Light up the Night with Dazzling Colors

Light up the night with dazzling, color-changing pool lighting.

Create an after-dark sensation! The pool industry now offers a slew of cutting-edge features, products, and materials that enhance a pool’s overall beauty. Lighting is one of them.

“Pool buyers are absolutely floored by today’s pool lighting systems,” says R’nelle Lazlo, national spokesperson for Blue Haven Pools & Spas. “They dress up pools in radiant evening attire, generate incredible drama in the pool, and give an entirely new dimension to your backyard.”

Lighting also makes the most of any water feature, she says. “By blending light with water, pool owners can get double the drama and create sleek, colored accents that take liquid artistry to a whole new level!”

Indeed, the days of pool lights that look like an oncoming freight train are over; pool lighting has come of age. Blue Haven Pools, which builds thousands of pools a year nationwide, uses the two most popular lighting technologies: Fiber-optics and LED (light emitting diodes).

With fiber-optic pool lighting, a spectrum of changing, jewel-tone colors illuminate the pool and water features. Fiber-optic lighting is also easy to operate: Just flip the color wheel and bathe your pool & spa in your choice of fixed color, or set it on rotate and watch the light change in smooth, sweeping motions in an array of rich, jewel-tone colors.

Depending on the region and climate where you live, perimeter lighting that illuminates the outline of your pool may also be an option.

Best of all, this technology sets a new standard for safety. The light source is actually located away from the pool, and it uses a non-conductive cable that will not transfer heat or electric to the pool water. And because the entire system runs off a bulb that that is located at ground level outside of the pool, maintenance is easy: Instead of lowering the water level in the pool to change a bulb—as is required with conventional pool lights—the new bulb can simply be put in at ground level.

Newer to the pool industry is a technology that has years of proven experience: LED. With LED lights, homeowners can enjoy brilliant fixed colors ranging from deep blue to hot magenta.

Where LED really shines, is with a kaleidoscope of light shows. A variety of theme shows with names such as “Fourth of July”, “Mardis Gras,” and “Tranquility” feature hundreds of colors that cycle through at different speeds to set the evening mood to suit your taste.

LED lights can be synchronized so the colors match in the pool and spa. Or, they can be set to deliver contrasting colors. For example, the pool may be set to light blue and the spa may be emerald. Best of all, LED lighting can achieve an amazing 50,000 hours of dazzling performance.

How to Buy an Easy, Affordable Swimming Pool

Top 10 high-tech features

Savvy homeowners want more than a pretty pool. They want an inspired backyard resort that delivers maximum pleasure with minimum effort—and lower ownership costs. That’s why it’s critical to learn about options for your new pool that can save time, money, water, and more.

“The pool industry offers a slew of cutting-edge features that automate pool care, save on utility costs, and provide swim-ready water without the typical chlorine costs, hassles, and hazards,” explains R’nelle Lazlo, national spokesperson for Blue Haven Pools & Spas.

Blue Haven Pools, which builds custom pools coast to coast, has experienced a sharp rise in consumer demand for these kinds of bells and whistles, says Lazlo. She recommends asking your pool builder about “must-have” high-tech options and design features, including:

1. Dazzling LED and fiber-optic lighting that deliver more hours with lower energy costs and bathe your pool, spa, and water features in spectacular, changing colors.

2. Quartz interior pool finishes and pebble pools with enduring, fade- and stain-resistant color that outperforms old-fashioned plaster by resisting chips and mottling.

3. Economical ozone purification that drastically reduces the demand for chlorine to prevent red eyes, dry skin and hair, and harsh odors—all while ensuring remarkably clear, silky soft water.

4. Saltwater sanitizing systems that automatically generate a “kinder, gentler” form of chlorine that effectively ensures swimmer-friendly water without the hassles and hazards of traditional tablet and liquid chlorine.

5. Oversize cartridge filters that requires cleaning only once or twice each swim season, conserves water (since no backwashing is needed), and eliminates the need for special disposal of hazardous DE (diatomaceous earth) material.

6. Pool filters with built-in Microban product protection that inhibit the growth of microbes to keep filters fresher for longer periods of time.

7. Energy-efficient pool cleaners that help automate what was once a dreaded manual chore.

8. Two-speed controllers that manage the operation of pool cleaning and filtration systems—cutting energy costs as much as 50%.

9. Handheld remotes that put control in the palm of your hand—allowing you to operate multiple pool, spa, and backyard functions, including cleaning, lighting, water features, temperature, spa jets, landscape lighting, and more.

10. Total pool-management systems that take the fuss out of pool chemistry by continuously monitoring the chlorine and pH levels in the water and adjusting the levels as needed.

