👋
A Note From Jay
Owner, Blue Bottom Pools NEPA · Authorized Hayward Dealer · 20+ Years
Congratulations on your new pool. Getting here took a lot of planning, time, and money — and now you've got something your family is going to enjoy for decades. That's a big deal.
We set up your equipment, got the water balanced, and walked you through the basics at startup. But we know that once we drive away, questions come up. Things you forgot to ask. Things that seem confusing the first time you try them on your own. That's completely normal — and it's exactly why we built this page.
Think of this as your personal pool guide — written specifically for the equipment in your pool, by the people who installed it. Bookmark it. Share it with your family. Come back to it whenever something looks off.
And if you ever can't find the answer here, just call or text me directly. Most questions take five minutes on the phone. We'd rather talk you through it than have you stress about it all weekend.
Jay Blue Bottom Pools NEPA · (570) 592-5988 · 131 Rock St, Hughestown, PA
Your Equipment
Everything Blue Bottom Pools installed and set up for you
Your Pool Was Set Up With
All equipment commissioned and warranted through Blue Bottom Pools
Hayward Authorized
💧
Hayward TriStar VS Variable Speed Pump
Energy efficient · Programmable speeds · Whisper quiet
🔵
Hayward Pro Series Sand Filter — S310T
High-rate sand filtration · Easy backwash · Low maintenance
🧂
Salt System — AquaRite S3 or Goldline
Automatic chlorine generation · Softer water · Less chemical handling
🌡️
Hayward H-Series Heater or HeatPro Heat Pump
Extend your swim season · Comfortable water temps · Energy efficient
✓ Your equipment was set up by an authorized Hayward dealer. That means it was installed correctly, commissioned properly, and your Hayward warranty is fully active. Register your equipment at hayward.com within 60 days to lock in full coverage.
Your First 30 Days
The most important month for getting your pool dialed in
The first 30 days matter more than any other time. Your water is establishing its chemistry balance, your equipment is settling in, and you're learning your pool's personality. A little attention now prevents a lot of headaches later.
Days 1–3
Get Your Bearings
- Write down your filter's starting PSI — this is your baseline all season. It's on the gauge on top of the filter.
- Confirm your pump is running at least 8 hours per day. Check the timer or controller.
- Look at the water — it should be clear and blue. If it's hazy or off-color, call us right away.
- Test your water with a test strip. Chemistry may need minor adjustment after startup.
Days 4–7
First Week Check
- Test water again — pH and chlorine are the most important. Adjust if needed.
- If you have a salt system, check the display — it should show "Generating." Salt takes a few days to fully dissolve and register correctly.
- Skim the surface daily — new pools attract debris quickly.
- Check the pump strainer basket and skimmer basket — clear any debris.
Week 2
Settling In
- Test your salt level if you have a salt system. It should be in the 2,700–3,400 ppm range. Give it the full first week before adding more salt.
- Vacuum the pool bottom for the first time. See our vacuum priming guide if you need help.
- Brush the walls and steps. Algae starts in corners and low-circulation areas first.
Week 3–4
First Backwash & Full Test
- Check your filter PSI. If it's risen 8–10 above your baseline, it's time for your first backwash. See our backwash guide.
- Take a water sample to your local pool store for a full computerized test. Test strips are a good daily check but a lab test gives you the complete picture.
- By now your water chemistry should be stable. If it's still swinging, call us — something may need adjusting.
Day 30
You've Got This
- Full professional water test. Bring a sample to your pool store.
- Review your pump schedule — is it running enough? Is the water staying clear?
- You should now have a feel for your pool. If anything still feels off, call Blue Bottom Pools at (570) 592-5988.
Taking Care of Your Equipment
Quick reference for daily and weekly equipment care
💧 TriStar VS Pump
Run daily8–12 hours
Normal RPM2,000–2,800
Priming speed3,450 RPM
Check basketWeekly
Unusual noiseCall us immediately
🔵 Sand Filter S310T
Write baseline PSIWeek 1
Backwash when+8–10 PSI above normal
Backwash time1–2 min until eyeglass clears
Always rinse after30–60 seconds
Sand replacementEvery 5–7 years
🧂 Salt System
Salt target2,700–3,400 ppm
Start output at50%
Salt type99% pure NaCl only
Inspect cellEvery 3 months
Cell life3–5 years average
🌡️ Heater / Heat Pump
Typical set temp78–82°F
Pump must run firstAlways — no exceptions
Heat pump works above50°F air temp
Error code?Shut down & call us
Annual serviceRecommended
Always start your pump before running the heater. Your heater or heat pump will not fire without water flowing through it first. Running a heater without pump flow will damage the heat exchanger — and that repair isn't cheap or covered under warranty.
Common Pool Myths — Busted
Things new pool owners get wrong all the time
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✕"If the water looks clear, the chemistry is fine."✓Clear water can still be dangerously unbalanced. pH, alkalinity, and stabilizer levels affect bather safety and equipment life regardless of how the water looks. Test regularly — don't rely on your eyes.
