’s actually there and functioning properly.

WHY I STILL PREFER RETURNS SLIGHTLY DOWN

The physics haven’t changed.

When a return jet stays below the surface, more of its directional energy remains within the body of water.

The jet also creates entrainment.

As that high-velocity stream travels through the pool, it pulls surrounding water along with it.

That means the return isn’t simply moving the gallons coming through the eyeball—it helps move a much larger volume of surrounding pool water.

That’s what I want.

I want to turn the pool, not just turn the surface.

Aim the returns slightly downward and generally in the same direction—clockwise or counterclockwise—and use them to establish circulation throughout the entire body of water.

That helps move water through deeper areas, corners, steps, benches, tanning ledges and other potential dead spots.

It also improves the distribution of chlorine, chemicals and temperature throughout the pool.

WANT TO POINT YOUR RETURNS UP? GO FOR IT.

Seriously.

If you’re happy with the results, I’m not telling you to stop.

But understand what comes with that decision.

Pointing returns toward the surface creates additional surface turbulence.

That means increased aeration.

Aeration accelerates carbon dioxide leaving the water, and that contributes to pH rising faster.

Surface turbulence also increases evaporation.

And evaporation removes heat.

So pointing your returns upward can contribute to:

MORE AERATION → FASTER pH RISE

MORE SURFACE TURBULENCE → MORE EVAPORATION

MORE EVAPORATION → MORE HEAT LOSS

And you’re directing more of the return jet’s energy into disturbing the surface instead of using that directional energy and entrainment to move a larger volume of water below the surface.

Those aren’t reasons you’re forbidden from pointing the returns upward.

They’re consequences you should understand before deciding whether the benefit you’re trying to achieve is worth the tradeoff.

Sometimes those consequences can even become advantages.

Want to cool an extremely hot swimming pool?

Pointing returns upward at night, running waterfalls and operating water features can increase evaporation and evaporative cooling.

There are situations where that’s exactly what you want.

THAT’S THE REAL POINT OF THIS FOLLOW-UP

I’m not trying to win an argument about where you point a plastic eyeball.

I’m trying to get pool owners and pool professionals to understand why they’re doing what they’re doing.

If pointing your returns upward gives you the results you want:

Keep doing it.

But understand the consequences.

And if your reason is:

“I have to point them up so debris gets into my skimmer…”

Go outside and actually watch what happens.

Does the debris enter the skimmer?

Does it pass right by?

Is your skimmer pulling properly?

Is your weir door working?

Could you create better whole-pool circulation while allowing the skimmer to do the job it was designed to do?

Don’t change something just because I told you to.

Test it.

Observe it.

Understand the physics.

Then decide what works best for your pool.

Now I want the debate to continue.

👇 UP OR DOWN?

Tell me which way you point your pool returns—and more importantly, tell me WHY.

Pool owners and pool pros: defend your position.

Just…

MAKE IT MAKE SENSE.

Subscribe to Deep End Frank for swimming pool DIY tips, water chemistry, equipment education, pool hydraulics, troubleshooting and real-world pool care for homeowners and professionals.



https://youtu.be/j12yxPe7Ix0?si=8ryGabSI4Aq38FNn

Pool returns UP or DOWN? The original video created a huge response...

08/19/2026

Salt pool owners aren’t going to like everything I say in this one. Tablet owners won’t either. 👀

See full video https://youtu.be/6QYzIBCugTc

See all videos, articles, and offers https://deependfrank.com

After 30+ years managing swimming pools, I’ve worked with plenty of saltwater chlorine generators AND trichlor tablet pools.

And I’m about 50/50.

Yep.

There are things I LOVE about salt.

There are things I LOVE about tabs.

There are also problems with BOTH that don’t get talked about nearly enough.

And before we go any further:

A SALT POOL IS A CHLORINE POOL.

Salt simply gives us a different way of delivering chlorine.

But that’s just where the argument starts.

CYA accumulation. Rising pH. Borates. Salt-cell failures. Replacement costs. Acid use. Concrete and natural stone. Actual maintenance. And whether salt really saves enough money to justify the upfront investment.

I get into ALL of it in the full video.

And I also tackle this one:

“Pool guys don’t want you to buy salt because they’ll lose money selling chlorine.”

As a pool-business owner who has sold both…

😂 That’s pretty much backwards.

🔥 WATCH THE FULL SALT vs. TABS VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/6QYzIBCugTc

Then come back here and tell me:

SALT or TABS?

But don’t just pick a team.

Tell me WHY.

08/19/2026

Salt pool owners aren’t going to like everything I say in this one. Tablet owners won’t either. 👀

After 30+ years managing swimming pools, I’ve worked with plenty of saltwater chlorine generators AND trichlor tablet pools.

And I’m about 50/50.

Yep.

There are things I LOVE about salt.

There are things I LOVE about tabs.

There are also problems with BOTH that don’t get talked about nearly enough.

And before we go any further:

A SALT POOL IS A CHLORINE POOL.

Salt simply gives us a different way of delivering chlorine.

But that’s just where the argument starts.