Investing in time- and money-saving technology today will make owning your pool the affordable, fuss-free experience it should be for years to come!

Latest Looks and Features for Cool Pools

Like today’s innovative custom homes, swimming pools & spas are overflowing with inspired style and cutting-edge design features. To maximize the artistry of your new backyard resort, it is critical to work closely with your swimming pool designer.

“Communication is paramount,” says R’nelle Lazlo, national spokesperson for Blue Haven Pools & Spas. “Be as detailed as possible when explaining your preferences for everything—from colors to the outdoor atmosphere you want to create.”

A key way to get a leg up, she says, is to be generally familiar with some of the popular design options before you meet with potential pool builders. “The more you know in advance, the better,” she says, “but after you share your ideas, be sure to listen to recommendations from your designer. They have the expertise and may let you know why a certain approach may or may not be wise based on a variety of factors in your backyard, ranging from elevations to the architectural style of your home.

With offices in 75 markets throughout the country, Blue Haven Pools has a broad perspective of the most popular pool design trends across the nation and has compiled the list below to help you start dreaming about your new backyard resort:

• Elevated spas with spillways that flow to the pool surface below
• Raised bond beam—raised wall—and multilevel decks that create added visual interest
• Free-form, lagoon-style pools in tropical settings
• Rock pools with affordable faux rock waterfalls and grottos, as well as custom rock water features
• Accent boulders along pool perimeter
• Inlaid tile mosaics in shapes ranging from sea creatures to sports team logos
• LED and fiber-optic pool lighting that change colors with a handheld remote control
• Quartz and pebble finishes for interiors with distinctive, chip- and stain-resistant color
• Infinity pools—also known as negative or vanishing edges—in which water appears to vanish on the horizon
• Laminar jets, sheer cascading waterfalls, and bubbling fountains
• Dark-bottom pools finished in deep blue or dark grey
• Natural stone coping and decking
• Pool shapes that integrate built-in planters or existing trees
• Tanning ledges, loveseats, and beach-style entries
• Built-in island barbeques and fire pits
• Diving rocks and pool slides integrated into rockwork

Water Conservation Tips, Part Three

Maintain your pool and pool filtration systems. - Use an automatic pool cleaner to maintain pool water. Some pool cleaners do not send debris through the filtration system helping to reduce the need to backwash. - Proper maintenance of pool water reduces the frequency of backwashing. Replace your aging sand or DE filtering system with a cartridge filter that does not require backwashing and saves water.

Additional maintenance tips for both pools and spas:

- Remove debris that blows in from trees and landscaping. Low-tech tools are available from your retailer to make it easier to keep water clean.

- Rinse bathing suits out with clear water rather than washing with soap. Soap powder residue is a major contributor to poor water quality.

If it’s clean, don’t drain! Drain spas and pools only when you have a water quality problem. Water only needs to be changed in a spa 2-3 times a year if you maintain your spa properly and it incorporates new water cleaning technology. Pools only need to be drained if repairs require it.

Re-use. When you do drain your spa, let it sit open for 48-72 hours with no new chemicals added, and then use the water on garden plants. Or, ask your retailer about products that neutralize chemicals. To prevent unsupervised use, remember to make sure that proper
safety barriers are in place any time that the spa safety cover is removed.

Recycle! Use captured rainwater to replace water lost to evaporation in spas and pools or to refill a spa.

Upgrade. Spas manufactured in the last five years have new technology cleaning systems that keep the water clean much longer -- up to six months without refilling. This new technology is also available for some older models. Your spa dealer can advise you whether you can add this technology to your spa.

Water Conservation Tips, Part Two

How to make the most of your pool and/or spa water:

Cover-up! A properly maintained spa or pool cover is an important safety element and can also reduce evaporation and water waste by 95%. For pools, a safety cover or a solar cover also has the added benefit of helping to heat the pool. A floating cover under the spa cover will prevent additional evaporation and retain heat. For maximum effectiveness, replace spa covers every
three years.

Be vigilant. Correct any leaks or service problems as they occur. Don’t waste water by letting it leak away.

Maintain your spa. Proper spa maintenance will greatly increase the time between draining and refilling. Cleaning filters regularly according to manufacturer’s directions will extend spa cleanliness.

Water Conservation Tips, Part One

The following water conservation article comes from the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals.

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Members of the Association of Pool & Spa Professionals are strong advocates for water conservation. Since all of us use water for health, recreation and relaxation, it’s important to us that water remains abundant and accessible for all. We believe this is possible if all pool and spa users are educated about water conservation techniques, and are willing to make just a few, sensible changes in their water consumption habits.