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✕"A salt water pool has no chlorine — it's safer."✓Salt systems generate chlorine — that's literally what they do. The difference is the chlorine is produced continuously at low levels rather than added in large doses. It's a gentler experience, but it's still chlorine sanitizing your pool.
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✕"I can turn the pump off at night to save electricity."✓Your pool needs to run 8–12 hours every day to stay clean, sanitized, and chemically stable. A variable speed pump like yours already saves significant electricity by running at low RPMs — turning it off entirely will lead to algae and chemistry problems fast.
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✕"More chlorine is always better."✓Over-chlorinating bleaches swimwear, irritates eyes and skin, and can damage your salt cell and pool equipment. Target 1–3 ppm of free chlorine and maintain it consistently rather than dumping large amounts irregularly.
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✕"I can close my pool myself to save money."✓In NEPA, an improperly winterized pool can suffer cracked pipes, damaged equipment, and a destroyed liner when temperatures drop. A single freeze event can cause thousands in damage. Professional closing pays for itself many times over compared to one bad freeze.
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✕"I don't need to brush — I have an automatic cleaner."✓Automatic cleaners vacuum debris but they don't scrub algae off walls the way a brush does. Brushing weekly — especially steps, corners, and behind ladders — is the best algae prevention there is. These are the dead zones your cleaner misses.
What Goes In — and What Doesn't
Protect your water, your equipment, and your liner
✓ All good
Rinse off before swimming — removes lotions, sweat, and sunscreen
Water-soluble, swim-specific sunscreen
Pool toys and floats designed for pool use
Goggles and swimwear
Garden hose water to top off — just don't overfill
Pool noodles and foam floats
✕ Keep these out
Heavy sunscreen and body oils — destroys water balance and clogs your filter fast
Glass of any kind — impossible to fully remove from a pool
Food and drinks — spills spike organic load and kill chlorine
Diapers — even swim diapers leak contaminants
Dogs and pets — animal dander burns through chlorine rapidly
Dirt-covered toys or yard equipment — introduces phosphates and bacteria
Any household cleaning products — ever
Opening & Closing in NEPA
Northeast Pennsylvania winters are no joke — here's what you need to know
🌱 Opening — Spring
Call before April. Blue Bottom Pools books up fast — especially in May. Getting on the schedule early means you open on time.
Do not attempt to run equipment before a professional opening. Debris and pressure in lines can cause real damage on the first startup.
Your water will be off after winter — expect 48–72 hours for chemistry to stabilize after opening treatment.
Pump standing water off your cover before removal. Never drag a cover with water sitting on top.
🍂 Closing — Fall
Mid-October is your target in NEPA. Don't wait for a freeze warning — by then it may be too late.
Freeze damage to plumbing and equipment is expensive and not covered by warranty. One bad winter night can cost thousands.
Professional blow-out and plugging is required. This is not a DIY job — the equipment and your wallet both depend on it being done right.
Check your cover periodically through winter — heavy snow, ice, or debris can stress or tear the cover.
Opening and closing are the two most important service calls of the year. Everything else — chemistry, cleaning, maintenance — is easier when your pool was opened and closed properly. Call Blue Bottom Pools at (570) 592-5988 to get on the schedule.
Leaving for Vacation
What to do before you go so you come home to a clean pool
Before You Leave
Do not shut the pump off. Your pool needs to run 8–12 hours per day whether you're home or not.
Shock the pool the night before you leave — start with clean water.
Set your pump timer and double-check that it cycles correctly.
If on a salt system, confirm output is set appropriately.
Fill the chlorinator with tablets if that's your system.
While You're Away
Ask a neighbor to peek at it every few days — look for green water, unusual equipment sounds, or error codes on the display.
Going away more than 2 weeks? Call us — we can schedule a maintenance check while you're gone.
When you return, test and balance the water that day before anyone swims.
Check equipment for any error codes or lights that came on while you were away.
When to Call Blue Bottom Pools
Some things you can handle. Some things you shouldn't.
✓ You've got this
Adding chemicals — chlorine, pH up/down, shock
Backwashing the sand filter
Cleaning the pump and skimmer baskets
Vacuuming the pool
Priming the vacuum hose
Skimming the surface
Brushing walls and steps
📞 Call us for these
Pump won't prime after following the steps
Any heater or heat pump error code
Green or black algae that won't clear up
Water level dropping faster than normal
Grinding or banging sounds from equipment
Breaker tripping or any electrical issue
Spring opening and fall closing
Salt cell inspection and cleaning
🤝
We're Always Here For You
You're not just a customer — you're a Blue Bottom Pools customer. That means when something looks wrong, sounds weird, or just doesn't make sense, you call Jay and we figure it out together. That's the deal.
Blue Bottom Pools NEPA · 131 Rock St, Hughestown, PA 18640 · Authorized Hayward Dealer · Serving Scranton, Wilkes-Barre & Northeast Pennsylvania