In episode 251 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar, John, and Zach go full pool nerd mode and dive deep into real-world pool chemistry questions submitted by new pool pro Jonah Callahan. From pH creep in saltwater pools to the truth about chlorine lock and how to properly shock your pool, this episode is packed with must-know insights for every pool tech—from beginner to seasoned vet.

John breaks down complex chemistry topics in a way that’s simple and practical, and the team shares insider strategies for managing high CYA, enzymes, calcium hardness, and more. Whether you're battling algae, scaling, or just trying to maintain balanced water, this is the episode you don’t want to miss.

Plus: Edgar announces key dates for the Pool Nation Awards, Women’s Summit, and the $10K Pool Pro Challenge, and the team drops some exclusive details on Business Matrix-only content at the upcoming Pool Nation Conference.

👉 Learn, laugh, and level up your chemistry game—Pool Nation style.

• [00:00] Intro & Pool Talk Weather Chaos – Palm tree nightmares, flooding in Texas, and summer is here.

• [09:00] Pool Nation Awards & Event Announcements – Dates for nominations, Women’s Summit (sold out!), and upcoming events at the PSP Expo.

• [10:50] Business Classes Preview at Pool Nation Conference – Edgar, Zach, and John walk through all 10 business-focused class topics and the Matrix-exclusive advanced tracks.

• [19:10] Listener Q&A: Saltwater Pools & pH Creep – Why salt systems raise pH and what you can do to manage it.

• [23:45] Do Enzymes Really Work in Pool Water? – How and why enzymes like CV-600 can save your time and sanity.

• [27:00] Chlorine Lock: Real or Myth? – The CYA-to-chlorine ratio, nitrate interference, and why "chlorine lock" isn't exactly what you think.

• [31:30] Testing High CYA Levels Accurately – How to use dilution testing to measure conditioner over 100 ppm.

• [39:00] What’s the Best Chlorine for Shocking a Pool? – When to use dichlor, cal hypo, trichlor, or liquid chlorine—and why.

• [43:10] How Dangerous is Slightly Off pH? – What a small pH change actually means for chlorine effectiveness and swimmer safety.

• [45:50] Is High Calcium Hardness Really a Problem? – The difference between safe and unsafe levels, and how to manage it using LSI.

• [54:00] Final Thoughts & Studio Talk – The team recaps the value of bite-size chemistry education and teases future podcast episodes and Pool Man University content.

We want to thank our incredible sponsors who make the Pool Nation Podcast possible:

• The SPPA, BluRay XL, AquaStar Pool Products, Natural Chemistry, Raypak – Hayward Pool Products, Heritage Pool Supply Group, Poolside Tech, Pool Brain, US Motors and Pool Invoice

In episode 250 of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar and Zac are joined in-studio by Alicia Stephens and Rick Harvey from BioLab for a hilarious, insightful, and business-packed episode you won’t want to miss. They dive deep into what it really takes to build a 5-star pool business—from premium customer experience and staff onboarding to powerful loyalty strategies that keep customers coming back year after year.

🎤 Plus: Rick shares how he went from Red Bull to pool pros, Alicia spills the story of accidentally giving “the talk” to a 6-year-old, and the crew talks about the magic of time management, retention strategies, and why every pool pro needs to stop shopping with their own wallet.

This episode is a must-listen for service pros, retailers, and anyone looking to level up their business through education, relationships, and premium customer care.

Sponsored by: SPPA, BluRay XL, AquaStar Pool Products, BioLab, Natural Chemistry, Raypak, Hayward, Poolside Tech, Pool Brain, Pool Invoice and Nidec.

• [00:00:00] Welcome to the show – The Pool Nation crew is back with Alicia Stephens & Rick Harvey

• [00:01:30] Marco Polo champions, vacation stories, and wasp attacks

• [00:03:00] Meet Rick Harvey: Yes, he’s not Steve Harvey’s brother… but he’s got the good looks

• [00:06:30] Hilarious family stories, chaos crew updates, and why Edgar now cherishes loud homes

• [00:10:00] Pool Nation Awards nominations, women’s summit prep & Alicia’s comedy debut

• [00:14:00] Pool Nation Conference business classes revealed: Profit, pricing, financials & teams

• [00:19:00] Why Alicia is doing stand-up comedy—and yes, drinks will be required

• [00:23:00] Rick Harvey’s origin story: From Red Bull to BioLab to business strategist

• [00:27:00] Why Biolab is built on education—and how it drives premium retail success

• [00:31:00] How BioLab elevates pool pros through training, coaching, and business support

• [00:34:00] Why fun + learning = retention (and the secret to Alicia’s powerful classes)

• [00:38:00] The ROI of training your employees—even if they’re only with you one season

• [00:41:00] Simple but powerful ways to elevate the customer experience (Retail + Service)

• [00:47:00] Are you a 5-Star Business? Here’s how to find out (and fix it fast)

• [00:50:00] “Don’t shop with your wallet”—How to sell premium without assuming budget

• [00:57:00] What actually builds retention—and why most pool pros overlook it

• [01:04:00] The key to follow-up, trust, and customer loyalty (plus a shout-out to veterinarians)

• [01:08:00] Social reviews, negative feedback, and turning critics into loyal fans

• [01:13:00] Why retaining customers is 10x more powerful than finding new ones

• [01:23:00] Bonus Story: Alicia’s infamous “birds and the bees” moment babysitting Rick’s daughter

• [01:27:00] Final thoughts: What’s your business really doing to go from 4.8 stars to 5?

Episode 249 Pool Nation Podcast - In this can’t-miss episode of the Pool Nation Podcast, Edgar welcomes back Danielle and Laurel from the SPPA to uncover the real-life insurance claims that have cost pool pros thousands—even millions. From acid spills that destroy driveways to overfilled pools flooding homes, this episode is packed with eye-opening stories, practical tips, and the must-have insurance coverage every pool business should have.

Plus, we reveal the one thing that can take out your entire business overnight—and how to protect yourself and your family before it’s too late. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the pool industry, you’ll walk away with game-changing knowledge that could save your business.

• [00:00] Welcome to the Pool Nation Podcast – and the legend of the rodeo divorce party

• [05:21] Fun in Texas, bull riding, and million-dollar bulls (literally)

• [11:10] Edgar reveals Danielle’s SPPA Awards streak and what’s new in Vegas 2025

• [15:55] The most common pool insurance claims and how to avoid them

• [22:44] How a bottle of acid ruined a $30,000 driveway – and who paid for it

• [28:16] Overfilling pools: Why it’s one of the costliest mistakes

• [33:25] The danger of dark-bottom pools and Tri-Chlor—$6,500 later

• [37:18] Destroying heaters with water chemistry – a silent profit killer

• [44:10] Edgar shares the chilling story of a Legionella outbreak

• [50:12] Real lawsuits: from dog bites to pool pop-ups and property damage

• [56:35] Why umbrella policies and faulty workmanship coverage are crucial

• [1:01:28] The cost of not planning: Death, disability, and leaving your family unprotected

• [1:08:00] Affordable disability and life insurance plans that every pool pro needs

• [1:15:20] Real stories of broken legs, skateboards, and business disaster

• [1:18:55] Edgar and SPPA commit to launching new video education series for pool pros

• [1:21:45] Edgar becomes the hero of every girls’ trip...and the podcast party planner