First, a few facts on household water use for bathing or recreation:

• Properly maintained spa water needs to be replaced only two to three times a year and can be reused for landscape watering when drained. In a pool, one filling lasts decades. In fact, draining a pool is so unusual the process usually requires a professional.
• Baths use water once. A spa offers 4 to 6 months of use for the same water. Taking just five baths, at 80 gallons each (normal tub size), uses enough water to fill a typical 400-gallon spa. Filling and draining a bathtub twice a week for four months uses 2,720 gallons of water. A spa uses the same 400 gallons of water continuously throughout those four months.
• A jetted or whirlpool bathtub used twice a week consumes 240 gallons. In just 4 months these tubs use about the same amount of water as most pools use in an entire season.
• A properly maintained spa or pool uses significantly ess water in a season than watering a lawn of the same size. Watering a typical residential lawn requires 180 gallons each time it’s watered. Up to 90 percent of the water used to sprinkle lawns on hot days is lost to evaporation. An untended garden hose can use 600 gallons or more in just a few hours -- enough to fill one and a half spas!

More to come!

3 Step Camelback Pool Ladder from S.R. Smith

The S.R. Smith Camelback Ladder includes comfortable, curved hand-grips. The Camelback Ladder is made from long lasting stainless steel or can be powder coated in one of our designer colors for added protection. Choose an ultra durable plastic, or stainless steel tread. Rubber bumpers are fitted to the ends to protect a vinyl liner where the ladder meets the side of the pool.

Dyna-Glas Pumps by Sta-Rite

The Dyna-Glas Pool Pump is a powerful workhorse and is the perfect match for any pool owner that wants maximum performance combined with exceptionally quiet operation. Dyna-Glas's innovative hydraulic design allows it to move more water with less energy. This increases the pump's efficiency and lowers your electrical costs. You can run your pump less and still enjoy crystal clear water. Our large capacity 6" trap collects more debris between cleaning and still operates efficiently. The patented clear see-thru lid allows you to check for debris without lifting a finger. The easy twist-off lid is designed with a self-lubricated o-ring for an extra tight seal that ensures easy self-priming.

Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct carries four different sizes of the Dyna-Glas Pool Pump.

Teledyne Laars Lite LJ Gas Pool Heater

The Teledyne Laars Lite LJ features a liquid crystal digital display. The copper heat exchanger and Flo-Thru baffles allow for efficient heat transfer, lowering your operating costs. Ceramic fiber combustion chamber contributes to a lighter weight and more compact design.

Easy PVC hookup means no heat sinks are required, and reversible headers make for versatile plumbing. For safety and efficiency, and to meet many local building codes, we offer only spark ignition, dual thermostat units.

Blue Diamond Robotic Swimming Pool Cleaner

The Blue Diamond is the fastest and most sophisticated pool cleaner ever made. It will clean your entire pool in 1 hour. The Blue Diamond is computer controlled and pre-programmed to scrub, vacuum and filter dirt and debris from pool bottoms, walls, waterlines and steps automatically!

Buy the Blue Diamond Robotic Swimming Pool Cleaner at Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct.

The Legend Fountain for Pools

The ONLY remote controlled, self-contained fountain on the market.

As seen on HGTV's Outdoor Living Expo and the hit show, I Want That! and gifted in the Golden Globes® Gift Suite 2007.

Toba Fountains has taken the guesswork out of fountain installation for pool owners and put the emphasis on style. The Legend Fountain sets the mood for any party or conference. Set the fountain to showcase a large impressive display or relax listening to a gentle whisper. Like the Tranquility Fountain for pond owners, the Legend Fountain offers over 150 different combinations of spray patterns and sound effects using different fountain heads and lens colors.

Read even more about Toba Pool Fountains at Blue Haven Pools and Spas Supplies Direct.

Aqua Glow Underwater Light Show

The Aqua Glow Underwater Light Show will engulf your pool in a dramatic cascade of lights this summer. This floating disco light projects a rainbow of light patterns on your pool’s bottom while it floats on the surface. Aqua Glow projects five different colors and it will shut off after 1 hour. Amaze your pool parties with Aqua Glows light patterns. Runs on 3 AA batteries - included.

Glow Buoy Floating Pool Light

The Glow Buoy Floating Pool Light shines for four hours! Just turn on the switch and drop it in. Lights up a 20' x 40' in-ground pool and works in a variety of pools, lakes and ponds. Withstands concrete decks and accidental dropping. Plastic shell shields direct exposure to sunlight or pool chemicals. Soft edges prevent damage to vinyl liners. Rechargeable battery lasts up to 10,000 hours.

The Glow Buoy Floating Pool Light can be purchased now for only $136.99.