CYA accumulation. Rising pH. Borates. Salt-cell failures. Replacement costs. Acid use. Concrete and natural stone. Actual maintenance. And whether salt really saves enough money to justify the upfront investment.

I get into ALL of it in the full video.

And I also tackle this one:

“Pool guys don’t want you to buy salt because they’ll lose money selling chlorine.”

As a pool-business owner who has sold both…

😂 That’s pretty much backwards.

🔥 WATCH THE FULL SALT vs. TABS VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/6QYzIBCugTc

Then come back here and tell me:

SALT or TABS?

But don’t just pick a team.

Tell me WHY.

08/18/2026

SALT vs TABS: Which is ACTUALLY better for your pool? 🧂💧
Pool owners and pool pros LOVE to argue about this one. After almost 30 years in the pool industry, I’m about 50/50—and that answer surprises people.

Salt gives you consistent chlorine without continually adding CYA. Tabs give you consistent chlorine with simpler equipment and can actually help with pH management. Both have drawbacks. Both can be fantastic.

And both can become a nightmare if they’re poorly managed.

There is also one thing around your pool that can make me lean heavily toward TABS—and it has nothing to do with chlorine.

🎥 Watch the full Salt vs. Tabs video on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/6QYzIBCugTc?si=ucTYDwl8UvlA_osh

Find all my pool videos, articles, tips and product savings at deependfrank.com

Now pick a side:

SALT or TABS—and WHY?

Salt pool or chlorine tablets—which is actually better for your swi...

08/16/2026

DAY vs. NIGHT: When Should You Run Your Pool Pump? It Matters!

YouTube Description

Should you run your pool pump during the DAY or at NIGHT? You’ll hear strong opinions on both sides—but the time you run your swimming pool pump can affect circulation, chlorine distribution, filtration, water temperature, algae control, and even how efficiently you’re using your equipment.

In this video, I explain why I generally recommend running your pool pump during the DAY in the summer, especially while direct sunlight is hitting the pool.

☀️ Why daytime?

UV light causes chlorine to degrade through photolysis. Cyanuric acid (CYA) dramatically slows that process, but it does not completely stop chlorine loss from sunlight.

At the same time, daytime is usually when your pool is facing its biggest challenges:

• Direct sunlight and UV exposure
• Warmer water
• Swimmers adding organic contamination
• Wind blowing debris into the pool
• Bugs, birds and other critters introducing contaminants
• Increased chlorine demand
• Faster algae reproduction in favorable conditions

If the pump isn’t running, you’re also losing active mixing and circulation. I would rather have chlorinated water circulating throughout the pool while those contaminants are entering it, instead of waiting until the middle of the night to start moving and filtering the water.

My basic philosophy with algae is simple:

Kill algae faster than it can multiply.

Give algae warm water, inadequate sanitizer and enough time, and a tiny problem can become a much larger chlorine demand surprisingly quickly.

BUT NIGHTTIME OPERATION CAN MAKE SENSE

This isn’t a blanket rule that nighttime pump operation is always wrong.

Some electricity plans offer legitimate off-peak rates. Variable-speed pumps also allow us to run longer at low speeds without treating this as an all-or-nothing DAY vs. NIGHT decision.

And here in North Texas, winter can completely change my recommendation.

When cold nighttime temperatures regularly activate freeze protection, we may shift the normal filtration schedule into nighttime hours. Why run the pump all day and then have freeze protection run it all night too when a cold winter pool may not need that much circulation?

Summer and winter don’t necessarily need the same pump schedule.

In this video we cover:

• Best time to run a swimming pool pump
• Day vs. night pool pump schedules
• UV degradation of chlorine
• How CYA protects chlorine from sunlight
• Why CYA doesn’t completely prevent photolysis
• Pool circulation and chlorine distribution
• Algae growth and warm pool water
• Swimming and chlorine demand
• Saltwater pool considerations
• Variable-speed pool pump schedules
• Electricity costs and off-peak operation
• Winter pump schedules
• Freeze protection in North Texas
• Why every swimming pool may need a slightly different strategy

There isn’t one magical schedule for every swimming pool.

So when do YOU run your pool pump—DAY or NIGHT?

Tell me in the comments, especially if you’ve tried both. I have a feeling we’re going to have some disagreement on this one.

For more swimming pool articles, videos, guides, tips and tricks, visit:

DeepEndFrank.com

Whether you’re a pool owner or a pool professional, my goal is to explain why things happen in swimming pools—not just tell you which button to push.

Hashtags



https://youtu.be/5g3moSarduc?si=Va6FgvvPzsxUXZsO

Should you run your pool pump during the DAY or at NIGHT? It matter...

08/16/2026

Pool Stain Removal and Prevention

Go to deependfrank dot com for all video, article, and special offer links.

Pool stains are much easier to prevent than they are to remove. In this episode of The Deep End Pool Podcast, Frank and Jac break down why metal stains suddenly appear in swimming pools, why staining risk can increase as pool water gets warmer, and what pool owners and pool professionals can do to prevent, manage, and remove pool stains.