Rudy, Author at Aquatic Facility Training and Consultants

Nitrate Removal Rig Concept

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 13, 2025
Post category:Pool News

Disclaimer – Nitrate Removal Rig Concept The nitrate removal rig described herein is presented as a conceptual design for informational and educational purposes only. It has not been tested, certified,…

Top 10 Finalists Named for 2025 Mentor of the Year Award

Post author:Rudy
Post published:August 5, 2025
Post category:Talking Pools Podcast

Top 10 Finalists Named for Talking Pools Podcast 2025 Mentor of the Year Award 🔍 Behind the Process: How We Chose the Top 10 Mentors of the Year in the…

2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup

Post author:Rudy
Post published:July 19, 2025
Post category:Pool News

Talking Pools Podcast Announces 2025 Mentor Awards Finalists and Sponsorship Lineup July 19, 2025 – Gainesville, Florida – The Talking Pools Podcast is proud to announce the 2025 Mentor of…

Peeing in Pools: The Chemical Reactions

Post author:Rudy
Post published:April 13, 2025
Post category:Water Chemistry

When someone decides "Peeing in Pools" is ok and it's time to take a little "bathroom break" (because apparently, that's just fine), a chain of chemical reactions starts to unfold…

Understanding Sulfates and Sales Tax in Pool Service

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 16, 2024
Post category:Water Chemistry

Understanding Sulfates and Sales Tax in Pool Service: Key Insights for Pool Professionals As a pool service technician, staying ahead of potential issues and regulatory responsibilities is essential. In this…

Concrete Cancer and ASR in Swimming Pools

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 9, 2024
Post category:Builders

Concrete Cancer can erode the structural integrity of pools, leading to costly repairs, reputation damage, and in severe cases, complete rebuilds.

Vodka Pool Hacks and Service Agreements

Post author:Rudy
Post published:November 2, 2024
Post category:Pool News

Pool Hacks and Service Agreements – all tied together in this fascinating cepisode. If you’ve ever been tempted to try one of those viral "life hacks" like dumping Tito's vodka…

ORP Secrets & Niche Profits

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 26, 2024
Post category:Water Chemistry

In this episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, Rudy Stankowitz delves into two significant topics for pool professionals: the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in swimming pool water and how to identify…

Metal-Based Biocides and Google My Business for Your Pool Service Business

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 19, 2024
Post category:Algae Marketing

Based on an insightful episode of the Talking Pools Podcast, hosted by Rudy Stankowitz. This article will delve into two crucial topics: the science and effectiveness of metal-based biocides in…

Preparing Your Pool for a Hurricane

Post author:Rudy
Post published:October 16, 2024
Post category:Home Owner Pool Care Pool News Pool Operator Talk News Pool Service Tips

Hurricane Damage courtesy of Hurricane Helene

Talking Pools Podcast

Forget chasing chlorine headaches and battling algae wars alone. The Talking Pools Podcast is your weekly escape from pool purgatory, where 250+ years of combined pro wisdom explodes into actionable hacks, mind-blowing tips, and secrets so ancient they make Poseidon jealous.

Think of it as your weekly poolside braintrust, fueled by eight seasoned pros, each a rockstar in their own aquatic lane. Got a filtration fiasco? Chemical conundrum? Equipment enigma? No problem. We’ve got a host for that:

The Tech Titan: Unravels the mysteries of pumps, filters, and gizmos that make pools tick (without the electrical shocks).

The Chem Crusader: Your personal alchemist, whipping up potion-perfect water balance with a dash of science and a sprinkle of magic.

The Maintenance Maverick: From tile tricks to algae assassins, he’s got the lowdown on keeping your pool looking like a liquid emerald palace.

The Customer Calmer: Smooths ruffled feathers faster than a pool noodle bouquet, turning hangry homeowners into poolside pals.

But Talking Pools isn’t just about technical wizardry. It’s about camaraderie, the shared language of pool pros who’ve seen it all, from exploding filters to synchronized swimming squirrels (no, really, we had an episode!).

Every week, you’ll:

Steal game-changing secrets: Learn pro-grade hacks to make you the “Pool Whisperer” in your market

Laugh until you spit out your piña colada: These guys are as witty as they are wise, turning pool problems into poolside punchlines.

Get ahead of the curve: Stay on top of industry trends and tech before your competitors even smell the chlorine.

Feel the love (and the sunshine): Remember why you got into this business in the first place – the joy of creating backyard oases where memories are made.

So, ditch the Drano, grab your headphones, and dive into the Talking Pools Podcast. It’s your weekly dose of poolside wisdom, laughter, and community. We’ll see you on the flip side!

P.S. Subscribe now and you might just win a case of pool party essentials (floaties not included, sorry squirrels).

P.P.S. Tell your pool-loving friends – sharing knowledge is like sharing sunscreen, it protects everyone!

Pool Pros text questions here

Rudy does something different this week: he takes the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) out of the pool industry echo chamber and walks it through the lens of academics, civil engineers, groundwater chemists, and industrial water experts who don’t care about plaster warranties, brand marketing, or trade show politics.

If you’ve ever argued about “which LSI is right” in a Facebook group, this one is for you.

Episode Overview

Rudy kicks off with a news analogy:
How the same event looks completely different on U.S. news versus international coverage. Same facts, different framing.

He uses that setup to shift how we look at LSI:

We already know the pool industry story about LSI: PHTA charts, app calculators, Orenda talks, trade folklore.
But this episode asks:
“What does the scientific community think about LSI when they’re not talking to pool people at all?”

Rudy dives into how universities and researchers actually use and define LSI in research on:

Groundwater
Drinking water stability
Industrial cooling systems
Desalination plants
Boiler operations
Cement leaching
Environmental engineering

Key Concepts Covered

1. LSI as the Outside World Sees It

Academics consistently define LSI = pH − pHs, where pHs is the calculated saturation pH, not something you measure with a test kit.
pHs is derived from:
- Calcium hardness
- Carbonate alkalinity
- Ionic strength (modeled via TDS / activity coefficients)
- Temperature
LSI is treated as a thermodynamic index:
- It shows which direction water wants to move with respect to calcium carbonate.
- It does not tell you how fast scale forms, how thick it gets, or how quickly surfaces dissolve.

2. What Negative, Zero, and Positive LSI Actually Mean (Academically)

Negative LSI
- Water is under-saturated in calcium carbonate.
- It is capable of dissolving calcium carbonate if given the chance.
- Researchers call it “aggressive” or “decalcifying” water—but they do not say it guarantees corrosion.
LSI ≈ 0
- Theoretical equilibrium with calcium carbonate.
- In the real world, systems almost never sit at perfect equilibrium because of flow, aeration, dosing, and turbulence.
Positive LSI
- Water is supersaturat

AquaStar Pool Products
The Global Leader in
Safety, Dependability, & Innovation
in Pool Technology.

POOL MAGAZINE
Pool Magazine is leading up to the minute news source for Swimming Pool News and Pool Features. Ou

BLUERAY XL
The real mineral purifier!
Reduce your pool maintenance costs & efforts by 50%

Jack's Magic
If you know Jack's you'd have no stains!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Thank you so much for listening! You can find us on social media:

Email us: talkingpools@gmail.com