Eric Herman

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AquaStar Introduces New Unblockable Drain Cover
AquaStar Pool Products (Ventura, CA) has introduced the Perfect Circle drain, an unblockable drain option designed for use in concrete pools and spas. It has four ports which gives designers the ability to use multiple pumps and a hydrostatic relief valve with this one single unblockable drain cover.  The unique open center design allows the cover to blend seamlessly into the pool or spa finish. Read more.
Mistcooling Offers Pool Cooler
Mistcooling (Houston, TX) makes Pool Cooler, a simple fixtures designed to decrease pool water temperatures up to 10 degrees. It's easy to install, made in the USA, and operates without additional electricity, a cost-effective method of cooling a swimming pool compared to pool chillers, the company says.  It does not require any Freon or gas to operate, and attaches to a pool return jet fitting. Read more.
Detail S129: Coffer Coordination
Creating containment vessels, i.e. coffers, on hillside pools often requires building the coffer far head of the pool itself. As Richard C. Kremer points out in this latest Beneath the Surface detail, doing so requires careful design coordination with general contractors before the coffer is built, as illustrated by this clever containment solution.  ...
Why Pools are Worth Their Weight in Water
Ongoing drought is always an existential threat to the watershaping industry, even though, as industry veterans, Scott Cohen and Eric Herman point out, pools use little water compared to planted landscapes and provide a spectrum of benefits that bolster individual health and society at large. ...
Broken Mountains
Eric Herman recently returned to southern California’s San Bernadino Mountains only to find an alpine region reeling from drought, over population and a diseased forest. Despite the environmental devastation, tens of thousands of weekend vacationers were on hand elbowing their way in and around what little remains of the mountains that were once so welcoming. ...
Hayneedle Makes Hanging Dream Chair
Hayneedle (Omaha, NE) makes the Vivere Polyester Original Hanging Dream Chair. It features a powder-coated steel frame and weather-resistant poly spun polyester seat material in a choice of colors, a built-in 46-inch canopy and two inches of foam for poolside comfort and lounging and features a sturdy design and outdoor durability. Read more
Liner Visualizer Introduced by CGT
Poolside by CGT (Cambridge, ON) has announced a new tool for visualizing pool liner patterns including the ability to select various popular deck options to visualize the pool’s final look and feel.  The program allows users to select from either a freeform or rectangular pool shape, then simply choose a liner design from the Poolside by CGT liner collection and choose a surrounding deck surface.  Read more
Jandy’s TruDose Chemical Controller
Fluidra (Carlsbad, CA) introduces the Jandy TruDose Chemical Controller, engineered to automatically keep pool water consistently balanced. Using advanced pH and ORP sensing technologies, the system constantly monitors levels as water flows through the pool’s plumbing. Tailored to work with the Jandy AquaPure salt chlorinator, TruDose also senses when ORP is low and activates the salt chlorinator in response. Read more
Crucial Start (the importance of plaster start-ups)
In WaterShapes’ June 2nd edition, we ran a description of plaster start-up procedures as taught by chemical manufacturer, Biolab. Always an attention-grabbing topic, the piece drew a strong response. Among those offering feedback, service veteran Jerry Wallace, felt that the story fell short, and offered this piece to add to the discussion. ...
The Case for Covers
As the drought drags on through the summer months, concerns over saving water are rising, and are now prompting southwestern cities and counties to implement water-conservation restrictions targeting pools. Fortunately, argues Tom Dankel, solid covers dramatically reduce evaporation and are a front-line asset in the fight to keep pools in use. ...