WHY HAVE A WEB CONNECTED CHEMICAL CONTROLLER?

There is no way I would service a commercial pool without a web connected chemical controller. If you are the person responsible for the health and safety for patrons using a commercial swimming pool, then you need to be certain that pool is sanitised at all times.

I can only talk about the Aquarius Ultima Controllers given that it’s the only web connected product with which I have had extensive experience. I have had no need to look elsewhere. With a web connected Ultima, you can log on to a controller from anywhere there is an internet connection using any device. You are then able to,

• see what you would see as if standing in front of the controller screen.
• check in graphic form what has occurred with any of your parameters over the last day which is usually all you will want to see. Over a longer period if you have the need.
• make changes to your set points, dose rates and other settings.
• adjust the feeds as you deem necessary or helpful.
• access information that will show you the relationship between the different chemicals.
• turn chemical feeds on and off remotely should you have the need.
• set a timer to force an action.
• set alarms to alert when a problem is developing.
• set ‘Reports” to be sent automatically to those designated to get them.

Sure, we can do all of this and more, so what?

Some of the benefits are,

The Quick Check

It takes seconds to logon and check the screen.

It’s a good idea to check each site in the morning and later in the day.

If you want to see what has happened to the pH levels over the last 24 hours for example you just,

• click on the pH which will give you the graph from midnight, then
• change you start date back a day (or as far as you want to go) to get the graph for that longer period.

After doing this for a few weeks you start seeing the pattern the represents the pool. It’s when the usual pattern is different that you are alerted to a possible problem existing or developing.

It’s also handy to be able to check what has been happening after you return from your days off.

If you are managing others, then it’s a good idea to check a site before sending your techs there. It’s also a good way of checking things after a service.

Other Benefits

• Your quick checks may indicate that a setting is consistently too high or too low. You can make a change remotely.
• If you know that the pool is going to get hammered tomorrow, then you can increase your ORP or FAC level for the day then change it back later.
• You can observe and download a chart showing the graphs for 3 selected parameters on the one page. This allows you to observe the relationships between ORP, FAC and pH for example. This is quite helpful in understanding the effects of one parameter on another.
• You can also download selected data in spreadsheet format. The first time I did this my reaction was ‘Bulldust!” or words to that effect. This ability comes into its own when you are trying to understand something that’s happening with your pool. It’s loaded with information once you work out what data you need to help you solve an issue.
• To be able to turn a chemical feed on or off remotely comes in real handy when you have added sodium bicarbonate to your balance tank for example. You can turn your acid feed off for your chosen period of time. You just set your alarm on your phone then you log onto AquaReporter using your phone to turn it back on from wherever you happen to be.
• If you need to set a timer to force an action, say, a super-chlorination after a swimming carnival to burn out any combined chlorine.
• Alarms can be set to be sent to designated people vis text or email. You need to be careful with this one. You have to decide on the importance of receiving an alarm before doing it. Very useful if used sparingly.
• Another useful function is that you can organise reports to be sent to those who need to be informed. This has the benefits of,
  • getting in front of the game, and
  • arming those who need to confront the wingers and the whiners. It gives them the evidence. You just need to be certain that the evidence is on your side which is what remote monitoring helps you achieve.
  • giving you reports for the records of others; for committee reports and to support your arguments when requesting funds to solve a problem.
  • keeping you honest. You will need the reports to tell a good story.

A Couple of Examples

Reports.

I experienced the benefit of this when a building manager was constantly getting harassed by an owner complaining about the pool water temperature. I set the system to email him a daily temperature report. That worked wonders. I also set the system to send him an alarm when the temperature dropped below a predetermined level of his choosing.

Data Use

I had a problem with the acid running out unexpectedly at a new install. I was able to download the acid pump rate and pH data per minute. By using that along with the rate the pulse pump delivered the acid, the drum volume and dilution I was able to work out how much was getting pumped over x days. This confirmed that there was nothing wrong with the equipment. The problem could be easily fixed by getting a larger acid storage drum or by taking more care with the sodium bicarbonate quantity being added.

The bigger the operation the greater the need for information especially when it comes to sanitation and costs.

Managing your chemicals is just the beginning of what you can do with a quality controller such as the Aquarius Ultima. Adding a web connection gives you the ability to fully tap into the power of the Ultima Pro Controller. The ability to connect many devices takes this controller beyond just being a chemical feeder to becoming a pool management system. Image being able to see the system flow rate, the temperature, TDS (salt level), water meters, tank levels and just about anything else you would find helpful. It’s not just about seeing them, it’s about the story they tell.

This is how you prevent problems occurring and prevent losing money. Let us help you achieve this.

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