A pool aerator is a tool that helps improve the aeration of your pool water. You can use an aerator to add oxygen and lower the water’s pH level. The result is a more stable pH, which means you’ll have fewer algae growth in your pool.
Apart from improving your overall health, an aerator also improves circulation, decreases scale buildup and raises the temperature of the water. This way, it feels cooler than it actually is on hot days. Read on to learn more about it.
What is a Pool Aerator?
A pool aerator is a device that adds air to your swimming pool. It can be installed in both stand-alone systems and as part of the filtration system.
Either way, it’s typically installed in the skimmer basket and has a small pump that creates a vacuum to suck water through its filter media. The resulting increased volume of air will make it easier for you to breathe while swimming or relaxing on your deck.
Why Aerate Your Pool Water?
Aerating your pool water is one of the most important things you can do to keep your pool clean and clear. It helps to prevent algae growth, which can be a major problem if left unchecked.
In addition, aeration will help remove debris from the bottom of your pool. This means that you’ll have less maintenance on your equipment and liner in general.
Aeration also keeps your water balanced. This way, there isn’t too much calcium buildup in areas where there isn’t enough sunlight or nutrients coming into contact with them.
This type of buildup can damage equipment and even cause leaks in liners over time if left unchecked.
How does a Pool Aerator work?
Aeration is the process of pumping air into the water through a network of tubes. As the bubbles rise to the surface, they break up the surface tension and allow more oxygen to enter your pool.
This can help circulate your water more efficiently. It also makes it less likely that you’ll have to spend time cleaning out dead spots or algae-infested crevices in your filter system.
Is adding an aerator worth the cost?
Adding an aerator to your pool is a relatively simple task, but it’s not cheap. You can expect to pay between $75 and $500 for a new one, depending on the size of your pool and what model you choose.
The cost of running an aerator will also vary depending on whether you are using a hand pump or a chemical-infusion system. The cost to install an aerator is not too much, but it can add up if you want to buy one that will last a long time.
You’ll also have to consider how long it will take before your aeration system pays itself off by reducing chemical use or by saving time spent on maintaining the pool itself.
Benefits of a Pool Aerator
Increases pH and Reduces Alkalinity
Aeration helps raise pH and lower alkalinity simultaneously because both processes release carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water. It reacts with bicarbonate ions in solution to form carbonate ions (CO3).
The reaction between CO2 and bicarbonates produces carbonate salts such as calcium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. These are known as “buffering agents” because they buffer changes in pH caused by other chemicals present in pool water.
Cools Down Your Water
Pool aeration helps cool your water, but not just because of the evaporation rate. In fact, it’s because of a few different factors that make it so effective at cooling down your swimming pool water.
First and foremost is the fact that it increases the rate at which evaporation occurs. When you have a pool with no aeration system in place, there are still plenty of ways for air to enter through cracks in its surface.
But without any way for natural or added wind to come through, these openings can be very inefficient at removing heat from inside your pool.
By adding some kind of mechanism allowing air exchange between inside and outside surfaces, you can increase the evaporative capabilities.
Improves Circulation
Aeration improves circulation. This is because it creates a current in the water, which creates a force that pushes water through the pool filter and out of the skimmer basket.
If you have an above-ground pool with no skimmer, aeration can also help remove dust from the bottom of your pool.
Are There Different Aerator Options for Inground and Above Ground Pools?
In-ground pools and above-ground pools are both common types of fibreglass pools perth that can be found at home and in commercial settings. However, there are some key differences between the two that can affect how much aeration you need for your pool.
Aeration systems for in-ground pools have a larger surface area to draw from, so they need more aerators than an above-ground pool would.
There is less surface area available on an above-ground pool compared with its counterpart. This is because, in an in-ground structure, the water sits behind a wall rather than being exposed directly to oxygen through a filter system.
Alternative Options to Cool Your Pool During the Summer
If you don’t want to use a pool aerator, there are other options that can help keep your pool cool this summer.
One option is using a solar blanket on the floor of your swimming pool. This is ideal if you live in an area with mild winters and warm summers and just want to keep your water at an optimal temperature all year round.
You could also try investing in some kind of water features like fountains or ponds. These require less maintenance than conventional pumps do.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while aeration can be a time-consuming process, it is worth it to ensure your pool is always in the best shape possible. If you’ve been considering an aerator for your pool and wondered if it is worth it, we hope this article has helped answer those questions.
